I don’t know about you but I for one couldn’t wait for the sophomore album from Speak Easy aka visual artist Sean Fahie. The new album, Coronas, Condoms & Cigarettes: The Musical Guide to Awesome Living is the follow up album from last years album Words Have Power and it continues where the last album left off, giving you that easy living feeling and powerful yet subtle messages that will inspire you throughout your day no matter what walk of life you come from.
On a typical evening walking down the streets of Five Points in Atlanta, Georgia, it is usual to see street vendors, the homeless walking around with their usual business, a man playing the harmonica like his life depends on it and travelers from all over rushing to catch the next available train/bus to their destination. Last Friday, August 26, Five Points looked a little bit different than its usual face. On this day, sponsors provided entertainment for all who cared to witness for the debut art extravaganza called Elevate, an art and music event hosted in the middle of Five Points where passersby could participate if they wanted to. There was much to be entertained with as there was an art demonstration that took place as well as a grand performance by Atlanta’s own party band Noot D’ Noot. With all of the festivities and excitement going on, the more interesting perspective of the night was the mix of people that came together to enjoy this exciting event.
When an artist decides to take a break from their career, it’s usually for a good reason, maybe even one that average people could never understand. Sometimes an artist will feel overwhelmed or decide that they need some personal time to themselves to regroup from whatever situation they may be coming out of. For whatever reason it might be, the absence of an artist usually stirs up some kind of anticipation for their return, partially because everyone is waiting to hear what the artist has to say and if they will explain what brought about their temporary departure. What I like most about an artist returning after their exit is the chance to see or hear what improvements they may or may not have made. Artists are ever evolving and when they take a long break, it’s almost certain that they have gone through a big change in their art.
You ever had a car that didn’t have a CD player installed and the tape player was broken so the only thing you had was the radio to be your DJ? I used to feel like my daily rides would be so horrible constantly flipping through the stations looking for that one song to complete your day. I made a consistent attempt to find that one station and thank the musical gods I did. It was a college radio station in Atlanta called Album 88 (88.5) and they played local, indie bands and other types of non mainstream genres that kept me in for a good music loop everyday.
Just yesterday I saw a documentary about Lil’ Wayne and his story about how his biggest album to date, The Carter 3 came into existence. Out of all the things that was going on in the documentary, the main thing that stood out and inspired me was Lil’ Wayne’s willingness to always want to record, whether he was on the tour bus or in the middle of his hotel room. It made me think of the passion that real musicians have when it comes to their music and their ambition to do great at what they do regularly.
Atlanta jam and funk band Noot D’ Noot has just released a new mixtape entitled Time Release. This mixtape features some mixes of some of their already established songs such as “Know That Feeling” and “The Occasion.” The mixtape also features a track with Atlanta Hip-Hop artists Muffy and Grip Plyaz called “Retail Girls” and also a track created from a freestyle live performance at one of their shows called “Wanton One.”
The first time I saw Spree Wilson it was at the East Atlanta Bar where he performed at Art Nouveau’s Strawberry Fields event with Corinne Stevie headlining. When he finally went onstage I felt like he had to groups because one minute he would be playing guitar and singing and the next he would be rapping over the music played by his band. I was amazed at his versatility and even more amazed that he was good at them all. It’s good to finally hear a solid album from him which seems to take us on a personal journey of how he went from the southern hospitality vibe Atlanta to the fast paced world of New York City.
Last week, I was invited to a screening of Scion’s documentary called New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times. It is a documentary about the different garage bands around the world including the late Jay Reatard and Georgia’s own Black Lips. It’s a pretty kick ass film that shows the sweat and filth these bands endured in maintaining their bands. It’s a pretty decent look into the garage world and definitely will open any and everyone into the garage scene. If you missed it last week, here is a link to the full length version so you can still catch the music known as Garage.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been meeting some interesting artists in the most inconspicuous ways. Take for instance Monica Ellis. Just the other day, my friend and I were killing some time because we had to wait for the restaurant to buzz us when they were ready for us, so we wandered around because the place was too crowded, and we stumbled upon a local art gathering. I believe the venue was called Salt and it was art featured by Alejandro.
In the ancient walls of the Masquerade venue in Atlanta, GA came an experience that has only happened once before in the southern state. On a rainy Wednesday night, hipsters, rockers and everyone in between were in attendance to see the LA musical duo J*DaVeY perform and bring their alternative pop sound live and in color to Atliens alike. Although having only released one two sided album to date with another one on the way, followed by four EPs, J*DaVeY has created a loyal following which showed in the attendance for their second debut in Atlanta. People were already crowded around the stage in preparation for a show they would never forget–unless certain toxins prevented them to do so. A night that opened up with notable hip-hoppers such as Atlanta’s own Lyric Jones, KeithCharles and LA rapper Blu ended with a banging performance by J*DaVeY.
It’s hard going to a Wise Blood show and not feel the intensity that musician Chris Laufman brings to his performances as well as his live band. What more could you expect from a guy whose music is fumed from his ego? The musical creation produced by Laufman, Wise Blood hit up Atlanta recently at the local bar 529 to give the most intense show that one could feel in such close quarters.
Artist Appreciation
Talent is an art that only the chosen few possess, whether it’s writing, singing, playing an instrument or being able to bend your legs behind your back. Having a certain talent separates you from others who may or may not possess it in the same way that you do, so when a person decides to capitalize on their ability, it is something to be admired.
Read More