Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
November 29, 2007
To say that creativity comes in spurts almost captures it for me. To be more accurate, for me, writing a song comes on like an attack of diarrhea -- all at once and very insistent. My most recent attack - of creativity, that is - hit me Sunday night. I was about to lie down and read, and there was this not-so-subtle thing barging in through my mental doorway: a song. The first line came on so strong that I was squeezing my mental butt-cheeks in a panic trying to find paper and pen whilst keeping the second line from seeping out and sharting in my brain. I hope you aren't eating breakfast. Sorry.
I think it was Merle Travis (or someone -- my research did not pan out) who said that if it takes any longer than 20 minutes to write a song, than it isn't worth it. Fortunately, that's how it works for me. Splurp! There it is; I hope I like it, because I am stuck with it until I forget it or ignore it or record it, in which case I am really stuck with it. Why is it always harder to remember songs that you wrote? Can you show me the way to the mental toilet paper? Ahhhh...TV!
Moving on to a more philosophical point: I don't really believe that people write songs. I think that songs exist out there in the ether and choose a proper vessel with which to find expression. Whoever the song finds first gets the finder's credit and is called a songwriter. A really great and powerful song tends to find numerous people to express itself through, hence cover bands and the ubiquity of songs like "Freebird," "Stairway to Heaven," etc. You don't have to believe me; it's just how I experience things.
Sometimes when I am trying to play a song on stage, it just doesn't want to be played; "petulant" would be the word I would use to describe the feeling of that song that says "No! You are not playing me right now, not after that last rendition."
As to the channeling of music; sometimes it's as though I am watching my fingers as they trot their way across the fingerboard going places I could never have thought possible. Maybe I'm in the zone, and maybe that means the song is flowing freely through me without any hindrance from the nuisance that is my brain; thinking, ever thinking. Them that knows it, feels it.
For those of you who have no clue what I'm getting at, Happy Winter Break! Do you ever notice how much cleaner it is when the tourists, er, I mean, students aren't around? And how's about that parking? Why don't you take advantage of that parking and haul your carcasses uptown this weekend and see if you can get "the feeling" when you go help these struggling musicians put food on the table this winter break. We would appreciate it greatly!
By the way, dancing counts as an experience and divining of the song, too. It's flowing through you! What will you do? What will you do? Oh yes, next week: Lennon Fest!
Jackie O's
Jackie O's has one show this weekend; tonight! The Goods, from Dayton, bring their jamalicious tendencies to focus with a plethora of rhythms and rhymes to beat the times.
Casa Cantina
Casa has a great show tonight when Adam Torres brings his Nostra Nova to the Cantina! He recently said about his music that it "weeps constantly," and I would have to agree - at least as far as its effect on me. Tears stream down my face because he has the ability to reach right in there and hit that spot that disgorges all of my sadness in the most cathartic way. Winter Makes Sailors brings shoegaze-folk down from Columbus, and Zephuros performs quiet "animal-folk."
Friday night, the magnificent McGovern Brothers roll their brother bluegrass back to the Casa Cantina. Nice harmonies and fine picking, with song selections from the Hutchison Bros., John Hartford, the Stanley Bros. and more. Opening the night will be Brian McGee, a talented singer/songwriter from the emerging music mecca of Asheville, N.C. His songs about the human condition take a different musical tack than a band I will discuss later, but the overall cleansing effect they have on the soul are the same.
Saturday night, The Billycats return to the Cantina to get their country-swing a-happening. Featuring John Borchard (Wingnuts, Royales, Realbilly Jive, etc.), Dave "Bubba" Borowski (Wingnuts, Realbilly Jive), Ted Harris (Royales, Duo-Glide, John Weniger Band, etc), and Bob Prebe, these folks really know how to play together. Their years and variety of experience make The Billycats a dancing pleasure. Polish up that ol' belt buckle, or just wait for the slow tunes.
The Union
The Union likewise has one offering this weekend; Friday night they're happy to have Red Dahlia and the Sad Bastards in for a rock and roll show that swerves and sways. Red Dahlia has been working the circuit and is gaining notoriety around the region for songs that eviscerate the gamut of the human condition, especially all of the negative ones; "in a nice little box with beautiful vocals." Just in time for the holidays.
Stuart's Opera House - Nelsonville
For Final Friday this month (this Friday), the good folks from the Paw-Paw Fest are hosting a CD Release Party, the first ever. This CD will feature live cuts from the acts that performed there this past year. Featured on the CD will be the likes of J.D. Hutchison, Megan Cameron, Joe Bob Billy, The Hackensaw Boys and more. Performing for this event will be J.D. Hutchison along with Megan Cameron and Amethyst Stone. There will be free food and whatnot beginning at 7 p.m.
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Steve Zarate will take part in Friday's Final Friday celebration by performing guitar and harmonica tunes at the Rhapsody Restaurant from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Union Hall Theater - Chesterhill
Sunday afternoon at 2, in Chesterhill - a half-hour's drive on a bad day - at the historic Union Hall Theater, you can hear a lovely violin recital featuring Laura Geier & Heather Kufchak with Angela Leising on piano. This should be a wonderful way to spend your day. The music always sounds fantastic there. Visit unionhalltheater.org for more info on this cool venue.
Editor Smith asked to occupy this final inch or two of space today in order to make one of his periodical musical recommendations. And since he's editing this column and laying out the page, I suppose I have no choice. Have at it, Smith:
If you like country-tinged power pop, check out The Tripwires' debut CD on Paisley Pop Records in Portland, Ore. The Tripwires' leader is John Ramberg, who led the late, lamented Seattle power-pop band, The Model Rockets, in the '90s. Lots of chiming and rocking guitars with slyly creative songwriting, The Tripwires also feature members of The Minus 5, The Young Freshfellows, The Picketts and other revered Seattle bands. You can Google the band or label, or just look for the Tripwires' Myspace site.
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