About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 28, 2011)
ister act Von Grey is made up of four school-aged girls from the Atlanta suburbs, but their deft mix of tuneful Americana suggests strong futures in adult contemporary sounds. Blending bluegrass, folk and country influences with classical training, the band comes across like a budding Nickel Creek with a little of Taylor Swift's accessible acous- tica. The girls—Kathryn (16), Annika (15), Fiona (13) and Petra (11)—all play multiple instruments and offer vocal har monies on their debut album. Moke Some Noise. In 2007, the Von Grey sisters began performing chamber music under the nam;’ Kannafitra, but a year later expanded their repertoire to include Celtic, folk and bluegrass. Adopting the band name Von Grey in 2009, the group has found its way to Georgia stages. "Well, I think [becoming a band] was kind of a natural thing for us," says Annika. "Music's been a big part of our family. We started doing classical music together, playing weddings, then we went to India. We met some Indian musicians who played Western classic rock, and that was really cool and interesting. We started playing with them. When we came back we were dab bling in a couple things: bluegrass, Irish fid dling. We started breaking out of that about two years ago. And then we started writing our own music." The sisters, all of whom are home-schooled by their parents in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek suburban area, practice 30 hours a week together and an hour or two a day individually. Saturdays are the "chill days," according to Annika, who credits her parents for sparking the family proclivities. "Neither of them are musicians," she says, "but they love music, and when we were really young we went to festivals and listened to music, all the time, really immersed in the musical kind of culture." "Fiona and I are the main two singers," says Annika, "so we do the primary songwrit ing. She'll start playing guitar. If one of us like the idea, we'll go with it, develop chord progressions and other stuff. Usually we write the music first, and then I'll go write some lyrics. The process changes from song to song. We really let it happen organically, though, so we can all suggest ideas." Von Grey made its Athens debut last month, performing at the Melting Point as part of the Terrapin Tuesdays bluegrass series. "It had a really great environment and vibe," says Annika. "The show was really good." Von Grey returns to the Melting Point this week, opening for their pals in the Macon band St. Francis, who've offered a little mentorship to the budding group. "It's been a big learning curve," says Annika. "St. Francis has been super helpful, and it's great getting to know musicians in the area. We met Ed Roland from Collective Soul at Eddie's Attic, and he had good things to say. And If you meet someone who's kind of a roadie or a soundman and they can tell you anything about the industry, that's always really helpful, too." And on the hour-or-so drive to Athens from the North Atlanta 'burbs, can the sisters agree on what to listen to in the car? Annika says there may be some sis terly disagreements in tunes, but they find common ground in music similar to what they play as a band. "There's a really big variety of music on our own," she says, "but really when we're together we listen to The River or Dave FM; Fiona likes urban music like R&B and that sort of thing, but Kathryn and I listen to some of the more raw acoustic artists. The artists that have a lot of authenticity are the ones that we all listen to, like Nickel Creek, Dixie Chicks, Mumford & Sons. Those we can agree on." Chris Hassiotis < > WHO: Saint Francis, Von Grey, Betsy Kingston WHERE: Melting Point WHEN: Friday, Sept. 30,7:3Gp.m. HOW MUCH: $8 (adv.), $10 (door) V You have enjoyed our food for years... Now know us as an Athens original... NOW OPE 706-546-0015 320 E. CLAYTON STREET (next to Mellow Mushroom) a, " “ iillttHHl v':. All Ages Show (10 & Under Are Free) • Gales Open at 11 am • music at 12 pm S15 Advance Tickets Available at www.FallmgCroekFjrms net • S20 at Gato Ccm« torn vs for a Day Music Fettnral in the country at Felling Creek Farms, located 2$ miles 5E of Athens GA • Oitch the sitter, bring the kids and frolic in I he great outdoors' Vendors & Artisans contact Oeb at mtkatlady ‘•'yahoo com • Find us on ^ at Waller In The Holler KICK BACK, RELAX ! AND ENJOY COOLER WEATHER ON OUR PATIO BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER WEEKEND BRUNCH BEER & WINE 706.354.7901 Corner of Chase and Boulevard heirloomathens.com Q W SEPTEMBER 28, 2011- FLAGPOLE.COM 21
