Newspaper Page Text
EEI> threats & promises
Erica Strout’s Killer Pop
PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com
SOLO IS AS SOLO DOES: Throughout her entire time as an
Athens musician, Erica Strout (Motherfucker, Dream
Tent) has been solidly ensconced inside the typical rock
band frame of a guitar-bass-drums trio, or something
similar. Additionally, she’s best known for making either
angular math rock or in-your-face hard rock. Recently,
though, she’s begun slowly releasing solo songs, and the
debut track, “Not the Only
One,” is an utterly killer dark
pop song. Musically, the track
features a thumpy bass gui
tar, some poignant but bare-
ly-there guitar and multiple
hyper-melodic keyboard lines.
And, yes, the tune itself would
be enough to mention even
if it was an instrumental. But
Strout’s vocals are the real star
here. They’re measured, direct
and basically flawless in their
delivery of her pointed lyrics.
This is really reminiscent of a
certain type of late ’70s/early
’80s production that is difficult
for me to define, but I can read
ily point to examples. Imagine
a far less flashy version of the
production style used for, say,
Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes”
and A1 Stewart’s “Year of the
Cat,” and you’ll be on the right
path. Go check this out imme
diately via ericastrout.band
camp.com.
PUNCHES ONE AND TWO: Athens
metal duo Dead Vibes
Ensemble released their full
length album, What Devilry
Is This?, last week. The whole Erica Strout
album was recorded, mixed,
and mastered by Kyle Spence (Harvey Milk). It’s draped
in nearly completely unintelligible vocals but is completely
tuneful and crafted. The pair cranks through a tight eight
tracks of mid-tempo sludge glory, the best of which hit a
solid groove and bring the doom down. Highlights include
“Envy,” opening track “Tyrant Wing,” “Ritual Scars” and the
headbanger “Illness and Death.” Grind it out at deadvibes
ensemble.bandcamp.com, and fly the flag at facebook.com/
deadvibesensemble.
SEND ’EM IN: The deadline for nominations for this year’s Vic
Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Award, presented
by Classic City Rotary, is fast approaching. The last date
to nominate yourself or
someone else is Sunday,
Mar. 1. The award is now
in its fourth year, and past
winners are Lydia Brambila,
Linqua Franqa and Andrew
Huang. The award comes
with a $1,000 cash prize,
too. Have I got your atten
tion now? The nomination
process is easy peasy. Just
go to vicchesnuttaward.
com and look for the lil’
red box on the right that
says “make a nomination.”
Click that, fill in the form,
and you’re good. This year’s
award show happens Apr.
9. For any and all other
information, see the above-referenced URL or facebook.
com/VicChesnuttAward.
AMERICAN HEAVY METAL WEEKEND: The never-ending creativity
of Kris Deason (Outersea, Thrum) rears its head again
with the release of the Weaponized Flesh six-track demo.
This is straight-up thrash metal in the most traditional
sense, including some vampy,
’80s-style vocal reverb. The
band on this is basically a
bunch of all-stars in the form
of Jason Griffin, John Lukas
and Kemp Stroble. The track
that really embraces the aggres
siveness of the method just has
to be “Eaten Alive and Killed By
Roaches.” Give this five minutes
and don’t look back at weapon
izedfleshl.bandcamp.com.
THANK YOU: As many of you now
know, longtime Flagpole music
editor Gabe Vodicka has left
the paper to begin a new job
at UGA. I can’t let this week’s
column go without mentioning
a few things. In my time at
Flagpole, I’ve worked under five
different music editors, and,
for Gabe, the longest of any.
While each had their particular
pluses—some more than oth
ers—it was a real treat to work
with Gabe. He was unprece
dented in trusting my expertise
in certain areas of coverage, as
well as genres of music; always
defended my writing in my
own particular voice; and pro
vided me very broad latitude
for developing and delivering
stories. Those of you familiar with traditional journalism
and newsroom process know that this type of light-touch
editorial oversight is rare and to be respected. I will always
be thankful for his guidance over quickly developing stories
that were difficult to file and fact-check, as well as his keen
eye toward the mundane task of copy editing, which spared
me embarrassment more
than once. So, thank you,
Gabe, for everything.
It was a pleasure, an
honor, and I wish
you nothing but
the best. ©
radio report
WUOG 90.5 FM's 10 Most-Played Recordings
Feb. 12-18
1. Faye Webster Atlanta Millionaires Club (Secretly Canadian)
2. Blood Orange Angel's Pulse (Domino)
3. Needle Teeth Expiration Date EP (Independent Release)*
4. Alice Boman Dream On (PIAS)
5. Peach Pyramid Bright Blue (Oscar St)
6. FKA Twigs Magdalene (Young Turks)
7. Omni Networker(Sub Pop)
8. Kishi Bashi Omoiyari (Joyful Noise)*
9. Frances Quinlan Likewise (Saddle Creek)
10. Dan Deacon Mystic Familiar (Domino)
* local release • Get the latest WUOG news, including the Live in the Lobby schedule, at wuog.org.
f^ATjSI
FEATURING
ATHENS' BEST SELECTION OF E-LIQUIDS
YOUR E-CIC & ACCESSORIES HEADQUATERS
ROLL YOUR OWN!
CIGARS (NEW WALK IN HUMIDOR!)
■detoxS
AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS
MODERN AGE IS KNOWN FOR!
3125 Atlanta Hwy.
(BRICK BUILDING IN FRONT OF TARGET AND
NEXT TO HARDEE’S)
WE’VE GOT T-SHIRTS!
COME AN1> GET ‘EM!
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE 0//L///E AT
flagpole.bigcarteL.com
OR IH PERSON AT OUR OFFICE
@ 220 PR/NCE AVENUE
© nflffll Family-to-Family
National Alliance on Mental Illness
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
8 session evidence based educational
program for family, friends, and significant
others of people living with mental health conditions
Saturdays March 7th-28th
10AM-2:30PM
Free. Register now
namihall.org
770-225-0804 ext. 700 or 703
FEBRUARY 26, 2020 | FLAGPOLE.COM 9