Local Action: January 2023 Edition

We’ve got a lot of local action to get through my good people, so let’s get going quick.

Musicians and Artists, ATHFEST 2023 has opened up applications. Yes, already. So get your stuff together and sent in already and get that off your plate early. You can find all that information HERE.

Weird commentary about auto-tune aside, THIS POST about the isolated Cindy and Kate vocals for “Roam” is a good reminder of how incredibly talented the B-52s are. Not that you needed reminding. For more B goodness, I’m recommending this look back from a few years ago written by the amazing Maureen McLaughlin.

Speaking of the retired local bands, R.E.M. hasn’t been a thing since 2011 but all of the members are releasing new music at a fairly steady clip. You’ve got Pete Buck and Scott McCaughey’s new group The No Ones releasing new stuff this spring (info here). The Bad Ends, Bill Berry’s new group, releases their debut album this Friday (info here). Michael Stipe is featured on Lonnie Holly‘s new track (info here). And Mills is popping up playing with everyone. It’s a good year for the fans.

Because we’re still on the nostalgia wagon apparently, now’s a good time to mention that Neutral Milk Hotel is putting out a collected works box set on February 24th via Merge. I haven’t seen a whole lot of hype around it but if NMH is your thing, you may want to look into it.

Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings. Now there’s a name you haven’t seen here in a while. I’m so happy to tell you that the boys are releasing their second album Satisfactionista on deluxe 2 LP vinyl. As Chris puts it, the vinyl will be “featuring all the songs from the original release plus an additional side of songs that might’ve been on a third album.” Accept that joy. Preorders to come soon.

I know you’ve been waiting for the first Nicholas Mallis single of the year but wait no longer! “Doctor Simmons” drops this Thursday wherever you can find Nic’s music.

And as always, prognosticator supreme Gordon Lamb has laid out his predictions for the Athens music scene in 2023. You can find all of the wild ride HERE.