Random Bits
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Random Bits Weekend in review: Carbonas, Bradford Cox, Mickey Hart, and more made Atlanta a record buying paradise
Posted by Chad Radford on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 10:37 AM
- Photo by Tim Song
- Carbonas reunion, Atlanta Mess-Around 2012.
And while we’re on the subject, I’ve witnessed a handful of Carbonas final shows/reunions over the years, but Saturday night was unparalleled. In terms of both the crowd’s response, and the band’s explosive energy as they tore through pretty much everything you wanted to hear (“Blackout,” “Phone Booth,” “Assvogel,” et. al.), this show was one for the history books. When all was said and done, one thing was obvious to everyone in the room: This band needs to carry on, or at least go on tour again.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Random Bits Photo: Van Dyke Parks at the Earl, Sat., Feb. 18
Posted by Chad Radford on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 2:59 PM
This guys should do stand-up! ... And when's the last time you saw a damn grand piano at the Earl?
According to the show's promoter, Alex Weiss of OK Productions, Parks played the same piano that Stevie Wonder played the last time he did a show in Atlanta. It's also the same piano that Jerry Lee Lewis plays on in Memphis every May — his third favorite piano, actually.
Who knew?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Random Bits Meet Josh Starks, the man who nearly jumped from a Midtown tower until T.I. stepped in
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Friday, January 20, 2012
Random Bits When Eli met Cole
Posted by Chad Radford on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 1:42 PM
There’s a color version of this same pic floating around the Internet, but this black and white treatment carries so much ambiance. Could make a cool album cover. If only these two would get together for a collab. mixtape …
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Random Bits ATL soul in 2012
Posted by Carlton Hargro on Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 1:52 PM
- iPhone
- SOUL IN THE WHOLE: WCLK-FM's Dec. 10 What's Going On tribute brought out Atlanta soul stars classic and new, including Avery Sunshine (left), show host Jamal Ahmad (pictured holding India.Arie's purse while she sings), Carmen Rodgers, Joey Summerville, Phonte of the Foreign Exchange, Julie Dexter, Anthony David, India.Arie, Kipper Jones, and Rahbi. Donnie (not shown) joined them onstage for the finale.
Well, 2011 is almost a wrap. And when it comes to Atlanta’s soul music scene, it’s safe to say it was a very good year.
Just think: In 2011, we were treated to lots of new music (like a new CD from singer Julie Dexter and two albums from Anthony David, among many others), great live shows (such as the Marvin Gaye Tribute show) and great nightlife events (Spread Love and almost anything at the Sound Table).
So, now that this year is nearly in the can, the question is: What does next year hold for local soul? To get answers, we turned to a gaggle of the city’s top singers, musicians, DJs, promoters and more — and they opined on what they want to see happen in Atlanta’s soul music scene in 2012.
Jamal Ahmad, radio personality/event promoter: "The Atlanta soul scene is one of the healthiest scenes on this planet. We have artists like Anthony David, Avery Sunshine, Julie Dexter, India.Arie and transplants like Raheem Devaughn and Musiq Soulchild. My only qualms with the scene are that: 1) we need to see younger artist keeping this music alive in their generation; 2) the output needs to always stand heads above what is coming out globally — therefore the songs, the sound, the production, need to be strong; and 3) we need more venues that support this music."
Anthony David, singer/musician: “New small venue in the vein of Sugarhill (400-person capacity, so new artists can grow in between Apache and Center Stage), another band holding it down on the level of the Chronicle (shout out to Gritz and Jelly Butter, along with Josh Bias) and more records from the new generation out there! More music, less fashion!”
Jaya, booking agent GlobalMoods Entertainment: “What I would like to see in the ATL soul scene in 2012 and beyond is less industry politics and more support of quality indie and underground artists. Changing the atmosphere inside the clubs could and would change an entire society. Music influences people. Support quality music with quality messages. We are one.”
Little John Roberts, musician/bandleader: “I think Atlanta has great potential to be what it was in the ’90s when there was Laface Records and Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri making hits after hits — as well as the underground sounds of Organized Noize with Outkast and Goodie Mob. ATL has soul artists and great musicians here that are still on their grind, they just need an outlet for the world to take notice. But first the city has to support them before anywhere else does! Home has to stop treating us like we're just ‘locals.’ Support the music ATL!! You don't know what you've got 'til its gone!“
Ken Rye, executive producer, Hot Ice Live, an Atlanta-based entertainment company specializing in live global soul music: “For 2012, I'm looking for the continued Influence of local scene with more new attendees at shows and more artists coming out of this area on the national scene. Personally, I have enjoyed the collaborations between our Atlanta-based producers and internationally recognized talent showing that our folks match up along some of the best in the world. If we do a better job of doing this on more stages and via more interactive media, other markets and new audiences will have to give the market its proper respect.
"I tend to look at our business by our ability to attract new local demographics and the support we get from closely related industries like hospitality, tourism, film, advertising, etc. Artists like Anthony David, DJ Kemit, Avery Sunshine, and others are representing Atlanta on commercial radio and nightclubs all over the world right now. Producers like Jason Orr, Daz I-Kue, Mausiki Scales, Khari Simmons and others are increasingly being sought after for their influence on international music. Even as artists relocate to and from places like LA, D.C., the Bay, N.Y., Ghana, and the U.K., our channels stay open for fresh creativity, booking, and audience feedback. With that, 2012 is already offering some soulful promises for some solid, new, original music and exclusive collaborations that can only be produced out of a city like Atlanta.”
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Random Bits Hey, CNN ... here is the love
Posted by Carlton Hargro on Sat, Dec 3, 2011 at 10:54 AM
OK, I have a major beef with writer John Blake’s article, “Where is the love in R&B music?” — which was published by CNN.com on Dec. 3.
In the piece, Blake contends that America’s current crop of R&B artists (due to various social ills and psychological maladies) just make surface-level songs about sex — unlike artists back in the day (like Al Green, Barry White, etc.) who regularly recorded tunes about the virtues of real love.
The problem with Blake’s contention, however, is that it’s just factually wrong. And honestly, I think he realized his argument didn't ring true when he gave an ultra-quick nod to “artists … trying to start a ‘new romantic’ movement in R&B” near the end of his story.
See, there are tons (and I mean tons) of relatively young artists recording straight-up, no-holds-barred love songs these days. And there’s nothing “new” about this wave of singers and musicians; this “romantic movement” has been going on for at least the last 20 years.
It’s a movement that’s been championed by artists like Omar, Jill Scott, Eric Roberson, Chrisette Michele, Bilal, The Foreign Exchange, Erik Rico, Wayna, Valencia Robinson, YahZarah, Goapele, Choklate, Dwele, Ledisi, PJ Morton, Rahsaan Patterson, Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, Calvin Richardson, Anthony Hamilton (and by ATLiens like India.Arie, Anthony David, Donnie, Julie Dexter, Phillipia, Avery Sunshine, Algebra, etc.) … and many, many, many more. These artists have collectively released hundreds of love songs to date — and went on to garner dozens of awards and accolades.
The problem, therefore, isn’t a lack of love songs — it’s really a lack of exposure.
As always, the crappiest new music gets the most play on radio stations coast to coast … while the great stuff (which is, by the way, available for sale online and in record stores around the world) gets routinely dissed by the industry’s most influential program directors. It’s an old story — a veritable broken record — that just keeps on keeping on.
So, look folks — the music is out there. The question is: When are we going to put the fire under radio to play today’s great love songs?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Random Bits will.i.am drinks Dr. Pepper, sings for Coke
Posted by Scott Henry on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Apparently, according to this 2005 interview, will.i.am has been hankerin' to get paid by a major soft drink for a while now. Here, he stands up for selling out:
"These corporations — Nike, Sprite, Coke, Panasonic, Motorola — they’re gonna utilize urban music anyway to sell their product because most urban people buy these products. Every rapper talks about Motorola in their video for fuckin’ free. So why not get paid for a commercial when people are doing it for free anyway? Why not give it back to Hip Hop?Coke is gonna get some corny dude from the suburbs that don’t really know about hip hop history, and he’s gonna be rapping on TV selling Coke. Why not the Roots? Do they not deserve it? I’m pretty sure they got Coke in their muthafuckin dressing room. Why not the Black Eyed Peas to do Dr. Pepper? We’re the only muthafuckas that like that soda. I don’t see nobody drinkin' no Dr. Pepper in no video. We’re an odd-ass group — why not us? I don’t understand why people hate. As long as the Roots next song isn’t ‘Yo, say Coca-coca-cola’…”
My question is: And will.i.am is different from some corny dude from the suburbs how, exactly?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Random Bits Upcoming CL-sponsored events
Posted by Krystle Drew on Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 3:41 PM
CL Music Issue party. June 18, 11 p.m. MJQ, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. Check out the 2011 Music Issue here.
More interested in booze than tunes? Then Christmas comes early in the form of the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest. CL plays Santa in this scenario with a sack loaded with more than 200 kegs serving up more than 100 brews. The festival also features music group Ocean Street, food vendors and more. Bottoms up!
Atlanta Summer Beer Fest, Masquerade Music Park. $35-$40. 5-10 p.m. Sat., June 25.
