Best Of Atlanta 2009 Header Large


2009 Index of Winners

Best Acoustic Music Club/Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Eddie's Attic (Featured)

Runner-up
Smith's Olde Bar
1578 Piedmont Ave., 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com

Best After Hours Spot BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
El Bar @ El Ponce (Featured)

Runner-up
Clermont Lounge
789 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-874-4783, www.clermontlounge.net

Best Local Blog/Zine BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Pine Magazine
No one in town is on top of the interwebs more than Holly Lang's PINE MAGAZINE. Lang's site is linked to the gills with videos, MP3s and listings for the discerning Atlanta music patron. In light of so much quality independent news, arts, opinion and music coverage she provides, it seems dismissive tomore...
No one in town is on top of the interwebs more than Holly Lang's PINE MAGAZINE. Lang's site is linked to the gills with videos, MP3s and listings for the discerning Atlanta music patron. In light of so much quality independent news, arts, opinion and music coverage she provides, it seems dismissive to relegate her site to the blog ghetto. But Pine sets a higher standard for the local fire starters while placing an emphasis on the art of disseminating information, not attitude. But the real secret weapons giving Pine so much street cred are the free, first Thursday of the month showcases at the Star Bar. Since starting the monthly concert series in January 2008, Pine has hosted more than 100, mostly Atlanta-based acts. If you're looking for a show, an interview, a news bulletin or anything else that might enhance your time in the cubicle, Pine is the most user-friendly URL on the block. www.pinemagazine.com. less...

Best Bartender/Mixologist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Miles MacQuarrie at Leon's Full Service

Runner-up
Darren Foley at Ship & Anchor Pub
5975 Roswell Road, 404-256-3550, www.dunwoodyrestaurantgroup.com

Best Bar to Hook Up BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Graveyard Tavern (Permanently Closed)

Runner-up
Dark Horse Tavern
816 N. Highland Ave., 404-873-3607, www.darkhorseatlanta.com

Best Blues Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Northside Tavern (Featured)

Runner-up
Blind Willie's
828 N. Highland Ave., 404-873-2583, www.blindwilliesblues.com

Best Bowling Alley BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Midtown Bowl (Featured)

Runner-up
300 Atlanta
2175 Savoy Drive, 770-451-8605, www.3hundred.com

Best Burlesque Troupe BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Dames Aflame

www.damesaflame.com


Runner-up
Syrens of the South
www.syrensofthesouth.com

Best Burlesque Troupe BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Blast-Off Burlesque
www.blastoffburlesque.com

Best Club Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Fuck Yesss

Best Club Event Best of Atlanta Award

Creative Loafing has been presenting Atlanta’s Best People, Places and Events since 1972. These are some of the past winners for this category: | more...
The disco-punk jet set always looks its best come the first Thursday night of the month when FUCK YESSS rolls through the Drunken Unicorn. The scene says it all: Hipsters stand in a line that trails back to the Book House trying to get in on Atlanta's premiere dance party. Le Castle Vania, Treasure Fingers,more...
The disco-punk jet set always looks its best come the first Thursday night of the month when FUCK YESSS rolls through the Drunken Unicorn. The scene says it all: Hipsters stand in a line that trails back to the Book House trying to get in on Atlanta's premiere dance party. Le Castle Vania, Treasure Fingers, RRRUMP and hordes of other local talent spin records and click mice as they keep the dance floor grooving to the sounds of indie, electro, hyfy beats and world-class robot rock jams. www.myspace.com/fuckyesssatl. less...

Best Club Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Drunken Unicorn

Best Club Event Best of Atlanta Award

Creative Loafing has been presenting Atlanta’s Best People, Places and Events since 1972. These are some of the past winners for this category: | more...

Every first Thursday at Drunken Unicorn.


Runner-up
Sloppy Seconds

Best College Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Moondogs

Runner-up
Peachtree Tavern
3179-B Peachtree Road, 404-842-1700, www.peachtreetavern.com

Best Concert Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Variety Playhouse

Runner-up
The Tabernacle
152 Luckie St., 404-659-9022, www.tabernacleatl.com

Best Bar to Hook Up BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Johnny's Hideaway

Runner-up
Bluepointe
3455 Peachtree Road, 404-237-9070, www.buckheadrestaurants.com/bp

Best Country Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Wild Bill Wholesale (Permanently Closed)

Runner-up
Cowboy's
1750 N. Roberts Road, 770-426-5006, www.cowboysatlanta.com

Best Dance Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
MJQ Concourse (Featured)

Runner-up
Opera
1150-B Crescent Ave., 404-874-3006, www.operaatlanta.com

Best Dive Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Clermont Lounge (Featured)

Runner-up
Euclid Avenue Yacht Club
1136 Euclid Ave., 404-688-2582, www.theeayc.com

Best Drag Queen BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Charlie Brown

Runner-up
Mary Edith Pitts

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mary's (Featured)

Runner-up
Blake's on the Park
227 10th St., 404-892-5786, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Best Local Music Blog BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
OhmPark.com

Runner-up
Drive a Faster Car
www.driveafastercar.com

Best Jazz Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Churchill Grounds Jazz Cafe (Permanently Closed)

Runner-up
Sambuca
3102 Piedmont Road, 404-237-5299, www.sambucarestaurant.com

Best Jukebox BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
The Righteous Room (Featured)

Runner-up
The Earl
488 Flat Shoals Ave., 404-522-3950, www.badearl.com

Best Karaoke BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mary's (Featured)

Runner-up
Metalsome Mondays at the 10 High
816 N. Highland Ave., 404-873-3607, www.darkhorseatlanta.com

Best Latin Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Loca Luna (Permanently Closed)

Runners-up: Tie
Eclipse di Luna
764 Miami Circle, 404-846-0449
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, 678-205-5862
www.eclipsediluna.com
and
Chapparral
3326 Buford Highway, 404-327-5982
2790 NE Expressway Access Road, 404-471-1141
www.chapparralatlanta.com

Best Lesbian Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
MSR My Sisters Room

Runner-up
Bellissima
560B-Amsterdam Ave., 404-917-0220, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge

Best art-punk band BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Carnivores

Best Local Blues Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mudcat

Best Blues Band in ATL Best of Atlanta Award

The Best Blues band in Atlanta | more...

www.mudcatblues.com


Runner-up
Breeze Kings
www.breezekings.com

Best Local Country Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
The Whiskey Gentry

Best Local Country Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Sugarland

www.sugarlandmusic.com


Runners-up: Tie
Zac Brown Band
www.zacbrownband.com
and
Slim Chance and the Convicts
www.myspace.com/slimchanceandtheconvicts

54302 Dark Readers Mikeczechweb

Best Local DJ/Personality BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mike Czech

www.myspace.com/mikeczech


Runner-up
Le Castle Vania
www.lecastlevania.com

Best Soul or Jazz Songstress BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Phillippia

Best Local Electronic Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Lyonnais
As a signifier, “electronic music” can encompass everything from Tangerine Dream to Skinny Puppy. LYONNAIS (pronounced LAY-oh-nay) falls somewhere within the nebulous, gray area between drone, avant-garde and indie rock, as the local foursome gives rise to long, sustained tones andmore...
As a signifier, “electronic music” can encompass everything from Tangerine Dream to Skinny Puppy. LYONNAIS (pronounced LAY-oh-nay) falls somewhere within the nebulous, gray area between drone, avant-garde and indie rock, as the local foursome gives rise to long, sustained tones and slurred notes that tussle and fade into cinematic hues and abstract intentions. The sound is willfully vague, littered with sonic nooks that open up to reveal all sorts of hidden sound dimensions. www.myspace.com/teamlyonnais. less...

Best Local Electronic Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Judi Chicago

www.judichicago.com


Runner-up
Sensitive Chaos
www.sensitivechaos.com

Best Local Experimental Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Facehugger
One of the most disconcerting acts to grace Atlanta stages in 2009, FACEHUGGER creates an atmosphere that eclipses the normal exuberance experienced at a live show. Drawing from a palette of proto-industrial noise and pop grooves in the vein of Suicide, Cabaret Voltaire and even Joy Division, the groupmore...
One of the most disconcerting acts to grace Atlanta stages in 2009, FACEHUGGER creates an atmosphere that eclipses the normal exuberance experienced at a live show. Drawing from a palette of proto-industrial noise and pop grooves in the vein of Suicide, Cabaret Voltaire and even Joy Division, the group turns out a surprisingly pleasing sound both antiquated and surreal. But the aggressive, hyper-manic performance of vocalist John Hannah is enough to jar an entire audience out of its comfort zone. www.myspace.com/facehuggeratl. less...

Best Local Experimental Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Deerhunter

www.myspace.com/deerhunter


Runner-up
Recompas
www.recompas.com

Best Local Folk Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
The Wild
The tree-hugging post-hippies of the ’80s stripped folk music of its bite in a way that surely caused Woody Guthrie to do back flips in his grave. Nobody understands that more than the kids in THE WILD. Such jittery, electric/acoustic folk-punk ballads as "We Will Drive These Warlords Out" andmore...
The tree-hugging post-hippies of the ’80s stripped folk music of its bite in a way that surely caused Woody Guthrie to do back flips in his grave. Nobody understands that more than the kids in THE WILD. Such jittery, electric/acoustic folk-punk ballads as "We Will Drive These Warlords Out" and "We Shall Overcome" are filled with gritty, ideological tales of hardship and determination, performed with fortitude and finesse. www.myspace.com/thewildatl. less...

Best Local Folk Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Hope for Agoldensummer

www.hopeforagoldensummer.com


Runner-up
Indigo Girls
www.indigogirls.com

Best Local Hip-Hop Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
OutKast

www.outkast.com


Runners-up: Tie
Collective Efforts
www.cecrew.com
and
The Wheeler Boys
www.myspace.com/thewheelerboys

Best Local Hip-Hop Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Hollyweerd
Remember that scene from "Chappelle's Show" when Charlie Murphy recalls the time when the late Rick James came to his brother Eddie's pad and started jumping up and down all over the leather sofa with his muddy platform boots on, yelling "Fuck yo' couch, nigga!" Well, that's HOLLYWEERD to the nth degree.more...
Remember that scene from "Chappelle's Show" when Charlie Murphy recalls the time when the late Rick James came to his brother Eddie's pad and started jumping up and down all over the leather sofa with his muddy platform boots on, yelling "Fuck yo' couch, nigga!" Well, that's HOLLYWEERD to the nth degree. Take the lineup: a self-styled savant who goes by "the Dreamer," two full-time tat artists (Tuki Carter and Chris "the Love Crusader" McAdoo) from City of Ink, and a jazz-sax journeyman who calls himself the mythical Stagolee. That ain't no rap group, it's a band of gypsies. Since materializing out of thin air nearly two years ago, the four-man crew has busily crafted its own unruly narrative. The three mixtapes released in the past 12 months showcase the group's penchant for combining sweet indie-pop incarnations with self-indulgent fantasy funk. It's a nutty mix. Yet somehow they've managed to turn their wild inconsistencies — from constantly evolving musical influences including OutKast and the Doors to hit-or-miss live performances — into the main attraction. Like a traveling freak show, Hollyweerd piques our curiosity. No matter how odd, we can't turn away for fear of missing what might happen next. www.myspace.com/hollyweerd. less...

Best Local Instrumentalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Jeffrey Butzer

Best Local Instrumentalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Dixie Duncan

www.dixieduncan.net


Runner-up
Matt Baum

Best Local Traditional/World Band/Artist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Batata Doce
When BATATA DOCE first hit the scene around ’07, the group concocted a hybrid of Appalachian sounds over a traditional Brazilian backbeat. Over time, the group has shifted through varying musical textures of tropicalia, psychedelia and ’60s pop that culminates in a spacey, spicy meltingmore...
When BATATA DOCE first hit the scene around ’07, the group concocted a hybrid of Appalachian sounds over a traditional Brazilian backbeat. Over time, the group has shifted through varying musical textures of tropicalia, psychedelia and ’60s pop that culminates in a spacey, spicy melting pot of multicultural accents and dance music. www.myspace.com/batatadoce. less...

Best Local Traditional/World Band/Artist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Serenata Band

www.serenataband.com<br.
Runner-up
A Fight to the Death
www.afighttothedeath.com

Best Local Jazz Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
The 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra
Unwilling to settle for restaurant gigs spent politely playing jazz standards, THE 4TH WARD AFRO-KLEZMER ORCHESTRA demonstrates a formidable balance of African-inspired rhythms and Yiddish inflections. The group’s original compositions, under the direction of trumpeter Roger Ruzow, are a barragemore...
Unwilling to settle for restaurant gigs spent politely playing jazz standards, THE 4TH WARD AFRO-KLEZMER ORCHESTRA demonstrates a formidable balance of African-inspired rhythms and Yiddish inflections. The group’s original compositions, under the direction of trumpeter Roger Ruzow, are a barrage of disciplined, baroque big-band numbers that evoke the sights and sounds of South Africa, Israel … and Cabbagetown. That sense of old-world style mixes with humor that's both classy and rollicking to produce an old-world sound, attitude and direction. www.afroklezmermusic.com. less...

Best Local Jazz Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
The Bonaventure Quartet

www.thebonaventurequartet.com


Runner-up
Jaspects
www.myspace.com/jaspects

Best Local Record Label BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Double Phantom
The face of Atlanta’s indie-rock scene is ever-changing. Over the last year, the Balkans, the N.E.C., and Carnivores have all come to personify the next generation of young, unstoppable local acts, eager to push the envelope and foster their own brand of art-driven rock and experimental sounds.more...
The face of Atlanta’s indie-rock scene is ever-changing. Over the last year, the Balkans, the N.E.C., and Carnivores have all come to personify the next generation of young, unstoppable local acts, eager to push the envelope and foster their own brand of art-driven rock and experimental sounds. Releases from each of these acts have materialized baring the mark of DOUBLE PHANTOM. The label has become the defining sound of Atlanta rock circa 2009 by following the blueprint of tried-and-true DIY institutions. www.doublephantom.com. less...

Best Local Record Label BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Nophi Recordings

www.nophi.net


Runners-up: Tie
Douchemaster Records
www.douchemasterrecords.blogspot.com
and
So So Def Recordings
www.myspace.com/sosodefmusic

Best Local Mainstream Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mastodon

www.mastodonrocks.com


Runner-up
Manchester Orchestra
www.themanchesterorchestra.com

Best Local MC BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Playboy Tre

Best Local Metal Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Withered
With Folie Circulaire , black-metal underdogs WITHERED unleashed the bleakest, most constrictive metal opus Atlanta has seen since Mastodon's Leviathan. Every time the group takes the stage, slow, pulverizing grooves grind, bash and build to a climax of machine gun drums, helicopter head-banging andmore...
With Folie Circulaire , black-metal underdogs WITHERED unleashed the bleakest, most constrictive metal opus Atlanta has seen since Mastodon's Leviathan. Every time the group takes the stage, slow, pulverizing grooves grind, bash and build to a climax of machine gun drums, helicopter head-banging and a bestial growl. While Mastodon was busy cracking the Skye, Withered punched a hole through the earth and reached deep into the bowels of hell to summon an epic, labyrinthine roar. www.myspace.com/withered. less...

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