The A List: Ember City in the works + new music from the Coathangers, Sea Ghost, and more ATL music news
A roundup of local music links and happenings.
Photo credit: Suicide Zqueeze
This week, "Down Down" from the Coathangers' forthcoming album, Nosebleed Weekend (out April 15 via Suicide Squeeze), premiered on NPR's All Songs Considered. The Coathangers play an album release party at the Star Bar on Fri., April 15, with Paint Fumes, Bad Spell, Paralyzer.
The big news of the week: Mastodon has announced the opening of a new studio, which they're calling Ember City. It's a welcome addition to the city following the closures of both Avatar Studios and Thunderbox.
Perry Julien was on-hand to shoot pics of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band when The River Tour stopped at Philips arena on Feb. 18. The Boss dedicated "Born to Run," the first song of the show's encore, to Alex Cooley, the Atlanta convert promoter who passed away in December 2015.
Atlanta's very own Puddles the Clown (aka Mike Geier) makes an appearance in this fascinating New York Times article, "The Tears (and Fears) of a Clown."
Sea Ghost has a new video out for the Courtney Barnett-esque "Dog 69," from last year's SG. (I put it on my list of my favorite local records of 2015.) Their upcoming EP, Boy Music, will be released in the coming months. Stay tuned.
Guerilla Toss is streaming it's upcoming full-length, Eraser Stargazer ( out March 4 via DFA). The group plays 529 on Sat., Mar. 12, as part of a jam-packed bill including Bataille, Bambara, and Athens-based Muuy Bien. In the meantime, check out the new video for "Doll Face On The Calico Highway."
DIIV announced a spring tour supporting a new full-length, Is the Is Are, which is getting some decent reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, Spin, PopMatters, and more. They will be at Terminal West on Wed., Jun. 1, and tickets [https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1096643?_ga=1.29337023.2000275687.1440696098&utma=1.791270496.1440696098.1455051947.1456249462.33&utmb=1.4.10.1456249462&utmc=1&utmx=-&utmz=1.1454991823.31.4.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not provided)&utmv=-&__utmk=248151047|($16-18)] go on sale on Friday.
Meanwhile, Zachary Cole Smith recorded an acoustic cover of Elliott Smith's "Ballad of Big Nothing," from the absolutely-essential Either/Or, for HERO Magazine. This is especially convenient because I'm wearing a DIIV shirt right now, and I'm pretty much always in the mood for Elliott Smith. Check it out.
I've mentioned twice in this column already about Animal Collective's upcoming show at Buckhead Theatre. But in case you're not familiar with the opener, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, now's your chance. NPR is streaming a new song, "Existence In the Unfurling," which will be included on her upcoming full-length, EARS (4/1 via Western Vinyl).
Guitarist Melynda Jackson of the band Eight Bells, who played at the Masquerade two nights ago with Voivod and Vektor, suffered a broken leg at that show. If you were there (or if you weren't), consider contributing to her GoFundMe.