Ohmpark Fest returns

The annual local music gathering brings Sister Sai, Goldyard, Beije, and more to 529 and the Earl

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Photo credit: Alx Espinosa Parker
COSMIC SOUNDS: Sister Sai is set to stun with a full band performance during Ohmpark Fest 2018.

It’s been four years since Davy Minor laid to rest his local music blog, Ohmpark. But since 2013, what was once just a hobby to serve Minor’s music obsessions has found new life once a year. Every January, Ohmpark Fest takes over stages at East Atlanta’s premiere indie rock clubs, 529 and the Earl, boasting a lineup stacked with homegrown indie rock, metal, hip-hop, and more. “When I decided to quit [the blog], I threw a festival to celebrate,” says Minor. “I’ve been throwing it every year since. Even though I don’t write about music much anymore, I do enjoy sharing music I love with others. That’s what the blog was all about, and that’s what this festival is all about.”

After ceasing activities with the blog, Minor, who is also a science-fiction writer and a recent father, co-founded Deer Bear Wolf, a nonprofit label, publisher, and organization that supports Atlanta artists, writers, and musicians. The festival returns to East Atlanta for its fourth year Sat., Jan. 6, boasting performances by cabaret-punks Material Girls, hip-hop duo Goldyard, electronic-pop outfit Dot.s, fuzz rockers Beije, experimental multi-instrumentalist Saira Raza, and more. Performance times throughout the fest are staggered allowing attendees time to catch shows at both venues without much overlap in set times (see www.badearl.com for details).

Although the bands who play the fest each year change, Ohm Park Fest’s basic premise remains the same. “I try to keep it sort of the same type of experience each year,” Minor says. “It’s simply a night where you can see a dozen killer bands in a couple of Atlanta’s best music venues.” $10 gets you into both venues. Doors open at 7 p.m.