Jesse Flavin

Pretty much all week, everywhere!

originally published August 22, 2007

Mike White

Jesse Flavin

Guitarist Jesse Flavin is best known for his refined and skillful work alongside local acts like Phosphorescent, The Good Ship and Liz Durrett, but lately he's been focusing on his own long-in-the-works material. "I don't write my own songs very quickly. The 10 songs on my album comprise about four to five years of work," he says. "And honestly, a lot of it was not being sure of my own vocal ability and confidence being a frontperson. What keeps me going is that I'm getting better and hearing my own voice isn't as cringe-inducing. I've learned about singing a lot from the great people around here, especially Liz [Durrett]." His tunes, presented either solo or with a full rockin' band, come across as strong, pop-informed rock and roll, a little like Superdrag or The Replacements (minus the sloppiness).

This week's a busy one for Flavin, who performed two separate shows last week. "I'm pretty sure I'll play more shows in these two weeks than in the nine years I've lived in Athens," he says. Wednesday, Aug. 22 sees Flavin perform solo at Little Kings with alt-country act Timber; Thursday, Aug. 23 he performs at 8 p.m. on WUOG 90.5 FM's "Live in the Lobby" show, most likely with a full band; a happy-hour show at the Caledonia starts on Friday, Aug. 24 around 6 p.m., when he'll play solo with Matias and Venice is Sinking also on the bill; the marathon week of performance wraps on Wednesday, Aug. 29 back at Little Kings, when Flavin is solo once more. This last show, with Nana Grizol and Hot New Mexicans sharing the stage, is a benefit show for a new DIY venue that's coming together.

Flavin's heading out of town in September to play in the band The Color Fred; it's the new side-project of Taking Back Sunday lead guitarist Fred Mascherino, a college friend of his. Flavin will be playing guitar in the band on its October-through-November national tour, and is seriously considering a move to the New York area by the end of the year. "I never thought of music as a viable income opportunity," he says, "but I've got the chance now, so I might as well." Might as well catch him when you can, Athens.

Chris Hassiotis