originally published January 7, 2009

Hey, everybody. Here’s to hoping 2009 has been great so far. I always really like this time of year. The possibilities seem endless. So, in the spirit of things never seeming to reach their end, let’s get it started. Start spinning below…

On the Down Low(d): Local band Scarlet Snow has completed its newest EP and has made it available as a free download. Titled The Needle EP: An Extended Play Album in Two Parts, the record was committed to tape (or, rather, most likely a digital medium) by the helping hands of producer Chris Combs (The Sum). Some backing tracks were done at Athens’ Japanski Studios. If you’re interested in all the ins and outs of what the band was doing while recording, you can check out the blow-by-blow over at www.downloadtheneedle.com. If you want to grab the EP, then head to www.scarletsnow.com for more information.

Know Yr Roots: A cool project was started a few months ago, and people can participate, gawk and learn at their will. It’s called The Athens Music Family Tree (or Six Degrees of John Neff), and it’s basically a Wiki whereby people can join, add information, edit incorrect information, etc. I’ve been digging around on it and, like most Wikis, it’s already surprising who has been added and who hasn’t been. So, even if you only know a little about a band or a musician in town, please check it out and add your knowledge. The goal is to have it be as comprehensive as possible. Head to www.athensmusicfamilytree.wikispaces.com and start writing.

New Name: The band formerly known as The Flowers of Evil has changed its name to Night Nurses. The change was precipitated by the addition of drummer Davy Gibbs and the band's self-declared new musical direction toward a “more visceral and psychedelic” sound. I dunno. Whenever I hear the name “Night Nurses” I think of either cold medicine or the Gregory Isaacs album of a painfully close name. Maybe the band can jog me into calling them into focus with this new sound. Either way, the unveiling happens Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Flicker Theatre & Bar when the band plays with Becky Jollay who used to perform under the name Plum Tuckered but is now playing under the name Thrilled Train of Thought. Also on the bill that night is A Postwar Drama.

Heal Again: Jefferson, GA-based musician Ricky Fitzpatrick has announced that work is underway on The Power of a Song II. Fitzpatrick is the founder of The Healing Power of Music, which is an ongoing project which facilitates artists performing in hospitals around he world. The first compilation of this series was released with art done by a local high school student, and this new volume is planned to go in the same direction. Currently, organizers are searching for a local school art program to work with in this area. For more information about Fitzpatrick, the ongoing work of the project or how to get involved, please see www.myspace.com/thehealingpowerofmusic or drop a line to ricky@rickyfitzpatrick.com.

Pulling the Sheepskin: This news came in too late to make the requisite fact-checking phone calls, so we’ll be reporting more on this later. So far, though, this seems shaky. The story goes that local musician Jonathan Vance of Divided Like a Saint’s is “majoring in his band” at UGA. That is, Vance is receiving academic credit for touring and will submit as his senior thesis a Divided Like a Saint’s performance at Orange Twin. According to Vance’s press release, this experience will go toward earning an interdisciplinary degree with an emphasis on live art production. Although I’m unsure of the entire spectrum of standards associated with an academic panel judging a person's research in the realm of “live art production,” I really, really want to believe in my heart it requires more than what you might catch at the Secret Squirrel on any random Tuesday. More on this story next week. Watch this space.

This Party Never Ends. And Never Leaves: Local rock impresario Mercer West has taken up the challenge to keep Tasty World booked to the gills, and to celebrate his new position he is putting on a festival featuring four nights of music. The free event will run Jan. 12–15 at Tasty World, and the music starts 10 p.m. each night. West also promises free pizza and a free copy of the Party Party Partners CD-R Compilation #2 for attendees. There will be four bands each night plus a few special surprise guests, too. For more information on the madness, please see p. 16 or visit www.heyguys.biz or www.partypartypartners.com.

Another Day, Another Song: The ongoing, homemade Series Two Records project out of Nebraska will include a song by local artist Jake Ward, who performs under the name Eureka California on the label’s upcoming five-disc indie-pop compilation. Ward himself has some reservations as to whether his music can be qualified as indie-pop, and I’m here to say that yes, it can. It takes all kinds. Dig his music over at www.myspace.com/eurekacalifornia.

As always, be sure to keep your news coming in, and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Happy New Year, y’all, via email to threatsandpromises@flagpole.com, voicemail at 706-549-9523, ext. 203, or by post to P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA, 30603.

Gordon Lamb