Muuy Biien
“It’s kinda easy to get pigeonholed into one scene,” says Woodfangs guitarist and vocalist John Harry of the insular nature of the Athens music community. His Dog Daze Fest celebrates the local scene’s diversity. “It’s about getting the different tribes together,” he says. “Getting folks together and mixing it up.”
The lineup for the second annual Fest—expanded since last year from eight bands to 14 and from one night to two—is a testament to Harry’s inclusive vision, boasting variously styled bands like musical mental patients Bubbly Mommy Gun, minimalist duo Grape Soda, garage-rockers The Humms, surf-poppers Koko Beware, moody, melodic act The Viking Progress and fast-rising punks Muuy Biien. Though these groups may differ in sound, they are all energetic and eager and relatively fresh faces on the local scene. Indeed, Dog Daze is a chance for these up-and-comers to all but officially declare themselves the new Athens guard.
“There definitely seems to be a resurgence,” Harry says, of young, local talent. “I don’t know if it’s any bigger and better now… I’d like to think it is. I’m doing everything I can to help.”
Aside from showcasing some of Athens’ most excellent new acts, Harry says he wants to be able to support the community that supports the music. Though Dog Daze isn’t a benefit per se, he divulges his plans to donate his portion of the proceeds to Nuçi’s Space. “I’m trying to remove my self-interests from it as much as possible. [I’m] trying to make good stuff happen.”
Good stuff is happening, alright; next year, Harry has his eye on a third day and an added film component to the Fest. Showcases and mini-festivals like this one are popping up around town at far too swift a rate to sustain them all, but Dog Daze feels just vital enough to stick around for a while.
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