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Threats & Promises

Josey’s Apocalypse Now, And More Music News and Gossip

NEXT LISTEN: It’s safe to say now that at least one generation of ardent music fans only know former Athenian and WUOG host Lars Gotrich as one of the major figures behind NPR Music. His tenure as a producer there began just over 15 years ago. While he was in town, though, he was known as a tireless enthusiast for noisy, outsider-y projects and released multiple titles under his label Thor’s Rubber Hammer. Now, a whole slew of those have appeared online. While there are also non-Athens artists represented in this collection, old timers may well remember Long Legged Woman, Chartreuse, Sweet Teeth, Better People and others. Find these and more over at thorsrubberhammer.bandcamp.com. In addition to his NPR duties, Gotrich also publishes the excellent music newsletter Viking’s Choice, which can be found over at vikingschoice.org

OUR FRIENDS OUT WEST: Austin, TX label Keeled Scales will release a 30-track Nuçi’s Space benefit compilation Friday, Oct. 1. There are a handful of readily recognizable names here (R.E.M., Pylon Reenactment Society, Night Palace) and a ton more I don’t recognize at all, which just goes to show the long arm of Nuçi’s. This collection is only available between its release date and Dec. 31 and is $15. For more information, please see keeledscales.com and keeledscales.bandcamp.com.

DANCE THIS MESS AROUND: Somewhat cryptic Athens artist Josey recently released some new music for the first time in over a year. It’s a new seven-song EP named Apocalypse Now which, all things considered, is both contemporaneously apt and a little on the nose. Josey cycles through a few different styles here but is largely, albeit loosely, focused on electro-pop. I have to give a personal hat tip for the use of the term “baudaud” in “Dumb Now Flip.” Nothing here is too mind-blowing, but it’s generally pleasant and easy to listen to. Musically speaking, I’m probably most partial to the dance floor beat of “Sabotage” more than anything else here. Check it out on your own over at joseytwallace.bandcamp.com.

FOR US, BY US: We reported on Bored Music Geek Radio, the online station run by Chris and Benji McKay, back in July, but the station just revealed a new project that should be of interest to Athens listeners. It’s a new show called Athens By Athens, and it airs each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. on Bored Music Geek Radio. The programming for this show was compiled by sending out inquiries to multiple Athens musicians, fans and otherwise interested parties—both current and former—as to which songs by Athens artists they considered essential. The station received a great response and, thus, loads of material to choose from. To ensure song choices are not bias-influenced, Chris McKay is using a random number generator to make the selections. The first show aired Sept. 8 and, as these are not recorded, you’d probably do well to tune in each Wednesday over at live365.com/station/Bored-Music-Geek-Radio-a13080.

WHO CAN IT BE NOW?: I don’t know a single thing about this duo named Loom except that member Max Boyd appears to be the same Max Boyd from Baby Tony and the Teenies. Even so, the only thing I can point toward as proof of their existence is this new two-song release named Looming that they recorded in Winterville and Portland, ME. These two songs are nearly tailor-made for any fans of late ‘90s second-wave emo à la Mineral, et al. Not bad at all. Check ‘em out at loom4ever.bandcamp.com.

NAP TIME: Songwriter Ryne Meadow will release his new single, “Weary,” Friday, Oct. 1. Compositionally, it’s a little bit of a departure from Meadow’s other work and is heavily synth-and-beat oriented. It was recorded both at Meadow’s house and at Japanski Studios with co-producer Matt Tamisin. The song is taken from the upcoming album Baptisms. This should land on all major streaming services on its release date, but if it doesn’t, head to facebook.com/rynemeadowmusic and file a complaint. 

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