WORKING IS NO PROBLEM: Back in June, I tipped you to the fact that new-ish local band Bat Factory had a four-song EP in the bag and was working toward a vinyl release. Well, since vinyl production continues to operate with delays at all-time highs—despite pressing plants worldwide working around the clock—the group has gone ahead and released it digitally. As far as anyone can tell, the EP is self-titled. The band—made up of Tim Adams (vocals/guitar), Kathy Kirbo (bass/vocals), Alan Flurry (drums) and Ben Hesse (guitar)—is well schooled in that particular Southwestern-Western flavor of indie rock that rose to relative popularity in the 1980s. As such, the four songs here skew kind of dark and mid-tempo. The notes for the EP say that “all tracks [were] written, performed, recorded and mixed by [Tim Adams],” so there’s no evidence yet that anyone else is actually on this. Check it out for yourself at batfactory.bandcamp.com, and be a pal at facebook.com/batfactor.
SWITCHED ON: Musician and visual artist Will Eskridge is joined by his brother Rame in the new project Fog After Dusk. Eskridge released an EP named BeachPUNX under his own name last year, and that was a pretty straightforward, guitar-rockin’ affair. Fog After Dusk is another animal entirely, and its new self-titled EP bears this out. This new project displays multiple influences from Pink Floyd-style psych to trip hop to Walter/Wendy Carlos. It’s a cool and neat little record they’ve made here. Find it at beachpunx.bandcamp.com. Keep up with all things Fog After Dusk at facebook.com/fogafterdusk.
EDUTAINMENT TIME: The long-awaited Athens hip-hop compilation Now Is The Time: Shouting Fire In A Crowded Theater will finally see release Friday, Oct. 14. There’s a release party happening this same evening at Creature Comforts. A meet-and-greet with the artists will start at 7 p.m., and attendees will see the album performed live beginning at 8 p.m. Featured artists on the album include Celest Divine Ngeve, Tony B, Billy D. Brell, Ishues, LB, Caulfield, Ant Da Ripper, Cassie Chantel, Kxng Blanco, Frank The Eagle, Nicole Nixx, Life The Griot, Travis Williams and Squallé. The album arrives courtesy of ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment (ALE) in conjunction with the University of Georgia Willson Center for Humanities and Arts through a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. With all due respect to other hip-hop compilations released in the past few years, including those from these same presenters, I’m going on the record to say this album is the best of the bunch. From production to performance to lyrical deftness and poignancy, this is an absolutely stellar release and all concerned should be incredibly proud. The release event is free and open to the public. For more information, please see facebook.com/athfactor.
CELEBRACIÓN DEL PATRIMONIO: Music education organization Heart Music will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed Sept. 15–Oct. 15, with a first-time event on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. at Hendershot’s. So, a day late but we’ll let it slide. Organizers report that, “The event will see HEART Music faculty playing with some CCSD [Clarke County School District] students and teachers. Some of them have some Hispanic heritage from Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela and Honduras. The very best part about the event is the ensembles we are putting together. They mostly consist of high schoolers from both Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals, coming together to form a single ensemble.” This event is free and open to the public. In addition, Viva! Argentine Cuisine will host a percentage night on Wednesday, Oct. 12 to support the organization. For more information, please see heartmusicathens.org.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
