SURE HIDING: If you were to pay heed to the band’s own description of playing “indie-folk,” you’d be well-forgiven for dismissing the lush, poignant and compelling lighthearted out of hand. I mean, that descriptor just reeks of Millennial-whoop tunes from the 2010s. What lighthearted does is on a much grander scale. The group has a new single, “Again & Again,” out now that opens with a subdued howl of controlled feedback before reclining into a buoyant tune worthy of close attention from fans of Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins and maybe even Bon Iver. Word on the street is the group is prepping its debut album, which will include this song as well as three others previously released. Those tracks, available on Soundcloud, are less huge than this newest one, but basically bulletproof in execution, craftsmanship and pacing. I’m looking forward to hearing the entire thing when it’s released. For now, y’all keep up with them at facebook.com/lightheartedtheband and, for fun, check out lightheartedband.bandcamp.com just to see if they’ll ever update it.
THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: It’s no secret that Athentic Brewing Co. has become a formidable force in the Athens live music scene. So, it’s not surprising that the popular brewery would one day host its own festival, and that’s just what they’re doing Saturday, Apr. 22. That’s the date of the inaugural Normaltown Music Festival, which is also presented by Aubrey Entertainment and nonprofit Athens Resonates. Featured performers include the returning-to-town Kristine Leschper (Mothers) as well as Luxury Vehicle, Freeman Leverett, Normaltown Sound Machine, The Lanes, Hog-Eyed Man, Los Cantares, Fabulous Bird and more. Tickets are $15 in advance for adults over 21 ($20 at the door), $10 for ages 16–20 (also $20 at the door) and free for those 15 and under. This event is a benefit for Nuçi’s Space and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens. For more information and to purchase tickets, please see athenticbrewing.com/normaltown-music-festival. To learn more about Athens Resonates, surf yourself over to athensresonates.com.
ADDENDUM: A couple of weeks ago, I told you about the new album Have We Nothing In Common? by Super Fury. I errantly referred to the label responsible as Branch Street Records when, in actuality, it is Branch Avenue Records. Also, please note that Eason Duncan plays bass, piano and backing vocals. Further, let it be known that this was mixed and mastered by John Keane. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion you may have encountered when receiving this information, you can now go about your life, and we never have to talk about this again. Find Super Fury and Branch Avenue Records on Spotify and YouTube, respectively.
KILL FROM THE HEART: The debut EP Parallels by Aunt Moth comes out Saturday, Mar. 11, and the band will celebrate with a release show on the Georgia Theatre rooftop that night. This thing’s been percolating for awhile, so it’s nice to see it finally arriving. Players on this five-song slab o’punk are Carson Lillard (lead vocals/guitars), Sam Smith (bass), Robbie Rapp (guitars) and Vic Fischer (drums). This thing sincerely drags itself through the gutter of late-‘70s trash punk (“Parallels”), wets its beak in classic Texas-style punk à la Dicks (“The Fluke,” “Chew”) and even touches on some west coast apocalypto-rock (“Men Like Me,” “Angry Twang”). All in all, it’s pretty damn solid and totally enjoyable. Also on the bill for the show are Psychic Death, McQQeen and Soup Kink. The show will run you 10 bucks, and the EP can be found on all major streaming services as well as auntmoth.bandcamp.com.
SELECTED WORKS: Just as surely as Earth circles the Sun, you can always count on a new collection of tunes from electronic warrior Space Brother (aka Donald Whitehead) just about the time you start wondering where he’s been. Last month, he released a set of 14 tracks named Topaz Tapez. Longtime fans will readily recognize his smooth shapeshifting from truly out-there alien-imagined hip hop, ultra-dialed back electronic simplicity, and large ambient works. The thing about Space Brother is his music actually fills its space, which is to say nothing is wasted nor gratuitous. Personal highlights here are “Fool’s Goal,” “Headband” and “Smile.” Find this, as well as his sizable back catalog, at spacebrother.bandcamp.com. Careful out there, though, because it’s super easy to go deep-diving into his work and not come up for air for a very long time.
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