DELIVERING THE GOODS: The stalwart standard-bearers of Athens heavy metal, Shadebeast Records, has a new shop location. This is the fourth address for its physical shop, which demonstrates a level of tenacity and dedication that’s pretty damn admirable. Currently open Monday–Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m., the shop is located at 149 Oneta St. Of course, its online shop at shadebeast.com is always open. If you need more information, please feel free to bug these guys via facebook.com/shadebeastofficial.
WORD ON THE STREET: Athens native and longtime musician Kenny Aguar has announced that a 7-inch record containing Banned 37’s “lost single” is currently in its manufacturing stage. The songs herein are “Guns and Cameras” b/w “Ordinary Day,” each circa 1984. Banned 37 was very much of its time and encompassed a harder-edged style of then-ubiquitous jangle pop/rock. As a time capsule, it’s a nice slice of Athens music history that has never really gotten its full due. As a thing to listen to in 2023, it’s utterly enjoyable, buoyant and evocative. Each song is available to stream online, and I’ll keep you as posted as I can about its eventual physical release. To stream, head to soundcloud.com/kennethaguar70 and get caught up.
TO A FLAME: In an exciting piece of news, Jacob Morris (Moths) has a new six-song EP coming out June 23 courtesy of Strolling Bones Records. The record, Slow Funeral, was recorded during multiple sessions at Studio 1093 here in town with engineer John Spiegel. The first single, “Lister,” is out now, and it’s a completely serviceable piece of work from Morris, demonstrating his strength as a songwriter and dedicated student of pacing. This solidly strummed piece of gentle folk-indie pop is already primed to be a go-to entry for this year’s summertime mixtapes. Find this and preorder the new record over at strollingbonesrecords.com/slow-funeral. Jacob Morris will perform at this year’s AthFest Saturday, June 24 on the Georgia Theatre rooftop at 10 p.m., and before that at Hendershot’s on June 6 with Haunted Shed. For all other information, please see jacoblloydmorris.com.
COURTESY KNOCK: While we were sleeping, The Vet’s Fetching slipped out a new nine-track album named Timeshares On Io. The brainchild of “some Athens, Georgia weirdo”—its creator’s words, not mine—this project has generally been compelling and quite listenable, even though its chosen musical lane (experimental noise-scapes punctuated with a dusting of melody, but with a few exceptions) is not for the faint of heart or incurious. On this, particular highlights are the grindingly motivated “Pixelated rage,” the legitimate dream-pop of “The Constellations Didn’t Carve Themselves” and “Asynchronous Bliss,” as well as the mechanical reproduction-mimicking “Moshpit Valhalla.” I’ve yet to be disappointed in anything The Vet’s Fetching has released, and if this record is any indicator, I’m going to have to wait at least a little while longer. Find this and more at thevetsfetching.bandcamp.com.
RING-A-DING-DING: The Segar Jazz Affair—the umbrella title under which multiple smooth jazz productions are handled by disc jockey, promoter and personality Dwain Segar—is still going strong and providing a solid base of support for smooth jazz here in Athens. Next up on his events list is a Segar Jazz Affair smooth jazz concert with saxophonist Marcus Click. This show happens at The Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo. Click is a Louisville, KY native now based in Jacksonville, FL. His new album, Brand New Day, is set to be released this month. Click will perform two sets (6:30–7:30 p.m., 7:45–8:45 p.m.) and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available now for $15 (plus tax and fees) or you can pay $20 at the door. For tickets, please see bit.ly/SegarJazzMay21. Find more information by checking out marcusclick.com, facebook.com/OfficialMarcusClick and facebook.com/Segarjazzaffair.
TUNE UP: The always reliable Killa Cabbi put out a handful of new releases over the past six months, but I’m just going to talk about the newest one. It’s named Who Are You??? and features Cabbi with Queen Seeva. This release eschews all things reggae, which is the cornerstone of most of Cabbi’s output, in favor of catchy low-key club bangers. The permanent midnight of the darkly propulsive “What Is Love” is immediately car stereo-worthy, as is Cameo-meets-Kraftwek “Rain Down.” Cabbi is a consistently creative artist whose roll hasn’t slowed yet, so head over to echobassrecords.bandcamp.com and try to keep up.
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