IT’S ALL HAPPENING TODAY: Denton, TX songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Markham recorded his latest full-length album, Just Like A Dream, at Chase Park Transduction in May 2022. It was recorded and produced by David Barbe and features Kris Killingsworth (Thrift Store Cowboys) on drums and Kyle Harris (Diamond Center, Sleepy Horses) on bass. Being from Texas, this wouldn’t normally qualify for inclusion here, but it’s just got so many Athens-related aspects to it that it passed muster. And I’m glad it did, too, because this thing is great. Markham is a power-pop purist in the best sense. His influences are sometimes on his sleeve (Tommy Keene, Raspberries, Weezer, Matthew Sweet, et al) but just as often buried beneath his own clever pop styling, in which he accurately relays pop music as a language and not a set of instructions. Especially pleasing songs include album opener “Big Star,” the hooky “Out For Blood,” the tropical-synth packed “Standing In The Rain” and slow-paced but effective album closer “Miracle.” Markham will play Athens Saturday, Apr. 13 at Little Kings with guests Pilgrim and Claire Morales. Find the new album, available digitally or on vinyl, over at danielmarkham.bandcamp.com.
BE GLAD FOR THE SONG HAS NO ENDING: Athens artist Dean Malmberg, working under his project name of Blue Green Demeanor, just released a new six-song self-titled EP. In an email to Flagpole he described the record as “…an ethereal journey with a meandering nature, touching on but never settling for any specific genre.” I wouldn’t disagree with that very much, either, except I find it more Earth-bound than ethereal. That said, most of this is very peaceful, acoustic guitar-based work and many of its tracks are quite long, which is nice when you’re trying to relax into something. For my tastes, I really dug the opening track “Fell Away,” but was most impressed by the eight-minute-long “Out Of My Hands.” Find this on Spotify.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: AthFest has announced the first round of artists selected to perform at this year’s event which runs June 21–23. Read this list closely, as there are some real treats here. Among the first wave of artists confirmed to perform are Kilkenny Cats, The Pink Stones, Susto, Wim Tapley & The Cannons, Heffner, Hotel Fiction, Kyshona, Lil Darius, Maserati and Reverend Tribble & The Deacons. I wish I could print this next part in 36 point type so y’all pay good attention. But, my people, also performing this year is the absolutely foundational Winston-Salem, NC band Sneakers. Generally only familiar to power-pop aficionados, Sneakers was formed originally with Mitch Easter (Let’s Active, Drive-In Studio), Chris Stamey (The dB’s), Robert Keely, Robert Slater and Will Rigby (The dB’s). I have no idea who will actually perform in the lineup considering that, with the exception of occasional reunions, the band hasn’t been an active concern since around 1978 or so. I mean, just look these dudes up. They’ve been busy. Mega kudos to AthFest for securing this performance. Word is that the entire festival lineup should be announced in early May, so you won’t have to hold your breath for very long. For more information, please see athfesteducates.org.
YOU’VE COME THIS FAR, WHY STOP NOW: Primordial Void will host electronic Seattle artist RM Francis, Athens’ Ohmu and Primordial Void head honcho Marcel Sletten on Thursday, Apr. 11 at Ciné. Whereas both Ohmu and Sletten can be otherworldly soothing at times, RM Francis is straight up unsettling and disturbing. So, prepare to be disturbed. Doors open at 8 p.m., and music starts at 9 p.m. Pre-game by heading to rmfrancis.bandcamp.com, ohmushell.bandcamp.com and primordialvoid.bandcamp.com.
COUNT THE FLOWERS: Local band Violent Violet just released its debut album, the brilliantly titled Music For Medication Commercials. At first blush it can come across full of hard rock tropes and cliché musical phrases. But upon closer listening it’s revealed that this thing has a deeply felt glam rock influence. Although this comparison probably won’t mean much these days, I was reminded more of the Lee Harvey Oswald Band than anyone else, and that’s a compliment. The album runs nine tracks and most of ‘em just smoke. This is especially true for “Hate Me,” “Junk” and “Candy Bar.” Also worth checking out is the band’s demo from last year named Six Songz. Find the new album on Spotify and the old stuff over at violentvioletathens.bandcamp.com.
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.
