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MusicThreats & Promises

Don Chambers Preps All-Star LP, and More Music News

SPRING FEVER: Don Chambers will release his newest album, Love of Oblivion, May 17. It was produced by longtime Athens musician and songwriter Kevin Lane (The Arcs, The Possibilities) and features the all-star cast of Matt “Pistol” Stoessel, Eric Harris, Jay Gonzalez and John Barner, plus harmony vocals by sisters Sayward Evans and Jackie Roberts. The lead single, “Your Lovers,” isn’t as immediately explosive and noise-ridden as Chambers’ most recent work. Rather, it’s a smoothly grooving tune with tremolo-guitar flourishes, Chambers’ signature vocal style of sand and honey, and an overall downbeat mood that trucks along in a solidly head-bobbing way. As soon as I get my hands on the full album, I’ll try to report more, but for now, make note of it all. Chambers next plays locally at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, May 19. For more information, see donchambersmusic.com.

TO YOUR HEALTH!: Athens mental health advocacy organization Brain Aid will host Mental Health Month Fest at Flicker Theatre & Bar May 4 and 5. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 17 Athens political candidates and incumbents will speak for three minutes each about their vision for mental health care in Athens. After a short break, live music begins at 9 p.m. and will feature True Born Sons, Sea Wall, Garett Hatch and The Spookie Moon. On Saturday, May 5, Brain Aid is hosting the March for Our Brains. Inspired by the recent anti-gun violence marches held around the U.S., Brain Aid notes in a press release that it hopes this march will inspire sister marches around the country. It will run from noon–2 p.m., and participants should meet at City Hall. Additionally, if you are hosting an event during May that you would like to align with Brain Aid by placing its logo on your promotional items, this can be approved with a small donation to local resource center Nuçi’s Space. For more information, contact organizer Stephen Cramer at brainaidfest@gmail.com. For more information on Brain Aid, see facebook.com/brainaidfest.

GIVE A HOOT: The Georgia Dish Boys are holding the first Rock & Bowl Saturday, May 5 at Showtime Bowl. This event is a benefit for the Cedar Shoals High School special education department, in which band member Rob Hibbs began a musical engagement program. The program is structured around building communication skills and encouraging self-expression, and to this end, students play music in class once a week. Upcoming opportunities for these students include collaborating with classmates and learning new instruments. Money raised this night will help purchase additional instruments for the class. Tickets are a mere 10 bucks and include a game of bowling, free food and a performance by the aforementioned Georgia Dish Boys. The bowling tournament begins at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 9.

FESTIVAL NEWS: As reported on Homedrone, AthFest Educates has announced the Club Crawl headliners for this year’s AthFest Music and Arts Festival, which takes place June 22–24. Confirmed artists include T. Hardy Morris and Neighbor Lady, who will play the Georgia Theatre; Cracker and Cinemechanica at the 40 Watt Club; Five Eight at the Caledonia Lounge; Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs at The World Famous; and the Black Lips’ Ian St. Pe at Terrapin Beer Co. In addition, Athens Popfest organizers have announced the first wave of artists for this year’s festival, which takes place Aug. 9–12. Those performers include Guided By Voices, Ex Hex, The Mummies, Man or Astro-man? and Dean Wareham. [Gabe Vodicka]

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