EXTRA, DEXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT: Powerful garage and rockabilly figures Dex Romweber (Flat Duo Jets) will return to Flicker Theater & Bar this Thursday, September 1st and Friday, September 2nd. Tickets from his previously scheduled show last September will be honored. So kudos to everyone who managed to keep up with them. To grab advance tickets, go to Eventbrite.com and search for “Dexter Romweber.” In advance, these shows will cost you $12 each night or $20 for both. No word on how much this will cost at the door, but I can tell you that if you’ve never seen Dex perform, then you’re in for a real treat. Those in the know know what I’m talking about. For a sneak peek into the man’s music, please see dexromweber.bandcamp.com. Opening each night is the new duo in town Instant smile which I would encourage you to learn more about at instantsmileband.com.
KNOWN AND FRIENDS: A new album is out that brings together the talents of the prolific experimental composer Killick Hinds and jazz and prog guitarist John Miley (Breathlanes, Cosmic Charlie). This joint publication, credited to each, is titled From Dint of Intonation. One thing I have always respected and admired about Killick is his ability to work very quickly and maintain supreme focus on the task at hand. To that end, everything here was done in the order presented, with no overdubs or edits, and the pair completed the record in two hours. The result is a delightful, self-conscious and unpretentious grouping of melodies that not only play with each other, but with each other. It’s tempting to describe this as free form, because some forms are clearly present, but nothing here belongs to any tradition or style. The best here are probably the back-to-back “Scrapey” and the cleverly titled “Scratches of Spain”. Find this at killick.bandcamp.com.
SPEAK UP: Did you all know that Athens group Whisper Kiss has been making music for 14 years? Me neither, but that’s what they told me when they announced the new full length movie The journey is long. So, I better pay attention, I guess? It consists of musicians of Athens for several decades Michael Wegner (Abbey Road Live, Cosmic Charlie), Shelley Lotus (vocal) and Karen Bergmann (cello), the group now has four albums under its belt in the last decade. The whole atmosphere of the album is a slightly melancholic affair, mainly due to the constant emotional weight of the cello, wrapped and carried by pleasant melodies and strong vocal performances. Whisper Kiss will be celebrating the album release at Buvez on Saturday, September 10th. Find the band’s music on Spotify and other major streaming services.
SING!: Meridian Women’s Choir went on a two-year hiatus, but recently announced it’s back. The choral group is open to all women who wish to participate and there are no auditions. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 12:30–1:45 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (800 West Lake Dr.) beginning Thursday, September 8th. The group’s next concert is on December 8. To get involved or gather more information, please contact Director Stacie Court at [email protected] com or 706-424-9516. To learn more without having to speak to someone first, please see meridianwomenschorus.org.
NO BLACKER: Following on from last year’s EP Horror Igoth deathrockers fun now I bring you Horror II. The three-track release comes courtesy of Atlanta’s Stickfigure Recordings. The liner notes for the EP mention that these songs were mostly written in isolation with very little input from even the band members playing live shows. And, to be honest, that’s exactly what they sound like. However, the thing is that Horror I is written the same way. While that record is a joyfully accomplished EP, Horror II plunges the listener into a dark pit of doom with a distinctly sluggish texture and sub-tempo playing. That’s not an insult either. Sometimes we like it that way. Dig this one in its entirety at stickfigurerecordings.bandcamp.com.
This won’t take long: Now, it falls under the “completely unnecessary but still kind of fun” category. Screwy Chopper Vol. 4 from Kill Abbi. As you can tell, this is the fourth mixtape the DJ has made in this style, which is the classic production technique of cutting and screwing (ie cutting and slowing down) various pop songs. Featured artists include Lizzo, Bruno Mars, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa and Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish and more. Chances are pretty good I’ll never listen to this again—and even better, I’ll have completely forgotten about it by the time you read this—but it wasn’t a bad way to spend the half hour or so I spun it. Find this and other releases at echobassrecords.bandcamp.com.
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