May 12, 2013
New Brookland Tavern, Columbia SC
$12, all ages (buy tickets)
Doors at 7, Show at 8

Southern grown pop/rock band Cartel is making a stop in Columbia at New Brookland Tavern with support from State Champs and A Brighter Life.

Cartel rose to fame with their song “Honestly” off of their 2005 record Chroma and maintained it while participating in Dr. Pepper and Mtv’s Band in a Bubble series, the result of which was their self-titled, and arguably their best, album. The band released an EP in 2011 called In Stereo and recently released their latest studio album Collider, some of my favorites on which are “Second Chances” and “Disconnect.” This album doesn’t disappoint in the band’s consistency; they’ve stayed true to their pop/rock sound coupled with Will Pugh’s awesome vocals and lyrics. They’ve played with the likes of All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, and Simple Plan among others.

I’ve been a big fan of Cartel since hearing “Say Anything (Else)” on their MySpace page in 2005 and have been waiting on an opportunity to see them live since then. They’re a band that sticks with you and while at times their music can be a bit repetitive and a little too familiar, they remain in my mind as one of the most underrated “one hit wonders” of the past ten years. It’s going to be a good show, so bring the important ladies in your life to celebrate Mother’s Day at New Brookland Tavern with Cartel and friends.

The night of Sept. 18, 2006, Band of Horses packed up their gear after finishing a Monday night show at Headliners in Columbia’s Vista. Front man and Columbia native Ben Bridwell (located center in above photo) probably didn’t know the club he just played would close its doors for good in 2009, barring his possessing psychic powers that he hasn’t made the public aware of (Tell us now, Ben – what does the future hold?!). By the same token, he probably didn’t know it would be another six-and-a-half years before his group would return to play in his hometown.

Tonight, the audience at the Township Auditorium will welcome Band of Horses back with open arms and open ears for a night of music steeped in southern roots.

Formed in Seattle in 2004, the band relocated their home base to nearby Charleston, S.C., before the release of 2007′s Cease to Begin, which was their first release to crack the Billboard U.S. album chart’s top 40 (peaking at number 37). Horses’ popularity has been on the rise ever since, with Infinite Arms (2010) garnering their best performance on the charts (peaking at number seven) and major summer music festival dates becoming a regular part of their tours.

Much of the band’s success can be attributed to Bridwell’s voice, as its constant treble cuts through the mix with a pristine, often bell-like quality. Layered atop the quintet’s no frills indie-rock instrumentation, his vocals steer the mood and dynamic of each track. Whether it’s through the grit and aggression on the verses of “Ode to LRC,” the inquisitive, almost panicked use of his upper register on “Is There A Ghost” or the placidity of “Infinite Arms,” Bridwell’s versatility shines through as the band’s focal point.

Joining Horses on tonight’s bill are Columbia rockers Josh Roberts and the Hinges and Athens, Ga., alt-country group Futurebirds. Whatever guitar solos the rest of the show might be lacking, Josh Roberts will surely make up for, as he’s easily one of the best improv rock guitarists in the Southeast (NOTE: all audience members should come prepared to have their faces melted, only hoping and praying that maybe Ben Bridwell’s soothing voice can work as an aural aloe to heal their rock-induced burns). Futurebirds make their home somewhere in between the Hinges’ and Horses’ places on the rock spectrum, melding belted harmonies and a wall of reverb guitar sounds with a Southern rock swagger to create a mystique that perfectly treads a thin line between beauty and dysfunction.

————————————————————————————————————–

Band of Horses / Futurebirds / Josh Roberts and the Hinges

Friday, May 3 at the Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St., Columbia, S.C.)

$35 floor (no seating); $30 reserved balcony

Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.

The first time Atlas Road Crew played 5 Points Pub in Columbia, SC it was a last-minute deal. The popular 5 Points venue had a band coming in that didn’t have a big draw, and they needed an opener that could make it just hours before the show was supposed to start. So the bartender at the club called his buddies in Atlas Road Crew, who were already setting up to practice, to come on down and open. So they packed up their gear, called and texted all of their buddies, and brought out a crowd. Their extremely last-minute draw was so good that they were invited back.

The rest is really history as April 25 and 26 ARC will play a “Two Night Stand” at 5 Points Pub, two shows that will be their last at The Pub as a hometown band and students.

Early on Atlas Road Crew didn’t have direction, something that’s not uncommon of college bands. They’d just get together in their Atlas Road storage shed and jam, play some covers, drink some beers, and use the band to meet some girls. Next thing they know they’re playing fraternity parties and random gigs around town and people were into it. Folks were more than just into it, friends and new-found fans were getting wild at their shows. That’s when the guys started to realize they had something special, and they needed to focus more on their original material. Who better to do that with than Hootie and Blowfish’s Mark Bryan, who was birthed from the same music scene Atlas Road Crew was involved in.

So the Crew went to Charleston, crashed with Mark Bryan, who has a recording studio in his house, and got to work. But the recording sessions were much more than just sitting and recording their parts and getting out. Bryan took them under his wing, coached them up a bit, taught them a thing or two about song structures and music writing in general, and some of the inner-workings of being in a band.

These days songwriting comes fairly easy for the band. Those early days of  jamming out and having a good time tightened up the band and their feel playing music with each other.

That last-minute show at 5 Points Pub turned into so much more for the band. It’s where they met their manager, it’s where they honed their skills working the crowd, it’s where they tried out new songs, and it’s where their fans could go knowing they were in for some good music and a good time.

When talking to Atlas Road Crew about their musical influences, they range from member to member, but one thing they all have in common is an ear for classic rock. Bands like The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, ZZ Top, and The Allman Brothers is where their influences seem to congregate. These influences shine through on their recordings with songs like “Betty” and “Sweet Southern Woman.” Their live show brings some of that same magic, with high energy performances, smooth moving piano solos, and guitar solos that don’t overstay their welcome. And while these recordings show the early heart and soul of the band, they haven’t even started to approach their ceiling. All of the members glow with excitement talking about their new material and the future of the band.

Atlas Road Crew doesn’t have any set plans to put out a new record soon, but they’ve got some studio time on the horizon to maybe release a single and showcase their ever evolving sound. They’re also graduating from college, and the Columbia music scene with a move to Charleston in the works. They’ve got plenty of summer tour dates already listed, focusing on college towns around the Southeast and up and down the East coast.

Atlas Road Crew has already gotten a taste of fame and it’s driving them to want more. Selling out shows, having strangers sing along, seeing girls crying outside of a venue because they can’t get in the sold out show are all things that can be a great motivators and a sign that you’re doing something right.

Special Guests at the April 25 show-The Heritage- A funk band from Winston Salem, NC that is well known in the area for their high energy live shows and fusion rock.

Special Guests at the April 26 show-The Broadcast- Grace Potter comparisons for The Broadcast are common, and well deserved. The band, which formed in New York City have relocated to Asheville, NC, a thriving music community that is supportive of their straight forward soul rock sound. A must see act when they come to town.

Catch Atlas Road Crew this week in Columbia, or one of the many tour dates below. (I’m eying that Dogfish Head show…)

DTFers better be down to fest, because the line-up is lookin’ knoice. Starting at 2 pm this Saturday the 20th, there’ll be a gauntlet of bands on both the indoor stage and the outdoor stage (named after this lovely website) not only from Columbia, but also as far as Utah and North Carolina. Successfully pulling off a little more than a half-stack from a Kickstarter, the Moonhouse has the determination and resources to make this event three notches above legit, no doubt. With this gathering of talent, it’d be exceptionally challenging to make this not a good time:

3:00
Dylan and Dayne
3:30
Bo White y Su Orquesta
4:00
The Howling Man
4:30
Euphoria Again
5:00
William Busbee
5:30
Deathstil
6:00
Intermission (w/ Camilo Potes Comedy and food!)
7:00
Dear Blanca
7:30
Karmessiah
8:00
Say Brother
8:30
Coma Cinema
9:00
Hey Rocco
9:30
Pan
10:30
Announced Saturday morning! [¡QUE MISTERIOSO!]
11:30
Mechanical River
12:30
Octopus Jones

And of course, to send us off for the night, a DJ after party with Alejandro until the crack rock of dawn.

While there may be doubts, as there always is, to the reliability of a house venue, the Moonhouse fellas seemed to have got that figured out- “We are personally visiting all neighbors within earshot to invite them to our event and to inform them of the music. Changes can be made to bring the sound indoors.”

Also, they have tarps lined up, so it will be a rain or shine event.

Jay motioned with his arms as he described their next moves in terms of construction on the site.
“I’m thinking we get a little area behind the stage to work as a green room for the bands,” he swung around to face their spacious backyard “And we’ll probably get some more Christmas lights up here, along that wall.”
The question of their ability to manifest their vision into reality can be answered by the progress they’ve made so far, as well as the success of their past house shows. Having played one myself, the crowds are always rowdy, the neighbors are sensible, and the cops don’t have a problem (unless you park like a dingus.)

The indoor stage has already had its kinks worked out after the tried and true methods of their shows, and the blanket-fort aesthetic frames well the expected sardine-packed sweaty-ass concert-goers.

Another aspect of the Dead Tree Fest is the local art display, with a few out-of-towners, including local USC students as well as even the artist who created the rad poster art above.

Featuring:
Alex Benjamin
Garet Bullard
Irving Juarez
Karah Kummer
Julie Gorcesky
Oliver Watters
Jennifer Blaine
Savannah Taylor

The schedule was orchestrated pretty expertly, “Later acts are playing other shit that day, so we had to work out conflicts and confusion, but we worked it out pretty well,” mentioned Phil, taking a moment out of the sun.

These fellas have had successful shows in the past, but nothing of this scale. This is an ambitious festival, but thanks to the community support, it should go off without a hitch. The Kickstarter had charming incentives, ranging from signing a poster to a haircut (something I’m guilty of contributing to get because I really need one) to Coma Cinema dressing up in drag, something he plans on doing anyway, or at least he said he was. Hope he wasn’t joking about that.

As I put the Moonhouse in my rear-view mirror, I caught a wary gaze from Leo from the porch. For a fleeting moment, there was a connection, an acknowledgement, or a knowing, that transcended the boundaries between my sapien and his canine heart. For just a half second, I got the feeling that he, much like a son winning over the begrudging affection of a cold and distant father, gave me the reluctant hint of a smile that said “You just might be alright, kid.”

Or he was thinking about doggie biz. I dunno.

But anyway, come out, don’t be a dope. It’s gonna be a day to remember, or forget (lololol420lololol), so make the best of it and enjoy this venerable collection of talent.

Friday April 19 New Brookland Tavern

The Sea Wolf Mutiny/Slow Runner/Heyrocco/Mechanical River

Saturday April 20 Furman University Earth Day

Music Presented by Awendaw Green and SceneSC

1:00 Simple Syrup / Danielle Howle
2:30 Mechanical River
3:15 The Sea Wolf Mutiny
4:00 Slow Runner
5:00 Heyrocco

On February 26, 2013 we released our 4th official sampler in our 5 years of existence. On Friday April 19 at New Brookland Tavern and Saturday April 20 at Furman University Ampitheater we’ll be celebrating the release of said compilation with help from our friends at Awendaw Green.

I’ve always looked at SceneSC as some sort of time capsule, with 5 years of backlogged videos on Youtube, pictures, previews on the site, and the yearly compilations being a huge part of that.

“20TEN” was our first big year when we decided to grow out of being just another blog and working towards being something more. Other than the bigger alt weeklies like Free Times and Charleston City Paper we were the only online resource geared towards music made within the Palmetto State. In 2008 it drove me crazy that there wasn’t a blog focused on SC music, when in my opinion we had a lot of great bands here. So we started one to cover the music that we enjoyed, and loved, and also with the focus to cover SC related music news.

Early on it was easier in a lot of ways, and harder in different ways. No one was really looking so we could get away with more. Twitter and Facebook weren’t what they are today so there was less to manage. We rarely got emails so there wasn’t much to worry about there, and no one ever offered us stuff to giveaway so no worries there either. Meredith was going to more shows those days than I was. I had played in bands in my college days, but had distanced myself from the music scene for three years after I graduated from college and was really looking for a way to get back involved and actually put my degree to use, if only a little bit. With that being said, we didn’t have relationships with anyone in the music scene and I am pretty terrible at introducing myself to people. So we just started going to shows, and writing about bands, shooting some video, taking pictures, and hoping to get in people’s Top 10 on Myspace. And it somehow worked. And the slowness of the process, about a year to a year-and-half, helped us gain trust and respect from the bands we were covering.

So what does this have to do with the 2013 sampler? This years sampler has been by far our most popular one to date. We don’t really pay attention to hits, and traffic, and all that jazz around here, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing whether we get one hit or 100,000 a day, that doesn’t matter too much to us. But it’s very important to us that people listen to the bands involved, because we think we have some serious talent here and we love showcasing it.

Now let me tell you a little about the bands playing both showcases Friday and Saturday.

Slow Runner

In 2011 Slow Runner toured the world with William Fitzsimmons opening each show, and then performing as his backing band. For years they’ve been one of the top bands in the state, doing what they do in a unique way that isn’t, “We’re going to put out a record and if it doesn’t make it we’re going to break up.” They’ve done their thing with major labels, know what it’s all about, and now both Michael Flynn and Josh Kaler have a grasp on it all. Towards the end of 2012 Slow Runner cleaned out their musical closet, releasing 3 b-side singles along with a re-release of their record No Disassemble. And while Slow Runner isn’t a full time job for either of them these days, music is. Flynn writes video game scores, while Kaler produces music at Hello Telescope recording studio in Charleston, SC. Which brings us to Heyrocco.

Heyrocco

When we were putting together the 2012 sampler in October 2011 we had barely heard of Heyrocco when an email popped up in our inbox from them. It was the most perfect introduction email we’ve ever received with the video for their song “Brothers” attached. We were instantly hooked on the “very serious group of children that want to make beautiful music.”

“Rave Monks” is featured on the 2012 sampler, one of their more rock songs, which is a little out of character for them. This year their song “Elsewhere” captures more of a Strokes vibe, more fitting to their live sound. They recorded their first album themselves, they recorded their new EP with Josh Kaler (Slow Runner) and Jay Clifford (Jump Little Children) at Hello Telescope. They tour relentlessly, have toured as All Get Out’s backing band, focus their lives around music, and have the chops to make it to the next level.

The Sea Wolf Mutiny

The Sea Wolf Mutiny isn’t an easy band to wrap your head around or to describe. Soaring indie rock. Very smart diligent songwriting. These things come to mind, but it’s hard to label the band and do them justice. Their live show is a level above typical local bands. Bands that practice once or twice a week or less and play out on occasion. Lead singer Bobby Hatfield is electric live. Expressive, emotive, and connected to the crowd. As a band they feed off the energy from the crowd, like most bands do, but if it isn’t there they create it.

Mechanical River

The first time I met Joel Hamilton he wasn’t talking. Other than singing live on stage he was only opening his mouth to eat and drink, which made it an awkward, but polite first introduction. Mechanical River isn’t on the 2013 sampler, and in 2012 Hamilton’s short-lived Babylips project was featured, but last year Mechanical River put out one of SC’s finest releases with Astral Castle. We even put his song “Pomelos” as the top SC song of 2012. Hamilton walks the line of experimental and undeniably catchy, two things that aren’t usually mentioned in the same breath. His live set is something else. A baseball helmet customized with a built in microphone, an ironing board keyboard stand, and a wonderful tambo shoe on his drum set. It’s only cool because the songs are great. Whoa, just wrote that without mentioning The Working Title….dammit!

Starting at 1 pm at El Burrito in 5 Points, it’s WUSC FM’s annual festival:  Wussy Jamboree 2k13: Bands, Bros, and Burritos.

According to Public Affairs Director and alliteration enthusiast Kate Appelbaum, “This event is meant to be our last hoorah for the year- there’s going to be bands, bros, babes, beers, and burritos. Being located in Five Points means it is within walking distance of campus. El Burrito also has a great outdoor space that is both cozy and welcoming for outdoor music.”

Though there is a $5 cover charge, ($7 for under 21), the money isn’t going directly into the trash.

“The cover money for this show will go to paying gas money to some of the bands, possibly purchasing a raffle item, and making sure we have a strong financial foundation for next year. Maybe we’ll even look into some new projects!”

Of course, it’s a reasonable price to pay to see a considerable line-up of local talent. Scope dis A-Team:

• Brave Baby (9-10)
• People Person (8-8:45)
• Elim Bolt (7-7:45)
• Que Sera Sera (6-6:45)
• Pan (5-5:45)
• Runny Babbit (4-4:45)
• Cayla Fralick (3:15-3:45)
• Two Fell In A Foxhole (2:30-3)
• Ghosts Of The Kodiak (1:45-2:15)
• Indigo Landing (1-1:30)

Of course, the local acts will be worthwhile, but also notable are the bands Brave Baby and Elim Bolt, coming from Charleston, both on an independent Charlestonian record label, Hearts and Plugs, fighting the good fight for South Carolina music. You’ll recognize local heavyweights People Person and Pan, as well as up-and-comers Runny Babbit and Que Sera Sera, who have recently dropped a tasty EP.

“A lot of students aren’t familiar with the Columbia music scene, and I think this is a perfect way to get a taste of some local acts without having to pay an arm and a leg to go to a bunch of different shows. We’re bringing them to you and it’s less than a dollar a band!”

That’s packed fulla bang for your buck. It’s gonna be at 934 Harden St and will be running all day, and there are currently more than 150 attending on the event page. So if you stay inside and decide to watch Courage the Cowardly Dog on Netflix all day, I don’t blame you, that show’s rad, but you’re an idiot because this is one of the most active weekends in Columbia’s scene since a good while.

Tiger Park – 157 Old Greenville Highway, 29631

Facebook Event

Free with canned food donation or cash donation

South Carolina is lucky to have two great college radio stations in Clemson’s WSBF and USC’s WUSC. Both do a great job of not only playing some of the states local talent, but also playing the best new music outside of the top 40 realm.

With their 5th annual Springfest, WSBF brings an array of both local talent and national acts. Headlining this years festival is Knoxville, Tennessee indie rock band Royal Bangs, along with Atlanta’s heavy dubstep duo Mantis.

Royal Bangs

Mantis

Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band

Cloudeater

Grand Prize Winners From Last Year

Paleface

Octopus Jones

Signs of Iris

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

Pan

Those Lavender Whales

Total War

Xanderfly

Way Past Midnight

March 23 & 24, 2013
11 AM – 7 PM
Brittlebank Park
Next to Joe Riley Baseball Field
Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Ticket Info.

This Saturday and Sunday Brittlebank Park in Charleston will be the site of the 2013 Spring Jam Music Fest. Brought to us by 105.5 The Bridge among other local organizations, the festival will feature two days of live music, art, and food vendors. Each day there will be six acts; on Saturday we’ll be seeing The Vagabond Union, Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Mowgli’s, Family of the Year (ridiculously excited about this one), and Truth & Salvage Co. On Sunday Stop Light Observations will kick the day off at 11 AM, followed by The Corduroy Road, Ed Sheeran, The Dirty Guv’nahs, Sol Driven Train, and Alpharev. You can find the schedule here. You’re sure to see a nice mix of local, national, and even international artists at the festival, all while eating delicious food from local restaurants and vendors like Charleston Cookie Company, Cupcake, D’Al’s Pizza, Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, and a few others.

While I’m ecstatic to be seeing all of these bands this weekend, I’m especially looking forward to Greensboro’s Holy Ghost Tent Revival, LA’s Family of the Year, Charleston’s own Sol Driven Train, and (sigh) the beautiful English songbird Ed Sheeran. If you have time and some cash to spare, come out to Brittlebank Park this weekend for two days of unforgettable music. Be sure to make the necessary sacrifices to your respective Pagan gods to ensure the weather stays nice.

Facebook Event

One of the first steps for local bands to start playing shows out of their hometown is meeting the right people and bands to get that done. It can be a really frustrating thing to book worthwhile shows on your own, so it helps to find someone else that believes in your music and will help you book those shows for you.

Shoplifter Booking currently has a small roster of bands that they focus on booking throughout the Southeast. Saturday night in Charleston, SC will be the finale of their string of showcases that included Greenville, SC, Asheville, NC, and Charlotte, NC. Each city booked holds a special place in the hearts of each band playing Saturday night at Tin Roof.

Modern Man made their debut on the SceneSC sampler in 2013 after winning us over with their last album Eyes No and a live show that showcases the bands intensity and swelling energy. The band hovers in the “gaze” genre. From their self-proclaimed “sleeze” gaze, the force in the drone and swirl of their music falls far from just staring down at your feet.

Charlotte’s Cement Stars music falls more in the ethereal, with dreamy synths and soundscapes and catchy vocal melodies. Closing out the lineup is Asheville indie rock outfit Knives and Daggers with their guitar driven movements and complimentary vocals. Their live set leans more towards the loud and in your face, while the recordings offer a different layered dynamic side.

I-95 travelers are familiar with Savannah, Ga., as an attachment to a cardinal direction – another city often passed by on the east coast’s longest straightaway. The Stopover Music Festival aims to change that for music listeners, bringing over 100 bands to 11 venues across downtown Savannah Thursday through Saturday.

This year’s headliners exhibit how much this festival has grown in only three years: of Montreal has graced the stages of the country’s biggest music festivals – Bonnaroo, Coachella and Sasquatch!, to name a few; Chelsea Light Moving features the rock sensibilities of Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore; and Georgia’s own The Whigs continue to tour their take on garage rock nationally. Their star power mixed with the dozens of other acts sprawled across local bars allows Stopover to appeal to those familiar with the layout and feel of SXSW while still maintaining a regional appeal through the inclusion of local bands.

South Carolina bands are well represented in the lineup, three of which we’re extremely familiar with (there might be others we don’t know of – if you’re one, let us know). Columbia instrumental post-rock group Pan plays Thursday night at Club One at 10 p.m., the first of many tour stops as they progress on to Austin to play SXSW March 15. Friday night sees both Charleston’s Heyrocco and Columbia’s Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents take the stage, Heyrocco at Taco Abajo at 6 p.m. and Durrett at Congress St. Social Club at 5 p.m. Heyrocco is coming off of the January release of their single, “Elsewhere,” which is available free as a part of year’s Scene SC sampler. The Gents have been recording at Columbia’s Archer Avenue Studio for their first full-length, due out late Spring.

While they don’t claim the Palmetto State, Stopover performers Kopecky Family Band and Les Racquet both have ties to the area. Kopecky singer/guitarist Gabe Simon hails from Greenville, S.C. and Les Racquet recently played brought their improv-based rock to a house show at Columbia’s Moonhouse.

Even if you’re not familiar with the bands on the lineup, some of them have names intriguing enough that I’m likely going to have to go check them out. Examples: Diarrhea Planet, Whisky Dick, Damon and the Shitkickers, Whaleboat and Roadkill Ghost Choir. My biggest dilemma will come Saturday night at 9 p.m. when Sharks? and Bear Fight! are playing at the same time on different stages. Also – really hoping The Accomplices is the remaining members of The Heist and The Accomplice, sadly without Chaz.

Tickets for all three days of music are $75, with a three-day VIP option (which gets you access to the artist’s lounge, a VIP reception and after parties) available for $120. Since all listeners weren’t created equal, Stopover has a variety of ticket options for patrons of different ages and speeds. Since some of the 11 venues are 21+ only, they offer a three-day Under 21 pass for $50. For those who can’t/don’t want to stay all weekend, one-day passes are available for $30 a day. Tickets can be purchased online at www.savannahstopover.com/tickets/.

For more information, visit www.savannahstopover.com, email the festival at info@savannahstopover.com or call them directly at (478) 254-0888.

Disclaimer: The author is a member of Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents. He reserved no biases in the writing of this article.