Ben's Recs: Bargain Shows

By: Ben Haager, General Manager

When I was in high school, I went to a lot of concerts. Then I came to college and became poor, and thus stopped going to as many concerts. Lately however, I have been on a roll finding budget concerts. Here are a few bands you can see for a bargain in Athens/Columbus in the coming months (you might see me there as well). 

1. Alt-J - 3/30/13 - The LC Pavilion in Columbus - $5 ($8.50 including those dumb Ticketmaster fees)

The "first dose" of CD 102.5 Day brings British band Alt-J as a headliner. The tickets sold out within two hours, but I was lucky to snatch up a couple tickets for myself. If you haven't heard this band yet, click this link and watch immediately. Anytime I attempt to describe them to someone, I completely blank, as they prescribe to no genre. My best explanation is alternative folk rock with some sort of an electronic mix. You'd be much better off just clicking that link.

2. Murder By Death - 5/2/13 - @ The Bluestone in Columbus - $13.00 (Purchase here)

I've already seen Murder by Death a couple times, and let me tell you, they put on one hell of a show. I like to describe them as whiskey-infused, dark folk. Their cellist is absolutely breathtaking live. If you'd like to buy me a whiskey sour when you see me there, I would be quite thankful.

3. Dawes & Shovels and Rope - 6/16/13 - @ The Bluestone in Columbus - $17.00 (Purchase here)

The opener is what really attracts me to this show. Shovels and Rope is the sweetest duo out there. Call it blues, call it country, call it good ole rock n' roll--they just play darn good music. I don't know too much about Dawes, but I do know their songwriter Taylor Goldsmith from the indie supergroup Middle Brother, whose debut album was one of my favorite albums two years ago. It's safe to say this show will be a rip roarin' good time.

4. Cave Singers - 4/3/13 - @ The Basement in Columbus - $12.00 (Purchase here)

A band I discovered through KEXP, the Cave Singers have quickly become one of my favorite bands. Simple and bluesy, yet utterly intriguing, their new album Naomi is absolutely phenomenal. It's uncanny how much great and diverse music comes out of Seattle. 

5. ACRN Lobsterfest - 4/25-27/13 - @ The Smiling Skull, The Union, and Central Venue in Athens - FREE

Shameless self-promotion? The headliners will be the Cloud Nothings. If that isn't enough to get you excited, the Turbo Fruits have also been announced as part of the three-day festival bill, with many more bands to come. Plus, IT'S FREE! 

I hate Ticketmaster.

Kory's Recs: A Buffet of Music

By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director


For this Exec Recs blog, I really don't have an overriding theme that
links all of my recommendations, so it's going to be a smorgasbord of
all kinds of musical greatness for you to enjoy. Grab your silverware,
tuck that napkin into your shirt collar and get ready to dive in.

1. Lobsterfest 2012

How could I book a music festival and not recommend that everyone be in
attendance? Lobsterfest is an annual music festival put on by ACRN at
the end of each and every spring quarter, and this year, we'll be
carrying on that tradition with over 20 great bands across three days!
With so many bands, it's impossible to give a sample of each and every
artist appearing at the festival, but enjoy these two clips of this
year's co-headliners, Pujol from Nashville, TN and Xray Eyeballs from
Brooklyn, NY.

For the full Lobsterfest lineup, visit the Facebook event at:
http://www.facebook.com/events/281329951958403/

2. Pariso

I ran across Pariso where I discover 99% of the new music I listen to
nowadays -- Bandcamp. I've found a whole mess of great hardcore bands
browsing around there and Pariso is a recent find that I really like.
They remind me a lot of another one of my favorite bands Norma Jean,
and they could especially be compared to Norma Jean on their O' God,
the Aftermath album. They've got a real simple style with few frills
and it definitely works well for them.

3. Chiodos

Chiodos wasn't just my favorite band when I was in high school; it 
was more of an obsession. I saw them live with some of my friends when 
they were on tour with From First to Last, Every Time I Die and
 Atreyu, among others. Eventually, both the drummer Derrick Frost and their frontman Craig Owens were removed
from the band, which was quite a big deal for me. They just announced 
that they have made up and gotten back together and I'm beyond 
thrilled to hear the news. I definitely recommend their album Bone
 Palace Ballet, which in my opinion is a post-hardcore masterpiece.

4. Regina Spektor Singing in Russian

Regina Spektor is one of my favorite artists, and of course I knew she
was born in Russia and came to the United States with her family when
she was young. I grabbed up her 7" Record Store Day release, "Regina
Spektor Sings Two Bulat Okudzhava Songs In Russian" and it's
incredible. You'll see for yourself in the clip.

5. Child Bite

This band is nothing but awesome. The music is great, their live show
is great, their new 10" "Monomania" is great -- they're just great. If
you get a chance to see them, DO IT because you won't regret it. Shawn
Knight and company stopped through Athens earlier this year for an
ACRN show and played a killer set. Spending a little time with them
was loads of fun. Shawn also makes some of the best screen printed
artwork I've ever seen, so check out his website full of great screen
prints.