Friday Free-Style

Let's get your weekend started with some local flavour. Atlas Sound will be remixing a Sian Alice Group song for a forthcoming EP. Here's a video for one of my favourite Atlas Sound songs, "Recent Bedroom":


Atlas Sound- Recent Bedroom from Michael E Palm on Vimeo

Atlas Sound : Virtual 7" No. 3 : No Longer


The Snowden tour is coming soon:



Check out how fun Snowden tours can be:



Mastodon and Neurosis are interviewed by Pitchfork.tv

Mastodon have a massive tour schedule between their Bonnaroo appearance and their Rockstar Mayhem Tour:

Jun 14 - Manchester, Tennessee @ Bonnaroo (2:00P)
Jul 9 - Seattle, Washington @ White River Amphitheatre
Jul 11 - Sacramento, California @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Jul 12 - San Francisco, California @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Jul 13 - San Bernardino, California @ Glen Helen Pavilion
Jul 15 - Fresno, California @ Save Mart Center
Jul 16 - San Diego, California @ Coors Amphitheatre
Jul 18 - Phoenix, Arizona @ Cricket Pavilion
Jul 19 - Albuquerque, New Mexico @ Journal Pavilion
Jul 20 - Denver, Colorado @ Coors Amphitheatre
Jul 22 - Kansas City, Kansas @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Jul 23 - St. Louis, Missouri @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Jul 25 - Dallas, Texas @ Smirnoff Music Centre
Jul 26 - San Antonio, Texas @ Verizon Amphitheatre
Jul 27 - Houston, Texas @ Sam Houston Race Track
Jul 29 - Tampa, Florida @ Ford Amphitheatre
Jul 30 - Miami, Florida @ Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Aug 1 - Virginia Beach, Virginia @ Verizon Amphitheatre
Aug 2 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @ Post Gazette Pavilion
Aug 3 - Scranton, Pennsylvania @ Toyota Pavilion
Aug 5 - Boston, Massachusetts @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 6 - Uniondale, New York @ Nassau Coliseum
Aug 8 - Toronto, Ontario @ Downsview Park
Aug 9 - Detroit, Michigan @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug 10 - Chicago, Illinois @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug 12 - Atlanta, Georgia @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Aug 13 - Indianapolis, Indiana @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
Aug 15 - Camden, New Jersey @ Tweeter Center at The Waterfront
Aug 16 - Hartford, Connecticut @ New England Dodge Music Center
Aug 17 - Washington DC @ Nissan Pavilion
Aug 19 - Buffalo, New York @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

"Sleeping Giant":



Long time friends of Ohmpark, Parade, have announced their show tonight at Lenny's is going to be their last. They still have a new forthcoming album in June, but are not planning to do any shows in support of it apparently. This is very sad news for us, so here's some Parade tracks to jam and if you never caught them, go see them tonight while you still have a chance.

Parade : The P EP : Slow Tuesday


Parade : A Red Button : Penelope Shoes


Parade : Answer Me EP : That's Hott


You can stream the new Portishead album here.

Coachella will be webcasting performances this weekend here.

Download a new NIN song here.

Blood On The Wall will be at The Earl on May 13th.

Jambase has a really great piece on Akron/Family, who we love.

The AthFest line-up is out, and notables include Dark Meat, Cinemehanica, We Vs. The Shark, Elf Power, Twin Tigers, Venice Is Sinking, and Dubconscious. The fest is going down June 18-22 in Athens, Ga.

Rock The Bells tour is back and looking good, but the closest it is coming to us is Miami, FL:



Tegan And Sara are coming back to Atlanta for two dates at Chastain June 16 & 17.

Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst is doing a solo album.

Peter Bjorn And John's next album is going to be completely instrumental.

Southern Shelter has the Explosions in The Sky show in Atlanta a few weeks ago for you to download or listen to here.

Radiohead on Conan (The Atlanta show is getting so close!):



Portishead on Jools Holland:



Jane's Addiction's latest reunion show:



Tokyo Police Club on Letterman:

Ohmpark Presents: Parade, Brass Bed

This Friday night we invite you down to our 'hood for another great show. One of our favourite Atlanta bands, Parade, will be doing an exclusive performance for us. They will be joined by Lafayette, Louisiana's Brass Bed stopping through the ATL on their US tour. The show is completely free to attend. This will probably be one of the last house shows we do for a while, so come down and party with us.

Parade : That's Hott


Parade : Yune


Brass Bed : Polar Bird


Brass Bed : Make Me Cry


Parade Myspace

Brass Bed Myspace

B-Sides: Ohmpark Inteviews Parade

Our top 50 album list is pretty much done and will be up by the end of the week, but while we're putting our finishing touches on that, I wanted to post some things we never got a chance to over the last year. Last summer, we went to Parade's practice space and filmed them playing a few songs and did an interview. Between getting a bad rip and losing the tape, we were unable to really do anything with it, but here is the 10 minute interview uncut for your viewing pleasure:

Ohmpark's Top 10 Best EPs Of 2007

An EP, or Extended Play, is the sweet spot between a full album and a single. Typically between 10 and 25 minutes, although what has come to define the difference between EPs and LPs can sometimes be blurred. Usually EPs get a bad rap, as it carries with it connotations of being "less-than" and not good enough to be a proper album, but I like seeing variations in the art medium. There are EPs like Alice In Chains' Jar Of Flies and Radiohead's Airbag/How Am I Driving? that beat most full lengths. Also, EPs afford an artist the chance to showcase things that don't fit in the context of a larger piece of work, or explore a different sound without moving fully in that direction. Anyways, I'd take an EP of nothing but the goodness over a full-length comprised mostly of filler surrounding a few good songs any day.

In 2007 I actually heard many great EPs. A few of which I'll give honorable mentions that just missed this list that are worth-while include Joanna Newsom And The Ys Street Band, Vampire Weekend, and Black Kids' Wizard Of Ahhhs, of which I've come around a little bit on now that I've listened to it more. Here are the 10 most essential short-length albums of 2007:


10. Animal Collective : People



This EP feels more like a single, but the title song is so good that it makes this short release something special. The two songs that lie between the studio and live versions of "People" are both really cool too. People was the prologue to a banner year for the Collective.


9. Illinois : What The Hell Do I Know?



A collection of simple songs that touch on everyone from The Flaming Lips, to Beck, to Wilco in sound. There is nothing groundbreaking on this seven track collection, but Illinois do what they do well, and that's write some really sweet jams. I'm excited to see what this Pennsylvania band will do next.


8. Elevado : This World Is On Fire



On the bigger and longer side of the EP spectrum, Atlanta's own Elevado put forth one of the better local releases of the year. This self-produced effort bounces around stylistically while retaining a very connected whole piece of work. Standout songs like"Postcard From Four Walls Down", "Song of A Purple Man", and my favourite, the early-Floydy "Hypnopaedic Sunshine", kick ass and anchor this sonic journey.


7. Parade : Answer Me



I've found over the course of the year that every time I revisit Answer Me I fall in love with a different song. It seems no matter what mood or state of mind in, something on this 5 track release speaks to me. Parade are one my favourite bands in Atlanta and if you read this blog, they are mandatory listening.


6. Deerhunter : Fluorescent Grey



The local hype-monsters followed up the epic Cryptograms with this four song EP, of which the two pieces are inextricably linked and many are treating the two as one whole. I tend to treat Fluorescent Grey as Deerhunter in its most accessible and "poppy", which they also do really, really well, and more a short sequel. Either way, it's over 16 minutes of pure gold.


5. Plants And Animals : With/Avec



I've just recently gotten hip to this Montreal group and have fallen in love with this EP. At 4 songs and 25 minutes, this band can jam with the best of them while never ambling to something that doesn't feel deliberate. They do rootsy yet epic folk soundscapes that remind me of Jim O'Rourke, Sufjan Stevens, The Grateful Dead and Jeff Buckley at times, and make this release feel bigger than a full-length as you immerse yourself in it.


4. Porcupine Tree : Nil Recurring



This 28 minutes-plus spanning prog-jam fest is a collection of 4 songs from the Fear Of A Blank Planet recording session. I tend to treat it as an epilogue to FOABP, mostly because i like the ending to Nil Recurring better. It has guest stars like King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and FOABP songs completely redone into new songs. If you have yet to look into this band, now is the time.


3. Portugal. The Man : It's Complicated Being A Wizard



Before going in a blues-rock direction with Church Mouth, Portugal. The Man released this electronically driven piece of work, comprised of a first 23-minute song and then followed by the same song broken up into a track for each movement, creating an endless loop of music. In addition to the gimmick of the EP's structure is some of the best tunes this young and talented Alaskan outfit have done. Don't overlook this album.


2. Grizzly Bear : Friend



Grizzly Bear's follow-up to last year's mind-blowing Yellow House is longer than many full albums and packed full of redone songs, unreleased gems, and guest appearances from all sorts of indie superstars, most notably to us ATLiens is Deerhunter's Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound). Despite the jumbled mess of sources, the album itself is a fairly cohesive listen and musically it is top-notch. With this latest installment, this band is fast becoming one of my favourite of the decade.


EP Of The Year:

Moorish Idols : Moorish Idols



At less than 17 minutes, Moorish Idols make the most of it in their debut release, just pure sonic euphoria from start to finish. Lyrically the stories and characters pull you into a beautiful piece of work that is an aesthetically pleasing experience on every level. While the sound is fairly conservative relative to most of what I love, they do what they do perfectly, and it's hard for me to think of a four song succession from this year that I enjoy more. I'm looking forward to seeing what these guys do with the vast amount of potential they possess.

This Week In The A

Here's the shows in Atlanta that we recommend checking out this week:

Tonight: Parade (who if you read this blog you already know is awesome) and Exit Clov (A band from DC that you need to know is also awesome) at Lenny's

Exit Clov : MK Ultra

Tomorrow Night: Enon (A cool northeastern band), Love Of Diagrams (Rockers from down-under that we caught earlier this year), and Untied States (Another local band we love) at The Drunken Unicorn

Enon : Mirror On You


Wednesday Night: Tori Amos (Always a great show) at The Fox theater

Tori Amos : Space Dog (Live from 6-11-1998)


Thursday Night: Smashing Pumpkins and Explosions In The Sky at the Fox Theater (I bet you can score some tix to the rescheduled shows if you're crafty)

Explosions In The Sky : Remember Me As A Time Of Day


Friday Night: Jens Lekman (Dude from Sweden who has the internets all buzzed up) at The Drunken Unicorn

Jens Lekman : And I Remember Every Kiss


Saturday Night: Joanna Newsom (OMFG!!!!!!!!!!) with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at The Woodruff Arts Center

Joanna Newsom : Monkey & Bear

Home Park Festival 2007

November 3rd, 2007 we will have some of our favourite Atlanta artists for you to see in a beautiful outdoor setting for free. We've worked hard to put together a line-up were very proud of. This year, Home Park Fest will have two stages to maximize the rock. The Jupiter Watts and Slow Motion Crash have each dropped an amazing album this year. This Piano Plays Itself is an upcoming band with Home Park roots. Ohmpark favs Parade returns for their second Home Park Fest appearance. Critically-acclaimed Jamie Radford will bring his special brew of electronic music and hip-hop to the fest. Pool Partiers Club Awesome will bring the awesomeness. Home Park's most badass band, From Exile, will be performing a special acoustic, instrumental set unlike any they have done before. Finally, one of my personal favs, Moorish Idols, will close out the fun filled day. We hope to see you down in our 'hood for this absolutely free fest and tell your friends!

I Heart The A

Not much blogging over the long weekend while I was out enjoying the beautiful weather and sweet events. I spent alot of time in East Atlanta including the East Atlanta Strut and the Go Funk Yourself uber-house party. The really fun weekend is mostly a blur to me and I don't have much objective journalism for you, so here's some tunes from some of the artists I might have seen:

Parade : Answer Me : Lunch Lady


Anna Kramer : Anna Kramer : I Can't Take It


Elevado : This World Is On Fire : Postcard From Four Walls Down


Howlies : Howlies : Angeline




This week is fairly enormous for great shows. Tonight I'm going to see Bjork and Klaxons at the Fox. Diplo is going to be at MJQ tonight too. Wednesday night at Lenny's is Zoroaster's CD release party featuring Daath. Wednesday night is also the beginning of Atlantis Music Conference, Atlanta's answer to South By Southwest. Thursday night John Vanderslice and Bishop Allen will be at The Earl. Pretty much every venue in town has an interesting show Friday night but i like the Eyedrum show with Vietnam, Random Violets, Subliminator, and Tree Creature. Saturday night is just ridiculous. Do Make Say Think and Atlanta's Moorish Idols are going to be at The Earl. Queens Of The Stone Age are at The Tabernacle. Girl Talk and Dan Deacon are at MJQ. Then Sunday night The Apples In Stereo will be playing for free at Piedmont Park(Park Tavern).

Bjork : Volta : Wanderlust


Queens Of The Stone Age : Era Vulgaris : I'm Designer


Zoroaster : Dog Magic : Brazen Bull


Do Make Say Think : You, You're A History In Rust : In Mind


Girl Talk : Night Ripper : Give And Go


Moorish Idols : Moorish Idols : Fer-De-Lance

We Got The Scoop...

There's a new band in the A making their debut headlining the East Atlanta Strut this weekend. Howlies, which is going to be the new moniker for the local band formerly known as Moresight, will be officially debuting their new name and costume infused stage show at the East Atlanta festival. I've gotten to see some practice stuff with the changes and everyone is in for a treat!

Here's the stage schedule for the whole music portion of the fest:

11:30am - 12:00pm - Earthshaking Samba Group
12:00pm - 12:40pm - Envie
1:00pm - 1:40pm - Entropy
2:00pm - 2:40pm - Holy Temple Choir
3:00pm - 3:40pm - Strut Parade & 5K awards
4:00pm - 4:40pm - Parade
5:00pm - 5:40pm - Elevado
6:00pm - 6:40pm - The Bouldercrest Singing Group
7:00pm - 7:40pm - Tag Team
8:00pm - 8:30pm - Howlies

Also...

Thanks again to Parade and The Always Already for playing some fantastic sets on Saturday night at OhmPark's house party. This is just the first in an onslaught of things to come, so be on the lookout for more in upcoming weeks!

Ohmpark Presents: Parade, The Always Already (FREE SHOW)

Next Saturday night come over to Home Park for a great free show. Parade, one of our favourite Atlanta bands, will be performing in support of their new EP, Answer Me. I've been lucky enough to watch this 4-piece evolve and continue to achieve their amazing potential, and if you haven't got hip to them yet, now is the time:

Parade : A Red Button : Penelope Shoes


Parade : The P EP : Slow Tuesday



photo by Biggie C

The other band, The Always Already, are a great dance-rock outfit from Austin, Texas. Here's a little something to jam to:

The Always Already : Red Bird EP : I Am Electric


The Always Already : Red Bird EP : Maybe It's Geography



photo by Matt Taylor-Gross

The show is completely free and we will have free booze for the 21+ peeps. Things get kicked off around 9pm. Here is some mapquest action for the venue. Be prepared for debauchery.

Scorchin' Shows In Hotlanta This Weekend

This is a killer weekend for ATL shows. Tonight there's an interesting house party worth looking into (We Like House Parties):

	141 MORELAND AVE.: the booze, das manics, cancer slug (huntsville al), the trophy wives all ages 9:00 pm / Cover TBA (no more than $4) (Das Manics first house show, Cancer Slug are touring, and The Booze will make us dance! Goose's email: skorpionstomp@gmail.com, Moreland Ave's Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/morelandave)

Also, I've been meaning to check them out, but people tell me Club Awesome is indeed awesome, and they are at The Earl tonight doing some weird thing where they play in front of video of them playing at The Earl a month ago. sounds interesting:



Confessions Of A Music Addict's Pick of the Week is Friday night at The Earl with Tiger! Tiger!, Tenement Halls, and Thee Crucials.



Other good Friday night shows include Moresight (Who David was talking about earlier this week), The States, and Treasury at Lenny's. Stickfigure Distribution has a great show at Eyedrum with Envie, Jaggery, and The Ghost Projects. The Decatur Social Club even has a special guest from Australia, Riot In Belgium, for your late night happenings. And if you're looking for something even more underground:

THE CRACKHOUSE: coke party: dance your panties off with judi chicago , chapter 13 , terminus, cut teeth DONATE MORE (www.myspace.com/crackhouseatl)

ISP has one Ohmpark Favourites Parade friday night:



Saturday is just ridiculously amazing. First, I'll be going to Grant Park Summer Shade Fest. Here's the band schedule:

Saturday, August 25 – Festival Stage

11:45 Jeremy Thornton
12:45 Wampus Cat Scanners
1:45 The Eyes
2:45 Numb
3:45 Bad Magic Number
4:45 Sunday Drive Bye
5:45 Long Knives
6:45 The Preakness
7:45 Magnapop

Sunday, August 26 - Festival Stage

12:00 Chickens & Pigs
1:00 Spencer Durham Group
2:00 Mary O Harrison
3:00 Bouldercrest Singing Group
4:00 No River City
5:00 Tag Team
6:00 Cadillac Jones

Lots of cool bands to check out there, like The Preakness, Long Knives, and Bad Magic Number, which is an Atlanta supergroup comprised of members of Luigi, Magnapop, The Preakness, and The Silent Kids.

Now Saturday night I'm going to this:



But equally as awesome is this:

Does it get any more kick ass in this city?

What The Hell Am I Listening To?!?

ATLiens for today:

Antic Clay



Antic Clay, aka Michael Bradley, is the former front man of Atlanta Gothic Country band MYSSOURI. I've been jamming this incredible double disc constantly since getting a copy. Hilarious Death Blues is a really stand out album of 2007 to me mostly because it takes a genre I have little interest in and enthralls me. Almost every song on this hour and a half plus piece of work is gold:

• Look Down The Dark Barrel
  
• Thousand Star Hotel
  
• Filthy Lucre King
  

Antic Clay Myspace

Buy Hilarious Death Blues here


Jupiter Watts



The Jupiter Watts' newest release, their self-titled LP, is a big step up for these guys. The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. You can tell how much attention to detail they put into every song. Check it out:

• Travel Without Sound
• Bikini Attol
  

Jupiter Watts Myspace

Buy Jupiter Watts here


Parade



The newest release from one of my favourite Atlanta bands, The Answer Me EP, sees this bands continuing to realize its amazing potential. Beautiful songwriting plus brilliant execution. If you've yet to look into this 4-piece, now is the time.

• That's Hott
  

Parade Myspace

Buy Answer Me here


Go see these artists in the ATL:

Parade will be at ISP Space August 24th
Jupiter Watts will be at Lenny's September 8th
Antic Clay will be at The Earl September 28th

Photos: Parade 6-17-07 at Criminal Records- Atlanta, GA

(Click for larger photos)

Parade