AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens GA, Now and Then

Trepid is a band that was only born ten months ago. Members May May Bryant (vocalist), Turner Chastain (rhythm guitar), J. Ben Turk (lead guitar), John Bellerjeau (bass), and Ethan Houseman (drums) talk about how a magical meeting brought them together — and why they knew Athens was the right place to shape their own sound and technique within the 80s and 90s shoegaze genre. With bands like My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and The Mary Chain, Slowdive, and Catherine Wheel laying the foundation, Trepid took what they could from those influences and left the rest behind, replacing it with their ow...

Jorma Starratt grew up in Athens, GA, spending his early years immersed in the vibrant music scene at the legendary 40 Watt Club by the age of 10. His father, Ken Starratt, was a member of the iconic band The Squalls. It was through these experiences Jorma was on the cusp of something truly groundbreaking. Athens was producing bands such as R.E.M, The B'52's, Pylon, Elf Power, Of Montreal, Five Eight, Wide Spread Panic, Drive by Truckers and so many more. Once he finished high school, it was inevitable he would take his upbringing straight into the music...

Hello All, this is Marlene Sokol Stewart trying to do some special podcast until I can put together Season 4 that should kick off by the end of April or early May,

I’ve got something special coming your way…

I will be introducing The Singles Series—where I sit down with the sons and daughters of prolific musicians to hear what it was really like growing up with a parent in the spotlight. The music, the madness, the memories—how did it shape them? And what do they want the world to know? Hopefully, ask them and...

Dodd Ferrelle is a notable musician and public figure in Winterville, GA. With roots in the Athens music scene, Dodd is known for his contributions to folk and Americana music, blending storytelling with soulful tunes. Over the years, he has worked as a solo artist and collaborated with other bands.

Beyond his music career, Dodd has made a significant impact on the Winterville community, especially in his role as mayor. During his time in office, Mayor Ferrelle has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at revitalizing Winterville, focusing on community building and improving local infrastructure. He is deeply passionate...

Elf Power is an indie rock band from Athens, Georgia, known for its blend of psychedelic, folk, and dreamy rock sounds. They got started in the mid-90s and quickly became part of the “Elephant 6 Collective,” a group of bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and The Apples in Stereo who created unique, experimental music.

I had sold a lot of Elf Power's music in the record stores I worked. I had not listened to them in quite some time. I had forgotten how their music is often dreamy and mysterious, full of quirky lyrics and catchy tunes. Seei...

Elf Power is an indie rock band from Athens, Georgia, known for its blend of psychedelic, folk, and dreamy rock sounds. They got started in the mid-90s and quickly became part of the “Elephant 6 Collective,” a group of bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and The Apples in Stereo who created unique, experimental music.

I had sold a lot of Elf Power's music in the record stores I worked. I had not listened to them in quite some time. I had forgotten how their music is often dreamy and mysterious, full of quirky lyrics and catchy tunes. Seei...

Dusty Gannon, lead vocalist and guitarist of Vision Video, originates from Athens, Georgia. A former U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, Gannon also worked as a firefighter before embarking on his music career. His life experiences with trauma and the darker sides of humanity deeply shape his songwriting, addressing themes like mental health, war, and mortality.

Gannon founded Vision Video in the late 2010s, releasing their debut album, Inked in Red, in 2021. The band draws inspiration from classic goth and post-punk acts such as The Cure and The Chameleons, blending these influences...

Beyond performing and recording music, Drew Beskin has been deeply engaged in nurturing Athens' vibrant music scene. He’s known for his connections within the local community, often collaborating with other musicians. Additionally, he has been instrumental in organizing events, supporting venues, and promoting local talent, all of which shows his devout commitment to maintaining Athens’ reputation as a hub for creativity and independent music. Drew's recently released a new single, "I guess We're on Our Own" once again shows Drew's songwriting prowess. It was quite the experience digging into the mind of Drew learning so many things I didn...

Trvy and the Enemy are my guests this week on AthCastMusic!

I must say, having them on was an unexpected session of laughing, expressions of passions along with opening up to very personal emotions with Trvy. This band has a camaraderie like no other. We laughed that they never could get divorced.

Trvy (trevey) aka Trevor Wiggins and the Enemy is made up of Trvy on vocals, drummer Rio Crane, bassist James Stickney and guitarist Robbie Rapp. Crane, Stickney and Rapp are childhood friends who had played together in a couple...

My guest this week is the one and only Jay Gonzalez. Jay is a longtime "townie" here in Athens, GA, and is grateful to call Athen’s home. His gratitude extends to what he calls "the luckiest job he's ever had" — being the keyboardist for the band Drive-By Truckers. That lucky job takes him on the road all over the U.S. and across the pond to many European countries.

When he's not on the road, Jay has a unique knack for performing cover songs that will surprise and excite you. You may find yourself dancing and sing...

I met Verno

Vernon J. Thornsberry is a musician and artist who lives and works in Athens, Georgia. Thornsberry is originally from New Orleans, where he was mentored for many years by George Dureau, an artist who is said to have inspired the work of Robert Mapplethorpe. But there's more. Vernon is also a baker who started baking at the Grit, which unfortunately closed last year. He has continued baking at the new location for the Daily Groceries new location and still making delicious vegan treats. His music infuses the band Organically Programmed Orchestra, which plays the...

The Reverend Connor Tribble’s conversation begins with Athens, Georgia, where he attended high school and first emerged as a powerful presence in the local music scene. Long before Athens earned its fame as a musical hub, he was already making waves, and earning the notable title "The Godfather of Punk" .

Connor's ambition soon led him to New York City, where he became a legend in his own right. Musicians and fans alike hailed him as “The Best Frontman They Had Ever Seen,” captivated by his blend of sharp, humor-laden lyrics, electrifying onstage banter, and searing musical energy...

Clark Hamilton is a unique and versatile musician, often described as “a horse of a different color” for his ability to step beyond conventional musical boundaries. With an impressive depth of knowledge, Hamilton's passion for older jazz artists shines through, as the genre remains his favorite. He draws great inspiration from Joni Mitchell, whom he considers his greatest artistic influence and hopes to meet one day.

Hamilton is a true multi-instrumentalist, playing every instrument on his recordings. He takes full control of his music production—writing, creating, mixing, and performing all the vocals. His versatility extends to live p...

Gregpru Frederick is one of the most important people for the music industry in Athens GA. Gregory has recorded over 26,000 live videos of musicians from Athens and visitors as well. He can be seen running up and down the streets most nights. I had such an interesting chat with Gregory about how he came to Athens, why he never saw many of the bands during the 80's and how he's making it up today.

SEASON: 3 Episode 2

Length: 47.40

PUBLISHED: 10-17-2024

Updated Weekly on Thursday

Engineer: Kayla Dover<...

Timi Conley came to Athens in 1991. He came searching for music, art and whatever else he could find, and find he did. He's been playing music here in Athens with many different versions of bands. Finally, Timi, along with Greg Surratt, Chris Byron, Shelley Lotus and Andrew Hammer became the Wonderland Rangers. Timi and the Wonderland Rangers put on a very exciting and colorful performance. Their genres have no limits and continue to expand.

Athenians await the next Wild Rumpus event on October 26 in downtown Athens. If you've never been to the Parade, you're in for a...

Heffner is a contemporary alternative indie band living here in Athens, GA. It began with members Taylor Cotton and Reagan Byrd, high school pals moving to Athens to go to school. They started playing with several bands around town. Wanting a band of their own, they knew if they started building a band, other members would come, and they did! Soon after one by one band members McKendrick Bearden, Will and Lars Heffner, and Tommy Trautwein joined the band.

Their sophomore album, “Perfect Heaven,” catapulted them into regional success and the new “darlings” of Athens. With the...

My guests on AthCastMusic this week are four members of the band Bichos Vivos. With me today are Robert Moser, Philip Kohnen. Todd Mueller and Tony Oscar.

Bichos Vivos play Forró, a lively music style from northeastern Brazil, featuring accordion, triangle, zabumba, guitar, bass, percussion, flute, violin, and vocals. Similar to Louisiana Zydeco music, here in the United States, it inspires energetic dancing with its vibrant rhythms. The band has just returned from their very first visit to Brazil, just in time for AthFest!

Our conversation was so much fun and there was a LOT o...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ken Starratt, co-founder of the Squalls, a pivotal band in Athens' alternative music scene. Alongside bandmates Bob Hay, Diana Torell, AL Walsh, Mark Cooper Smith (drums), and Mig Little (vocals), they shaped the musical landscape with four releases from 1981–1989, touring extensively. Their 2022 album, "Live from the 40 Watt," captures the essence of '80s dance parties, showcasing their unique sound. Alongside Athens legends like The B-52’s and R.E.M., the Squalls are immortalized in the documentary "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" (1986). Ken's passion for Athens' music scene remains evident, as he discusses its...

Vanessa was born in Atlanta, GA, to a textile worker and a housewife. After completing her elementary and secondary education, she moved to Athens to attend the University of Georgia, graduating with a BFA in 1978. In 1979, fellow students Randy Bewley, Michael Lachowski, and Curtis Crowe asked her to audition for their band, Pylon. This performance art project, initiated by three art students who barely knew how to play their instruments, aimed only to perform in New York City, inspired by the chart-breaking B-52’s, and then disband. However, after their supposed one-off performance at the Art Rock Festival and a...

Note: Due to time constraints, my podcast AthCastMusic is late by 2 days. Usually it airs every Thursday.

Parking Garage is a dynamic band, often performing as a trio or quartet, based in Athens, Georgia. They kept me laughing throughout our

conversation. The band members are:

Rafal - trumpetThree of the four members hail from mid-Georgia, with some having attended Georgia College & State University. They met through mutual connections during their high school years and have been musically connected ever since. The...

OLIVER DOMINGO is the youngest guest on AthCastMusic. After relocating to Athens, he began experimenting with various instruments, exploring their potential. He collaborates with many emerging musicians in Athens on numerous projects. Constantly thinking about how to create thought-provoking soundscapes, Oliver’s voice is remarkably mature and versatile, making it hard to believe it's the same person singing. His unique and powerful vocals are exceptional for an 18-year-old. My conversation with Oliver was engaging, surprising, and exceptional. You won't want to miss hearing this bright and creative episode with OLIVER DOMINGO.

Show AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Geo...

Adam Poulin is my guest on my latest episode of AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then. Adam didn't mean to become an Athenian. He had all intentions of joining the military since he couldn't find a job after attending Young Harris College. He started playing Violin in his elementary school years. After his violin was stolen, he began playing the guitar. By age 24 after moving to Athens, hard work and talent turned him into one of the most sought-after professional musicians around, including as a studio player. Adam’s high on-stage energy and musicianship makes him wo...

MY GUEST ON EPISODE 17 OF ATHCASTMUSIC IS MONTU MILLER.

Montu Miller hails from Minneapolis, MN, and is a proud alumnus of North High School. His journey led him to Georgia, initially to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. However, fate intervened when he discovered Athens, a city he instantly fell in love with, prompting him to transfer to the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Montu delved into his passion for music, embarking on tours alongside iconic figures like KRS-One and Ishues.

Despite the allure of life on the road, Montu felt a calling to continue...

My guest, Bill Cody, is a filmmaker and writer who has had films at major film festivals all over the world including Sundance, Berlin, Full Frame and many, many more. He first started in the film industry as an assistant to famed writer-director John Milius (Apocalypse Now, The Wind and the Lion) and went on to make many acclaimed documentaries both as a producer and a director, including Athens, GA/Inside-Out, two-headed cow, and Athens/Inside-Out 2: Red Turns into Blue. His feature film, Slaves to the Underground, was in competition at both Sundance and Berlin, and he has also...

Jim White has allowed my listeners into his journey of growing up in Pensacola Florida, having a tumultuous childhood along with being a member of a Pentacostal Church for 10 Years. Prior to being a musician, Jim worked around the US and parts of Europe doing several jobs, such as dishwasher, landscaper, lifeguard, cook, surfboard laminator, and even modeling! All roads from these occupations and a Pentecostal life, lead him to NYC where he began driving a cab and eventually attended NYU's Film School. Toward the end of Jim's 13 years in NYC driving a cab, he had what most people...

Mike Mantione and Dan Horowitz have been friends since their days at State University of New York (SUNY) in Binghamton NY. They created a band called "The Reasonable Men." "The Reasonable Men" went on to some local infamy as the party-rock band responsible for songs like “What The Fuck’s Wrong With My Brain?”, “Two Fat Ladies”, and “What I Imagined is a Movie by Me.” After an unforeseen life changing event for Mike Mantione, the band took a hiatus. When Dan Franz, another member of the band followed his brother to Athens Georgia, Mike and Dan ended up following sinc...

Hank Sullivant is an American rock musician and record producer, who is known for his work as a co-founder of the Athens-based pop rock band The Whigs, his stint as touring guitarist for MGMT, and as leader of the rock band Kuroma. Marlene sat down with Hank to talk about his time with the Whigs, what touring with MGMT was like, to having a family and being the organist for his church as well as the Business of Music & Life Skills Instructor at Tweed Recording.

Show AthCastMusic hosted by Marlene Sokol Stewart

Frequency...

Marlene Sokol Stewart talks about her up and coming Season 2 of AthCastMusic. In season 2, Marlene has the opportunity to bring some of the best musician's and industry influencers in Athens Georgia. Whether her guests have been in Athens since the glory days of Athens, or some of the best bands and musicians that are making their mark not only in Athens but nationally and some internationally. This will be a great season to listen to AthCastMusic, If you "don't listen, you can't hear!"

Season 2 Trailer

Show: AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens Georgia Now...

On this episode of AthCastMusic, Marlene talks with Annie Leeth, a producer, engineer, and session violinist known for her work with Faye Webster, Kishi Bashi, Erasure, the Magic Gang, and Grouplove. Annie discusses how she discovered that her classical training did not align with the type of music she wanted to create. This realization led her to become a highly sought-after musician, known for her ability to enhance the sound of various artists' songs. Annie previously worked as the house engineer at Maze Studios in Atlanta under Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter) before transitioning to her current role as...

Join AthCastMusic as Marlene sits down for an insightful conversation with the musically versatile Freeman Leverett. Growing up in Elberton, GA, and attending school in Athens, Freeman faced social challenges that deeply influenced his musical journey. His exposure to diverse music led him to explore various genres and instruments, consqequentially leading him to shape a unique, stand-out sound. Now based in Athens, Freeman's songwriting skillfully blends world music elements, complemented by his impressive vocals. He's involved in multiple bands, including Bichos Vivos with its Brazilian Forró genre, and Floral Portrait. Freeman and Marlene talk about his latest project, born f...

This episode features Knowa and Mokah Johnson, a dynamic duo who have built a huge presence in Athens by promoting social change, diversity, and equality for people of color and multi-international cultures. Knowa and Mokah speak to Marlene about their unique story of meeting each other, how they created the United Group of Artists Entertainment, Athens Hip Hop Awards, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), and how they collaborated with other Athenian Influencers to create the spectacular Athens in Harmony, a fundraiser that supports the AADM and brings together singers and musicians that one might expect to perform together.

This episode features the remarkable Sarah Mootz, an artist who has triumphed over adversity to establish her unique voice in music. Born in Georgia, Sarah began her musical journey early, writing songs and performing gigs from her teens. Despite facing industry pressures and challenges, she stayed true to her artistic vision. Marlene explores Sarah's story of resilience and self-acceptance, highlighting her emotionally charged songs like "Sexualized" and "Just Say You Love Me," and her latest release "Eat Your Heart Out." The episode offers an intimate conversation and a special performance by Sarah, showcasing her as one of the prominent...

In this episode of AthCastMusic, Marlene chats with Jim Benson, filmmaker of "Hwy 29 Revisited," a documentary capturing the influential music scene of Athens, GA in the 80s and 90s. Jim, also known for establishing the WORD X WORD Festival, shares his experiences in Athens, highlighting how the welcoming nature of local bands and venues extended his stay. Their discussion reveals shared goals and surprising connections, offering listeners a glimpse into the dynamic world of Athens' music legacy

hwy29documentary@gmail.com

413-446-9505

Join us as we discuss the enchanting world of jazz with Mary Sigalas, an extraordinary jazz vocalist. In this episode of AthCastMusic, we will explore Mary's journey in reviving the captivating music of the 30s and 40s with her band, the Hot Hotty-Hots. Beyond her performances, Mary passionately leads Jazz Athens (JAGA), aiming to make Athens a jazz hub. Her conversation with Marlene radiates her deep love for hot jazz, which was strongly influenced by her grandfather. Mary's music is a dance-inducing, soul-stirring tribute to a timeless era.

facebook.com./mary.sigalas

www.marysigalas.com<...

Dive into the musical and personal world of Spencer Thomas in this episode of AthCastMusic. A Jackson, MS native, Spencer has become an integral part of the Athens music scene. His work with “The Future Birds” and the Spencer Thomas Band echoes influences like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, blending working-class themes with deeper explorations of mental health and emotional complexities. His album “The Joke of Life” showcases his evolving artistry, with contributions from notable musicians. Join Marlene as she uncovers how Spencer navigates life and music in Athens, striving to be both a better musician and a better man.

Step back in time with us in the latest episode of AthCast Music featuring the remarkable Donny Whitehead, a true Athenian who has witnessed the city's musical evolution for over six decades. From learning to play the piano in first grade to sharing the stage with iconic bands like The Platters and Temptations, Donny takes us on a musical history lesson. Join Marlene as she dives into the rich history of Athens' music scene and uncover the memories that shaped Donny's illustrious 64-year career.

Thanks again to Donny for joining us this week! To get in touch...

Beyond the political podium, Mayor Girtz is a music aficionado who has not only served two terms but has also been a tireless advocate for the Athens music scene. Join Marlene as she chats with Mayor Girtz about his political journey, how he merges the love of music with the love of politics, and his commitment to the musicians who define the cultural heartbeat of Athens.

So much thanks to Mayor Kelly Girtz for joining this week! To get in touch, email kelly.girtz@accgov.com or call 706-613-3010.

Tune in to the latest episode of AthCast Music where Marlene and Joe sit down for a chat with Athens music legends, William Tonks and Tommy Jordan. With a musical camaraderie that has flourished over 15 years, their story begins in a Boy Scout Troop. Join us as we uncork the tales behind their extensive discography, experience in the Athens music scene and enjoy a couple beers.

Hosted by Marlene Stewart and Joe Hill.

Thanks again to Mr. Tonks and Mr. Jordan for joining us this episode. Learn more about them at https://www.mrjordanmrtonks.com. <...

Join Marlene in the kick-off episode of "AthCast Music" as she shares her personal story and connection to the music industry. You’re in for an adventure of exploring Athens' music scene and the way it's rocked through the years, especially in the 80s and 90s!

Hosted by Marlene Stewart.

Produced by Kayla Dover

Marlene and Joe sit down with Andrew Ratcliffe, the mastermind behind Tweed Recording Audio Production School in Athens, GA. Andrew’s story takes us from being a student in Oxford to creating a thriving music school in Athens. Tune in as we delve into the creation of his groundbreaking program, the assembly of his award-winning staff and the exciting future that awaits Tweed Recording.

Hosted by Marlene Stewart and Joe Hill.

Thanks again to Andrew for joining us this episode. Learn more about Tweed Recording at https://www.tweedrecording.com.