On Wednesday, June 22nd at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, Georgia a great night of music will be taking place!
Jon Lindsay
“One of the best records to come out of the Southeast over the course of the decade” -Performer Magazine, December 2010
“Coming off like a synthed-out version of the DBs, this is weird, wonderful stuff. A keep! And a treasure” -Ken Stringfellow (REM, The Posies, Big Star, Minus 5, The Disciplines)
“The songs blend into each other while remaining distinct and original, making it one of those albums you just want to listen to uninterruptedly from beginning to end.” -The Rock and Roll Report
“Though Escape From Plaza-Midwood is the first full-length from 29-year-old Charlotte bandleader Jon Lindsay, it’s hardly his first foray into music, which is apparent in the kaleidoscopic LP’s remarkable cohesiveness. A songwriter since age 3, Lindsay fronted power pop units Carlisle, The Young Sons and The Catch Fire and has performed or recorded with neo-soul crooner Benji Hughes, indie folk singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins and former bandmate Justin Williams’ vintage pop project Twelve Thousand Armies. The shimmering, dreamy tunes on last year’s self-released solo EP, Magic Winter & The Dirty South, hinted at Lindsay’s savvy craft. But on Plaza-Midwood, Lindsay finally folds those myriad experiences into a sprawling opus of pop-rock splendor. Other than the lush orchestration, rich textures and offbeat lyrical fragments, few threads tie these 15 eclectic tracks together. “Indie Prince Paul” is a Hughes-style, soul-pop number drenched in organ and synths, while Beach Boys-inspired harmonies, sputtering drumbeats, swinging horns and soaring solos splash the record elsewhere. “If I could rewind, I would storm your castle/ I would Bernie Makeoff with your heart today,” Lindsay offers during the stream-of consciousness ramble that accompanies the nonchalant, string-abetted jangle of “These Are The End Times.” It’s clear that Lindsay is having a blast on this record, though never at the expense of the song. To wit, it’s not all smiles and winking lyricism. On the frenetic power pop anthem “My Blue Angels,” Lindsay contemplates choosing the church of rock ‘n’ roll—complete with archangel Randy Rhoads—rather than following in the footsteps of his preacher father. The jazzy, piano-led ballad “I Take Care Of You Now” has a tender core of devotion amid its down-and-out love story.” -Indy Weekly
Mark Cunningham & The Nationals
Mark Cunningham was born and raised in Athens, Georgia in 1968. From the earliest age, Cunningham learned the mournful sound from Texas songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson. Coming of age in the beginnings of the burgeoning Athens music scene, Mark became enthralled with the sounds of R.E.M, Chickasaw Mudpuppies, Flat Duo Jets and Plyon. Combining those with the classic country sounds of Johnny Cash, the americana sounds of Gram Parsons and Steve Earle, he began writing the sound for what was to be The Burning Angels.
“Rounding out Cunningham’s emotionally-loaded but cerebrally-balanced vocalizing is Natalie Garcia, who harmonizes in that oh-so-sweet Southern way (definitely some June Carter/Johnny Cash dynamic there).”
“That red white & blue guitar, Buck Owens & electric Waylon all influenced Cunningham, right up until the burgeoning music scene around the University of Georgia in the late 1970s, where the neighborhood kids had regular escapades to Wuxtry Records to listen to Television (the band) and then return the opened records. ”
“Cunningham takes you to that place where sweet tea, heartbreak and slow trains never get old.”
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