News!

Hey everyone, haven't touched base for a few week so I just wanted to share a new tune that The Sunset District is working on! It's a song called Gone, Gone, Gone and you can download it for free from our Bandcamp site along with a few other things.  

Also, I'm really looking forward to a few shows coming up in the next month or so. The first one is going to be at the Red Clay Theater on August 28th. I'll be opening up for James Hall and Bain Mattox. Needless to say I'm incredibly excited about playing with these guys. Also, look for a podcast from each one of them before the show. 

Tickets and info here

And finally, the band will be playing the International Pop Overthrow Festival here in Atlanta, GA on Friday, September 27th at the Red Light Café. Back in 2001, a few months after 9/11 I can remember flying into NYC with my band Honeyrider to play IPO, and it was a great experience, so I'm really excited about playing it here in town.

Tickets and info here

Alright, that's all for now. I'll be away from the computer for a week or so, but when I get back I should have some new stuff for you.

 

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Rorschach’s cat?

"It's a 'Rorschach’s cat' type of scenario."

"I think you mean 'Schrödinger’s cat?'"

"That's not the way I see it."

"..."

"..."

"Did we just have this conversation?"

"You tell me."

 

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I Shot the Band - Parquet Courts at 529

I've been pretty pumped for this show since discovering and downloading their latest record, Light Up Gold a month back, and I was hoping to run a quick podcast interview with the band before the show, so I was at the club early and ready to rock.

Memorial Day Monday afternoon traffic seemed to have other things in store for the band however, and when show time came and went it was pretty clear the band was in the middle of it.

About 30 minutes late the guys rolled in and quickly set up. 15 minutes later, and with a quick "thanks for waiting," these guys blasted off into a pummeling, and angular 35 minute set that had the capacity crowd bouncing, at times shoving, and singing along to the band's take on that classic New York sound. Something that hit me about the band live, which hadn't occurred to me upon repeated listens of the record is how much they were really imbibed that twin-guitar, wall-of-sound. The guitar interplay reminded me of bands as diverse as the Strokes, Steve Wynn and the Miracle Three, Television, and even at times Superchunk.

Borrowed Time and Stoned and Starving were justifiably crowd favorites, but tunes like Light up Gold II and Master of My Craft were caustic scorchers with the crowd kicking back the answer to "A minute of your time?" "Forget about it!"

Parquet Courts Home Page

Light Up Gold on Bandcamp 

Gear: Nikon D90, 50mm f/1.8, and being tall never hurts.

John McNicholas Photography 

 

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Podcast, Podcasts!

Been so busy it's been hard to keep up with everything that's be going on, but wanted to mention that there's been 2 new podcasts released since I've posted last and I think you're going to love them! Episode 3 is with power-pop extrodinaire, Kenny Howes, and Episode 4 is with the wonderful and talented Kim Ware from the Good Graces, and I'm not just saying that because I play in a few band with her. Check out the episodes below! 


Episode 3 with Kenny Howes

Episode 4 with Kim Ware (The Good Graces)
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The Sunset District and The Dutch Angle at Kavarna

​The Sunset District - Photo by Robyn Canady

We had a fun time last Saturday night playing this great coffee shop/venue in Decatur, GA called, Kavarna. We kicked off the night with a mostly acoustic set, and Dutch Angle brought the rock show. Had a nice group of friends out, and it was great to catch up with folks!

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Parquet Courts - "Light Up Gold"

I might be a little late to this party, but I am digging the new Parquet Courts record, "Light Up Gold" in a major way. It's unfair to call it garage rock, but it has to live somewhere in the music spectrum.  ​

I hear some Pavement, I hear some Wire, I hear a little Jonathan Richmond, I hear the ocean when I put the album up against my ears. Those twin guitars buzzing, that dead-pan vocal. Yes, please.

Really bummed I missed them when I was out in Austin a few months ago, but I plan on rectifying that mistake next Monday night when they play 529 in East Atlanta with UV RACE and Total Control. ​

Parquet Courts Website

​

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My New Podcast! Ep. 1 with Granville Automatic

For the last few years I've really enjoyed listening to the ever-growing list of podcasts that are available, and before I moved closer to where I work and started biking in, I would easily spend 45 minutes to an hour in the car each day, digesting as many podcasts as I could handle and I fell in love with the medium. It's a great way to check out some new tunes, hear some great comedy and conversations, or educate yourself on an endless supply of subjects. (A list of my favorites are at the bottom of this post)

It got me thinking.​

​So, in the last few months I've been looking for ways to combine the things that I love to do in a way that I could share them with other people and help bring some exposure to other artists and creators. The people that know me would probably agree that I can be a bit chatty, mostly ADD and forgetful, but that I love to talk with other folks that share an interest in creating, in growing their knowledge, and in just making each other laugh. 

"We should be recording this!"

"I am, and I'm taking some pictures too!"

So, I'm taking the plunge. I've started with some great friends and local folks here in the Atlanta scene that have something to say, something to share, and something to offer in the way of their art, their knowledge and in their humor and warmth.

The first podcast, below, features the local band, Granville Automatic. I play in a few bands with Elizabeth Elkins, and Vanessa Olivarez is incredibly funny and she has this amazing voice that just stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear her sing. They write great songs, play over 200 shows a year, put thousands of miles on their car, and generally work their butts off.

In future podcasts you'll be hearing from Dan Dixon, Kenny Howes, Kim Ware and so many others, so subscribe where you can and check back each week for something new to listen to, some pictures to look at and hopefully you'll have a laugh and learn something too. I know I already have, and that's why this is already a success even if nobody listens.

​

John

​

The Sunset District Podcast

​

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I Shot the Show, and I Played the Show - 500 Songs for Kids

​Little Lybee

​Every year I really look forward to playing or attending the 500 Songs for Kids Foundation benefit shows. Pick 500 songs, get 500 bands and rock it out for 10 days! Josh Rifkind organizes the whole shebang with some other amazing folks and they bring you some of the coolest bands from around the area and the country performing some amazing tunes that you're bound to know and enjoy.

This year they mixed it up a little and for some of the nights the bands could pick the song of their choice. We decided to play Cut Your Hair, by Pavement. 6 sweet chords that run the entire span of the song without changing and I already knew the words!

Mostly.

I had a fun time playing and shooting the show, and although I couldn't be there the entire night, I love the chance to shoot a ton of bands in a quick period of time like you can at festivals. With the 500 Songs shows you get a new band every 5 to 10 minutes! ​Can't ask for much better than that.

Gear: Nikon D90 / 50mm f/1.8

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I Shot the 9 - Well, I shot 8, I was the 9th.

​Juliana Finch & Me

Last Thursday night I performed at Smith's Olde Bar with 8 other amazing singer-songwriters, largely based here in the Atlanta area as part of the We are the 9 Songwriters Showcase. This is a relatively new monthly showcase here in town, pioneered by Justin Trawick and hosted by Juliana Finch, in which you take 9 songwriters, let them collaborate with a buch of people they just met and then throw them on stage to play around 30 tunes in front of a fun groups of friends and fans. ​

The nervous energy just bubbles because of the nature of the event, and the folks in the audience seem to get just a tweaked and excited to be a part of it as the musicians. There's tons of telegraphed body movements signaling the next chorus and eyes peering over guitar necks to determine chord changes, which only only adds to the fun and nervous energy. Plenty of smiles, backslapping and hi-fives we're on display.

For this shoot I used my Nikon D90 and my 70mm-200mm f/2.8 lens. The room is constantly pretty dark so I cranked the ISO up higher than I'd like, but I don't mind the shots being a little gritty at times.​

Really looking forward to shooting the next one in June. Check the Smith's website for the dates!

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The Good Graces Album Release Party

Jeffry Butzer played a fantastic mix of surf and garage, but lights be dammed he faced the drummer for most of the set towards the dark area on stage.

​Next up was Night Driving in Small Towns, which I have to admit, I have an unhealthy songwriter crush on. Colby and Andi write the most heartbreaking lyrics and pare them with a sunny beat that just melts my heart. Dang it you guys! They played a great mix of songs from their two main records Serial Killer, and their latest, Closure. So, Good.

I briefly stepped backstage to tuneup when they kicked into my absolute favorite tune, February. Run back out front!

“i can hear my upstairs neighbor
putting down a crying baby
everybody starts a family
i can’t even pay my heating”

That line just slays me everytime. Andi stood in the good light, and many pictures were taken. ​

The Good Graces were up next so the camera was handed off to Robyn. Giant lens in hand she shot the Good Graces for me. I do believe she's getting good at this!

This was the first time I had a chance to shoot at the Drunken Unicorn with my Nikon D90 and my new 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and it did not disappoint as long as people were standing in the light. Looking forward to my next shoot there already.

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Good Graces Pics from Atlanta Music Guide

Man, what a weekend. I am beat and oh so thankful for all the rocking I've been a part of in the last week. There's so much to catch up about, and I will soon, but for now here's some pictures from last Friday night's show at the Drunken Unicorn for The Good Graces album release show!​

Click the pic for more pics from Hillymonster in the Atlanta Music Guide!

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The Good Graces Release Party is Tonight!

Hey friends! Join us tonight at the Drunken Unicorn as we, The Good Graces, celebrate the release of our latest full-length record, Drawn to You. Also performing will be a few of our favorites, Night Driving in Small Towns, and Jeffrey Bützer and the Compartmentalizationalists. 1

Reviews and Podcasts:​

The Drunken Unicorn - Fri., May 3rd. - $5. - 9 p.m. - 736 Ponce DeLeon Ave.

​

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We are the 9 Showcase!

You can find me at Smith's Olde Bar's Atlanta Room strumming my guitar and singing some songs at the We are the 9 Songwriters Showcase! Doors at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm. $10 at the door, 21 and up!

https://www.facebook.com/events/184434601708498/​

​Get there early and grab a great burger with a side of Fox Brothers mac and cheese!

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Release Day! The Good Graces - Drawn to You

Hey friends! I'm happy to say that today is the official release day for the new record by my band, The Good Graces! Head on over to Bandcamp to check it out. We've got a limited number of CDs and cassettes for your tactical pleasure and digital downloads. 

This Friday, The Good Graces celebrate the release of their new full-length, "Drawn to You," with very special amazing guests Night Driving in Small Towns and Jeffrey Bützer and the Compartmentalizationalists!

9PM doors, $5 cover, 21+

For more info and to preorder the release (with special goodies while they last!) visit http://thegoodgraces.bandcamp.com/album/drawn-to-you

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