Atlantis discoveries

CL’s picks for acts worth checking out at the conference



AERIAL
9 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 2 at Smith’s Olde Bar

Like the Shakespearean character with whom they almost share a name, local performing electronica band Aerial are creatures of light and shadow. Sounds flowery and pretentious, yes, but there’s something about Aerial that lends itself to dramatics. Maybe it’s the way they bathe themselves in soft light, or the warm sound of their reverb-drenched sax, or their vocals echoing infinitely over gently building breakbeats and bass bubbles. It’s easy to romanticize the way the band grew out of the loft party crowd to become Nomenclature regulars, then leaders of a scene of sensual sequencer wielders. In some perverse way, here’s hoping that, unlike their Shakespearean counterpart, they aren’t set free too soon, because it would be Atlanta’s loss. — TONY WARE

Chiedza
11 p.m. (tent.) Thurs., Aug. 2 at EarthLink LiveIf depthless lyrics, overused samples and misogynistic tales have become the rule, then the compassionate narration, tender vocals and redeeming value of burgeoning crooner Chiedza’s soul renderings are the exception. This Atlanta-based musical messiah awes audiences with seasoned offerings that range from probing acoustic ballads to funk-laden grooves. Creating underground buzz by a rocking performance at the Rebirth of Soul concert series, weekly Wednesday night jam sessions at MoorEpics and regular spins on local radio, record execs will soon be convinced. — Edward Garnes

Divinity
12:30 a.m. Fri., Aug. 3, at the Red Light Café

Decatur native Divinity first emerged as one-third of the hip-hop collective Datbu, which followed the Fugees/Digable Planet formula of “two guys and a girl.” As with the Fugees, critics said the girl should go solo, singling out Divinity for her lyrical strength and flawless delivery. So, in the midst of creative differences, Divinity decided to try her hand at doing it on her own. She sharpened her lyrical skills, hoisted her bass and began crafting her own sound. Her debut EP, The Duchess of Decatur, is a solid musical effort — entirely written and produced by the artist. From gritty and organic, to smooth and cool, to loud and banging, the result is a head-nodding, body swaying experience that reflects the mosaic of Divinity’s influences. — Tonya L. Harris

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS
10 p.m. Sat., Aug. 4 at the Star Bar

Just what the world needs now: a post-modern Southern rock band. The Athens-based Drive-By Truckers earned their stripes in the local Redneck Underground for their deeply impassioned, acutely observational, country-flavored rock. But the Southern Rock Opera double-CD they’re about to unleash upon a world bored by corporate-sanctioned rebel rock is bound to whup even more ass than their music ever did before. See, it’s a concept album that tells the tale of Southern rock — through the history/ myths surrounding Lynyrd Skynyrd and through the eyes of nostalgic fan — and it tells the tale through (what else?) the use of exquisitely reconstructed Southern rock. Like I said, it’s just what the world needs now. — RONI SARIG

Dropsonic
9 p.m. Sat., Aug. 4, at the Echo LoungeLongevity is rare with Atlanta rock bands, one reason local trio Dropsonic’s recent opus The Big Nothing is an achievement. Lead guitarist/vocalist Dan Dixon and bassist Dave Chase have been slugging it out on the local rock scene for more than five years now. Nothing, the group’s follow-up to its ‘99 debut Sleep with the Fishes, demonstrates Dixon’s maturation and development. It’s rife with slide and acoustic guitar, keyboards and in some cases, a more delicate songwriting approach. Dixon and Chase, along with drummer Brian Hunter, have created songs that don’t owe much to Radiohead, though that label still hounds them. The potential is there, and it should be interesting to see who signs these guys first. — Jeremy Arieh

Heritage Cherry
10 p.m. Fri., Aug. 3, at the Star Bar

Fronted by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Shannon Tanner and Adam Wright, the five-piece Heritage Cherry is as difficult to peg as its name. Mixing elements of folk, jazz, blues and country, the band’s emphasis on melody and subtle accompaniment infuses a timeless, dreamy feel, even on the upbeat material. The singers’ expressive voices never force the songs or strain to make a point. Instead, they let the tunes find their natural path. They’re as comfortable with ballads as more lively tracks and keep their approach rootsy yet sophisticated. It’s a tricky tightrope but they walk it with off-hand precision. — Hal Horowitz

Kaleidoscope showcase: Brand New Natives, Minamina Goodsong, My Cousin Troy, pH Balance
10:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 3, at the Echo Lounge

Driven by impulses of curiosity and destruction, Atlanta’s (tr)hip-hop/eccentronic collective, Kaleidoscope, has broken itself open this summer. The distinct, angular components have proven they can stand alone from the colorful whole, as these acts continue to mature and chart their own unique paths. The Brand New Natives have arrived as a less complex but more energized, dub-heavy incarnation of the instrumental hip-hop group. On the more classic hip-hop tip, post-modern prankstaz Minamina Goodsong have pop-culture-referenced their way through a prolific summer, releasing one CD, appearing on another and hitting the streets live with a consistency second only to the D.O.T. Also pushing a new CD this summer is staple Kaleidoscope act pH Balance, who, along with running partner My Cousin Troy, crisscross the lines of contemporary jazz, hip-hop and poetry. — Matt Hutchinson

Live on Arrival
Midnight (tent.) Thurs., Aug. 2, at EarthLink Live

As the Atlanta music scene’s extended honeymoon with the DJ begins to feel more and more stale, this talented organic group with a soul-savvy hip-hop vibe is poised and ready to bring the next level. After a brief holding pattern following their last release, Presentation, LOA will be in the recording studio for the greater part of August, laying down tracks for an album of new material and promising a “harder, edgier” departure from the smooth, acid-jazz feel of their last album. In another recent development, the band has raised the interest of a local production company, who has been filming LOA for an upcoming documentary. — Matt Hutchinson

Nineteen Forty-Five
9 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 2, at the Echo Lounge

Formed from the beautiful rubble of Three Finger Cowboy, Daemon Records’ most under-appreciated and certainly most adorable sugar-pop band, Nineteen Forty-Five is more of a boys’ affair with sunflower superstar Katherine McElroy stepping back to handle bass and back-up vocals. Switching roles, guitarist Hunter Manasco takes the fore to sing his own sad and lovely tales shot through with wonder and longing. Guitarist Larry Holt, formerly the leader of defunct Birmingham pop band Leonard, adds a rough-and-tumble, distortion-and-feedback grit to the confection, which at times sounds eerily like the second coming of the Pixies. Sorry guys, there’s no getting around that comparison. — Randy Trammell

The Tom Collins
Midnight Sat., Aug. 4, at the Star Bar

As Atlantis takes over the clubs for the weekend, Atlanta’s The Tom Collins is preparing its own little coup d’etat of the regional music scene. The group recently finished recording and mixing the follow-up to its self-titled debut with ex-Sugar bassist David Barbe manning the console. The record (tentatively titled II) is out this fall, and it heralds the first recorded work of The Tom Collins’ current members. Now a quartet, the live shows are even more incendiary, while the new material stretches boundaries set by those who think The Tom Collins just play Zeppelin jams. — Jeremy Arieh

The Young Antiques
Midnight Thurs., Aug. 2 at PlanetJam Cotton Club

The Young Antiques blend a variety of elements from music’s past and create a satisfyingly unique and modern hybrid. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Blake Rainey, bassist Blake Parris and drummer Mason Brazelle fuse ’60s British rock, ’80s new-wave and ’90s Americana on their excellent Wardrobe for a Jet Weekend album. This is the band’s second year performing at Atlantis. Last year, their Star Bar gig was packed with fans, friends and drink-swilling, laminate-dangling industry types. Armed with a strong collection of new tunes, the band remains one of the most signable and professional acts in Atlanta. — Lee Smith??