One Two Twee
Why follow Atlanta’s A-list on Twitter? One, I actually tweet. Two, while it may sound like a disturbing animal sound (or a Warner Brothers character), A-List tweets are just regular words about books and music. Three, A-List tweets are yet another way of discovering new (or old) artists and authors. Four, A-List tweets cover topics and notes that never make the A-List or the blog (including what we’re listening to, live show updates and last minute events). Five, did I mention I actually tweet?
And with that uninspired little intro…no wait, there’s more to say. The A-List is always looking for more A-Listers and Twitter is just one way to do it. If you get the email forward it to your friends. Tell them they can sign up to get it by emailing atlantaalist@gmail.com.
Tell them to visit the blog which will continue to evolve (and maybe even get better in the process). Comments are encouraged. Send an email to atlantaalist@gmail.com and we will try to get back to you (even if it’s not right away). You can also comment on the blog itself. Comments get posted, so tell us what you think.
Despite the frequent references to global domination that is not what this space is about (at least not until we perfect the blog delivery system for our mind control device). You should never get A-List spam (unless of course that’s what you consider the A-List). It’s not a crappy website created for the purpose of posting as many ads as possible (it’s just a crappy website). It’s about words and melodies and ideas and rhythms and artists and authors and occasionally gratuitous self-indulgence (but if it’s any consolation we’re not getting bonuses like AIG).
So be a good A-Lister. Visit the blog. atlantasalist.blogspot.com Enjoy the blog. atlantasalist.blogspot.com Participate in the blog. atlantasalist.blogspot.com Spread the blog.
Last Minute Leaders
Now that the A-List is a Monday night publication (who’s responsible for that decision?), it’s a little harder to get on top of the early week events but two stand out for tomorrow night – Tuesday.
First, Emory resident scholar Salman Rushdie will be reading selections from Samuel Beckett’s early letters tomorrow night at Emory’s Glenn Memorial Auditorium (1652 N. Decatur Rd., 8pm, free admission) If you’re not familiar with this former bane of the Muslim world, about 20 years ago the publication of Rushie’s Booker Prize winning novel (we wish the A-List had a prize), The Satanic Verses, created a bit of a stir. In fact, the Ayatollah Khomeini called for a fatwa on Rushdie and his publishers. Fortunately, the good author was as good at dodging that threat as the man who redirected the ire of the Arabic world (well, ‘cept for the Saudis) toward himself was at dodging Iraqi shoes. I’ll be honest, I don’t know if I see the connection between Rushdie and Beckett is as clear as that of one of tomorrow night’s other readers, Edward Albee, who’s three Pulitzer’s are a bit more impressive, if less notorious, than Rushdie’s theological death threat.
If you’re not into that (and yes I know that’s a new direction for the A-List) then check out Razorlight at Vinyl (originally announced at the Loft, but recently moved). For a band that has garnered a bit of acclaim in the U.K., this is still a pretty modest venue. I might liken (or is it lichen?) these guys to a modern Styx (which isn’t so bad considering I recently acquired Paradise Theatre for at least the third time) on songs like “Wire to Wire” but with moments that also are pleasingly similar to early Wilco (April 20 in Athens) with the jangly guitars and all – “Hostages of Love”. Their latest, Slipway Fires, allegedly is not their best but this still is fair Brit Pop for my dime.
Wednesday night, Delta Moon will be hosting their recurring Wednesday night show Delta Moon’s Side Porch at Smith’s Olde Bar. This week’s guest performer will be the infamous and legendary Col. Bruce Hampton. The good Colonel’s presence may take this straight blues duo into a jazzier place, but steady rhythms and standards like “Shake ‘em on Down” are sure to surface.
Last week we interviewed on half of Sodajerk. This week the other half will be playing Decatur’s own brewpub and pool hall, Twain’s, as one of the Young Antiques. I may have to show up just to ask “Is anyone really power pop anymore?”
The last show of the week is New Pornographer, A.C. Newman at the Earl on Friday night. If you’re a fan of the Pornographer’s then Carl’s sound is closer to that then what you might hear in early April at the Variety from the sizzling hot Neko Case (and no I don’t have Middle Cyclone yet…). There are big pop guitars and an occasional “la, la, la” lyric for good measure. If you can make to East Atlanta on Friday night, the $12 advance ticket (available at Decatur CD) should be money well spent.
That Other A-Town
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Austin’s annual SXSW will be in full swing this weekend. If you can’t make it (neither can we) you can get some cool previews at NPR’s All Songs Considered. I have already tagged reminders for their scheduled streams of Blind Pilot, Blitzen Trapper, and the Decemberists but the real point of SXSW is discovery, so if you can’t make it to Texas listen to the streaming preview to discover some new stuff.
If the road trip is out of the question you can still discover music here in our A-town. Saturday afternoon (11a – 5p) the Highland Inn Ballroom will be hosting the Vernal Vinyl Equinox record show. DJ’s will be spinning, the bar will be open and lots of local and out-of-town vendors will be showcasing and selling their finest vinyl. Admission is $3 and if you make it look for Andy’s Tall Stax and tell him the A-List sent you.
That’s the A-List and everything is going to the beat.
