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 Blo...

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 Ei...

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 musi...

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, especiall...

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 listene...

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 Visi...

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...

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, bassi...

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...

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 b...

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. M...

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 ho...

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....

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...

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,...

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 energe...

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...

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...

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: Dakota Snow - bass/vox Nathan Whatley - guitar/vox Zach Ross - drums Rafal - trumpetThree of the four members hail from mi...

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 per...

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...

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 h...

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 Athe...

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...

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 chang...