This is the year we resist. Or so I’ve been told. I’ve also heard rumblings of a punk renaissance, of a return to more radical and subversive art. I can only say I hope it’s true. The general mood seems to be one of staunch defiance to the incoming administration, of disgust and anger towards the increasing gentrification and homogenization of our city’s urban neighborhoods and culture. We’re finally taking stock of what we’re losing, of what we’ve already lost, and the tally isn’t pretty. So the time has come to push back. To link hands in solidarity and get to the hard work of becoming ever-vigilant and ungovernable. To let our freak flags fly and take ownership over our bodies and our identities. This is the anti-promise of Trump and the darkness we’ve been plunged into. May it be so.
And if there is to be a revolution, it will need a soundtrack. Not one single artist or genre, but a fervent diversity of voices and people, an energizing procession of visions and sounds. I’m not sure if it’s just our good fortune or some kind of cosmic coincidence that so many of Atlanta and Athens’ finest are slated to release new music next year, but this is where we find ourselves on the eve of the inauguration. Tomorrow begins the war for our future, but tonight we can celebrate the fact that we live in a time and place where so much inspiring talent has converged.
Normally this would be the part where we would breakdown these 75 records, start pulling at these tiny narrative strings and attempt to foretell what kind of year 2017 will be for local music, what trends you might want to look out for in the new year. But today is not normal. These times are not normal. There will be plenty of time for investigation, analyzation, and critique in the coming weeks, but right now is about the future and its bright (anti-)promise. 2017 is the year we resist. But only if we fight together. May it be so.
A Drug Called Tradition – TBA
Release Date: TBA
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Borne from the dissolution of psyche rockers Abby Gogo, A Drug Called Tradition has focused on exploring a diverse set of sounds that draws from more eclectic rock and pop sources, as well as the musical traditions of the South. With a new single due out any day, the trio’s debut LP should be out sometime in late winter or early spring.
More Info
Web: adrugcalledtradition.com
Bandcamp: adrugcalledtradition.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @adrugcalledtradition
Instagram: @a_drug_called_tradition
Algiers – The Underside of Power
Release Date: Spring/Summer
Label: Matador Records
Release Info
Recorded at Real World Studios (UK) and produced by Adrian Uitley (Portishead) and Ali Chant this past summer, the follow-up to Algier’s acclaimed eponymous debut — tentatively titled The Underside of Power — will be out sometime this spring or summer.
More Info
Web: algierstheband.com
Facebook: @algierstheband
Instagram: @algierstheband
Twitter: @AlgiersMusic
Art School Jocks – TBA
Release Date: TBA
Label: TBA
Release Info
Lo-fi indie foursome Art School Jock are high on our list of artists to watch for in 2017, although their release plans remain up in the air. In September the group recorded a five-song EP and are currently shopping for a label to put it out. We’ll definitely keep a sharp eye out for this one, so stay tuned for more info as it arrives.
More Info
Facebook: @artschooljocks
Instagram: @artschooljocks
SoundCloud: @artschooljocks
Big Brutus – The Odd Willow
Release Date: TBA
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Sean Bryant’s (Slang) solo project is pensive in nature, and his forthcoming sophomore LP promises to accentuate those wistful tendencies. Recorded at Geoff Goodwin’s home studio near Cumming, The Odd Willow will tackle themes of death and beauty, and while that may sound like it would make for some dark tension, Bryant has indicated that calm tranquility will be the defining mood of Big Brutus’ next effort.
More Info
Bandcamp: bigbrutusband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @bigbrutustheband
SoundCloud: @bigbrutusband
Credit: José Izaguirre
Bitter – TBA
Release Date: February 10
Label: Pup Sounds
Release Info
In well under a year, DIY four-piece Bitter have caused quite a stir with their emotional queer punk. With a new single out and their debut EP to follow on February 10, you can expect plenty of great things from the group in 2017.
More Info
Web: bitteratl.com
Facebook: @BitterAtl
Instagram: @wearebitteratl
Blis. – No One Loves You
Release Date: TBA
Label: Sargent House
Release Info
After over a year of relative silence that saw the band undergo some personnel changes and seemingly not much else, post-hardcore foursome Blis. are finally getting ready to release their long-awaited full length, No One Loves You. Recorded by Travis Hill, the 12-song LP is due out this spring via Sargent House.
More Info
Bandcamp: blismusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @blismusic
Twitter: @blistatl
CREDIT: NICOLE C. KIBERT
Bodyfather – TBA
Release Date: TBA
Label: TBA
Release Info
Given their scant output up until now, the prospect of full length from Atlanta’s Bodyfather is welcome news. The band’s angular punk and hardcore has always been delivered with feverish intensity, so it will be interesting to see if a longer format will allow the group to stretch out their songwriting into different territories.
More Info
Facebook: @Bodyfather
Tumblr: bodyfather.tumblr.com
Book Club – TBA
Release Date: TBA
Label: TBA
Release Info
Book Club’s yet-to-be-titled third LP is being recorded Joey Jones at Aria Recording Studio. Word is the process is nearing completion, but a release date has yet to be announced.
More Info
Web: bookclubtheband.com
Bandcamp: bookclubtheband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @joinbookclub
Twitter: @BookClubAtlanta
Breathers – TBA
Release Date: TBA
Label: Skeleton Realm
Release Info
2016 was a quiet year for Breathers, both from a performance and recording perspective. But with a new full length on the horizon, hopefully 2017 will be a busy time for our favorite oddball pop trio.
More Info
Bandcamp: breathers.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @breathersmusic
SoundCloud: @breathers
Brother Hawk – The Clear Lake
Release Date: TBA
Label: Self-released
Release Info
The follow-up to Brother Hawk’s acclaimed Big Medicine LP is apparently in the writing process with no indication of when it might be released. Tentatively titled The Clear Lake, the group’s latest should find them exploring the soulful blues and scorching rock that has made them an area favorite.
More Info:
Web: brotherhawkatl.com
Bandcamp: brotherhawk.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @BrotherHawkATL
Instagram: @brotherhawkatl
Twitter: @BrotherHawkATL