2015 was a capricious year for the Atlanta music community; a time when closings and rumors of closings were on the lips of every denim-clad, mustachioed insider, and development came down from the north like one of the more ambivalent of the four horsemen. Yet it was within this chaos that newer, younger members of the scene thrived, invigorating both new and old venues and releasing a slew of punk, pop, hip-hop, and experimental music.
Though there are plenty of releases from young, upcoming artists to look forward to, 2016 promises more from established artists. In addition, this year looks stocked with heavier, harder music. From Bodyfather and Illegal Drugs to Big Jesus and Order of the Owl, 2016 will be taking no prisoners. For those who don’t cry expectant tears of blood every time someone mentions the upcoming Whores. album, there is still plenty of musical diversity to expect. On the experimental side of the spectrum, Waking Astronomer and Art Contest will challenge all musical preconceptions, while Powerkompany and New Madrid will fill that summer-shaped hole in our hearts. Hip-hop heads can look forward to new offerings from Key! and Father to remind the world that Atlanta still calls the shots.
If even half of these albums reach our ears this year, 2016 should be a banner year for local music, a reminder that despite struggles for unity and direction, both Atlanta music and our Athens neighbors still have one thing going for them: a ton of talent. – Russell Rockwell
Art Contest – Two Songs
Release Date: TBD
Label: Post-Echo
Release Info
On Art Contest’s upcoming full-length album, Two Songs, the band hopes to reinvent the concept of math rock and technical music, stylistically and spiritually.
More Info
Bandcamp: artcontest.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @artcontestsc
Instagram: @artcontestsc
Twitter: @fArtContest
Big Jesus – TBD
Release Date: Summer
Label: Mascot Label Group
Release Info
Recorded in Los Angeles with producer/engineer Matt Hyde (Deftones, Slayer, No Doubt), the record will pair new songs with songs from the band’s self-released LP, One.
More Info
Bandcamp: bigjesus.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @bigassjesus
Instagram: @bigassjesus
Twitter: @bigassjesus
Credit: Chad Radford
Blue Tower/Rotten Stitches – Split 7″
Release Date: TBD
Label: Southern Soundclash Records
Release Info
The forthcoming split 7-inch between local punks Blue Tower and Rotten Stitches is the first in a proposed series called Live at the Taang! Records Music Lounge. Details are still emerging, so stay tuned.
More Info
Bandcamp: bluetower.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @bluetoweratl
Bandcamp: rottenstitches.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @theXstitches
Credit: Nicole C. Kibert
Bodyfather – Heavy Rest
Release Date: February 16
Label: TBA
Release Info
Recorded at Echo Mountain in Asheville, NC, Heavy Rest marks a welcome return for a band that was on the verge of calling it quits in 2015.
More Info
Facebook: @Bodyfather
Tumblr: bodyfather.tumblr.com
Credit: Matthew Smith
Book of Colors – Book of Colors
Release Date: February 5
Label: Deer Bear Wolf
Release Info
Led by songwriter André Paraguassu and featuring contributions from fourteen local players, including members of Faun and a Pan Flute, Little Tybee, Adron, and others, Book of Colors’ self-titled debut will be available on CD and cassette.
More Info:
Web: bookofcolors.com
Facebook: @Book-of-Colors-63389573566
Instagram: @bookofcolorsmusic
Twitter: @bookofcolors
Brother Hawk – Big Medicine
Release Date: May
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Engineered and mixed by T.J. Elias (Blackberry Smoke, von Grey) Brother Hawk’s upcoming full length, Big Medicine, will consist mostly of material that’s already been released, but with far better recording and sound quality.
More Info:
Web: brotherhawkatl.com
Bandcamp: brotherhawk.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @BrotherHawkATL
Instagram: @brotherhawkatl
Twitter: @BrotherHawkATL
Caesium Mine – Alia’s Fane
Release Date: TBD
Label: State Laughter
Release Info
The first of two proposed cassette releases from Andrew Wiggins’ synth project Caesium Mine, Alia’s Fane will likely be released via local label State Laughter.
More Info
SoundCloud: @caesium-mine
Credit: Nick Bach
CHEW – 3D EP
Release Date: TBD
Label: Self-released
Release Info
CHEW’s upcoming 3D EP will first only be available at shows. The trio will be dropping singles every few months throughout the year leading up to the online release. Look for new tracks to begin surfacing later this month before the group heads out on tour.
More Info
Web: 3dchew.com
Bandcamp: 3dchew.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @3dchew
Instagram: @3dchew
SoundCloud: @3dchew
Twitter: @3dchew
Cinemechanica – Cinemechanica
Release Date: TBD
Label: Arrowhawk Records
Release Info
Details are scant on the upcoming release from Athens mathy rock wizards Cinemechanica, and complications have arisen which may further delay the release. Still, the self-titled album should hit our earholes sometime in 2016.
More Info
Bandcamp: cinemechanica.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @cinemechanica
Instagram: @cinemechanica
Cloak – TBD
Release Date: TBD
Label: Boris Records
Release Info
Cloak’s menacing black metal and d-beat fury first manifested itself on a two-song demo uploaded to Bandcamp. The band is in the process of re-recording the songs and will release them via a Boris Records 7-inch later this year.
More Info
Bandcamp: cloakatlanta.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @cloakofficial