In a year that’s been dominated in large part by new and emerging acts, September seeks to provide a kind of reckoning. Many of these records we’ve been waiting for since well in to last year, and in some cases, considerably longer. They’re albums that have cast significant shadows over Atlanta and Athens music, forever maintaining a looming presence on the ongoing narrative. In short, it would be impossible to tell the story of what happened in local music in 2016 without names like Warehouse, Big Jesus, Cinemechanica and others weighing in heavily on the action.
I could spend a few paragraphs breaking down what’s happening, who’s releasing this or that, and what it all means for local music, but if ever there was a month for self-discovery, this is it. For even casual followers of the scene, many of these names should be familiar, and if you’re heavily invested like us, well then this list represents the realization of many long-held promises for this year. Oh, and did I mention there is also a new All the Saints 7-inch dropping this month, but we didn’t include it here because we couldn’t find any details other than the release show at the Earl on September 17? Because, yeah, that’s happening. As always, there will undoubtedly be some surprise releases to come, but even if not one single note more were to emerge, this would still remain one of most monumental months for local music in quite some time.
For a more in-depth discussion of some of this month’s releases, listen to our September segment on WABE’s City Lights.
Future Ape Tapes – 1093
Release Date: September 1
Label: Fall Break Records
Release Info
Recorded at their studio located at 1093 Boulevard in Athens, 1093 is a part improvised, part rigorously composed jam session and free association freakout from the psychedelic five-piece, Future Ape Tapes.
Tracklist
01. Paradisio
02. Wrecked on a Fleet
03. Into a Void*Into a Sign
04. Dots
05. Mood Lighting
06. Opticon
07. Eithernet
More Info
Bandcamp: futureapetapes.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @FUTUREAPETAPES
SoundCloud: @future-ape-tapes
Twitter: @FutureApeTapes
Reverends – Derealization Blues
Release Date: September 3
Label: Fat Elvis Records/Fonoflo Records
Release Info
Recorded at The Living Room by Ed Rawls and Justin McNeight, Derealization Blues is the first full length from shoegaze and psych rock enthusiasts Reverends. The nine-song effort is available on limited edition vinyl and digital.
Tracklist
01. You Don’t Wanna Know
02. Wakin’ Up
03. SomeHighSun
04. Derealization Blues
05. Witch City
06. $70
07. The Local Honey
08. The Gravity Net (Bonus Track)
09. Don’t Break It (Bonus Track)
Reverends will celebrate the release of Derealization Blues on Friday, September 9 at 529 when they play in support of Mild High Club and Hello Ocho. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 DOS.
More Info
Web: reverendsband.com
Bandcamp: reverendsatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @SomeHighSun
Instagram: @reverends_atl
SoundCloud: @dandy-lee-shaky-strickland
Twitter: @strickdand
thegoodnews – “Fertilizer”
Release Date: September 3
Label: Self-released
Release Info
The solo moniker of singer-songwriter Parker Estopinal, thegoodnews is a DIY folk and fuzz pop project with a lo-fi bent. Estopinal’s latest single, “Fertilizer,” is available for streaming and for purchase via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. Fertilizer
More Info
Bandcamp: thenewsthatisgood.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thegoodnewsATL
Cold Spring Glen – Don’t Mind the Storm
Release Date: September 4
Label: Self-released
Release Info
It’s a little confusing as to whether the new EP from Carrollton, GA rockers Cold Spring Glen is a full release or some sort of stopgap record while the band completes work on an upcoming album. In any case, the four-song Don’t Mind the Storm is available now as a name your price download via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. All Around Town
02. So Far
03. Song 69
04. Waltz
More Info
Bandcamp: coldspringglen2113.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @coldspringglen
SoundCloud: @coldspringglen
WAKE – “untitled eleven eleven fifteen”
Release Date: September 5
Label: Underground Field Recordings
Release Info
I don’t know what’s harder to believe: that it’s been a full year since WAKE released their first full length, Strangers in a Strange Land, or that “untitled eleven eleven fifteen” is the first single they’ve put out in the interim. Regardless, the experimental hip-hop collective has made their latest cut available as a name your price download on Bandcamp, so make sure to jump on that.
Tracklist
01. untitled eleven eleven fifteen
WAKE will perform on Wednesday, September 14 at 529 in support of Dillon and Moyamoya. Fellow locals Cinema Novo will open the show. Door open at 9 p.m. Admission is $7.
More Info
Web: wakeatl.com
Bandcamp: wakeatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @wakeatl
Instagram: @wakeatl
SoundCloud: @wakeatl
Twitter: @wakeatl
Tumblr: wakeatl.tumblr.com
Hello Ocho – The Slippery Hand EP
Release Date: September 9
Label: Deer Bear Wolf
Release Info
Described on their website as a “psilocybin infected improvisation + overdub studio experiment,” the new EP from Hello Ocho seeks to set aside the traditional songwriting process in favor of something more raw, organic, and immediate. The Slippery Hand EP was recorded at Studiolaroche over five days with nothing planned in advance in order to “ensure that this EP would encapsulate a very specific point in time.”
Hello Ocho will perform on Friday, September 9 at 529 when they play in support of Mild High Club. Reverends open the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 DOS.
More Info
Bandcamp: coldspringglen2113.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @coldspringglen
SoundCloud: @coldspringglen
Baby Baby – Semifamous
Release Date: September 16
Label: Self-released
Release Info
If the singles and videos leading up to the release of Baby Baby’s latest LP are any indication, the Atlanta quartet is intent on holding on to their “party rock” label as long as possible. Expect lots of fuzzy riffs, high-energy grooves, and boisterous singalongs. Semifamous will be out digitally on September 16 with a CD release to follow.
Tracklist
01. Intro
02. Serge
03. Just Because You’re Paranoid
04. Krew Love Pt II
05. Hang in There
06. Rockers
07. Monogamy
08. Jeez
09. Loner Blues
10. Dreamin Outta Sync
11. The Break Up Theme Song
12. Modern Day Man
13. Exhausted
14. Outro
More Info
Facebook: @babybabyblows
Instagram: @babybabyblows
Twitter: @babybabyblows
The Powder Room – Lucky
Release Date: September 16 October 14
Label: Learning Curve Records
Release Info
After stoking the fires with their debut full length, Curtains, Athens noise rockers the Powder Room are ready to burn it all down with their upcoming LP, Lucky. The eleven-track LP will be available on vinyl and digital on September 16. UPDATE: The release date has been pushed to October 14.
Tracklist
01. Vanburner
02. Lucky
03. That’s No Way To Live
04. Abort
05. Deep Dish
06. Black Dress
07. Interlude
08. Sycophant
09. Workaround
10. The Elitist
11. Nothing Important Happened Today
The Powder Room will perform on Saturday, September 17 at the Earl in support of All the Saints. Fellow locals Nag open the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
More Info
Bandcamp: thepowderroom.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thepowderroomathens
SoundCloud: @thepowderroomga
Twitter: @thepowderroomga
10th Letter – The Revenge
Release Date: September 23
Label: Psych Army Intergalactic
Release Info
Not only is 10th Letter one of our city’s most inventive producers, he’s also one of our most prolific. After releasing the John Carpenter inspired Escape from ATL in June, the psychedelic beatsmith is back with another cinematic venture called The Revenge, which tells the tale of an African samurai named Yasuke and is set in 16th century Japan, post civil war.
Tracklist
01. The Country at War
02. Sojobo, King of the Tengu
03. Bamboo Lashes
04. Smoke Screen
05. Heike’s Army
06. Giving Up the Gun
07. Ghost Vapor
08. Circles
09. The Battle at Uji Bridge
10. Ronin
11. Sun Prayer
10th Letter will celebrate the release of The Revenge on Friday, September 23 at 529. Doors open at 9 p.m. Further details TBA.
More Info
Web: 10thlettermusic.com
Bandcamp: 10thletter.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @10thLetterMusic
SoundCloud: @10th-letter
Twitter: @10thxletter
Cinemechanica – Cinemechanica
Release Date: September 23
Label: Arrowhawk Records
Release Info
After stunning audiences in the mid aughts with their breakneck brand of aggressive math rock, Cinemechanica are back with their first release since 2008 and their first full length in a decade. The Athens band’s much-anticipated self-titled LP is out September 23 on vinyl and digital.
Tracklist
01. Hang Up the Spurs
02. Vietnamese Pool Party
03. I Ain’t Gettin’ Shot In Louisville
04. Blood Ties
05. Trenches
06. The Battlefields of Cajamarca
07. Grief Assassins
08. Mike White’s “Spies”
09. Biblical Noise
Cinemechanica will celebrate the release of their self-titled LP on Friday, October 7 at the Caledonia Lounge. Oak House will play in support. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8-10.
More Info
Web: cinemechanica.com
Bandcamp: cinemechanica.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @cinemechanica
Instagram: @cinemechanica
Michael Myerz x AyOh – Makeout Creek
Release Date: September 23
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Atlanta hip-hop artist Michael Myerz has vowed to release a record a month through the end of the year and their first of these is a collaborative EP with local beatsmith AyOh. The eight-track Makeout Creek is set to drop September 23.
Tracklist
01. Welcome to Makeout Creek
02. Sweet Creams
03. Groovysauce Platinum
04. Arcade Hallways
05. Stumbleton
06. Swiss Wrap
07. Sappy Trees
08. Let’s Go
More Info
Bandcamp: michaelmyerz.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @MichealMyerz
Instagram: @mrmyerz
SoundCloud: @mich4el-myerz
Twitter: @MrMyerz
Big Jesus – Oneiric
Release Date: September 30
Label: Mascot Records
Release Info
Produced by industry heavyweight Matt Hyde (Deftones, Slayer, No Doubt), the label debut from Big Jesus promises to be an explosive affair filled with bone-rattling riffs and plenty of atmospheric texture and melody. Oneiric is out September 30 and will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital.
Tracklist
01. SP
02. Always
03. Lock & Key
04. Floating Past You
05. Fader
06. Shards
07. Oneirica
08. Shrimp
09. Felt in Reverse
10. Heaviest Heart
Big Jesus will celebrate the release of Oneiric on Sunday, October 2 at Aisle 5. Cinemechanica and Thousandaire will play in support. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance or $12 DOS.
More Info
Web: bigjesus.net
Bandcamp: bigjesus.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @bigassjesus
Instagram: @bigassjesus
Twitter: @bigassjesus
Warehouse – Super Low
Release Date: September 30
Label: Bayonet Records
Release Info
After dazzling audiences with the jagged beauty of their debut, Tesseract, Atlanta’s Warehouse are aiming to crank up the intensity — both visceral and emotional — on their upcoming sophomore LP, Super Low. The ten-song effort will be available on vinyl and digital via Bayonet Records.
Tracklist
01. Oscillator
02. Exit Only
03. Simultaneous Contrasts
04. Arbitrarium V
05. Super Low
06. Audrey Horne
07. Reservoir
08. Long Exposure
09. Modifier Analog
10. Garden Walls
Warehouse will celebrate the release of Super Low on Friday, September 30 at Murmur. Supporting them will be Breathers, Free Pizza (TN), and Pallas. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $7. All ages.
More Info
Bandcamp: warehouseatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @warehouseatl
SoundCloud: @warehouseatl
Twitter: @actualwarehouse
Microwave – Much Love
Release Date: September 30
Label: SideOneDummy Records
Release Info
Atlanta’s Microwave are quietly becoming one of the consistently great bands in the city, which seems a little ironic considering the the foursome can muster up quite a ruckus when they want to. Their upcoming LP, their first for punk heavyweight, SideOneDummy, should turn plenty of heads and hopefully earn them some well-deserved love in their hometown.
Tracklist
01. Roaches
02. Lighterless
03. Dull
04. Neighbors
05. Busy
06. Drown
07. Vomit
08. Whimper
09. Homebody
10. Wrong
More Info
Web: mcrwv.com
Bandcamp: microwavetheband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @microwavetheband
Instagram: @microwaveatl
SoundCloud: @microwaveatl
Twitter: @microwaveatl
YouTube: @microwaveatl
Warning Light – Inland Empires Disregard the Sea
Release Date: September 30
Label: Stickfigure Recordings
Release Info
Ambient composer Drew Haddon is back at it again with yet another Warning Light release. Inland Empires Disregard the Sea promises to be a more rhythmic offering, but you can still expect plenty of hypnotic drones and immersive soundscapes. The nine-song LP will be available on CD and digital via local mainstay, Stickfigure Recordings.
Tracklist
01. Surviving the Buried Earth
02. The Company Men
03. Lumen Tracker
04. Errants of Lost Youth
05. I’m Gone
06. Darling Heart Gives Me Vertigo
07. Latent+Rhythm-Ist
08. Automat 4 Lovers
09. This Room Will Never Be the Same
More Info
Bandcamp: warninglight.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @warninglight
SoundCloud: @warning-light