Yes, we’re almost at the end of this brutal, relentlessly tragic mindfuck of a year. But while every music publication seemingly on planet Earth is busy hunting clicks with a ceaseless barrage of end-of-year lists, this piece is to remind you that 2016 isn’t over yet. We still have a month to go, and while our collective attitude might scream, “Screw this! Let’s get this the hell over with already,” the reality is we’d be missing out on some potentially great music. Usually December is a quiet month for local music, a time generally reserved for artists to unwind, reflect, and plan for the upcoming year. But as you can see by the sheer volume of the records below, the local scene still has a lot to say in 2016.
Dillon & Paten Locke – Side Dishes
Release Date: December 1
Label: Full Plate
Release Info
Side Dishes is the new EP from rap duo Dillon & Paten Locke and is meant to be listened to as a companion piece to their Food Chain LP released earlier this year. The eight-song effort is available via digital and limited edition cassette.
Tracklist
01. Flying Fish (feat. Lobsterdamus)
02. Pigs in the Pen
03. Dillon Vaughan’s Theme
04. Side Dishes
05. Cruisin Down Buford
06. Break from Babylon (feat. yU)
07. Lost Thoughts
08. And and And…
More Info
Bandcamp: fullplate.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @fullplatefam
Twitter: @fullplatefam
Pay To Cum – “Moonlight You”
Release Date: December 1
Label: Brainstorm Records
Release Info
“Moonlight You” is the first track we’ve heard from hardcore newcomers Pay To Cum since they started turning heads with their debut demo. The standalone cut is available for streaming and download via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. Moonlight You
Pay To Cum will perform on Wednesday, December 7 at the Drunken Unicorn in support of Day by Day, Unified Right, Deflect, Abuse of Power, and Substance. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. All Ages.
More Info
Bandcamp: paytocum.bandcamp.com
Michaelsoft – Michaelsoft 98
Release Date: December 1
Label: Volta Records
Release Info
The artist formerly known as Michael Jordan is now going by the equally absurd moniker Michaelsoft and his first order of business is unveiling his new 14-song LP, Michaelsoft 98. How this solo venture will affect the future of his other projects Nobra Noma or Satisfiers of Alpha Blue remains to be seen, but time has proven that Michaelsoft rarely remains inactive for long.
Tracklist
01. Death by the Beltline
02. Cut and Run/In the Dark (Ying Yang)
03. New Love
04. Burnt Bridges
05. Deep Red
06. Melanie
07. Across the U.S.A.
08. CALL NOW
09. No More Tears Only Dreams
10. Islands
11. Hacker Life
12. Windsurfer Girl
13. Motherboard
14. 69 Tears (live)
More Info
Bandcamp: michaelsoft98.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @michaelsoftmusic
The Quiet Pack – Steam Zone
Release Date: December 1
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Athens producer and MC the Quiet Pack actually released his latest EP in mid-November, but considering that the record got a release party yesterday, we’re going to include it on the list. Pay attention, because this is going to become a pattern on this post.
Tracklist
01. flexing heavily by the scenic overlook
02. construction materials
03. meet me on the astral plane
04. bot boy
05. robo lounge
06. we love hangin out
07. lets make some plans
The Quiet Pack will celebrate the release of Steam Zone tonight at Caledonia Lounge. Supporting him will be Pop Weirdos, VHS Collector’s Club, and Dog Lover. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for 18-20 or $5 for 21+.
More Info
Bandcamp: quietpack.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @quietpack
Instagram: quiet.pack
SoundCloud: @quietpack
Twitter: @quietpack
The Georgia Flood – People Like Ourselves
Release Date: December 2
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Brooks Mason and Lane Kelly create soulful roots rock that appeals to a broader range of music fans than that short string of descriptors would indicate. Their seven-song debut EP, People Like Ourselves, is out today on CD and digital.
Tracklist
01. Tell Me What You Want
02. Better Not Together
03. Sleepless Nights
04. Whistle King
05. Jailhouse
06. Passport
07. The Race
The Georgia Flood will celebrate the release of People Like Ourselves on Saturday, December 10 at Vinyl in support of All the Locals. Young Edison open the show. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 DOS. All Ages.
More Info
Web: TheGeorgiaFlood.com
Bandcamp: thegeorgiaflood.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thegeorgiaflood
SoundCloud: @the-georgia-flood
Twitter: @thegeorgiaflood
Jarrod Milton – Girl
Release Date: December 2
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Jarrod Milton is a young singer-songwriter from Stone Mountain who has so far been making a bigger name for himself outside the city than he is within it. Hopefully that will change when he drops his ten-song debut, Girl, today.
Tracklist
01. Red
02. Tidal
03. Alone Together
04. Scarlett
05. Crush (feat. Oliver Blue)
06. Closer
07. Seesaw (feat. Oliver Blue)
08. Blue
09. Skin
10. Girl
More Info
Facebook: @jarrodmiltongirl
Instagram: @blu_urring
SoundCloud: @jarrodmilton
Tumblr: jarrodmilton.tumblr.com
Twitter: @JAM006
Spore Lord – In the Beginning
Release Date: December 2
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Heavy psych and doom trio Spore Lord have been teasing the release of their debut LP for a couple months now. Produced and engineered by Matt Washburn of Ledbelly Sound Studios (Mastodon, Artemis Pyledriver), the 8-track effort is out today.
Tracklist
01. I
02. II
03. III
04. IV
05. V
06. VI
07. VII
08. VIII
Spore Lord will perform tomorrow night, December 3, at 529 in support of The Pinx and Plaster (Reunion Show). The Buzzards of Fuzz open. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: sporelord.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @TheSporeLord
James Hall & the Steady Wicked – Electric Hex
Release Date: December 2
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Longtime Atlanta rock fixture James Hall and his group the Steady Wicked released their new LP on November 11, but the group celebrates their record release tonight at Star Bar, so you know the drill. Expect plenty of loud guitars and bombastic hooks.
Tracklist
01. Deep Possession
02. Scary Music
03. Borrowed Soul
04. I Love You to Death
05. I Don’t Scare Easy
06. Candy from a Cash Machine
07. Darkside of the Party
08. Step Into the Light
09. Steady Wicked
10. Stand Your Ground
James Hall & the Steady Wicked will celebrate the release of Electric Hex tonight at Star Bar. They will be supported by Darling Machine and the Crush. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Web: jameshall.com
Bandcamp: jameshallofficial.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @jameshallofficial
Instagram: @jamesvincenthall
NEWMONEY – Greatest Hits
Release Date: December 3
Label: Self-released
Release Info
20-year-old Atlanta rapper NEWMONEY actually dropped his new record in late November, but he has a release show tomorrow, so you know what that means: put it on the damn list. Greatest Hits is available for streaming or download via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. OOO
02. John Cena (feat. Carter Sutherland)
03. Doubt
04. WMIT
05. Cake
06. Go Out Like That
07. Unstuck (feat. Peach State)
08. Tuscon
NEWMONEY will celebrate the release of Greatest Hits tomorrow, December 3, at the Arcade. Supporting him will be Peach State, Pinkest, Michael Cera Palin, Strobe (FL), Arcadia, and Jake Cook. Doors open at 8 p.m. Donations encouraged. All Ages + BYOB.
More Info
Bandcamp: newmoneyga.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @newmoneyGA
Instagram: @oldpocketchange
SoundCloud: @newmoneyga
Twitter: @newmoneyGA
Blake Rainey & His Demons – Helicopter Rose
Release Date: December 8
Label: Southern Lovers Recording Co.
Release Info
Over the past decade, Blake Rainey has emerged as one of the Georgia’s finest songwriters and storytellers, and he hopes to make good on that assessment when he unveils his latest LP of earnest country-folk and scrappy rock tunes. The nine-song Helicopter Rose is out December 8 and will be available on vinyl and digital.
Tracklist
01. Dear Brother
02. Every Time I’m Thinking of You
03. Losing My Way
04. Go Find Yourself Another Barroom
05. Dark End of the Street
06. Trouble On Holiday
07. Toronto Day Drinkers
08. Mulholland Square
09. Helicopter Rose
Blake Rainey & His Demons will celebrate the release of Helicopter Rose on Thursday, December 8 at the Earl. They will be supported by Jeremy Ray and Ex Wives. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admissions is $8. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Web: blakeraineyandhisdemons.com
Basecamp: blakerainey.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @blakeraineyandhisdemons
SoundCloud: @blake-rainey
Twitter: @BRandhisdemons
Under A Sky So Blue – The Spectacle Provides
Release Date: December 9
Label: Off Cloud Nine
Release Info
Anarchist screamo band Under A Sky So Blue are prepping the release of their new EP, The Spectacle Provides. The Athens three-piece will drop the record on December 9. Tracklist and cover art TBA.
Under A Sky So Blue will celebrate the release of The Spectacle Provides on Friday, December 9 at Bombs Away Collective. They will be supported by Reap, Lull, and Weak Wrists. Doors open at 9 p.m. Donations encouraged. All Ages.
More Info
Basecamp: underaskysoblue.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @underaskysoblue
Arcadia, The Delinquent – Body On // Soul Off
Release Date: December 10
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Atlanta rapper and producer Arcadia, The Delinquent is preparing the release of his new full length, Body On // Soul Off. The 10-song effort will be out on December 10.
Tracklist
01. Body On
02. Longhorn
03. Pretty Girls Get Rides
04. I Water Plants for a Living
05. Punchline Miami
06. Flicker Than Fade
07. Just Frown Already
08. Aquamarine
09. World’s Endin Kiddo
10. Constellation Business
Arcadia, The Delinquent will celebrate the release of Body On // Soul Off on Saturday, December 10 at Mammal Gallery. He will be supported by TBiasedJonny, Aye+, NEWMONEY, DeadHippie, Young Ghoul, and XAVIERLEE. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission $7. All Ages.
More Info
Facebook: @arcadiathedelinquent
SoundCloud: @ambssp
Twitter: @ambssp@ArcadiaATL
KYLE – The Juice
Release Date: December 10
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Savannah transplants KYLE are a synth/N64/math/post-rock band now operating out of Atlanta. The duo are set to release their new EP, The Juice, on December 10. The three-song effort will be available for download and stream via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. The Juice Part I
02. The Juice Part II
03. The Juice Part III
More Info
Bandcamp: officialkyleband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @kylebandsav
SoundCloud: @officialkyleband
WF Addams – Signs of Wear
Release Date: December 13
Label: Self-released
Release Info
WF Addams is a new ATL/ATH trio featuring members of Malevich and Juna, which more than likely means a heavy dose of crushing riffs and tension-filled dynamics. The band’s six-song debut is out December 13.
Tracklist
01. Still Life
02. Lush
03. In Mirror
04. Morning Glory
05. Unfamiliar Sounds
06. Little Explosions
WF Addams will celebrate the release of Signs of Wear on Thursday, December 14 when they play in support of Scooterbabe and New Wives at the Caledonia Lounge. Harlot Party kick off the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for 18-20 or $5 for 21+.
More Info
Facebook: @wfaddams
SoundCloud: @wf-addams
Time Before the War – Dia De Los Muertos
Release Date: December 15
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Atlanta rockers Tim Before the War are prepping the release of their third EP, Dia De Los Muertos, which will be available on CD and digital on December 15. Tracklist TBA.
Time Before the War will celebrate the release of Dia De Los Muertos on Thursday, December 15 at Smith’s Olde Bar. They will be supported by Nobody’s Darling and the Stir. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 DOS. 18+ to enter.
More Info
Web: timebeforethewar.com
Bandcamp: timebeforethewar.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @timebeforethewar
Twitter: @tbtw_band
The Funeral Portrait – A Moment of Silence
Release Date: December 16
Label: Revival Recordings
Release Info
The Funeral Portrait’s theatrical rock and metal struck a nerve in the emo and post-hardcore circuit when their debut dropped in 2015. Now the band is looking to capitalize on that momentum with their first full length, A Moment of Silence. The 13-song effort will be available on CD and digital on December 16.
Tracklist
01. A Moment of Silence
02. The Water Obeyed the Gravity
03. Fate Connector
04. Shaking Hands
05. The Fear of God
06. Like Father Like Son
07. Cerulean
08. Double Helix
09. Save Yourself
10. Appeal to Reason
11. To Whom It May Concern
12. Spark
13. Guillotine
The Funeral Portrait will celebrate the release of A Moment of Silence on Tuesday, December 20 at the Masquerade. They will be supported by Vanity Strikes, Native Suns, Heartless Romantic, and CrookedYoung. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $6. All Ages.
More Info
Facebook: @TheFuneralPortrait
Twitter: @ATFP_tweets
Ian and the Ekonomy – TBA
Release Date: December 28
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Is the above art the cover for the new Ian and the Ekonomy record? Maybe. Does the record have a title? Probably. Truth is there is scant info on this album right now other than that there is a release show scheduled for December 28. Stay tuned for further developments.
Ian and the Ekonomy will celebrate the release of their new LP on Wednesday, December 28 at Rowdy Dowdy. They will be supported by Negra (Nashville) and Blanko (Athens). Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $5. All Ages.
More Info
Bandcamp: ianandtheekonomy.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @Ianandtheekonomy