Tag: Georgia

Artist Spotlight: ATHRS performs at Imagine 2018


Punk EDM Rocker ‘ATHRS’ Reflects on Performing at Imagine 2018

athrsimagine2018

ATHRS reflects on his IMF 2018 experience.

Punk Rock electronic artist, ATHRS, born Mike Torres, performed for his second time at Imagine Music Festival (IMF), this year in Hampton, Georgia. The Orlando, FL, native often performs in the Southeast and said Atlanta’s premier electronic music festival is one of his favorites.

“I love performing in Atlanta, this is my second year at Imagine. Glen and Maddie throw one of the best festivals out here and it’s always so amazing to be a part of it,” said Torres.

Rock and EDM have been in an intertwined relationship ever since Skrillex burst onto the DJ circuit after leaving his post-hardcore band “From First to Last.” Steve Aoki was a signer and guitarist in the scream band “This Machine Kills,” EDM powerhouse, Zedd, was once a member of death core band “Dioramic,” and bass legend, Bassnectar, also was once in a metal band. Some acts leave the “rock sound” almost entirely, trading guitars for synthesizers and hard bass, at times only referencing their roots in mashups or remixes.

ATHRS has managed to evolve into EDM while keeping his pop punk influences intact. This has allowed him to create original music that melds the two genres in a genuine way. His opening show on the final day of Imagine was a nice warm-up for concertgoers who weren’t still recovering in their tents or asleep at home from the night before. Torres played for an intimate show for a crowd at the Six Feathers stage, splitting the set between his laptop and DJ Controller, and grabbing his guitar to leave behind the booth and rock out on stage and right in front of his audience.

ATHRS grew up on pop punk music and says he is influenced by bands like All Time Low, Greenday, and blink-182. He also has a penchant for DJs like Kayzo and Borgore, and says Adventure Club is one of his biggest influences. ATHRS got to experience Adventure Club at Imagine this year. The pioneers of vocal dubstep put on an epic show full of lights, lasers, and their signature sound, famous for attracting many fest-goers into the electronic scene in the first place.

“I was super hyped to see Adventure Club. They killed it. It was an ABSOLUTELY epic show,” said Torres.

ATHRS thinks the diversity of sound within EDM music has attracted more and more people to American EDM music and events. He uses his platform to produce a unique combo he calls “pop-punk electronic” with vocals characteristic of punk rock, interwoven with synths, energetic beats and high energy drops. His songs vary from highly rock influenced to more house influences like his single, “Shed Your Skin.”During his performance of “Under My Skin,” a cut from his upcoming EP, Torres croons about not letting the world get to him before a crescendo of heavy, melodic guitar riffs, with a dance beat picking up to join the melange of sound

During his performance of “Under My Skin,” a cut from his upcoming EP, Torres croons about not letting the world get to him before a crescendo of heavy, melodic guitar riffs, with a dance beat picking up to join the melange of sound.

“People are hungry for real talent, drive and ambition, and that’s what I hope to bring them. They also get to see [my] vulnerability. I think it really comes through in the music,” he said.ATHRS’ fans, those who saw him at Imagine, or people who want to hear his unique brand of punk EDM, can catch him next at Uncle Lou’s entertainment hall in Orlando, October 14th.
ATHRS’ fans, those who saw him at Imagine, or people who want to hear his unique brand of punk EDM, can catch him next at Uncle Lou’s entertainment hall in Orlando, October 14th.

ATHRS’ latest EP “Pop Punk is Dead” will be releasing soon and a music video for his single, “Rollercoaster” was recently released on Youtube. Fans can find more of ATHRS’ music on Soundcloud, athrs.com, and Spotify.

[Festival Blog] iMAGiNE Music Festival Blog & Review

Here I give a review and a blog of my experience at Imagine Music Festival 2017 in Hampton, Georgia.


I know it’s rather late, as I’ve been busy with my last semester of college and working two jobs, however I finally got around to posting my Imagine Music Festival (IMF 2017) pictures, video clips and a general review. It’s a month overdue but let’s get into it.

Review Score: Imagine Festival 3.75/5 Stars ( B- )
Quick Sum-Up: Imagine Music Festival (IMF) is a high profile EDM festival hosted in Southwest Atlanta (about 20 minutes south of the capital) every year. Sponsored by iRiS Events and Management, Imagine is a large fest that features camping options. The experience itself (like most fests) is epic. IMF does a great job with killer light and laser shows, attractive stages with fire cannons, and activities for fest-goers.

Day 2: Walking into the House area, Chill Future House playing (possibly Nora En Pure).

Day 1: The end of Ill Gates set who performed on the Disco Inferno stage (a smaller but central stage of the fest).

Continue reading “[Festival Blog] iMAGiNE Music Festival Blog & Review”

[Indie/Locals] [Hip-Hop/Rap:] Rack Jenkins – Dead Frenemies // B.L.A.C.K. Baron – Mayretta (feat. Scotty ATL)

Check out these two indie hip-hop/rap tracks fresh for 2017 from rapper Rack Jenkins, and ATL’s B.L.A.C.K. Baron & Scotty ATL


Local & Indie Raps

[Hip-Hop/Rap:]
Rack Jenkins – Dead Frenemies (provided courtesy of Cut x Sewn)

https://soundcloud.com/cutxsewn/rack-jenkins-dead-frenemies-prod-by-bealio

That’s why I never trust niggas man, motherfuck a friend!

Popping up on my Soundcloud feed today, a very nice chill rap track coming to us from Rack Jenkins. “Dead Frenemies” tells the story of a rapper’s journey to fame, coming up in the city and the cautionary tales of dealing with frenemies (friends who are actually f*ckbois in disguise).

From the laidback vocals, to the Asian sounding chords plucked in the background the song sets a very calm, relaxing tone. The beat itself, greatly reminds me of something Nujabes (the mastermind behind Samurai Champloo‘s soundtrack) or Dilla would produce.

In other words, some real hip-hop for ya listenin’ ears.

Follow Rack Jenkins on Twitter

Find similar music from Cut x Sewn Mag

[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Atlanta Rap]
B.L.A.C.K. Baron – Mayretta (feat. Scotty ATL) // [BONUS] Scotty ATL – Marry Me

See I’m straight out the North,
Yeah, I come from the ‘May
A.K.A. Amsterdam, everybody got grams
All our trunks be on wham, pretty bitches goddamn!
Yeah they know who I am, I’m the one with the plan

Two Atlanta rappers come together to rep the North and East sides in “Mayretta” (one local pronunciation of Marietta, Georgia). With a steady, trap beat, catchy hooks and lyrics the song does not only Atlanta, but Marietta proud. B.L.A.C.K. Baron & Scotty ATL have an interesting synergy in this track produced by Larkinbeats. Good to see some quality ATL rap that sounds nothing like Young Thug, Lil’ Yachty, or even 21 Savage. Like they say, you eat the same thing everyday you’ll get tired of it real quick.

Check out more from B.L.A.C.K. Baron here.
Check out more from Scotty ATL here.

Scotty ATL – Marry Me

[Hip-Hop / Trap Music] Floss B – Ain’t Even Do It (feat. Trap)

Atlanta rapper Floss B is making waves on Streetz 94.5 and more with his new single “Ain’t Even Do It”.


[HIP-HOP/ TRAP MUSIC]

Floss B – Ain’t Even Do It (feat. Trap)
I Ain’t Even Do It [Music link provided by DJ Holiday. Stream on-site]

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from Holiday Season Live

Rapper Floss B has been making waves as his latest single “Ain’t Even Do It” continues to enjoy airplay on Atlanta radio stations such as Streetz 94.5 FM. The single evokes elements of trap and street music much along the same lines as Travis Scott, Jeezy or Young Thug. The heavy bassline rides throughout the song over trappy 808-snares, blending well with the repeated hook “I ain’t even do it.” Check out the stream of his new song above (compliments of DJ Holiday’s “Holiday Season” blog).

Alabama-born rapper Floss B, Brian Verner, has lived in Atlanta for over a decade and says he’s hoping to shake things up a bit as he becomes further involved in the music industry.

“I’m trying to bring good quality music back to the game,” said Floss. When asked what are his next plans for his music, Floss responded, “I am really just very thankful to have my song being played on Streetz 94.5 and receiving a lot of support from DJ Holiday.”

“I just want to see how this song does then I’ll go from there” he added.

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You can read the article on Floss B‘s song on DJ Holiday’s blog as well.
Floss B Facebook Fan Page

You can follow Floss B on Twitter at: @officialflossb
and DJ Holiday at: @djholiday or on his Instagram

[Trap Hip-Hop / ATL Rap:] Chedda Da Connect – Lost Count (feat. Sy Ari Da Kid)


[Hip-Hop Rap / ATL Rap:]

Chedda & Sy Ari team-up with help from Zaytoven
Chedda Da Connect & Sy Ari Da Kid’s “Lost Count” Produced by Zaytoven

By now you’ve no doubt heard one of the latest nationwide meme crazes “Flicka Da Wrist” by Chedda Da Connect. The unsung underground single sprung into popularity following several viral videos and top vine lists of people showing their own takes and methods of ‘flicking their wrists”.

Chedda Da Connect (Houston born), doesn’t just make meme music. His mixtape, Chedda World showcases his rapping talents over trappy, street-style beats with a bevvy of feature artists from his hometown, as well as Atlanta.

Notably, he collabs with up-and-coming Atlanta rapper, Sy Ari Da Kid on the tape. The two team up on “Lost Count” ; a ridin’ in the whip trappin’, but not in complete turn-up mode track one would sit back and ride low to, or procede to count yo ‘hunnits to. Chedda World also receives back-up from rappers the likes of fellow Vine rapper, T-Wayne, Kirko Bangz and Rizzo.

Chedda Da Connect’s Chedda World:
Link (courtesy: LiveMixtapes.com)

Sy Ari Da Kid:
Soundcloud

Check out this music video from Sy Ari Da Kid that’s over 8 minutes long featuring verses from many of ATL’s top rap groups and emcees “300 Spartans” featuring D Dash, Translee, Verse Simmonds, Que, K. Camp, Stuey Rock, Tha Joker, Jose Guapo, Chaz Gotti, Bo Deal, Bambino Gold, Dae Dae, Doe Boy, Scotty ATL, Issa, John John Da Don, Fly Guy Veto, Migos, Tabius Tate, Zuse, Kidd Kidd, Nyemiah Supreme, Jacquees, Retro Jace (Two9) & Fort Knox.

Lucky Finds: [House] It’s Too Late (Snakehips RMX) & [Trance/EDM Origins] Holding On to Nothing (Alex Gold RMX)



I’ll bet you want me, it’s too late (it’s too late) / Boy when you got me, you don’t care…


Standin’ in the rain / twisted and insane / we, are, holdin’ on to nothing…
Feeling every breath / holdin’ no regrets / we are looking out for somethin’

It’s Too Late: You ever have songs that you just hear once and know you HAVE to find, or you tell yourself not to forget about them and make a note for yourself, or search for them endlessly? That is how I felt about these two great EDM tracks that I nearly missed discovering. It took months but I eventually tracked down the smooth Electronic/Future House Snakehips remix of Wild Belle’s “It’s Too Late.” I initially heard the song on Georgia State University’s FM radio station WRAS Album 88.5 during a late night drive home last year after covering a concert.

As it played I took out my phone and recorded it as this was such a unique and different sound. I have a weak spot for the old-timey swing vibe, especially incorporated into EDM as I have with other old “remakes” (SEE: mostly everything by Parov Stelar); whichever DJ was on the decks that night at GSU, had phenomenal taste in music. It must have been EDM/IDM night as the playlist continued with more “indie” sounding tunes, a perfect fit for the night and enough to have me beaming with pride at my school’s own radio station. Unfortunately they have lost most of their programming to a merger with Georgia Public Broadcasting / NPR that forces Album 88.5 to play late at night and into the wee hours of the morning to make room for public news broadcasts. Though they didn’t go out completely without a fight, numerous petitions were not enough to stop the partial dissolving of one of the US’s top college radio stations and also the station with the largest signal power/reach of any college radio station ever.

EDM Origins Late 00s Trance: Holding On to Nothing (Alex Gold Edit) – Agnelli & Nelson:
The latter, I heard at Club IRIS in Atlanta, an EDM venue in North Atlanta off of Buford Highway .There are 3 different rooms in the club and that night, one was playing trap/hip-hop, on the main stage, dubstep-ish mainstream music, and off “in the corner”, straight up trance and eurodance. This was a welcome relief to hear in 2014 as Trance music of this style and genre itself was most popular around the 2000s-Late 2000s. Through these years dance music began to develop a growing niche market in the US as European techno (dance music) became more and more acceptable. Though it took a back seat to hip-hop and rock music in most areas of the country, artists of the era such as: Armin Van Buuren, Markus Schulz, Royksopp, Deep Dish, Above & Beyond, Kaskade, BT and Ferry Corsten brought EDM to the masses shortly preceding the industry-changing creation of dubstep.

Another iconic remix of the era was dance/trance hit “After All” by Delerium, remixed by Svenson & Gielen. This popular remix was featured on the popular Japanese music game series, Dance Dance Revolution.

Adventure Club LIVE! Review 3.5/5

Adventure Club hypes up Atlanta, but sells out to mainstream


The Adventure Club show held on December 28, 2013 was quite a rousing concert. It was almost hard to believe though that this was the same duo that got me into dubstep a year ago. Performing at Opera, the Illuminate event brought high energy and exquisite show techniques buried in the bro environment. The atmospheric vibe marred by a crowded room. The performance was also marred by several repeats of too well-known songs in playlist consisting of little variety.

Adventure Club came with all the same hype, lights and high energy  one would expect from one of the most recognized groups in the EDM/Dubstep genre.  Sadly, some of the opening acts actually put on a better show than Adventure Club. MK ULTRA and SnellVillain opened with some of the more eclectic sounds of the genre. The opening acts pumped up the crowd and going well with the audience’s glow sticks and light generating mittens consisting of all the colors of the rainbow.

On my YouTube page I captured a few of the moments when  Adventure Club strayed from some of their most popular songs such as “Collect Call” & “Crave You,” which they played each at least 2 or 3 times. Unfortunately, I didn’t even hear some of their newer tracks or if I did they played them so seldomky, I hardly noticed. It would have been nice to hear some of the songs off of their Superheroes Vol. 3 mix, but they tended to play it a little too safe. MK ULTRA was the surprise highlight of the night for me, spinning several new songs and remixes, or if they were old, complimented the rave environment and hyped the crowd up much more than AC.

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