By Kiah Easton, Columns Editor [Photo by Kiah Easton] The DIY music scene in Athens, Ohio, provides a crucial launching pad for various art forms and alternative lifestyles. Although the Athens scene is small, the movement reflects a broader trend toward artistic freedom, sustainability and independence, resulting in far-reaching impact. The local youth subculture is…
Category: Interviews
ACRN Alumnus Spotlight: Ocean Eiler / DJ The Librarian
By Micah Fluellen, Contributor [Photo via Ocean Eiler / Video by Micah Fluellen] Ocean Eiler, Ohio University and ACRN alumnus, recently visited his hometown of Athens, Ohio, to catch up with his family and present-day ACRN. Eiler attended Ohio University in the late ’90s as a double major in graphic design and interactive design. He…
Kayo Genesis: Breaking Traditions to Creativity
By Joey Perkins, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] Kalik Osborne has always taken an untraditional route in music. From his songwriting process to signing to 2020 Gold, his artistic pursuit has been driven predominantly by his creative outlets and inspirations that exist far beyond his rapping career. Now known under the name Kayo Genesis, the Palmdale,…
Band Profile: glass beach
The four-piece released their debut, the first glass beach album, on their own budget. Fusing everything from ’80s synthpop to emo, glass beach’s mastery in a range of genres is apparent from the beginning of the album, which gives the listener a snapshot of glass beach’s musical capabilities.
ACRN Prom 2020 Q&A: Jeremiah Hayes
By Taylor Linzinmeir, Staff Writer Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director Q&A with Athens-based R&B artist Jeremiah Hayes at ACRN Prom 2020. Tell me about where you’re from. JEREMIAH HAYES: I’m from Columbus and moved here [Athens] about two years ago to study music at Hocking [College] and then eventually transfer over to OU….
Artist Profile: Austin Hitte
By Maddie Young, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] When hearing the phrase “SoundCloud Rapper,” a specific image comes to mind: a middle-school kid wearing Air Force Ones with rainbow hair rapping about a Louis Vuitton bag that they don’t even own. But a new generation of DIY rappers have taken over this new golden age of…
Feature: Chris Thile and his Eternal Journey of Innovation
By Jonah Krueger, Contributor [Photo courtesy of Devin Peddle] Chris Thile may very well be the most renowned, most popular living mandolin player. His fingerprints can be found on just about anything that gets tagged with the term “bluegrass,” and the tale of 5-year-old Thile first picking up the mandolin is now the stuff of…
Q&A: Hope Davis
By Anna Birk, Contributor [Photo by Noel Davis] Q&A with Hope Davis following a performance at Donkey Coffee in Athens, Ohio. You grew up in Athens, Ohio—what made you leave? Hope: Well, I was suffering from an eating disorder in high school, and I was extremely depressed. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, so during the…
Q&A: Bat House
By Liz Partsch, Contributor [Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director] Q&A with Shane Blank and Emmet Hayes of Massachusetts-based “neo-punkadelica” outfit Bat House. How did the band form? SHANE: We met in school. So the four of us are all from different places in the country. I’m from Florida, Emmet here is from California…
Q&A: Inoculous
By Jonah Krueger, Contributor [Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director] Q&A with bassist Jake Evans, drummer Bryan Sheets, and guitarist and creative force Demetri Wolfe of Athens math-rock trio Inoculous. You guys played this same venue last weekend—does that contribute to a sense of comfort or familiarity? DEMETRI: It’s a good time, you know….
Q&A: Something Else
By Evan Gallagher, Contributor Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director Q&A with frontman Aidan Hall of Columbus-based post-pop quartet Something Else. So, how’d you guys meet and form as a band? Aidan: I’ve known Colin [McMillen] (bass) since he was five—his mom used to babysit my sister. I met Landon [Gruszewski] (guitar) when we…
Q&A: Bewarewolves
By Jonah Krueger, Contributor Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director Q&A with guitarist and vocalist Noah Gfell, drummer Ben Gfell and guitarist Aidan Matney of Bewarewolves. How was your trip down to Athens? Aidan: It’s not bad, I haven’t made it in a long time. Noah: I came down here a lot over the…
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