By: Emily Gainous
On January 6th, Melodic Magazine held its first event at the Avondale Towne Cinema in Atlanta. Three bands took the stage to celebrate the end of 2017 and the beginning of a new year.
First to take the stage was Atlanta based band, Doggy Fern. They immediately captivated the crowd with their unique sound and energetic stage presence. Guitarist and vocalist Wesley Jensen had such a great energy and connection with the crowd. With Wesley, Timmy Aucoin on guitar and vocals, Chase Perales on bass, and Joe Pitts on the drums, it is obvious that this band is very musically talented and dedicated. Jason Thomas attended the event and said, “I had never listened to Doggy Fern before this show and they really impressed me. They have a very interesting sound and a great energy on stage.” I also heard one person comparing them to the likes of UK band, Catfish and the Bottlemen. The band has announced that they will be putting on monthly shows at this venue so make sure you catch a few before Doggy Fern gets bigger.
Next to take the stage was CLOUDLAND from Fayetteville, Georgia. This alternative-rock band has been playing shows in the Atlanta area throughout 2017 and has built up quite a fanbase. Their upbeat songs and overall aesthetic had the crowd hooked from the very first song. Zach King on vocals and guitar is very good at emotionally connecting to the crowd with the band’s very personal yet relatable lyrics and messages. Hogan Heim on guitar impressed the crowd with his guitar solos and overall guitar skill. Karmen Smith on drums and Drake Bunton on bass also put on a great show with their best friends and fellow band mates, making for a very close-knit and admirable band. They played songs off of their EP, “The Cloudland” available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. They also played a new song titled ‘Head-Up’ which they just released in late 2017. At the end of their set, the crowd demanded for an encore. The band sang a fan favorite, ‘Anniversary’, for the second time that night. Over just this past year, CLOUDLAND has really taken off and has proven that they have what it takes to build a following and grow as musicians. They have hinted at releasing new music shortly so keep tabs on them because they are truly a band to watch.
Cutcard was last to take the stage as it was their final performance as a band. They attracted a huge crowd of dedicated fans who follow them from show to show. They have an edgy, rock sound that made for an overall fun and exciting performance. It was obvious that they have a real passion for music and their fans who knew every word to every song. Jason Thomas described their set as “emotional” as they performed together as a band for the last time. He also said, “They had a great energy and reacted well with audience.” It’s sad to see them go but they were still able to put on such an energetic and passionate show that ended the night perfectly.
It was a night enjoyed by all and definitely set the mood for the new year. Personally, coming in only knowing one band and to photograph the night, I had no idea what to expect but I had an amazing time hearing new music and meeting fellow music enthusiasts. This event launched the new year for Melodic so stay tuned for more from us and hopefully events like this one will become a regular thing. Attendee Grace Nyman said, “Thank God She’s Dead was a super cool way to start the new year and showcased some awesome local bands. Overall, it was a really fun night that I am glad I got to experience.”
Keep an eye out for future Melodic events, and big shout out to a Chelsie Byrum and Wes Jensen for planning the entire event.
You can find all the bands on Instagram at @doggyfernatl, @cloudlandband, & @cutcardband
