Katie Klemenchich

The Underdogs

admin — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:53:00 +0000

Texas native Jen Foster is a singer-songwriter that strives for the passion of a rocker and the melodic sensibilities of a folk artist. On The Underdogs, Foster--who has a diverse following in several major cities--succeeds on both fronts on at least three songs on her second release. A lesbian, Foster invites broad appeal whether her audience is straight or gay, folk or rock, because of her wide range.

"Saturn," a solid rock number in the tradition of Foster’s main muse, succeeds brilliantly with its respectable guitar solo. It is a simple song about escape that grew from a progression of just four chords. “In Between Poses,” a dramatic pop tune inspired by the conflicting advice Foster receives on how to present herself as a performer, is about letting one’s guard down and “floating so high.” The passion of "Poses" more than convinces the listener its sentiments are genuine. What stands out is the huge difference between these two songs and yet how good each one is in its own right. “Amen” is a rousing yet subtle rock ballad that could have easily been written by your favorite metal band.

Jen Foster finds a place in between Melissa Etheridge and Jewel, and like these artists, she continues her foray into personal to universal visions and Foster hits the mark because she does not see herself as fundamentally different from her counterparts.

Written by: Katie Klemenchich, June 3rd 2007

Despite Our Differences

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:34:00 +0000

By Indigo Girls

Hollywood Records

Despite Our Differences is Emily Saliers’ and Amy Ray's first release on their new record label, and it shows on an album that feels like a new beginning for Decatur’s own.

Taking a slight upward turn in sentiments from some heavy themes on All That We Let In and the acoustic, earthy Become You, fans should be advised not to live without this one. "Lay My Head Down" makes introspection fun with its Dylanesque lyrics, visuals, sardonic twists and rolling sound is the highlight on this album of consistently strong material. Emily is at her very best here, topping the solemn and beautiful "All That We Let In" and rivaling Amy’s confrontational masterpiece, "Become You."

Amy Ray never ceases to amaze with her diversity of styles, and "Little Perennials" is no exception. "Little Perennials" deals with her plethora of blood kin and the question of identity asking, “Where’d you come from?” It includes a fun chorus, “Wee oh…,” is very Southern in sentiment, could be a children’s song and sounds like a radio single. "Rock and Roll Heavens Gate" is about several punk bands that recently broke up and features backing vocals by Pink.

"Pendulum Swinger" makes activism fun as it takes swipes at our misleaders, “It doesn’t come by the bullwhip.” Saliers’ wish to “make the pendulum swing again” turned out to be timely in light of the midterm elections. "Pendulum" is a diatribe for the strong woman and features an attention grabbing "F--- It!" "Three County Highway" is a sleeper favorite, a slow ballad with deep sentiments about the saving power of love. On "Fly Away," "All the Way," "Run" and, especially, "Last Tears" the gentler Indigo Girls again explore existential nature and succeed. "Dirt Ends" and "They Won’t Have Me" are very interesting in content and feature a strong beat with an American Indian flair. "Dirt Ends" is about the encroachment of development on the lives of rural dwellers, ending their sense of belonging and the privacy that nature provides.

The placement of the sheer variety of the songs on this album can be a bit jarring. That Emily and Amy are still driven to their song craft and hard touring after so many years is a testament to their strong work ethic and dedication. They still agonize over love; they still care about the world, and we still care too.

Written by: Katie Klemenchich, April 19th 2007

Amy Ray and Friends: Benefit for NOA’s Battered Women’s Shelter (3/2/2007)

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:38:00 +0000

Dahlonega Reservoir

Dahlonega, Georgia

It was a packed crowd for two shows at the listening room on Dahlonega’s town square for two great shows to raise and awareness for an important social problem. An evening with Amy Ray, who was named the 13th most influential lesbian by AfterEllen.com for her solo albums that do not shy away from controversial topics such as the Christian right, homophobia and violence against gays raised money for the local battered women’s shelter in town. Ray brought along her touring pals Tommi and Trina and her good friend Danielle Howle, as well as poet activist Cara Page to perform spoken word.

South Carolina’s Danielle Howle stole the show with her open hearted stage presence, funny stories, and field songs that kept fingers snapping and voices laughing. There’s a lot going on in Howle’s head, and it’s all interesting. Her lyrics are poetry and her talent is her personality. The highlight of the evening was a cover by Howle, "What a Bitch it is being Poor," that garnered loud applause.

Trina and Tommi were great, as usual. This talented duo from rock band Three5Human did a jazzy, breathy cover of the Beatles, "Revolution" with Tommi providing harmony vocals, and the Police’s "Message in a Bottle," as well as several of their own original songs including "Yesterday’s Girl." All of this duo’s original songs are great, melodic rock. Trina’s presence is strong and infectious and her enthusiasm inspires.

Amy Ray sang her confrontational Rolling Stones bashing "Lucy Stoners." The shy Ray kept her eyes closed most of the time she sang and tended to lurk back of the stage when not playing. Ray’s "Dirt Roads and Dead Ends," about lives disrupted by the methamphetamine epidemic was timely to the night’s cause. "Dirt Roads" includes the chorus, “Silly man…” Her voice dropped to a lower register for “I got your dog… you’re a good guy deep down inside.” Some got up and danced to ‘Let It Ring’ with Ray, on mandolin, singing about people who love Jesus, too. “I get down on my knees and I pray the same as you…” Ray played a new song, "Sugar Tongue" with Flamenco style guitar playing. Her voice sounded in top form, soft, high, and low. She shared another new song, "Stand and Deliver."

Cara Page is an artist who would be better used in another setting. Her strong words tended to clash with the party atmosphere and by the end of the night a drunken woman was repeating Ms. Page. The event raised over $3,000 for a worthy cause.

Written by: Katie Klemenchich, April 17th 2007

Sarah Bettens: Live at Eddie's Attic (2/23/2007)

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:30:00 +0000

By Eddie's Attic

Decatur, Georgia

With her lean, blonde good looks, Sarah Bettens looks like a rock star, sings like a cabaret singer and has a warm glow about her. The former lead singer with the band K’s Choice has garnered a whole new set of fans as a solo artist. The tall, tattooed Sarah reminds some of her pal Amy Ray. Her latest release and her first as a solo artist, Scream, is also Bettens’ first album since moving into a relationship with a woman (Bettens was married to the tour manager of K's Choice). There were some troubled songs on the album, but Bettens’ assures, “It's all good,” with her new love.

The audience hung on every song, frequently applauding loudly, especially when Bettens performed a K's Choice hit like, "Not An Addict," but her newer songs were also well received. Performed from Scream were "Stay," "Come Over Here" and "Not Insane." It is clear that Bettens is more than just a girl with a guitar. "I love the way her voice catches, it’s so sexy... like a teenage boy... the cackle of emotion… shades of KD Lang,” observed one fan. Bettens’ inner cabaret singer is emerging more strongly since her last show in Atlanta, and she highlighted her vocal instrument by singing several covers without her guitar, "Cry Me a River," "Just the Two of Us," and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen."

Bettens picked up the bass guitar for "Come Over Here" with its "Na na na na na na na na" chorus and did well. “This is a new song about a bad relationship I had before this when I thought I was straight,” Sarah announced. The lyrics included: “You don’t believe in me. I let you make me feel alone. You never rest your eyes on me. I was never crazy about the girl you made me be.” Sarah’s accompanist Tom Kersting provided backing guitar, keyboard, and harmony vocals. They make a great team. After the show Sarah's fans formed a very long line to get her albums.

Written by: Katie Klemenchich, April 15th 2007

Ladyfest South (January 25-28, 2007)

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 23:30:00 +0000

Various Locations

Atlanta, Georgia

Ladyfest South is always a blast because it is back to back lady talent for a good cause. Ladyfest South 2007 happened over four nights at four venues in Atlanta and featured over fifty music and spoken word acts. This year’s beneficiaries are The Rock N’ Roll Camp for Girls and The Fund for Southern Communities.

Thursday January 25, 2007 - Eyedrum Art Space

Phat Man Dee from PA is amazing and fun to see. She sports interesting costumes and sings cabaret camp and pop. Julia Carroll is a "hard folker" from Gainesville Georgia, an Ani inspired, in your face young lesbian who sounds a little like Suzanne Vega, and whose style is a la Johnny Cash talk/sing. Julia’s songs are fast paced and socially conscious. Julia has really grown in her voice, stage presence and guitar work. With her high cheek bones, thin frame, high energy and jeaned attire Nashville’s Steff Mahan slightly resembles Michelle Malone. Steff is country folk, plays guitar as hard as Amy Ray, and really blew the crowd away with her impassioned performance and songs from hard time experiences. "God, Are You Mad at Me?" was about a lousy 2006.

This writer always loves to see Renee Mixon, from Rome, Georgia. Renee is a teacher with a fresh, clean, look and attitude. Her songs of love and loss are timeless, have rhythm, and are always interesting. The Morgan Rowe Band from Decatur was in top form as usual. Morgan is an amazing talent with a great band who deserves a wider audience. Morgan is a great, undiscovered talent.

Friday, January 26, 2007 - If Coffeehouse

Sabrina is a folk singer with a sixties style, powerful voice and message songs. Sabrina has a strong, commanding presence and gives advice in "Say So," and, "What R Y Waiting For," a fast paced diatribe against materialism. Atlanta’s Barb Carbon is intimate folk. Barb draws us into her world. "I am not ok… the mystery of life is wearing me down.” "Start Again" is haunting. Rana, from D.C is philosophical folk and like Mary Chapin Carpenter has a dry sense of humor. There is something expansive about Rana’s style. Her voice reaches out with strong emotion and her guitar playing is clear, strong and simple.

Tiny Nicole Reynolds from Pittsburgh looks like a young Bob Dylan. Reynolds has a sweet, striking and very soft voice - like a whisper. Reynolds majored in jazz guitar in college, but her style is pure folk. She left her audience wanting more and "Wondrin," was amazing.

Friday, January 26, 2007 - The Earl

Box, a rock band from D.C. describes themselves as: “Really pissed off lesbians who drank a half gallon of whiskey… a pack of monkeys.” Box has a lot of fun onstage. Their sound is strong and clean, one can hear the lyrics, and the song, "Holier Than Thou" is awesome. The vocalist can be a little off, but their sense of humor is right on. Also performed was "Lezzie’s for the Lord," and "Mullet Head Girlfriend," all just right for the party atmosphere of Ladyfest South.

Oriflamme, from Gainesville, Georgia is a girl band with poppy punk electric guitars and two bass guitars. Their words are hard to hear, but the music is textured, interesting and not too hard. Atlanta’s My Siamese Self, is rockabilly and punk garage rock, and featured some great guttural singing by the bass player. "Shrug Shoulder Hero" is a fine example of their unique style.

Saturday, January 27, 2007 - The 5 Spot

Easyell was a last minute fill-in, who really grabbed attention. A soul and folk singer, Easyell’s voice and songs were haunting. Spoken word artist Ryka Aoki de la Cruz from Los Angeles also performed. Her poems address issues, such as abuse, and offer hope.

Sunday, January 28, 2007 - Eyedrum Art Space

Mare Wakefield from Nashville on guitar and vocals performed with her bassist. Wakefield is alt country with an attitude, as a mix of Natalie Merchant, Shawn Colvin and Dolly Parton. Wakefield blends sophisticated bluegrass, country and jazz with funny stories. Mare’s voice is good and has rhythm, and her playing complements her singing. Wakefield performed "Love vs. the USA" and a break up ballad, "You’ve Done Enough." David and Roselyn from New Orleans performed with the rumba box, banjo, harmonica, trumpet and tambourine. Small Framed Boy from Atlanta, "Experimental, Psychedelic, and Progressive," closed out the night and the fest with their blend of noise, funk, rock and Middle Eastern elements.

The call goes out to other strong women who will step up to the plate and organize this amazing festival next time.

Written by: Katie Klemenchich, April 13th 2007