FREE SET is a publication of Listerhill
VOLUME 01 ISSUE 03 MAR 2013
SECRET SISTERS WE LEAK OUR OWN INTERVIEW. SHHHH...
IDOLIZED ARE YOU THE NEXT BEST SINGER EVER?
GUILTY PLEASURES GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MARCH 2013
MARCH 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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LIFE IS OUR INSPIRATION. THE SISTERS REVEALED P8-9 FEEDBACK
LETTER
LET’S HEAR IT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
TECH
R&R: RADIO REBORN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
MONEY
MUSIC ON A BUDGET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FEATURE
THE SISTERS REVEALED.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
SMALL TOWN, BIG SOUND Have you ever noticed that when you leave North Alabama for any amount of time you have this empty hole that you absolutely cannot fill? I experienced this recently after being away from home for about four months. I couldn’t exactly put my finger on what it was that was missing until I got back home and was punched in the face by creativity. This area is an overflowing pot of artistic stew, and since we get to eat bowlfuls of it everyday we don’t realize just how lucky that makes us. This issue of SET is solely focused on music because this area has such a rich, musical culture. All you have to do is shake a tree and local musicians drop like ripe apples. Many famous musicians have walked the same streets and sat in the same restaurants that you have. Who knows — right now you could even be drinking out of the same Rivertown mug that Kevin Richardson from the Backstreet Boys
HOMETOWN HEROES
used during his last visit! This community we live in not only produces a large variety of great musicians, but a number of outstanding artists, photographers and writers who SET has had the privilege of working with. This magazine is teeming with creativity, and it’s all thanks to our amazing contributors. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of emails we receive from readers who want to be a part of SET. Journalist Brenda Ueland once said, “Everyone is talented, original, and has something important to say.” I have never heard a truer statement in my life. Whether you say it through photography, writing or videography, we want to hear what you have to say. Send us an email at contribute@ getsetmag.com and you can get started sharing your voice. Finally, I would love to say that I am extremely excited to be the new editor of SET! If you ever have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at editor@getsetmag.com. Happy reading!
BY LINLEY MOBLEY, EDITOR
LAURA WIMBERLY GIVES NEW MEANING TO DANCE . . . . . . . . 10
NON PROFIT
THERE’S MORE TO DANCE THAN PERFECT FORM. . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CALENDAR
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
TRACKING THE BANDS
FEATURING YOUNG ARTISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
MUSIC
CONFRONT THE MUSIC YOU’RE ASHAMED TO LOVE. . . . . . . . . . 16
MOVIES
THE HEART AND SOUL OF A MUSICAL MOVEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . 17
FOOD
RESTAURANTS WITH STARVING ARTISTS & BELLIES IN MIND. . . . 18
FREESTYLE
HOT SPOTS FOR LIVE MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SPOTLIGHT
SEE WHO WAS OUT AND ABOUT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
FASHION
WANNA POP SOME TAGS?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
HEALTH
MUSIC THAT MOTIVATES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
THE IDOL EXPERIENCE
LOCALS TALK AUDITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SPECIAL FEATURE
FROM STUDIOS TO STREETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SET CONTRIBUTORS WILL RILEY
Sheffield, AL
DUSTIN VARNER Cullman, AL
PACE HOLBROOKS BETHANY OLIVER Decatur, AL
PERRI HUBBARD ANNA GRACE USERY REBECCA LOGSDON ELIZABETH BROCK
Muscle Shoals, AL Montgomery, AL Florence, AL
Florence, AL
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as
part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
Florence, AL
SYDNEY THREET
Florence, AL
DANIEL CRISLER
Florence, AL
AMY JACKSON JONATHAN OLIPHANT
Tuscumbia, AL
Fairhope, AL
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4 FEEDBACK
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TECH 5
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Pittsburgh’s KDKA was the first U.S. licensed station.
Online radio has upwards of 80 million U.S. listeners.
R&R: RADIO REBORN MUSIC TO MY EARS No one ever wants to reinvent the wheel, but how about the radio? Pop music, Apple and MTV are bringing light back to the industry. The seemingly old form of entertainment doesn’t seem to be so archaic after all. For years radio has distinguished itself from the rest of technology because of its lack of development. With the convenience of mobile devices, why let a radio DJ mix his/her own music? When I’m on the road, I am my own DJ. Traditional radio is far from dead, but over the last few years, it has been
introduced to mobile devices. First Pandora and now Spotify – what else could we ask for? Well, it looks like the “i’s” have it again. Before now, radio was one of Apple’s untouched mediums, and 2013 may be the year for another historical movement in the technosphere. The Wall Street Journal stirred up rumors that Apple would be releasing a radio live streaming application, iRadio. This service would be comparable to Spotify, Pandora and other live streaming stations. IBTIMES reports, “We expect iRadio to be incorporated into the iTunes iOS app with personalized radio functionality akin to Pandora, integrated with iTunes to purchase music and other music-related content such as concert information/ tickets/merchandise via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.” Justin Timberlake brought “Sexy
iRADIO Back” by releasing his new song, “Suit & Tie,” exclusively on FM radio. By doing this he has smashed radio records. Billboard reported, “The song, ‘Suit and Tie,’ had the highest first-week plays total in the chart’s 20-year history. It also marked the highest bow for a song by
a male artist.” There is still gold to be made in radio. To add to this comeback of radio, The Wall Street Journal reported that MTV founder, Bob Pittman, “has been plotting a revival rooted in trying to make radio cool again and convincing marketers that radio deserves more than the 6% share of total ad spending it currently commands (television attracts around 50%).” The resurgence of FM radio has been a well-kept secret, but hopefully will gain more publicity in the near future. The airwaves will once again be bouncing around with bass lines and guitar solos.
STORY BY WILL RILEY
6 MONEY
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THE SONG
Highest grossing tour is U2’s 360 at $736 million.
REACHED
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Simon & Garfunkel were originally called Tom & Jerry.
1
NO.
ON BILLBOARD’S TOP 100
MUSIC ON A BUDGET FINDING WAYS TO ENJOY MUSIC WITHOUT GOING BROKE iTunes accounts are great. Concert tickets are fantastic. What do they both have in common? They cost money. We all love going to see artists, and we love having their music at our disposal whenever we want. But, it’s nearly impossible to keep up the pace financially when artists announce new tour dates every week and there is always a new “hit single” to buy. “Ain’t nobody got time for dat!” There are, in fact, ways to get around the high costs associated with attending concerts and purchasing the iTunes Top 100. Let me emphasize — there are ways to get free, or almost free, music without illegally downloading it. Also, there are ways to get into the concert without pushing a middle schooler down on the street outside the arena and taking his ticket. Here’s my list of cost-effective ways to get your music: In case you didn’t know already, Spotify Premium is the bees’ knees. No, it’s not free, but it is essentially the Netflix of music. For $9.95 a month, you have access to an online database of songs and playlists. Perk: You get the first month free. Downfall: You don’t always get access to new releases right away (like Netflix), but give it time — they will be there soon enough. Ever heard of Noisetrade? This is a platform for new bands or artists
OH LORD JESUS, IT’S A FIRE! to get music to the public for free in order to build a fan base. If you’re not familiar with a band, you’re less likely to pay for their downloads and may overlook them entirely. But, if their music is free, what could downloading a couple of songs hurt? Next thing you know, you like what you’re hearing and become a fan. What’s really awesome about NoiseTrade is you can get entire albums for free and you have the option to “tip” the band a small dollar amount. Perk: Free music! Downfall: You’ll be stuck on this site for hours downloading music. Fun Fact: The Civil Wars used Noisetrade to get their start. Now you’re asking, “How do we get cheaper concert tickets?” One way to shave a couple dollars off your concert ticket is to buy it at the door. When you buy a ticket from Ticketmaster or StubHub, you’re hit with a convenience charge, which often makes up 10-15 percent of your total purchase. Buying your ticket at the door reduces that initial purchase. Also, if the show you’re intending to see isn’t sold
out, larger venues are more likely to mark down the price of tickets to put bodies in the seats. Here’s my disclaimer: It can be risky to do this if you’re dead set on going to see this show, because there is a chance the show is sold out by the time you get to the door. Use this strategy only when you have a back-up plan. Radio stations are always giving away concert tickets, and multiple stations will have giveaways at the same time. To increase your chances of being “Lucky Caller Number 10,” you just have to get a sense of what time of day certain radio stations do their contests. Make sure the radio stations’ phone numbers are in your speed dial, and then keep calling … A LOT. If you give up, the enemy has won! The time spent glued to your phone is definitely worth it if you walk away with backstage passes to the next Mumford & Sons concert. Am I right? Fan Club Email listings. This is the most annoying of them all because of the daily “What Mayer had for breakfast” updates, but
fan clubs get fantastic deals on tour dates and show tickets. Fan clubs get the insider information on virtually everything tour-related and, most of the time, they get first dibs at tickets, special passes and discounted prices for being affiliated. Giving an email address can cut your concert-going expenses in half! One thing people will always pay for is entertainment. It’s how you approach paying for entertainment that makes you financially savvy. And the money you save can be put towards other things that make your world go around … like your Grande soy House Special., extra shot of espresso, no whip cream and hold the nutmeg.
STORY BY DUSTIN VARNER
MARCH 2013
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MONEY 7
8 FEATURE
The Sisters learned to harmonize in church.
IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN IMPROMPTU AUDITION AT HOTEL INDIGO.
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MARCH 2013
They only use ‘old school’ recording equipment.
THE SISTERS REVEALED A LITTLE LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF LAURA AND LYDIA ROGERS It was a quiet Friday afternoon at Swampers Bar and Grill. Golden sunlight was bouncing off the wall of framed records while music played softly in the background. As I looked out over the swimming pool I heard two pairs of heels approaching on the hardwood floor. I stood up as Laura and Lydia Rogers rounded the corner. All smiles and Southern charm, The Secret Sisters brought in an air of ease, comfort and grace. Side-by-side they took their seats, sipping their coffee as they settled in. For Laura and Lydia Rogers, originally from Greenhill, Ala., singing had always been a shared love, but this career was never something they had planned to strive for. According to Laura, Lydia had always been the ‘singer’ of the two. “Our family had always said if anyone were to be famous, it would by Lydia,” Laura stated, “because she was always the one doing talent shows, and I was the one with massive stage fright.” While living in Nashville as a nanny, Laura heard about an open audition for a major record label being held at a local hotel. She decided the best way to get over her stage fright would be to face her fears head on. So she went to the audition alone and sang in front of the panel of judges. “Had I known that going to that audition would end up with a record deal and touring and all the work that we’ve had to do, I probably wouldn’t have gone. Who I was at the time would have been so terrified of that and I would have chickened out. I just assumed nothing would happen,” Laura said. Lydia was curious about whether or not her voice would take her anywhere, so she drove to Nashville later to audition as well. After hearing both of the sisters sing separately, the judges suggested they sing a song together. Singing together was something Laura and Lydia had never considered. “When we sang together that first time, all of the sudden everybody in the room was like, ‘Duh!’ Even for us, that was a moment when it was like, ‘Of course we can do this together!’” Laura recalled. They grew up listening to bluegrass and old country, which strongly influenced their style. With Laura bringing the strong, lead voice and Lydia adding her seasoned, artful harmonies, the two create a truly timeless, unique sound. After their discovery, things picked up very
quickly for the sisters. Recording and touring began almost immediately, and they began to spend more time together than ever before. “We usually really love touring, it’s a lot of fun,” Lydia said. “If the tours are really long, that can be hard. Our limit is about three to four weeks; otherwise it’s really tough. I think I prefer touring because recording takes up so much time.” “It’s so time consuming to be in the studio and it makes you feel like you’re losing touch with your fans. We like playing shows and getting to interact with the people who enjoy our music,” Laura said. They got their embarrassing moment out of the way during their first headlining show in London, when one of their guitars went horribly out of tune. “Because we still really didn’t know what we
were doing, we didn’t have a guitar tuner on stage. We tried and tried to tune the guitar, but we were just making it worse. Finally we had to get a fan to come up from the audience to tune it for us. We made it seem all cute and charming, and we do want people to know we’re human, but we definitely never want anything like that to happen again,” Laura said as she stirred creamer into her cup of coffee. Lydia giggled as she explained a time at a show in Belfast when she hit a wrong note on her guitar during a serious song. “It made us both laugh, and we couldn’t control it. Finally we just had to stop in the middle of the song because we couldn’t get it together.” In April of 2011, while tornadoes were wreaking havoc all over Alabama, the girls were touring in Australia. “We both just felt so helpless. We were so far away and there was nothing we could
MARCH 2013
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FEATURE
They recorded their first album in Blackbird studios.
TOMORROW WILL BE KINDER IS FEATURED
ON THE HUNGER GAMES SOUNDTRACK.
LAURA AND LYDIA ROGERS STRIVE TO BRING A SMILE TO EVERYONE THEY MEET. do to help, and that was so frustrating to me. So I went into my hotel room, and I wrote the song, ‘Tomorrow Will Be Kinder’ in, like, 15 minutes,” Lydia recalled. When the girls got back to Alabama, they recorded the song at FAME studios. Not long after that, T-Bone Burnett came to them asking if they had anything to put on the soundtrack for “The Hunger Games.” “The song made so much sense for this story, but it’s so much bigger than that. It literally applies to whatever bad thing anyone is going through,” Laura said. Lydia agreed with her sister as she added, “We definitely want people to know that we did not write that song for the soundtrack. It was solely inspired by the devastation that hit so close to home.” Even though it would be easier for them to live in Nashville, the sisters have chosen to live in the Shoals area. “Being close to family is very important to us. And it’s good to have a place to come back to and wind down,” Lydia said. “It’s a good place to be, because it’s not a huge city so you can find a network of people who can help you and support you. In Nashville, you can’t find that,” Laura added. Some of their favorite places to go in the Shoals area are Rivertown, Ricatoni’s, City Hardware, and the many antique stores. “This area just has so much character,” Lydia said. “It’s just like this secret place that nobody knows about, and I want it to remain that way.” When they have a break from work they decompress by taking things easy in their separate homes. For Lydia, her free time is filled with reading and drinking coffee. Laura admitted to ‘hopping hobbies,’ and trying many things including cooking, crocheting and gardening.
Although both girls jokingly admitted they were hermits, they do enjoy eating out and attending the occasional First Friday. When they are able to, they make it a point to catch shows featuring their favorite local artists – Dylan LeBlanc, The Pine Hill Haints, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and The Civil Wars, to name a few. Although they have great taste in music, they did confess to having their musical guilty pleasures. Laura quickly and unashamedly confessed that she is a huge One Direction fan. Lydia laughingly admitted to loving the occasional Lil’ Wayne song as she danced and sang the line, “A millionaire, I’m a young money millionaire!” Being well known in a small area doesn’t bother Laura and Lydia. “If people approach us in public they’re usually pretty cool about it,” Lydia said, “I was in the grocery store the other day and some lady just came up to me and said, ‘Well how’s the sangin’ goin’?’” Both of the girls laughed loudly at Lydia’s impersonation. “Nobody is ever clingy, and that’s how we want it. I don’t know how I would handle a huge reaction from someone,” Laura said. The weirdest interaction for the girls happened one night after a show. “This lady in Arkansas came up to us and asked us to sign her baby. When I asked her where the kid was she lifted up her shirt and showed us her pregnant belly,” Lydia said in between fits of giggles. “Yup, we signed her stomach. She was so pregnant,” Laura commented seriously. Although autographing baby bumps could be considered an achievement, the girls are proud of what they’ve accomplished on a larger scale. “I’m a huge Bob Dylan fan, and we got to open for him in Australia. That was a big achievement for me,” Lydia said.
9
To see more visit getsetmag.com. “We got to play with Levon Helm on our very first tour. It’s just so amazing that we got to know him and be around him before he passed. We’ve gotten to work with a lot of our idols and to be valued by people you appreciate is really special,” Laura said. Together the girls named off Brandi Carlisle, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Paul Simon, K.D. Lang, Amos Lee, Ray LaMontagne, Elvis Costello, Punch Brothers, Jack White and Mavis Staples. Lydia said there are still a few of their idols they have yet to work with. “We would love to perform with Rufus Wainwright —” “OH YES!” Laura interrupted excitedly, “And of course, Loretta Lynn. Especially the Everly Brothers, we look up to them so much.” The humbleness and sincerity of the sisters showed through when they explained what was most important to them in their career. “Just being able to travel and have people want to come hear us – whether we draw 20 people or 800 people – that, to me, is success,” Laura said. “Yes, at shows people will come up to us and say, ‘My grandpa used to sing that song when I was little.’ The fact that we can spur a memory like that for someone, or make them feel a certain way – those moments make it all worth it,” Lydia added as Laura nodded in agreement. “But what I’d really like to do is sell out the Ryman,” Lydia quickly gushed. “The day that happens, I will feel like we have arrived.” The Secret Sisters’ new record, coming out this summer, is definitely something to look forward to. Using old microphones and analog recording equipment, The Secret Sisters will continue their unique, vintage sound. Opposed to their first record, which mostly consists of covers, this one will be made up of original songs written by Laura and Lydia. “The songs for this album are inspired by a million different things,” Lydia said. “There are a few songs we wrote with Brandi Carlisle, and we are really excited about those.” Laura smiled thoughtfully as she said, “Life is our inspiration. Being homesick, being in love – it’s just a whole gamut of emotions and experiences. It’s a more grown-up version of us, there’s a little bit of darkness and mystery that nobody has seen from us yet.” Laura and Lydia are humble, old souls. You will never find them gloating over their success. The Secret Sisters are two young women striving to be the best they can be, not to fill their shelves with Grammys and gold records, but to bring a smile to someone who’s having a bad day.
STORY BY LINLEY MOBLEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY JACKSON
10 HOMETOWN HEROES
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Dance promotes cognitive and social interactions.
The oldest ballroom dance is the Viennese Waltz – and yes it really did develop in Vienna.
Swan Lake has mesmerized fans for over 100 years.
JUST DANCE LAURA WIMBERLY GIVES NEW MEANING TO DANCE
Laura Wimberly takes the definition of teaching to a whole new level. She has dedicated her entire life to the art of dance, not just for her own enjoyment, but also to encourage it in the lives of others. At 15 years old, Wimberly taught her first dance class, and in 2008 she achieved one of her greatest dreams – opening her own dance studio. Aside from opening her own business, she has been putting her focus on teaching dance to special needs children. The first class she taught was at the United Cerebral Palsy Center, now located in Tuscumbia. As a former Miss UNA, Wimberly was able educate the community about her opportunity to help special needs children express themselves through dance by using
MARCH 2013
it as her platform. While explaining the impact that dance has on the children, Wimberly said, “Just like us, it gives them a way to show how they are feeling. It also helps them physically and socially.” During her special needs classes, Wimberly plays what she calls “free
dance.” This allows the children to close their eyes and dance their hearts out. For the kids, they have a chance to feel like professional ballerinas, and for Wimberly, it is one of the most humbling things to witness. The special needs dance classes were moved from the UCP Center to Wimberly’s studio, Next Generation Dance, in order to allow room for growth and adequate space to dance. The “Chance to Dance” classes are operated in the same manner as any other dance class. The students take time to stretch, participate in warm-up activities and learn a fun routine to perform in the recitals. Wimberly’s passion to incorporate dance into the lives of special needs children comes from not her own joy, but the happiness she sees on the kids’ faces each time they come to class.
STORY BY BETHANY OLIVER
MARCH 2013
NON PROFIT OF THE MONTH 11
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Ballerinas wear out 2-3 pairs of pointe shoes per week.
DANCE THERAPY
THERE’S MORE TO DANCE THAN PERFECT FORM Dance therapy has proven to have valuable benefits for children with special needs. By allowing these children to participate in dance, they have an opportunity to improve gross motor and social skills, increase their flexibility and health and grow in confidence. Wimberly has built her business, Next Generation Dance, around impacting the lives of those with special needs, which in turn affects all of her students and the community in a positive way. Next Generation Dance is in its fourth year of offering the “Dancing with a Purpose” camp. Wimberly developed this camp around her passion to teach dance to special needs children. “Dancing with a Purpose” takes dance to a higher level by allowing Next Generation Dance students to teach dance routines to
organizations such as the United Cerebral Palsy Center, Muscle Shoals City Senior Citizen Center, Muscle Shoals Summer Camp and their own “Chance to Dance” students. Wimberly’s students learn dance routines and perform for, as well as teach, the local community. Aside from dance, the students volunteer their time to help however they are needed at each of the organizations. This experience not only allows the participants of each organization a chance to exercise and have fun, but it also teaches the Next Generation Dance students the real meaning behind community service – all while doing what they love. The camp is open to anyone ages 10 and up, and there is only a limited amount of dance experience required to be involved. Typically, the “Dancing with a Purpose” camp is offered during the month of June. Dates for the 2013 camp have not been released yet, but will be made available on the Next Generation Dance Facebook page – facebook. com/nextgenerationdance. The Next Generation Dance studio is located on 1107 State Street in Muscle Shoals and can be reached by calling 256-389-1389.
STORY BY BETHANY OLIVER
12 CALENDAR
EVENTS
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MARCH 2013
MARCH 1 - APRIL 6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MARCH 1
PANAMA RED @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL
MARCH 2
PHOTO BY DARBE ROTACH
UNA BASEBALL vs. Shorter College, Florence, AL 1:00pm STEGOSAURUS - AN ABSTRACT THEORY @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 8:00pm
MARCH 3
UNA BASEBALL vs. Shorter College, Florence, AL 1:00pm
MARCH 5
UNA BASEBALL vs. Martin Methodist, Florence, AL 3:00pm OPEN MIC NIGHT @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL
MARCH 6
UNA BASEBALL vs. Maryville (DH), Florence, AL 2:00pm UNA SOFTBALL vs. DELTA STATE* (DH), Florence, AL 2:00 p.m. BON JOVI “BECAUSE WE CAN” TOUR @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
MARCH 7
FLOBAMA BAR AND GRILL—DAVID ALLAN COE, Florence, AL THE WHEELERS BAND @ The Brick Deli and Tavern, Decatur, AL 8:00pm HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL & CLOWNS PLAY, Shoals Theater, Florence, AL
MARCH 8
RESISTANCE FADE @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 7:00pm SONGWRITERS ROUND w/ Gary Glover, Liz Riehl, Joe Gregg and Bob Keefe @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL & CLOWNS PLAY, Shoals Theater, Florence, AL
MARCH 9
HANNAH ALDRIDGE @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 8:00pm THE SULLIVANS CELTIC FOLK @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL HUFF ‘N PUFF ON THE BLUFF 15K Race & Relay, Sheffield Recreation Center, Sheffield,
MAROON 5 March 28. Nashville, TN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
MARCH 2013
AL, 9:00am HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL & CLOWNS PLAY, Shoals Theater, Florence, AL
MARCH 10
HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL & CLOWNS PLAY, Shoals Theater, Florence, AL
MARCH 11
BLIND THE SKY @ Swampers, Florence, AL 5:00pm
MARCH 12
UNA SOFTBALL vs. KENTUCKY STATE (DH), Florence, AL 2:00 p.m. QUEENSRYCHE @ Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN 6:00pm
MARCH 13
UNA BASEBALL vs. Stillman Florence, AL 5:00pm SCARY CHERRY AND THE BANG BANGS @ Pegasus Records. Florence, AL 8:00pm
MARCH 15
CALENDAR 13
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THE LUCAS CATES BAND @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL 9:30pm SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE @ Berkeley Bobs, Cullman, AL
MARCH 16
UNA BASEBALL vs. UAH (DH), Florence, AL 2:00pm JACOB STIEFEL & THE TRUTH @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL 9:00pm ACCOUSTIFY W/ JAMIE AND PETE @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS @ The Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm
MARCH 17
UNA BASEBALL vs. UAH, Florence, AL 1:00pm
MARCH 19
OPEN MIC NIGHT @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL
MARCH 20
UNA SOFTBALL vs. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS* (DH), Florence, AL 1:00 p.m.
MARCH 21
SPOOK HOUSE SAINTS’ CD RELEASE PARTY @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL SISTER HAZEL @ Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN 6:00pm
MARCH 22
JUSTIN JOHNSON BLUES AND JAZZ GUITAR @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL THE WONDER YEARS FEATURING FIREWORKS/HOSTAGE CALM/MISSER @ The Zydeco, Birmingham, AL 6:30pm
MARCH 23
ALUCARD/THE DIRTY SWAGGER/NIGHT IN TRANSYLVANIA @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 9:00pm UNA SOFTBALL vs. ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE* (DH), Florence, AL 1:00 p.m. CHUCK PUCKETT @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL RUNNING BUCK WILD 5K & Fun Run Extreme 5K, Joe Wheeler State Park, AL 8:30am
MARCH 24
UNA vs. WEST ALABAMA* (DH), Florence, AL 1:00 p.m.
MARCH 26
Florence, AL 1:00 p.m. AFTER TWO GLASSES @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL DEADWOOD HOLLOW’S “SCREAM BREAK” CHALLENGE, Killen, AL 3:00pm
MAROON 5 W/NEON TREES AND OWL CITY @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
APRIL 1
MARCH 29
APRIL 2
UNA BASEBALL vs. Union (DH), Florence, AL 2:00pm UNA SOFTBALL vs. VALDOSTA STATE* (DH) Florence, AL 1:00 p.m. WALKER STREET OPRY @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL
MARCH 30
RED MOUTH @ Tennessee Street Bar & Billiards, Florence, AL 9:00 PM UNA BASEBALL vs. Union, Florence, AL 1:00pm DEAD SOLDIERS @ Pegasus Records, Florence, AL 8:00pm UNA SOFTBALL vs. WEST FLORIDA* (DH),
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
APRIL FOOLS’ DAY UNA BASEBALL vs. Freed Hardeman, Florence, AL 5:00pm OPEN MIC NIGHT @ Berkeley Bob’s, Cullman, AL
APRIL 6
KELLER WELLNESS RUN 4 Mile & 1 Mile Fun Run @ Keller Wellness Center, Sheffield, AL
14 SPECIAL FEATURE
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MARCH 2013
THE SECRET SISTERS • Country/Rockabilly • Greenhill, AL • @thesecretsister We both heard about an open audition being held in Nashville, so we both drove up, tried out, and somehow got a deal out of it. On the first record we definitely stuck to a traditional country sound, but with the next we’re moving in a more pop direction, while still holding on to our roots of gospel and bluegrass.
MCKENZIE LOCKHART • Christian Singer-Songwriter • Muscle Shoals, AL• @McKenzieMusic
TRY COUN R GE ER SIN WRIT NG SO
My sound is very simple. Acoustic and vocal. I love songs that are really honest, so that’s what I try to write and play.
THE DIVINE 6/7 • Prom-punk/pop-punk • Florence, AL • The band was formed in 2011. We are three girls and a guy. Line up: Jamie Barrier- lead vocals/guitar, Paige Hamptonvocals/drums, Katie Barrier- guitar, Paige Motes- bass. Our sound is a mixture of pop, punk, soul, and rock n roll.
KYLE BRAGWELL & THE MOTIONS • Indie Soul • Muscle Shoals, AL The band started with us getting together to record some songs, but we immediately knew we had to stick with it, and start playing out. As cliche as it sounds we fully embrace the Muscle Shoals heritage. It’s like our own modern interpretation of that old Muscle Shoals sound.
IND &P IE UN K
GUANO ISLAND • Jam with a bit of funk and reggae. • Florence, AL • The sound has been called a mix of “Widespread Panic and Steely Dan” and “taking the beach to space”.
HANNAH ALDRIDGE • Americana • Florence, AL • @HannahCALdridge I am a singer songwriter at heart, but I like to incorporate interesting melodies and complex progressions. Word (musical partner and husband) brings his Mississippi Delta roots and jazz training to the table on lead, and I bring my Muscle Shoals roots with haunting undertone in the writing of the songs.
FUNK
THE BEAR AND THE BRIDE • Christian/Americana/Folk • Muscle Shoals The Bear and The Bride started as a song; an inward plea from the people of God to rid the earth of the disasters and disease we have brought upon ourselves. Pulling musical inspiration from musicians and groups such as Led Zeppelin, Gungor, Lightnin’ Hopkins and ALl Sons & Daughters, their music ranges from laments of sorrow and songs of joy for the Love that was sent for us all.
COLD COLD SWEATS • ALt Rock/Americana • Florence, AL • @RhyalKMusic We played in and out together over the past few years and just recently adapted the name Cold Cold Sweats, formerly under vocalist ‘s name Rhyal Knight. Our sound is cultivated from the vast amount of music we have been influenced by, thus reflecting multiple genres throughout our catalog.
ELIAS PATRIOT • American folk, acoustic singer/songwriter • Florence, AL • @Elias_Patriot Mostly solo, acoustic, with an emphasis on strong lyrical content, telling stories of love, tragedy, and heritage. Think Townes Van Zandt meets Roy Orbison.
THE PYLES • Americana • Florence The sound is best described as eclectic involving a wide range of influences including gospel, traditional folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass and a splash of punk rock.
FEATURING young L A/ YOU
A N A C I LK R E FO M A &
BELLE ADAIR • Ambient Folk Pop • Muscle Shoals, AL • @belleadairmusic The band started to take shape two years ago, and we’ve since released a digital EP as well as a split 7” single with another local act, The Bear. Our first full-length record is complete and forthcoming later this year.
THE BEAR • Indie/Folk/Pop • Florence, AL • @TheBearMusic Haunting melodies with piano pop drive this Shoals group’s music. Ghosts, heartbreak and growing up on the Shoals are only a few of many lyrical elements of The Bear.
ADVENTURE THE GREAT • Progressive folk rock with classical expressions. • Florence, AL • @AdventureTheGr8 It took finding passionate people and jumping on a moving train in a moment of complete bliss to officially form the band. Our sound is very transcendent. It builds and crashes, constructs and deconstructs. We try to create a journey with each song.
MARCH 2013
SPECIAL FEATURE 15
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ABOVE THE THRONE • Christian Hard Rock • Boaz, AL • @abovethethrone The sound of the band fuses together gritty guitar riffs, epic chord progressions, melodic strings, and powerful synth loops to create hard edge rock songs that can inspire or melt the heart with the meaning and message of the Gospel. URSA LOCOMODUS • Southern Psychedelic Garage Rock • Florence, AL Our songs our dance-y, but dark, Epic, and Catchystonerpoprock.
SCM ELECTRIX • Experimental prog-psych rock. • Town Creek, AL • @scmelectrix Growing up in northern AL it was either drive around the back road of Lexington, AL or play music in a garage. We chose the latter. SCM has experimented with different sonic effects and grooves.
CICADA SCREAMERS • Vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll, garage pop • Muscle Shoals, AL • @CicadaScreamers We are full-throttle, upbeat, loud, rock ‘n’ roll that you can dance to. Think The Rolling Stones meets The Crickets meets The Clash. AN ABSTRACT THEORY • Swamp Rock • Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL • @nabstractheory This band came together with a mutual idea. Creative yet fun rock and roll. We strive to stay away from trends and just do our own thing. Our sound is always evolving while sticking to our original vision. We’re a riff heavy rock band with catchy melodies.
THE VALLEY ROOTS • Soul/funk/Rock • Florence, AL • @TheValleyRoots The Valley Roots formed with its original members Christian White (guitar/vocals), Brittany Letsinger (guitar/vocals), CJ Anderson (Bass/vocals) and Edward Armstead (Drums/ vocals) back in May 2012. We do our best to take that old soul that Muscle Shoals is so famous for and put our own spin on it.
ROCK
THE LOCAL SAINTS • Pop rock • Florence, AL • @thelocalsaints Brothers, Rob and Jamie McFarlane chose to start their rock trio with Justin Holder and became an instant success in the Shoals.
THE POLLIES • Southern Indie Rock • Florence, AL • @ThePollies We are a rock and roll band from the Shoals. It’s very, very hard to label yourself, but I think it’s safe to say that we’re influenced by the same universal things that other people from our area are influenced by. We make music and that’s what it is.
LOCAL ARTISTS KNOW • B/ YOU LOVE
CHEAP THRILL DEVILLE • Blues-Rock • Florence, AL • @CThrillDVille We were all friends before we started playing together. One night, we were all hanging out, and just decided to jam. Everything meshed really well, and we just kind of went with it. THE RAY BROTHERS • Pop/Rock/Soul • Florence, AL • @TheRayBrothers The Ray Brothers was the result of a weekend recording session. I would describe our sound as piano-driven pop. Not diminishing any other instruments, because the sax, guitar, bass and drums are all important to what makes us who we are, but at our core, we are a piano band. GNARLY CHARLIES • Rock n’ Roll • Muscle Shoals/Florence, AL • @GnarlyCharlies
METAL
Our sound grows from the influences of everyone into a unique blend of modern and vintage rock n’ roll that is dark, loud, and mad with grunge, garage, and surf elements. Yet, it has melody and beauty at times. We love to play our music, and we love for other people to experience and love our music.
BLIND THE SKY • Progressive Rock Electronic Experimental (PREE) • Muscle Shoals, AL • @blindthesky • Blind The Sky began in late 2007. As a band we all have different influences and many of those cross over and come out in the music. We always end up doing what is natural to us and ends up being the best for the music. We have an epic, full, textured sound that offers something for everyone. SHOOT HIM IF HE RUNS • Deathmetal/Hardcore • Florence, AL The band formed in late. We like to create very heavy, aggressive music with catchy melodies, 2-steps, and breakdowns. With intense screams and heartfelt lyrics mostly pertaining to the struggles of the world we see today.
16 MUSIC
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Bieber has more social media influence than both Obama and the Dalai Lama.
GUILTY PLEASURES
QUIT PLAYING GAMES (WITH MY HEART)
THE MUSIC YOU’RE ASHAMED TO LOVE “We’re goin’ down, down in an earlier round. Sugar, we’re goin’ down swingin’.” You don’t care about this song — you just know you liked it in 2005. Now “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” annoys you and you couldn’t imagine what type of self-respecting individual would still listen to it. Well … that would be me. I’ve silently stuck with Fall Out Boy over the years like Mr. Rogers stuck with his mom’s sweaters. When I heard they were getting back together, I decided it was time to confess my guilty pleasure to the world — no more hiding my love for Fall Out Boy. With a new sense of freedom, I’ve embarked on a mission: challenging my friends to confess their own musical guilty pleasures. I’ll give you an example: Meggin Major, a Level 4 nursing student at the University of North Alabama, admitted she loves nothing more than hopping in her car and “gettin’ jiggy” to her favorite “Jock Jams” compilation albums. After her confession, she confronted her guilt by “pumping up the jams” on her cell
phone for the next twenty minutes. Upon witnessing this, I’ve expanded my search and compiled my favorite confessions into a (sort-of) playlist. May the truth inspire and set you free.
FOR THE KID WHO MISSES THE 90’S:
The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” Five’s “When The Lights Go Out” Anything by S Club 7
A FEW MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL THROWBACKS:
R-Kelly’s “Ignition” remix Lil Jon and The East Side Boys “Get Low” Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” Owl City’s “Fireflies” Miley Cyrus “Party In The U.S.A.”
THE UNMENTIONABLES:
Jonas Brothers’ “The Year 3000” Nickelback’s “Photograph”
MISCELLANEOUS :
Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” The “Mulan” soundtrack’s “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” Any compilation album with the words “Now” or “Jam” in it
STORY BY PACE HOLDBROOKS
MARCH 2013
MARCH 2013
MOVIES 17
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The Black Keys recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound.
FAMOUSLY MENTIONS THE SWAMPERS IN “SWEET HOME ALABAMA”
MS Rhythm Section appeared on over 75 hit recordings.
MUSCLE SHOALS HEART AND SOUL OF A MUSICAL MOVEMENT You’ve heard the old stories. You’ve listened to the songs. You’ve driven past the studios, and so did “Muscle Shoals” director/producer Greg “Freddy” Camalier. A road trip detour spurred a four-year long journey focusing on the iconic sound of the Shoals, flowing from FAME Studios and 3614 Jackson Highway (Muscle Shoals Sound Studios). While traveling with a friend from the East Coast
en route to New Mexico in 2008, Camalier saw a road sign for Muscle Shoals, Ala. Intrigued by the town’s musical past, he decided to explore a bit and was inspired to make a documentary. Even before its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in late January, “Muscle Shoals” was gathering hype. Rolling Stone magazine debuted the trailer on their website, focusing on Mick Jagger, Bono and other legendary musicians featured in the film (Aretha Franklin, Greg Allman, Wilson Pickett and Percy Sledge – to name a few). The true focus, however, is on the classic “Muscle Shoals sound” – and the men who created it. At the heart of the film is Rick Hall, producer and founder of FAME Studios, who gives a mesmerizing and in-depth look at what was happening in the studio, as well as in the Quad Cities
WILSON PICKETT AND DUANE ALLMAN, HEY JUDE (1968) at the time. In a recent Los Angeles Times interview, Hall recalled telling the film crew “…it was the best-kept secret in the world.” In the four years it took to make the film, Camalier, in his directorial debut, was able to form a sincere American tale, melded together by interviews, performances and original recording sessions. What’s next for the documentary “Muscle Shoals?” More stops along the film festival circuit have been scheduled, including two screenings of the film in the
Shoals as part of the George Lindsey Film Festival. Still want some more? Then check out these other films that focus on the sounds of the Shoals: VICE’s “The Muscle Shoals Sound” The BBC’s “Sweet Home Alabama – The Southern Rock Saga”
STORY BY PERRI HUBBARD
18 FOOD
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Scientists attract young cod with underwater tuba music.
MARCH 2013
Listening to music while eating influences taste.
PHOTO BY MEG MCKINNEY
FOOD (AND MUSIC) FOR THOUGHT RESTAURANTS WITH STARVING ARTISTS AND BELLIES IN MIND The best places to eat aren’t your run-ofthe-mill restaurants. It’s the little diner or bar deep within the cracks of rural areas that have the most astounding atmosphere, food and music. Who knows what coffee shop or bar will be hosting a band soon to be featured in Rolling Stone? I’ll take you to the heart of it all – local eateries. Let’s begin in Cullman, Alabama. Located close to the Ave-Maria Grotto is Grumpy’s Italian Grill. With an exquisite pizza parlor, fresh salads and homemade sandwiches, Grumpy’s brings Italy to this little Southern town. Grumpy’s strives to accommodate everyone’s hunger pains by offering two large dining rooms and even a quick drivethru window for easy in-and-out service. Waiters and waitresses serve styrofoam plates stacked high with Italian treats, and some even say they have the best pizza in Cullman. For the Saturday night crowd, Grumpy’s has a bar under the restaurant called Grumpy’s Down Under. It comes accompanied with a giant HD projector screen, five large televisions and a full bar. It is not uncommon to find a local musician strumming away and entertaining you with original songs on any given night. Now let’s head over to Florence; the Marriott Shoals hotel is home to a modern dining facility equipped with classy lighting and posh seating. I’m talking about Swampers Bar and Grill. Photographs of local artists line the walls while a gentle thump and strum of a live band play in the background. The menu
THE RATTLESNAKE SALOON IN TUSCUMBIA, AL encompasses many Southern favorites, like shrimp and grits, Mississippi catfish and Alabama shrimp. When the waitress brought out my Swampers burger, I drooled in astonishment. One bite into this freshly-made patty topped with BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes skyrocketed me into burger bliss. Although your wallet might not enjoy this fine dining encounter, your taste buds will certainly thank you for not giving in to the usual McDouble. Close to UNA’s campus, On the Rocks is another spot to sit back, relax and enjoy local music. Many locals flood into On The Rocks to wind down during the week and blow off steam on the weekends. Every weekday from 3-7, happy hour is in effect. Beverages and food alike mark the menu, but if I were you, I would go for the chicken tender basket. Four gigantic, juicy tenders and a mound of French fries fill even
the hungriest of stomachs, all for a five-dollar bill. Someone with a guitar, a microphone and an amplifier can be found at On The Rocks almost every single night. Walk just a couple of blocks down the road and you’ll find FloBama, a force to be reckoned with on the weekends. If you can find a space to stand, it’s a great venue to go listen to local bands. FloBama’s menu is packed with several delectable dishes, but I would encourage first-timers to order the wings. Slowsmoked and packed with thick flavor, these wings may be the best in town. The party atmosphere of FloBama keeps downtown thriving, along with every college kid craving the return of a fun weekend night. If you’re looking to get out of the city and experience a little nature, you should definitely hop on Highway 72 and visit Tuscumbia’s Rattlesnake Saloon – which is literally stuck between a rock
and a hard place. This secret restaurant in a cave tops the list of “100 Places to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.” The appetizer ‘Snake Eyes and Tails’ (fried green beans with sliced red and green jalapeños) is a favorite among saloongoers. Tired of only watching saloon fun in John Wayne Westerns? Well, now’s your chance to get out your cowboy boots and experience the real deal for yourself. Live bands are always playing, and dancing is encouraged. Local music combined with good food can make any southerner proud to be alive. Support local bands and local restaurants around town by freshening up your musical senses and filling up with good eats.
STORY BY ANNA GRACE USERY
MARCH 2013
FREESTYLE 19
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The Alabama Shakes recorded the music video for “Hold On” in Pegasus Records.
PHOTO BY MAGGIE CRISLER
LOCAL VENUES
USRA LOCOMODUS AT PEGASUS RECORDS
HOT SPOTS FOR LIVE MUSIC Looking for a place to satisfy your soul rather than your stomach? In this corner of Alabama, music is kind of our thing. We blend the bluesy sounds of the past generation with new waves of folk, indie, rock, and country. It’s safe to say, because of our musical heritage, our taste in music is well beyond the Top 100 that has infiltrated our demographic. That being said, if you’re from this area, and want to be involved in the musical culture that surrounds you, then you need to know where great local music is being played. We have compiled a list of local venues where you can catch all the great bands and artists of the area. Of course, when the W.C. Handy Festival rolls around, just about every business in the Shoals becomes a music venue. Whether it’s a car lot, restaurant or just a random street
corner, you can be sure to catch a good show. All of the venues listed have some sort of social media presence, mostly on Facebook. Check out their pages, frequent their shows and promote great local artists in the area. Rivertown Coffee Co. – 117 N. Seminary St., Florence. Roxy Theater – 208 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville. Shoals Theatre – 123 N. Seminary St., Florence. Trojan House – 2415 Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals. Black Owl Trading Co. – 1207 Norwood Blvd., Florence. The End – 106 S. Pine St., Florence. Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House – 304 1st Ave. SE, Cullman. Pegasus Records – 612 E. Tennessee St., Florence. The Local Standard – 116 4th Ave. SW, Cullman. Zodiac Theater – 416 N. Court St., Florence. Department of Entertainment Industry at the University of North Alabama – 122 W. Tombigbee St., Florence.
STORY BY DUSTIN VARNER
20 SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
ALLISON MARONA, MIRANDA EDDY, WHITNEY NICHOLS AND SARA ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN, STEP SING
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SET FINDS READERS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
WILL RILEY AND KAITLIN CHAPPELL, SET LAUNCH PARTY
MARCH 2013
PHOTOS BY AMY JACKSON, MELISSA BAIN AND CHRIS ANDERSON
SARAH AND BRANDON GILLIS, SOUND OF MUSIC SING-ALONG
LAUREN BATES, ASHLEY TRUELOVE, AMANDA HALL, CASEY CHILDERS AND KELSEY SKILLMAN, STEP SING
LAUREN FRANKLIN, KAYLA GOOCH, SAMUEL SATTERFIELD AND REBECCA LOGSDON, SET LAUNCH PARTY
MATTHEW CANNON, DAVID PETTY, CONNOR GRAY, CAMERON GRAYBILL, STEP SING
MARCH 2013
SPOTLIGHT 21
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KAYLA GOOCH, SAMUEL SATTERFIELD, LAUREN FRANKLIN AND TATE HIPPS, SET LAUNCH PARTY
JOSH JOHNSTON AND STEPHANIE TUCKER, SOUND OF MUSIC SING-ALONG
SAM KOLESAR AND ANNA GOGGANS, STEP SING
EVAN WOODS, BRIAN DUNN AND ALEX HAMPTON, STEP SING
DEVIN BREWER, THURTSON HAWKINS, CHRIS ROBERTSON AND LOGAN TAYLOR, STEP SING
DANIELLE TURNER AND LAUREN BARBER, STEP SING
ASHLEY AND JOSH HASELTON, SOUND OF MUSIC SING-ALONG
THE PYLES, FLOBAMA
BRADLEY DEAN AND MACK CORNWELL, SOUND OF MUSIC SING-ALONG
22 FASHION
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Weird Al announced 2013 Bonnaroo lineup on Youtube.
MARCH 2013
To see more looks visit getsetmag.com.
WANNA POP SOME TAGS? your money in a piece of clothing or an accessory that will last, then use your cheaper thrift shop finds to complete your look. Since the festivals are outside when it is hot, try layering so that during the middle of the day, when it’s the hottest, you can strip down and keep cool while still looking chic. For girls, bandeaus or crop tops allow freedom from clingy clothes. If you’re self-conscious about your tummy area, pair the midriffshowing top with some high-waisted shorts. Finish this look off with a floppy hat and some muddy ole’ boots. For all the men folk, getting the effortless look is so much simpler. The basic wife beater + cut-off jeans + Vans = music festival hottie. All the girls will be sneaking pictures of you and posting them on Instragram with the caption #ManCandyMonday. It is also the “Age of the Beards.” So guys … PUT THE RAZORS DOWN. Girls love a scruffy face. When you’re camped out at Bonnaroo you won’t have a place to shave anyway. Embrace it, fellas. Now here is the low down for all my hipster wannabes: invest in key pieces from local stores, wear your grandpa’s clothes and don’t worry about matching.
GETTING DRESSED FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK The common thread of everyone that attends music festivals (besides the music, of course) is the “I just threw myself together” fashions. You don’t even have to step foot at Bonnaroo or Warped Tour to know about the “hipster” styles people wear to bask in the music. Anything really goes at these events. Practicality is key considering you’ll be sitting, standing and walking everywhere in the most sweltering heats of the summer — all for the love of music. We all know that one person who can do no wrong when it comes to fashion: going days without washing his/her hair, rolling out of bed and throwing on a dirty shirt, pulling on wrinkled cutoffs and still looking like the coolest kid on the block. Go to a music festival and you’ll be surrounded by people like that. That same “I don’t put effort into myself but look like a rock star” look can easily be yours! A massive thrifting craze has taken the U.S. by storm, especially after the release of Macklemore’s hit song “Thrift Shop.” In the music video, it doesn’t matter what Macklemore wears — a puppy dog vest, an oversized fur coat, a onesie — he still manages to be the coolest kid on the block. Girls swoon over him, and all the guys hate him but secretly want to be him. The crazy thing about being a “hipster” is
WHITE BLOUSE FROM MY FAVORITE THINGS, PURPLE DRESS FROM FROLIC that 99% of the content of their closet comes from thrift stores, which means they probably spent a total of $20 on their wardrobe. While this is an exaggeration, it’s still true that thrifting is the best way to shop because the clothes are hidden treasures and you spend hardly any moolah. However, you don’t have to always count your pennies at just thrift stores. Boutiques can give you that same “too cool for school” look. Investing in staple pieces will not only give you quality clothes but also give you oneof-a kind looks. There is a smorgasbord of local boutiques with pieces that you can’t find at department stores. Sure the items are a little pricier than your Goodwill sweater, but shopping locally
helps support your community and the clothes last longer, which means more for your money. What’s not to love about that? So you’re getting ready to head to a music fest this summer and you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb with your polished, preppy look. Find your favorite item from a local store and match it with finds from a thrift store, and BAM! You are now on the same fashion level as Macklemore. The key is not to “try” to look snazzy or match. If it’s comfy, throw it on. Mix black and brown, stripes and florals. If there is a hole, don’t get your mom to patch it up. Dare to be different. There are no rules. Fashion, at music festivals, is just as interesting as the music. Invest
BLUE SHORTS FROM JAR & COMPANY. POCKET TANK FROM JAR & COMPANY STORY BY REBECCA LOGSDON PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY JACKSON
MARCH 2013
HEALTH 23
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Strong beats and rhythms enhance cardio exercise.
Create a custom playlist at Workoutmusic.com.
MUSIC THAT MOTIVATES HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT MUSIC FOR YOUR WORKOUT I am always so confused when friends tell me they run for stress relief or lift weights to clear their minds. That concept is so foreign to me. During a workout all I can think is, “Why am I doing this?! When will this torture end?! Am I skinny yet?” Maybe you are nodding your head and giving me a hearty “amen” because you are in the exact same boat. You want to lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle but you just cannot seem to find any motivation to get up and do the work. Listening to the right music can make working out much more bearable and maybe even … fun. So where should you go to find the right music? What gyms offer the tunes that motivate you? Recently, I went to different gyms around Florence, Ala. to discover the type of music they play to keep you moving. When I walked into Max Fitness on Cox Creek, I was immediately hit with that familiar gym smell that both nauseates and motivates me. Bronzed bodybuilders watched themselves in the mirror-covered wall as they lifted twice my body weight in metal bars and dumbbells. It was no surprise when this scene was connected with a continual stream of classic rock. The gym keeps a constant flow of this genre from Comcast radio, channel 813. UNA student and Max Fitness employee Chandler Richey said, “I know every rock song by heart from listening to it every day.” If you are interested in hardcore bodybuilding and toning, this is the place for you. Rock is a
TRAVIS LINDSEY AT MAX FITNESS. great type of workout music if you are really trying to push yourself to your physical limits. My next stop was the Court House Racquet Club on Helton Drive. Like so many other gyms nowadays, the Court House’s weight room music is supplied by a Sirius Radio rock channel. However, in classes such as Body Attack, Body Pump, Body Flow and other various body classes, the instructors still use their own playlists. When talking to instructor Kimberly Parrish, I learned that they have a wide variety of high-intensity
music ranging anywhere from the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” to The B-52’s “Love Shack.” If you go to one class where nothing really tickles your musical fancy, just wait it out, according to Parrish, the instructors “change out their music every three weeks to keep it fresh.” Further down Helton Drive sits the YMCA. Similarly, they leave the playlists to individual classes and instructors. Zumba dance classes consist of salsa and hip-hop, spin classes and aerobics have high intensity beats playing and yoga
classes are filled with a more calming genre. Unlike other gyms, however, the weight room and gym at the Y have no overhead music. Anytime Fitness on Darby Drive sings much the same tune as most gyms do these days — they use their own online radio station. However, just like the Court House and the YMCA, instructors typically have their own mixes for individual classes. If none of these options have you jumping out of your seat, ready to exercise, or if you are wondering whether or not you have the money to join a gym, don’t despair. Sometimes it is better to invest in a good set of earbuds and create your own playlist. If you are like me, and not really good at mixing and matching songs to fit certain playlists, don’t worry! There are several good websites that have already done the work for you and created custom workout playlists for you to pick from. Workoutmusic. com is a site where you can buy complete playlists or just view the playlist and compile a similar one from music you already have. The great thing about this site is the specificity of the playlists. You can choose from what type of workout you are doing (running, boxing, strength and toning, etc.), what genre (pop, country, Latin, etc.) or how long you want the workout to last. Another great site is rockmyrun. com, where you can download whole playlists for free. Though this is a site specifically for running playlists, you can use them for any type of cardio. Music is a huge motivator for working out and staying in shape. However, you have to have the right music. If you have a playlist full of slow ballads going in your ears, chances are you are probably not burning very many calories. Take some time to pick a gym or a playlist that fits your personality perfectly to get the most out of your workout.
STORY BY ELIZABETH BROCK PHOTO BY KAYLA SLOAN
24 SPECIAL FEATURE
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8 of 11 “Idol” winners are from Southern states.
Interesting graphic that pertains to this section.
MARCH 2013
Carrie Underwood is the highest-grossing “Idol.”
THE “IDOL” EXPERIENCE LOCAL RESIDENTS TALK ABOUT THEIR “AMERICAN IDOL” AUDITION EXPERIENCES Since the premiere of “American Idol” in 2002, shows that feature regular people auditioning in front of judges, hopping on a plane to Hollywood and pursuing their dreams of superstardom in front of America’s eyes have been popping up everywhere. Though America is no stranger to star-making shows (“Star Search” with Ed McMahon, anyone?), shows like “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “The X-Factor” offer much more than just a second in the spotlight. With such great opportunities for success, you’d be crazy not to audition if you’re talented, or even if — like William Hung — you’re not. Florence residents Micah Walley and Grace Oaks have both auditioned for “American Idol” and lived to tell the tale. Micah Walley’s journey to Hollywood began last January when he won a competition in Disney World that gave him a chance to bypass the long lines of “American Idol” auditions. “I won the Disney Dream Ticket from the ‘American Idol’ experience in Disney World,” Walley said. Months after winning the Dream Ticket, he traveled to Baton Rouge, La. for his official audition. “I walked in to the audition in
SARAH JOHNSON AND MICAH WALLEY. PICTURED RIGHT: GRACE OAKS Baton Rouge and said, ‘Hey, I have a Dream Ticket!’ and I got to go to the front of the line,” Walley said. He not only avoided the long lines of the audition, but he also left with a golden ticket to Hollywood. He was only one out of four people at his audition to receive a ‘yes’ from every judge. With his golden ticket in hand, Walley got the VIP treatment on his way to Hollywood. “They fly you in and pay for everything from your food to your hotel.” On the first day of competition, Walley again performed for the judges. “After about three hours of waiting, I finally got to sing. I was not what they were looking for and I got cut. But Keith Urban fought for me.” Though he got cut during the first day, he said that the experience was still unforgettable. “Singing for Keith Urban was on my bucket list. He’s one of my favorite artists, and I respect him a lot, so it was very cool to hear what he had to say.” Though Walley didn’t make it to the top on “American Idol,” he plans to
continue to pursue a career in music through the worship band he leads. “Right now, I have a band called Fervent Worship, and we really just want to get a record deal and travel full-time leading worship,” he said. Grace Oaks, a senior at the University of North Alabama, has always had a love for performing music, so it was a no-brainer for her to audition for “American Idol” when she got the chance. Unlike Walley, she didn’t have a Dream Ticket, so her “Idol” audition looked pretty different. “The day begins around 4 a.m. You do a lot of preliminary filming. That takes about three hours,” Oaks said. After the preliminary filming, those who are auditioning are moved into the arena by number and are then called row by row to audition. “I sat in Bridgestone arena for 15 hours before I got to sing. When you get down to the floor, there are twelve tables and there are two judges at each table. You sing, they deliberate and then tell you if you make it through that round,” Oaks said. She
didn’t make it through to audition for the “Idol” judges, but she said the experience was still a positive one. She isn’t planning to pursue a career in music, but she said that music will always be a part of her life. Both Walley and Oaks offered advice to those hoping to audition for shows like “Idol,” or for those pursuing a career in music. “The number one thing I’d say to people is don’t be something you’re not. People will come at you and tell you to change things and others will tell you not to change. It’s important to know who you are and know why you’re doing it,” Walley said. Oaks echoed Walley’s advice on staying true to yourself when auditioning, “People need to remember it’s a TV show. They’re looking for someone to put on TV. Just because you’re kicked off doesn’t mean you’re a bad singer.”
STORY BY SYDNEY THREET
MARCH 2013
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“Kodachrome” was recorded in Muscle Shoals in 1972.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird, Gimme Three Steps, and Simple Man were first recorded in THE SHOALS.
MARCH 2013
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was built in a casket factory.
FROM STUDIOS TO STREETS ‘THE SHOALS’ SOUND CAN STILL BE HEARD — JUST IN A DIFFERENT KEY If you have spent any amount of time in this corner of the state, you’ve probably heard that we like music – A LOT. It’s as if music was woven into our DNA at birth. Our small town is boring. There’s nothing to do, right? Wrong. When we get bored around here, we start bands. Grab just about any kid off the sidewalk and ask, “What instruments do you play?” and you’ll more than likely get the response, “A little bit of everything.” Some say it’s in the water and others say the stars just lined up weird. Whatever it is, we simply can’t help it. We’ve got a talent epidemic and there are no cures in sight. Thank heavens. The legendary Muscle Shoals sound hasn’t been around forever, but when that musical bomb finally dropped on our sleepy town in the 1960s, it put the Quad Cities back on the map. Our country music had something Nashville’s did not. Our soul was a tad bit funkier than Memphis’. Our rock ‘n’ roll had just a little more spice; it’s hard to describe, but it just felt right. We’ve got “it” here. Just ask Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Bob Dylan, or Mick Jagger. They’ll tell you. Artists made the pilgrimage to the Shoals area in order to work with songwriters, engineers and session musicians at studios such as Florence Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME Studios), Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and several others. The Muscle Shoals
MEMBERS OF THE SWAMPERS SHOWN IN FRONT OF THE ORIGINAL MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO. Rhythm Section (nicknamed “The Swampers”) was one of the most sought after session bands in the world, cranking out hit after hit. Listen to the anthem “Ronnie and Neil” by The Drive-By Truckers and you’ll get the picture. However, the twenty-first century Shoals is an almost unrecognizable landscape compared to the Shoals of the twentieth century — and not just in the skyline. The digital, home recording revolution has put many conventional studios in dire straits and the world famous studios of the Shoals have not been immune. But, this is not the end of the story … and don’t you dare think we’re washing up or about to throw in the towel. Take a closer look. While the methods change, the talent, tradition and passion does not. The Shoals is still home to several established and reputable songwriters, publishers and engineers. Many prominent acts still come to the Shoals to lay down tracks at FAME, Noiseblock and the Nutthouse. However, the more powerful incarnation of the “new” Muscle Shoals sound is found in our
very own homegrown performing artists. Lately, the world has seen The Civil Wars, Secret Sisters, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and (from nearby Athens) Alabama Shakes. These folks are showing the world that we’ve still got “it” on a national and worldwide level. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Many industry big shots that come down here to “see what it’s all about” honestly just don’t get it and miss the point entirely. The magic is not in the four walls of an old (or new) recording studio. It is in the bond, the comradery and the resolve shared by the folks here who play at a hotel restaurant, fighting to be heard over six loudtalking people, and then perform on the Late Show with David Letterman the very next week. It’s mysterious and beautiful. Genre aside, if you compare the older Shoals music scene with the newer one, you’d find that we’ve moved out of the studio and into the street. Instead of one core rhythm section cooking up hits in a studio, it is an entire brigade of artists working together in the
trenches of the local hole-in-the-wall; taking the world by the ears, one gig at a time. Survey any active Shoals band and you’ll find that, if not all, at least one of the members is involved with another band. Artists feed off of each other and utilize every ounce of talent. Synergy at work. Instead of the artists coming to us, we are shipping them out from our very own stock in a variety of flavors. Voodooed blues preacher, Red Mouth; prom-punk crooners, The Divine 6/7; hit-and-run rockers, Cicada Screamers; pop poets, Belle Adair; dance-til-you-drop, Christmas Knight & Cherokee Dreams; heartbreak angel, Lydia Rogers; freshman fireballs, The Old Souls. The list goes on and on and on. Get a dose of the new Shoals sound. You will not be let down. The new sound of the Shoals is not just a sound – it’s a movement. Be a part of it.
STORY BY DANIEL E. CRISLER
MARCH 2013
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