Mule Train Records

On Thursday, June 25 the Morton Theatre hosted the 11th Annual Flagpole Music Awards showcasing the local talent of the Athens music scene and kicking off the 13th annual AthFest.

Mule Train Records is happy to announce that, this year, The Incredible Sandwich was recognized as one of the up and coming bands to hit the Athens music scene.

As another highlight of the night, Georgia Theatre owner Wilmot Greene presented several awards and urged everyone to join together and bring the Theatre back. (We at Mule Train actively support this cause.)

The Sandwich was on tour in Asheville and could not accept their award for “Upstart of the Year.” (The award is sitting here on our table now, and it’s certainly heavy. We’re tempted to lick it, but apparently as Flagpole’s music editor Michelle Gilzenrat said, doing so is not advisable.)

The Sandwich will be back for their 12:30 performance tonight at Tasty World, so come out and congratulate the members.

From The Corduroy Road’s debut, full-length album Love Is a War, expect a variety of Southern textures, incredible songwriting skills and back porch-friendly arrangements—at least that’s what the music critics are saying.

Pre-release copies are now available at the Mule Train Record office (located at 512 N. Thomas Street).

The official release is on June 27.

TCR will celebrate the release at AthFest during their 5:30 p.m. performance Saturday on the Outdoor Main Stage (in front of the 40Watt Club).

The album will be available at the band’s live shows, local music stores (Wuxtry and SchoolKids) and online at cdbaby.com and athensmusic.net next week.

The critics predict Love Is a War will give The Corduroy Road the recognition it deserves.

In his review, Jason Rooks of GlideMagazine.com (an online magazine focusing on innovative artists) appreciates the toe taping melody of the title track. (Read Full Review)

He believes “So Blue”—with a catchy chorus and fantastic pedal steel work by producer John Keane—will standout as an instant Americana classic.

He has only positive things to say about several other songs on the album.

“Expect to hear rambling number ‘Just One Drop’ blaring at summer barbecues with its feel good lyrics and irresistible melody, while the band shows off their Kentucky roots on the bluegrass tinged ‘About a Shoe’,” he says.

Michael Andrews of Flagpole Magazine calls the album an encouraging and solid first outing for the group.

TCR is not tried-and-true bluegrass and it’s not county-rock, as Andrews says, but it is, a” little folky, a little hippie and nothin’ fancy.” (Read Full Review)
Continue reading »

The Flagpole Athens Local Music Awards is a tally of readers’ votes submitted to Flagpole Magazine in a variety of categories.

This year—the 11th year for the awards— both The Incredible Sandwich and The Corduroy Road are nominees in multiple categories.  June 5th was the last day to vote.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Show, which will be 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at the Morton Theatre. This show will kick off the annual Athfest music and art festival, and will require a cover charge at the door. Those with AthFest wristbands will get a discount.

Art Rosenbaum & Friends, Betsy Franck & Lefty Hathaway, Casper & the Cookies, Creepy, Dead Confederate, Deaf Judges, Kenosha Kid and Lazer/Wulf will be performing.

The Incredible Sandwich

The Incredible Sandwich is a finalist in the “Album Cover Art” category for “The Incredible Sandwich EP”. Other finalists include the Modern Skirts album cover for “All of Us in our Night” and Of Montreal’s “Skeletal Lamping”. All three covers appear to be paintings.

The Sandwich is also nominated as the “Upstart of the Year,” alongside Gift Horse and The Warm Fuzzies.

In a post about the awards, The Athens Music Junkie calls their music perfect for driving down the highway, with “Great rhythms and a really soothing vocal.”

The Corduroy Road

The title of “Best Live Band” could go to The Corduroy Road. Other nominees are Deaf Judges and Of Montreal.

The Corduroy Road was also nominated in the “Roots/American” category. Don Chambers and The Packway Handle Band are the other two nominees.

The Athens Music Junkie says The Corduroy Road is, “probably the most improved act on the ballot,” and “it’s always a treat to see people dancing and clapping to the great new band on the scene.”

The MOG Music Network remarks that the band has been everywhere lately.

And they aren’t slowing down…

- Author: Lindsay Oberst

The Corduroy Road performed on Good Day Atlanta on Friday, June 19th.  The band performed “The Corduroy Road” and “Love Is a War” both of which will be on the upcoming Love Is a War L.P. In addition, Fox Anchor, Mark Hayes, interviewed Drew Carman about AthFest, the release of Love Is a War and the meaning of the band’s name.  See the rest of the videos and the interview at this link.