NEW MADRID

There are numerous indie rock enclaves across the south, but most of

their bands make a point to sound like they're from somewhere else. If

you're looking for Southern indie rock bands, Athens, Georgia is a

great place to start, and New Madrid certainly embrace their

surroundings on their upcoming LP Sunswimmer (out February 25); it's

their first for Athens-based label Normaltown, the sister label of New

West (Drive-By Truckers, Vic Chesnutt) and produced by former Sugar

bassist David Barbe, who's chief of the Chase Park Transduction Studio

(Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Bright Eyes) and director of the

University of Georgia's Music Business program.

Three-quarters of the band are recent transplants from Nashville and

Chattanooga, and there's still some residual Tennessee fire to

Sunswimmer's first single, "Manners". Phil McGill's vocals have an

unabashed twang in their upper register, and as the band hurtles

towards the finish, a guitar is processed to sound more like a

souped-up pedal steel. While New Madrid don't sound much like R.E.M.

or Pylon, they do draw from the same elemental sources as the Classic

City legends, fashioning jangly, 80s indie with the rhythms of

post-punk into something that was concisely called "college rock" at

one point. That's what you're getting on "Manners"—only, with an SEC

accent.

PORCHES

Porches is the proliferation of Aaron Maine’s love affair with music.

Never quite landing in any particular niche, they navigate through

genres, learning, obsessing, and absorbing.  Great victories and great

defeats, cosmic or tangible, are the underlying elements that remain

constant through the bands exploration.  Kevin Farrant (Rivergazer),

Aaron Maine, Seiya Jewell, Cameron Wisch (Full-Blued), and Greta Kline

(Frankie Cosmos) are the current members that contribute to the

glowing, dark, and powerful live performances that Porches continue

provide.

FRANKIE COSMOS

Frankie Cosmos is a 4-piece band consisting of Greta Kline (vocals,

guitar), Aaron Maine (drums), David Maine (bass), and Gabrielle Smith

(keyboard, vocals). Their performances vary from slow sad ballads to

goofy rock’n'roll love songs. They are based out of New York City

(where Greta and Gabby grew up) and Pleasantville (where the Maine

brothers grew up). The four members are each influenced by a wide

variety of music, and all come from distinct music backgrounds.