Artfully Conceived

Emory’s Student and Corps and Photo Club throw a party with bands, art, and food. What more could you ask for?

The Art Club, better known as the Student Art Corps, kicked off the new school year with a bang two weekends ago at the Studio Arts Building.The Photo Club co-sponsored the party, which included an art show with over 40 pieces of paintings, drawings and photography covering a variety of styles from realism to abstract. There was even a mixed media 4’ X 6’ interpretation of the Studio Arts Building created with charcoal and duct tape. Among other pieces in the show were photographs taken by Judith Kaine and Dana Haugaard, Pollockesque works created with dripping paints sanded down on wood by the skillful hands of Todd Woodlan, figurative sketches by the everso-talented Natalie Balvema, a maze-like line drawing of intricate lines with shapes hidden in it by the maze-master Courtney Sanello, and a genius acrylic on canvas piece by yours truly. Chips, cookies, sodas, and Tang were all served.

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Bill Monroe: Known as the father of bluegrass, Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys set the genre’s standard with their catalogue of finger-pickin’, old timey, Appalachian drawled 19th Century spirituals, field hollers, and folk ballads. Check out: “Blue Moon of Kentucky”, “Muleskinner’s Blues”

Hank Snow: Snow spent most of his childhood at the railroad station in Liverpool, Nova Scotia and did a stint as a cabin boy on a fishing trip before he drifted across Canada and the United States as “Hank the Yodelin’ Ranger”, picking guitar and yodeling for almost sixty years. Check out: “The Texas Cowboy”, and “The Hobo’s Last Ride”

Merle Haggard: A lot of country stars sing about being in prison, the difference is Merle, unlike most of them, actually did time in San Quentin. His trouble with the law began as a juvenile when he was arrested for jumping a train to free ride up and down the California’s Central Valley. Merle’s father was a conductor so he had a free train pass. Check out: “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”, “Sing Me Back Home”, “Fighting Side of Me” (especially for hippies)

Townes Van Zandt: Townes wrote the journeyman’s experience of America: dust, highways, saloons, preachers, crooked salesmen, outlaws, lust, love, myth, and poverty. Townes was one of the fathers of Alt-country and his influence on later generations of songwriters, such as Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams (below), far surpass his popularity. Check out: “Pancho and Lefty”, “Greensboro Woman”, “Tecumseh Valley”

David Allen Coe: Another penitentiary alumni, Coe is better used a reference to other musicians then as a source of good music, although a few of his songs inspire sympathy despite their usual theme of racist-redneck self-promotion. Listen for allusions to Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Marty Robbins, Ernest Tubb, Charley Pride, Red Solvine, Jimmy Rodgers, Lefty Frizell, and Patsy Cline. If that ain’t country, he’ll kiss your ass. Check out: “If that Ain’t Country”, “Ghost of Hank Williams”

Lucinda Williams: An amazing songwriter with a deep respect for folk-poetry, delta blues, and alternative country traditions. Though her songs typically describe heartache, they often counter loss with feelings of familiarity or comfort. Check out: “Concrete and Barbed Wire”, “Maria”

Yonder Mountain String Band: Beginning with Jerry Garcia, there’s always been some kind of link between bluegrass and jam bands. This string quartet strengthens this link by combining jam band aesthetics (epic solos, hemp, stoned white kids, etc.) with bluegrass arrangements. Check out: “Sharecropper’s Son”, “Red Rocking Chair”

There were also live artists performing their works for the entire crowd. No, people weren’t painting at the party. However there were some insane bands at the party. I was told that the bands that performed are two of the most talented and original on the entire Emory campus, and after hearing them perform I believe it. The Suitcases kicked off the night’s musical events with a 45 minute set. Unfortunately a teacher was scared away by their theatrics which included fake blood, but all of us real rockers were blown away by The Suitcases’ drum machines, keyboards, and numerous effect pedals. The other band that was so kind as to grace us with their presence was Castle Of Togetherness. That night was actually the day of their CD release. The rock band drew a HUGE crowd, who all hang out in the painting and drawing room. The members, Matt Buckner on vocals/guitar, Paul Livanos on guitar, Jonathan Quinn on drums, and Josh Therrien on bass said that their major influences include Dylan, Jeff Buckley and Velvet Underground. Castle of Togetherness played a 45 minute set as well. Unfortunately the sculpture teacher was not around to hear them play

The whole event drew a wide range of people. Along with art corps members were random people from all around campus, many which I’ll admit just came to see the bands. But who could blame them? Lets face it, The Suitcases and Castle Of Togetherness ROCKED! The event kicked off at 9 at night, and even though the bands regretfully only played until 10:30, the party didn’t stop until after one in the morning- Andrew Salk