Scene & Heard: Atlanta, GA
posted in: Features • Reviews & Playlists • Urban
As one of the capitals of the “Dirty South,” Atlanta, GA is synonymous with rap and hip hop. Boasting an impressive list of artists, Atlanta has produced the likes of OutKast, Ludacris, Lil Jon, T.I., Gucci Mane and Ying Yang Twins (among others). National acts come through this city on most tours, playing at major venues like The Tabernacle and The Fox Theatre. In fact, Atlanta hip hop scene is so well-respected that Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim released a remix album by Atlanta artists called ATL RMX for free download. Of course, I’m sure you’re wondering where you can go for an inexpensive show, a few drinks and some quintessential Atlanta music. I’ll break it down into two categories.
While Atlanta is decidedly an urban music market, there are several notable rock clubs in the area. After all, without some rock clubs, it would be cutting the live music market in half. One of the best neighborhood rock clubs that comes to mind is Smith’s Olde Bar. The bar hosts local funk, indie and rock acts every night of the week. Another great venue is Vinyl, which is even backed by the CW TV network (in addition to a couple of other places).
The second category lies in the realm of hip hop and dance clubs. If you remember from my Miami post, the club scenes are often quite separate from the rock/live music scenes. However, in a market with such an attachment to hip hop genres, live music, dance clubs and slick urban lounges seem to all merge into one category of nightlife destinations. The Cru Urban Lounge was started by an avid traveler who thought that the relaxed, DJ-accompanied lounges found in Europe’s urban markets needed an American counterpart. The lounge was opened with the hope that people would come to enjoy great food, great company and great DJ-oriented music. The results aren’t disappointing. If you’re into a more “dance” environment, check out a club like Sutra Lounge. This 21+ venue boasts great music and award-winning dance floors. It even offers several rooms with several different style music environments (sometimes with live entertainment). For more information about venues and artists from an inside publication, check out this Atlanta Music Scene guide.
I caught up with OurStage R&B singer/songwriter Carmen Liana and asked her for some exclusive recommendations about venues. She stated that a venue that she frequents, called The Apache, features everything from singer/songwriter, to hip hop, to rock, to a combination of everything.
“I can be on the street, at Apache, at a get-together with friends,” said Liana when asked about her preference of Atlanta venues and their reception. “Don’t matter to me. It’s about being in a place where the people are ready to receive what I’m ready to share.” Liana went on to discuss the originality and sense of identity that an artist can receive in a market like Atlanta. While the city is very famous for hip hop and R&B, she never feels pressured to succumb to any standards. The crowds are very open to great new artists and the other artists are open to sharing techniques; a refreshing concept in a market that produces such heavy hitters.
Liana has been a frequent artist on the OurStage charts and has a unique way of combining soul, R&B and singer/songwriter. Listen to her music and you’ll hear Motown, John Legend and Alicia Keys all rolled into one. She’s been a supporting singer for acts like Chaka and was even featured on a Greyhound Bus ad campaign a few years ago. Be sure to pick up her latest album Who I Am with the billboard-charting single “Taking Applications“.
To sum it up, Liana says it best: “Atlanta is a very nice and warm place for anyone wanting to perform on [a tour]. There [are] great opportunities for singers and songwriters in Atlanta. Visitors looking to hear great music on any given night will always be satisfied at Atlanta venues.”