"At their live shows, Baby Baby said, they “get the crowd to enjoy us by any means necessary. And somewhere during the set, everyone gets pretty naked.”
Whenever I see a band perform live, usually about one of three things happen. I either leave feeling exactly the same as when I came in, a little bit more excited than when I came in or absolutely ecstatic about the band I went to see and generally pretty hopeful about all music. The latter only happens about 5 percent of the time — and local band Baby Baby falls into that slim category.
Self-described as a "fun-rock" band, Baby Baby is a group of Carrollton, Ga., natives: guitarist Fontez Brooks, drummer Grant Wallace, bassist Kyle Dobbs and newly added percussionist Colin Boddyv. Their style is a distinct and disorienting blend that sounds like someone took Prince, forced him into Sum 41 and made the pop-punk band's guitar parts way better. Oh, and there's the occasional rapping as well.
Only a little more than a year and a half after forming, Baby Baby has gained a cult following, been featured in Performer magazine, toured extensively throughout the southeast and was listed among Paste's top 100 bands at this year's SXSW.
Why all the buzz? Baby Baby's live show possesses the unique ability to turn a complacent crowd into a rowdy family, all united under the simple feeling of loving music. I recently spoke with Baby Baby about failed dates, having fun and their upcoming CD Money.
Why did you guys pick a band name that's so difficult to find on Google?
Fontez Brooks: I know, right? Funny thing is, the band name Baby Baby, the words are very popular, it's so hard to pick out. But I'm gonna answer your question with a question. How does it feel when it rolls off your tongue? That's why we picked the band name.
What are some of your influences?
Brooks: Michael Jackson is a big influence. He stood up in the face of adversity; he made the kind of music he wanted to make. We all came from that whole scene with Taking Back Sunday. But when we get to what the music we make sounds like. You know, you see a pretty girl walking down the street, you want to give her a call but she won't call you back. That's the influence right there. You're at a really cool bar downtown, little Cabbagetown bar or something. You buy this girl a drink, you think, ‘Oh man I'm gonna take her home and her friend,' but she ends up going home with a different friend. Those are our influences.
How do you guys approach your live show?
Grant Wallace: First things first: drink. We don't prefer beer, it makes you really groggy, and you gotta be able to move around and jump up and down and kick the air. And then we do a band hug, and then we have a lot of fun, and get the crowd to enjoy us by any means necessary. And somewhere during the set, everyone gets pretty naked. That's the sort of general direction we take.
How would you describe your live show to someone who's never heard you guys before?
Wallace: It's dancey, mixed with in your face rock ‘n' roll, swooning, a comedy skit, a burlesque show and a good old-fashioned hoedown.
What should fans expect from your upcoming album in May?
Wallace: They should expect something new. We got songs about girls, we got songs about boys, we got songs about a bank robbery, we got sandwiches — and kids, lots of kid metaphors. Not like little kids, but us being kids that have grown up because we like to think we're young.
How do you think Georgia works in terms of its music scene?
Wallace: To be brutally honest. Atlanta's cool, there's not really a scene in Carrollton but that's okay. Athens is very, very hippie, the only reason I say that is they don't pay musicians twice, and if they do, you got like a few dollars. Macon's pretty cool, Columbus has its ups and downs, mostly ups. As far as bands helping out other bands, I feel like we do a pretty good job there. I don't feel like we come in contact with stuffy sort of bands, there's not a lot snobby bands we've met. But I will say there are some bands that should call it a day only because it doesn't look like they're having fun. And if it doesn't look like you're having fun, then get off the stage." - Paul Demerritt / GSU Signal
Baby Baby on Facebook
Parachute Musical isn't what it used to be. Since it's conception in 2003, the Nashville-based, piano-fronted indie rock quartet is building a better city with perfect song-craft, highly energetic performances, and a hearty work ethic. Since the sold-out show for their sophomore release, Everything is Working Out Fine in Some Town (2008), these charmingly handsome brunettes have been touring the U.S. coast to coast for two years now and have built up quite a loyal following in the process. It's the good looks really, though.
D.C. natives Josh Foster (vocals/piano), Tom Gilbert (guitar/vocals), and Ben Jacoby (drums) deposited themselves into Nashville just a year before releasing Everything is Working Out, and work out it did. The guys settled in place after discovering Tennessee music man Andrew Samples (bass/vocals). Foster's soaring voice and detailed compositions are the perfect home for Gilbert's unique, artistic style on guitar, and Samples' driving bass sparks a fire under Jacoby, setting ablaze a well-matched rhythm section.
New songs are now pouring out of them! Their latest single, No Comfort, was released in January 2010, kicking off another whole year of touring. The single features two new songs recorded with Nashville producer Derek Garten, whom the band worked with on the previous record.
The new sound is a step ahead in the right direction. Foster's lyrics remain heartfelt while the music becomes stronger. It is original and well-rehearsed; they're so tight you'd swear they were all wearing girdles. These guys are having fun, no doubt about it, and there isn't another band in Nashville more ready to be taken seriously.
Parachute Musical on Facebook
Electro-Dance band Machines Are People Too formed in Chattanooga, TN in the sweaty summer months of '09. After dancing to JJ's music at a number of house parties, Brian finally got the opportunity to put clean vocals over JJ's well-produced beats. The two began writing together and performing as Machines Are People Too at monthly dance parties with two keyboards, a laptop, and a microphone. Their self-released DIY EP consisted of 4 songs released only on cassette. Each hand-stamped tape included custom labels and provided you with a tangible alternative to free downloads. After a year of dancing and playing with DJs, the duo was ready to expand their band and overall sound. Longtime friend, Cain Lassiter, was asked to blow his saxophone on a few tracks and proceeded to bring his other talents to the band. Now playing keys and bass, Cain continues to add innovation to MRP2. Keeping the beat better than any beat machine and filling the gaps with style, Ivan became the perfect addition to Machines. The band's eclectic sound and progressive music creates a live show that leaves no toes untapped and will leave you with no other choice but to let go and dance.
Machines Are People Too on Facebook
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