Greenville Scene

by: Cody Fields

Wendy Owens, coordinator of R3V3RB, has announced the venue’s move to 109 Augusta Street after she had originally planned to close the Pendleton Street location.

Citing a lack of volunteer help, being burned out, and a vandalism problem at the old location, Owens says she had decided to shut down the venue and move to Atlanta. However, several events caused her to change her mind.

“Kids were recognizing me at the mall and giving me their material to check out,” Owens said.

Recently, she was also offered the space formerly occupied by Augusta Street Trading Company by its owner Don Shelton.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” Owens said. “I’ve seen a door open that I don’t want to close.”

Future plans for the 2500 square foot space include a larger art gallery, an arcade with older titles and a coffee shop. The all ages venue will also remain a place that welcomes unconventional forms of audio and video art.

“You can’t contain art,” Owens said. “I want this to be an open-ended environment… Creativity is our focus.”

R3V3RB will also be bringing in non-profit organizations for fundraisers and will be conducting collective art projects.

Owens is looking for volunteers to help run the venue and future art projects. R3V3RB plans to open July 11. For more information, go to r3v3rb.com or visit r3v3rb’s myspace page.

by: Michelle Hannon

www.myspace.com/austinwebbmusic

Austin Webb impressed us last year with his first album Written Photography. Since that time he has added two members to his act to form Austin Webb and The Robins and has released a four song Self-Titled EP. Along with the bass and drums that Tyler Frasier and Jason Holland contribute, you’ll hear harmonica and horns, rounded out with a little accordion. Yes, accordion. The first track “Lover Not A Fighter” took me off guard and made me confused about what genre I was listening to as the guitar and horns gave way to a peppy accordion riff. Webb handles the overdone subject matter referenced in the title with surprisingly effective lyrics. “Lover Not A Fighter” is classic Austin Webb: it’s subtly political but focused on love, set to a spicy American backbeat.

“October” was one of my favorite songs that I heard Webb perform solo. I still like the song, but It seems that Webb has spent a lot of time perfecting the lyrics but not enough time figuring out how they will fit with the music. The words seem almost crammed into place, which unfortunately makes for an awkward listen to what otherwise is a decent song.

I wish I could make out the words in the chorus of “Plow Sow and Reap” because I feel like it is the key to understanding the song’s meaning. What I could discern was something about ‘a half-educated pastor preaching to a half-converted church in the bible belt’. I immediately connected with this subject because it’s something I think about yet I don’t hear many other people talking about it, even in Christian music.

The final track “When I Get My Wings” is the most clever song I’ve ever heard about modes of transportation. However, Webb’s voice is still a bit too squeaky for me and the lyrics still feel cramped, which overall are the EP’s main weaknesses. Webb’s strengths are still his lyric writing, instrumentation, and guts. Despite its weaknesses, this EP is a solid effort from a new band.

Austin Webb has never been your typical indie/emo kid- that’s not his bag. This Self-Titled EP has an americana flavor that reminds me of state fair music, and I think it’s supposed to. Austin Webb & the Robins list Springsteen, Dylan, The Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Maroon 5 as major influences. (I would personally love for you to bump up the Rolling Stones and tone down the Stevie Ray Vaughn.) Thank you for not being so indie-fabulous though, I dig the vibe.

See Austin Webb & the Robins live Saturday, June 14th, 8:00pm at Music in the Woods. You won’t regret it.

Local artist William F. Gibbs just released an exciting new album on Old Man Records called My Fellow Sophisticates. The album is already getting national attention from Paste Magazine. My Fellow Sophisticates was one of Paste’s “pick of the week”. Read the review here. Check out Will’s MySpace for more info or to download from iTunes.

photo by Jarrad Lister

by: Cody Fields

www.myspace.com/coltdavismusic

GS: How did you personally get started into music?
Colt Davis: Well, I pretty much grew up listening to my sisters sing. I just never thought I’d be able to do it because my musical style and preferences were so different. I grew to idolize artists like Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate and Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional who could write their own music and put so much passion and experience into their music.

GS: How did the band Colt Davis come into being?
CD: The band formerly known as Letters from August were going through some necessary transitions. Mainly a new frontman was needed. Jarrad Lister (bassist/producer) contacted me through the phone and asked me to come audition. So I did, and I guess they liked me.

GS: What are your influences, and what genre would you call yourselves?
CD: Well, my 3 biggest musical influences, both in lyrical writing and in musical style, would be Chris Carrabba of D.C., Andrew McMahon of S.C. and Tom Delonge of Angels and Airwaves.

GS: With major influences from the likes of Dashboard, Something Corporate and AVA, what genre would you say Colt Davis falls into or hovers around?
CD: As far as a musical genre, I think our music would mostly fit that of a rock/indie/acoustic style.

GS: Does the band have an overall philosophy or message regarding its music?
CD: We are five Christian artists; however, we don’t wanna be labeled as a “Christian” band. Mainly because our music isn’t written for Christians only, but rather for anyone who has the ability to feel, to love, and to hurt. Our message is that of hope, redemption, and love. Through our lyrics we try to comfort/relate to the broken, while at the same time showing a little rock. Every song has a meaning and a purpose. Every lyric is there for a reason.

GS: In a music industry that seems to be polarized toward the ultra silly or ultra serious, do you feel an obligation or chip on your shoulder of sorts to include your message in your lyrics?
CD: As far as a message in our lyrics, I feel no obligation to overemphasize meaning. Most of my favorite lyrics are ones that are so vague, yet powerful enough to break through a meaning to fit/reach every individual listener with their distinct situation. Tom Delonge has some of the simplest lyrics I’ve ever heard where as Andrew McMahon’s lyrics are swimming in depth, and many times incomprehensible random feelings. I want to have both in my music, but as far a pressure goes I don’t see a need. Music and lyrics are what they are, just as beautiful as the sound and message they present. If I am doing my job both as a Christian and as a musician, then my message will be loud and clear.

GS: How is music written and put together within the band?
CD: All the music and lyrics are originally written by me. I usually record an acoustic track on my handheld recorder and bring it to the studio where I reveal the idea to Jarrad. If it’s something he thinks we could use then we’ll experiment ways to approach making it a full band song.

GS: You’re currently working on a CD now. When is that due out, and what is it called?
The current CD project we are recording is entitled This Vintage Heart. The due date has been pushed back to early June. We are looking forward to finishing up this album. This Vintage Heart will include 10 tracks along with one bonus acoustic track.