By David Courtright; photo by Sam Parvin
On a line-up of very disparate but talented performers, Athens’s Lera Lynn and Atlanta’s own Young Orchids joined Phoenix’s Miniature Tigers at the Star Community Bar last Friday. It was pouring outside, the water in the street sluicing toward the meeting of the five points, but the crowd was faithful. By the time the headliners took the stage, the room was brimming with energy.
Lera Lynn’s set was a gorgeous delving into the heartbreaking and lovelorn. A member of Athens band Birds&Wire, Lera came with only herself, a gorgeous red Guild, and her drummer “CK” to keep the time. Her standout track was “Bobby, Baby,” an aching ballad of loss among family. For such a young performer, Ms. Lynn has a steady command of her craft, and a subtly smoldering intensity that instantly captivates. She is certainly a local artist to watch.
Homegrown Young Orchids made a nice contrast to the quiet introspective space Lynn had created. Theirs is a sound of raucous pop-punk, complimented by high-energy stage presence and killer dance moves. Members of this band have gone through various incarnations, including KillGordon and Ski Club. It’s not hard to see why they are such rising stars on the local scene right now.
Miniature Tigers last played in Atlanta opening for the Morning Benders, and I was delighted to say they held their own against the Indiesphere darlings. Their sound has changed considerably only in the half-year since, incorporating much more tropicalia and synth to their already infectious pop. Their hour-long set was one pop gem after another, the audience getting down and singing along. Despite the torrential rain outside, the Atlanta community came with numbers and packed the house.
