AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens GA, Now and Then Marlene Sokol Stewart

Hank Sullivant is an American rock musician and record producer, who is known for his work as a co-founder of the Athens-based pop rock band The Whigs, his stint as touring guitarist for MGMT, and as leader of the rock band Kuroma. Marlene sat down with Hank to talk about his time with the Whigs, what touring with MGMT was like, to having a family and being the organist for his church as well as the Business of Music & Life Skills Instructor at Tweed Recording.

Show AthCastMusic hosted by Marlene Sokol Stewart
Frequency Every Thursday
Published April 4, 2024
Length: 52.42
Recording Engineer Kayla Dover, Tweed Recording
Intro by Telly Award winning Mike Hathcote of Mike Hathcote Media, https://mikehathcote.com/, mike@mikehathcote.com

Mike Mantione and Dan Horowitz have been friends since their days at State University of New York (SUNY) in Binghamton NY. They created a band called "The Reasonable Men." "The Reasonable Men" went on to some local infamy as the party-rock band responsible for songs like “What The Fuck’s Wrong With My Brain?”, “Two Fat Ladies”, and “What I Imagined is a Movie by Me.” After an unforeseen life changing event for Mike Mantione, the band took a hiatus. When Dan Franz, another member of the band followed his brother to Athens Georgia, Mike and Dan ended up following since Franz had taken all of the bands equipment with them and secured a very affordable apartment! . Franz left the band the name changed to Five Eight. Mike Palmatier eventually left after a serious accident, Patrick Ferguson a local drummer, joined the band. Many hard days and albums followed until they began to get noticed for great music and stage antics, They are still a huge part of the music scene in Athens. Currently a documentary is being made about the band that should be out in the near future. If you've never seen a Five Eight show, it is a musical experience not to be forgotten. Mike Mantione, along with Dave Domizi on bass and vocals, Geoff Melkonian on keyboards and vocals, and Christian Lopez on guitars and mandolin and R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry, is now a part of a new group called the "Bad Ends." Marlene had a crazy conversation with Mike and Dan and really couldn't get much in between! Don't miss Mike and Dan singing 4th of July off of their up and coming Album.

Show AthCastMusic with Marlene Sokol Stewart
Frequency Weekly on Thursdays
Length 58:03
Rating Explicit
Engineer Kayla Dover
Recorded at Tweed Recording Audio Production School
MIKE MANTIONE FB
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=mike%20mantione&__stsd__=eyJwcmltYXJ5Ijp7InR5cGUiOiJUWVBFQUhFQURfUEVPUExFX0VOVElUSUVTIn19
INSTAGRAM MIKEMANTIONE
FIVE EIGHT FB https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=five%20eight

THE BAD ENDS https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20bad%20ends
INSTAGRAM BADENDSROCK

DAN HOROWITZ FB https://www.facebook.com/dan.horowitz.96
KLEZMER LOCAL 42 FB https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=klezmer%20local%2042

Jim White has allowed my listeners into his journey of growing up in Pensacola Florida, having a tumultuous childhood along with being a member of a Pentacostal Church for 10 Years. Prior to being a musician, Jim worked around the US and parts of Europe doing several jobs, such as dishwasher, landscaper, lifeguard, cook, surfboard laminator, and even modeling! All roads from these occupations and a Pentecostal life, lead him to NYC where he began driving a cab and eventually attended NYU's Film School. Toward the end of Jim's 13 years in NYC driving a cab, he had what most people would call a nervous breakdown which sometimes brought him thoughts of suicide. When Jim was in his darkest days, he was saved by some miraculous synchronicities. He had begun writing music for no one but himself. Through a series of synchronicities, his recordings made it to David Byrne ( Yes, that David Byrne).
Byrne's recognition of White's talent propelled him onto the global stage, where he has since established himself as a prolific songwriter and performer. His life lead him to Athens and here he is, in our home town. You'll want to hear this thought provoking and extraordinary conversation I had with Jim.
Jim is also the proud father of Willow Avalon, who has just signed a record deal and exploding onto the music scene. Definitely check her out her unique talent as a singer / songwriter.

Show AthCastMusic with Marlene Sokol Stewart
Frequency Weekly on Thursday
Length: 71.27
Rating Explicit
FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=jim%20white
Webite: jimwhitemusic.net catalog and to purchase Incidental Contact
Instagram Willow Avalon.
David Byrne Instagram davidbyrneofficial

My guest, Bill Cody, is a filmmaker and writer who has had films at major film festivals all over the world including Sundance, Berlin, Full Frame and many, many more. He first started in the film industry as an assistant to famed writer-director John Milius (Apocalypse Now, The Wind and the Lion) and went on to make many acclaimed documentaries both as a producer and a director, including Athens, GA/Inside-Out, two-headed cow, and Athens/Inside-Out 2: Red Turns into Blue. His feature film, Slaves to the Underground, was in competition at both Sundance and Berlin, and he has also written scripts for the Disney Channel. Thirty years later, Bill returned to Athens on a new journey that revealed a Southern city leading the way in progressive politics and the beginnings of true racial equality, once again featuring members of R.E.M., the B-52's and Pylon, only now to include a new generation of artists and activists such as Mariah Parker aka Linqua Franqa, Kishi Bashi, Patterson Hood and the Drive-By Truckers. My conversation with Bill was full of laughs, stories and a vulnerable account of his days when things weren't so good.
Remember, If you don't listen, you can't hear.

Show AthCastMusic with Marlene Sokol Stewart
Frequency Weekly on Thursday
Length: 51:15
Rating Explicit
FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/billcodyus

MY GUEST ON EPISODE 17 OF ATHCASTMUSIC IS MONTU MILLER.
Montu Miller hails from Minneapolis, MN, and is a proud alumnus of North High School. His journey led him to Georgia, initially to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. However, fate intervened when he discovered Athens, a city he instantly fell in love with, prompting him to transfer to the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Montu delved into his passion for music, embarking on tours alongside iconic figures like KRS-One and Ishues.
Despite the allure of life on the road, Montu felt a calling to continue his education and pursue endeavors that would positively impact Athens. This drive led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Black Studies from the University of Georgia. His educational journey didn't end there; he furthered his studies by pursuing a Masters in the Art of Teaching Secondary Education at Piedmont University's Athens Campus.
Currently, Montu serves as a dedicated educator at Cedar Shoals High School, teaching Peer Leadership, Ethnic Studies, and AP Black Studies. Beyond the classroom, he promotes the local hip hop scene, contributing to AthFactor-Liberty Entertainment, a collective aimed at empowering musicians to achieve greater success. Montu also collaborates with Seth Hendershot to host a biweekly open mic event at Hendershots, providing a platform for aspiring artists in Athens.
Community engagement is at the heart of Montu's endeavors, as he actively participates in various organizing efforts to connect people with essential resources. At home, he shares his life with his wife, Ymmilia, and their five children: Brayana, Sekayi, Brandon, Gyasi, and Liam, residing in the vibrant North Side of Athens.
My conversation with Montu was insiteful, funny, emotional and yet another reason that Athens Ga is a very special place. I impress upon anyone reading this, to listen to Monty, we need 100, 000 more of him.
Remember, If you don't listen you can't hear!

Show AthCastMusic (©) with Marlene Sokol Stewart
Frequency Weekly on Thursday
Length: 44:10
Instagram: @montumiller
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/william.miller.aka.montu
ATHFactor-Liberty Entertainment (ALE)

Adam Poulin is my guest on my latest episode of AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then. Adam didn't mean to become an Athenian. He had all intentions of joining the military since he couldn't find a job after attending Young Harris College. He started playing Violin in his elementary school years. After his violin was stolen, he began playing the guitar. By age 24 after moving to Athens, hard work and talent turned him into one of the most sought-after professional musicians around, including as a studio player. Adam’s high on-stage energy and musicianship makes him worth any admission price to watch and hear. His group Grassland String band tours around the US often. You won’t want to miss this conversation I had with Adam Poulin along with his performance in the Tweed Recording studio where we record.
Show AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then.
Episode 18
Length : 39:41
Updated Weekly on Thursday
Engineer: Kayla Dover
Recorded at Tweed Recording Audio Production School
https://tweedrecording.com
Instagram: Adam.Poulin
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.poulin.71
https://www.facebook.com/grasslandstringband
https://www.grasslandband.com