Snacking on FML: It Doesn't Mean What You Think it Means

As a Maconite and a person that lives downtown, I find myself in the eye of a very exciting musical storm. There are several bands whose word of mouth is getting so big, one of them is going to blow up and that storm that is sort of idling over downtown will soon shower shards of "I Told You So" on the naysayers that put down a scene they don't even participate in. 

Thompson Entertainment Group is building their brand with Jubee & the Morning After, Chelsea Hughes and others on the bill. Jubee and the Morning After is getting some play as front man Jubee finds himself in California and New York hobnobbing with musicians and actors in his Macon Man shirt. The obviously talented group could be our first explosion. They're good enough to do it.

Back City Woods, an alt-country-bluegrass-country-rock-roots music band has been gaining momentum in a very short time. Each time they're heard, people want to hear more and see what other musical tricks they have up their sleeves. With shows booked in Atlanta and Charleston as well as being asked to book shows in Massachusetts, we may be seeing their names on bigger venues sooner than we expect. 

*I don't know how I could have forgotten about Abby Owens, who will probably be carrying these other bands on her shoulders! Abby's voice has been making me smile since the first time I heard it a couple of years ago. Performing with Driving N Crying and Jason Isbell as well as other big acts, her single Indiantown is getting national play.*

Every Macon Noise event seems to come with not only the same set of fans that have been following them since the Golden Bough was their only venue, but each show brings a new set of faces. Their partnership with TheBlueIndian.com as well as The Blue Indian's individual events have given non-traditional music (and by traditional, I mean the R&B, bluesy rock that Macon has long been associated with) a stage and a voice. 

Yes, it's time for us to start putting our money where our mouths are when it comes to supporting these many groups. $3-$5 for a very exciting Macon Noise show, $7-$10 dollars to see 3 or more acts during the Blue Indian shows, $5 for events at stages like the Bird, The Rookery, and Bottom's Up (yes, they do bands as well) as well as new kid Caulfield's Vintage Clothing & Furniture, and $5-$10 for a SoChi event. We also, fortunately, have so many free events that we won't run out of musical options (THANK YOU Golden Bough, Friday Fest, and Third Thursday in Mercer Villiage). 

So, why my title?

Right now, we literally hold the production of one of our own in our hands. Floco Torres, right now, is my favourite hip hop artist. I know... I know, I'm writing about these guys, I shouldn't have favourites. But I'm a person, damnit! I'm learning what I like. I've watched Floco perform with his band and get better and better and he's previewed at least one song at each show from his upcoming Floco's Modern Life (FML) album which has basically gotten me really excited about this album. I mean, I may be spoiled by the fact that I've heard some of these songs live. They may not sound the same on the record. But if you've ever owned a Floco Torres album or mixtape, you know that he brings something to the studio recording that carries over the excitement of his stage shows. 

Right now, Floco has a Kickstarter page set up that lets you donate money to help fund his efforts. The starting price is $5 and you get a free mixtape - a new one for the fans - as thanks for your efforts. $15 gets you an advance copy of Floco's Modern Life as well as the free mixtape download. As the price point goes up, $27, $39, $59, $99, etc., you get more and more exciting things. My favourite is the custom ready made battle lines just in case you get into one of those rhyme battles I've heard so much about. Another interesting thing is a custom made shirt by Golden Bough owner and artist Eric Wakefield. The more you donate, the better the prize (did you know you could get a custom cover performed by Floco, or be in a video for a song on FML?). 

But the only way that FML will get made is if Floco reaches his funding goals by this Friday. According to the Kickstarter website: On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk. Basically, if he can't raise the money, he doesn't get the money. And really, that would be a shame. A part of me wants to make you feel guilty enough to donate, but it's really not about guilt. It's about whether you believe in what our artists are doing here. Anyone on this page that I've talked about and anyone that is trying to do something artistic, creative, musical, or whatever downtown gets my support. I would be making this plea whether you were my favourite or not, but especially for the creative mind that is Floco Torres and his fantastic band. I hope we can remember how much we love the music and people that make up this downtown scene.