MUSIC

Young Benjamin‘s creator and songwriter is Athens musician Matt Whitaker (Emergent Heart, The Premonitions, Electrophoria). Matt started rotations as a Music Therapist at a local rehabilitation hospital in spring of 2011, where he worked with many patients in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. His interactions with these individuals, many of whom had little or no recollection of the life they had experienced, inspired Whitaker to explore writing about the nature of memory, illness, and death. The marvelously enticing debut EP by Young Benjamin that emerged from Matt’s efforts is a surprisingly sagacious set, particularly for a 21-year-old songwriter.

Marie and Andrew continue touring with their respective bands (Venice is Sinking and Packway Handle Band), started businesses together, but then realized that it was impossible not to make music together. Soon afterwards they realized that they must be called powerkompany and shortly thereafter recorded their first set of songs they call Comfort. With too many influences to list, powerkompany aims for a sound that is difficult to categorize.

Xavii is a young and growing band who is interested in progressive sound. From their home town in Macon GA, they work hard to produce music that is unique and have firmly established its reputation as the foremost purveyor of rhythmically sophisticated rock music in Macon. Influences range widely through bands like Sigur Ros, Toe, Dignan, Mono, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Don Caballero, and beyond.