Secret Stages
The Risky Business of Music Festivals
Later this month, Freedom Fest makes its debut in downtown Birmingham. But music festivals around here seem to come and go. We sent WBHM’s Janae Pierre to find out why it’s so hard to keep a music festival going here in the Magic City.
What Birmingham’s Music Festivals Could Mean for Business
As Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer, this week's Magic City Marketplace looks at why Birmingham's music festivals hold relevance for the business community.
Iron Giant Percussion Takes Drumming to New Heights
Four guys plus a table full of random stuff that makes noise equals Iron Giant Percussion. The Birmingham natives take drumming to new heights, pounding out rhythms on everything from bongos to porcelain floor tiles.
Lyrical Skill, Lofty Aspirations: The Monastery
Their inspirations include modern rappers but also go all the way back to A Tribe Called Quest, Jimi Hendrix, and actual monks. They’re The Monastery, a duo making their mark on Alabama’s growing rap scene with intricate lyrics they hope will entertain and enlighten.
The Eclectic Sounds of Birmingham’s Holly Waxwing
Montevallo native Garrett Crosby produces music under the name Holly Waxwing. The currently Birmingham-based electronic artist creates playful menageries of sound from disparate places and samples everything from top 40 and Mariah Carey to Episcopalian psychedelic folk. His EP Peach Winks was released earlier this year. WBHM's Em Wiginton spoke to him about how he creates his music. Holly Waxwing performs this Saturday at the Desert Island Supply Co. in Birmingham.
Timber: Music That’s Haunting, Low and Easy
Timber is a collaboration between Janet Simpson and Will Stewart. Stewart, an Alabama native, is currently based in Nashville. A few years ago, he was working on an EP when Birmingham musician Les Nuby, (Verbena, Vulture Whale) suggested he get together with Simpson. Blame is the first single from Timber’s self-titled EP. Simpson describes the group’s sound as haunting, low and easy. Timber is part of Secret Stages 2015 – they play Friday, July 31st at 10:15 p.m. at the 20 Midtown Stage located at Pale Eddie's Pour House.
