It might seem odd that among the vast country farmland of southern Ohio there would be any semblance of a music scene, but at Ohio University it’s actually quite vibrant.
“I encourage everyone to see as much live music as they can,” said Victor Rasgaitis, frontman for popular local band The Ridges. “It’s a great community. … Athens has been blessed with people who enjoy sharing music with other people.”
There are a number of bands from Athens and Columbus that regularly come through once or twice a semester, and these are the shows you should keep a keen eye out for.
The Ridges is certainly one of those bands. Named after the former insane asylum atop a hill overlooking Athens, the group combines folk and rock music for an energetic and unforgettable live music performance.
Fans and newbies alike can see The Ridges on Aug. 31 at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., for the group’s first show of the semester.
Rasgaitis said that when the band’s members were students at OU, they took a lot of inspiration from another local band of a similar style: Southeast Engine.
“(Southeast Engine) really shaped my college experience in a lot of ways because it always defined my soundtrack in college,” Rasgaitis said. “They will always represent my time at OU musically for me.”
But not everyone likes Americana music, which is why Hil Hackworth runs Athens’ own Hip-Hop Shop: an open mic night held once a month at The Union, 18 W. Union St., for aspiring emcees.
Many groups even combine rap with rock and jazz; Sassafraz, a funk band that continually comes back to its place of origin to lay down some thick horn lines and have emcee Emerson B improvise hip-hop lines, is one example.
“The hip-hop scene is something that I didn’t know about or expect when I got to Athens, but there are a lot of great rappers here,” said Jack Gould, saxophonist and manager for the band.
Gould said students should check out some of the longtime Athens-based bands started by local musicians such as the Pink Floyd tribute band Any Colour or the heavy, two-man bass-and-drum progressive metal combo Hellnaw.
He also said that Dave Rave, the two-man electronic dance group, provides a party atmosphere unlike any other in the area. Brandon “DJ B-Funk” Thompson and Dave “DJ Time Traveler” Alexander mix their own original songs and make sure everyone is on their feet for the closest thing to an Athens night club.
Whatever you’re into, be it hip-hop or folk, Athens has the music that appeals to you — if you know where to look.
Keep up with @ThePostCulture on Twitter for any and all updates on weekend music events.
wh092010@ohiou.edu
