Two MP3s From Athens, Georgia's Witches, Playing Sweat Records This Sunday

Ignore the one-word, menacing-sounding name and the Georgia provenance, because Witches, performing this Sunday at Sweat Records, are not a doom or stoner-metal band. Those kinds of bands are generally associated with Savannah, anyways, and this trio originates from the sleepy, Southern gothic bohemia of Athens. Witches is, in fact,...

By Arielle Castillo

January 19, 2011

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Ignore the one-word, menacing-sounding name and the Georgia provenance, because Witches, performing this Sunday at Sweat Records, are not a doom or stoner-metal band. Those kinds of bands are generally associated with Savannah, anyways, and this trio originates from the sleepy, Southern gothic bohemia of Athens.

Witches is, in fact, awesome in its own way -- the trio resurrects indie rock at its purest, before it got all high-tech or psychedelia-obsessed. The band's loose, stripped-down jangle is almost retro-'90s, especially when you factor in the female vocals and guitars.

Once upon a time, girls could lead a lo-fi rock act without having to worry too much about cultivating a willfully weird and/or fashionable image. (See Heavens to Betsy, Bratmobile, et. al., or even purposefully poppier acts like That Dog or the Gainesville act Discount, featuring a pre-Kills V.V. when she was known by real name Allison.)

Witches frontwoman Cara refreshingly brings back the fuzzy, warm feelings of that zine-documented era, with some pleasingly melodious pipes to boot. The band's Forever LP is still forthcoming on Bakery Outlet Records, but you can download two tracks for free below, and check out Witches for $5 at Sweat.

MP3: Witches' "Creature of Nature"

MP3: Witches' "Black Dog"

Witches with Heart Strings, Teepee, and Paper Dolls. Sunday, January 23. Sweat Records, 5505 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. and admission costs $5. All ages. Call 786-693-9309 or visit sweatrecordsmiami.com

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