Athens’ Modern Skirts Visit Ardent Studios

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After listening to the Modern Skirts‘ latest album All of Us in Our Night, I knew I had to get them to record a set for The Ardent Sessions.  Little did I know at the time how closely they were already tied to Ardent and Memphis.

After listening to their album no less than half a dozen times on the ride to SXSW this year, I committed to make it my mission to find the band in Austin and invite them to come to Memphis to record. I found them at a showcase for the 40 Watt Club, which according to Wikipedia, was instrumental in launching American punk rock and new wave music, along with CBGB’s, the Whisky a Go Go, and selected others. Of course, my knowledge of the venue focuses more on it’s association with bands like  Pylon, R.E.M., Drivin N Cryin, Guadalcanal Diary, The Primates, and Indigo Girls. The 40 Watt Club is currently owned and operated by Barrie Buck, the former wife of R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, who has managed the club since 1987 and who retained the venue following the couple’s divorce in 1994. It’s currently homebase to such nationally-renowned local bands as Of Montreal, Drive-By Truckers, and The Whigs.

Speaking of R.E.M, any knowledgable Memphis music buff will recall that what many consider to be their breakout album, Green, was recorded at Ardent Studios (and the subsequent Green Tour which stopped at the now defunct Mid-South Coliseum was actually my very first concert experience.) REM bassist Mike Mills produced the song “Motorcade” on Modern Skirts latest album and has even joined them on stage.  Another Memphis connection comes in David Lowery, who produced 5 songs on their latest album and has also recorded with his band Cracker here at Ardent. Once again, if you have been paying attention, you may also recall that Lowery produced Lucero’s last album, Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers.

Back to SXSW: When I arrived at the 40 Watt showcase it was early afternoon and the heat was oppressive. It didn’t help that the bands were behind schedule and the stage was outside. Although the band’s set ended up being cut short, the performance was fantastic, and I was even more excited to invite the band to Memphis.  I met at least 10 bands while I was in Austin that I was very serious about getting to Memphis to record – bands like The Henry Clay People, Those Darlins, and Wild Light – but none I was more interested than Modern Skirts, so it was very exciting when they arrived in town yesterday at Ardent. After spending the day with the guys, (their very first visit to Memphis,) taking them to Stax, drinking beers with them at The Deli – I can tell you that they are just as nice as they are talented. These guys have a long and exciting music career ahead of them (they recently were named Best Pop act at Athfest and beat out hometown heroes REM as best Athens’ band) – and now they too can be written into the story of Memphis Music.

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• Modern Skirts – All Of Us In Our Night (canyouseethesunset.com)
• Lucero – more 2009 tour dates & a show about Memphis (brooklynvegan.com)