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Journalism
Below you'll find my work as a contributing writer for the culture desk at The Red & Black, the independent, student-led newspaper serving the communities of UGA and Athens. During my time as a writer and photographer there, I covered music, fashion, festivals and more.
Underground Springhouse discusses tour and new single ‘Southern Wind
Underground Springhouse discuss their current tour and the release of their new single “Southern Wind” on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo Courtesy/Garrett Cardoso)
HauntFest 2024 transforms Southern Brewing Company into spooky wonderland
On April 6 and 7, Southern Brewing Company hosted the second annual HauntFest, a festival celebrating the horror arts through live music, art vendors, entertainment and more, according to the HauntFest website. (Photo/Sara Beth Warnken)
Classic City Vinyl Works pushes boundaries with unique pressing techniques
Athens music enthusiasts can expect a variety of patterned and colored vinyl at record stores this summer thanks to Classic City Vinyl Works’ experimentation with new splattered prints. (Photo/Georgia Hartley)
Your complete survival guide to AthFest 2024
AthFest, a free, three-day arts and culture celebration will take place from Friday, June 21 to Saturday, June 23 in the heart of downtown Athens. (Photo/Laney Martin, @laneymartinphotography)
HauntFest 2024 transforms Southern Brewing Company into spooky wonderland
On April 6 and 7, Southern Brewing Company hosted the second annual HauntFest, a festival celebrating the horror arts through live music, art vendors, entertainment and more, according to the HauntFest website. (Photo/Sara Beth Warnken)
HauntFest 'Halloween in the Spring' returns for a wicked weekend
HauntFest, a horror festival with live music, activities, scare actors and art vendors will be held on April 6 and 7 at Southern Brewing Co. (Photo Courtesy/Sky Spats)
Athens metal band Straitjacket Strippers set to premiere new EP
Straitjacket Strippers first combined as a band in November 2022 as a trio sludge metal band, but as the group has evolved, they have their sights on their new EP release and perfecting their unique sound. (Photo/Mason Pearson)
Empowering Young Musicians: Alex Dillon on Nurturing Talent and Mental Health at Nuçi’s Space
Alex Dillon is the youth support programs manager at Nuçi’s Space in Athens, teaching musical skills to children and managing all youth services and camps. (Photo/Sara Beth Warnken)
Q: What is your favorite part of your work in your role at Nuçi’s?
A: My favorite part is definitely seeing the kids at the end of each one of our sessions perform on stage. Up until that point, there have been struggles, there have been hurdles, there have been things that they have needed to overcome that me and the other instructors helped them overcome, and seeing them get past those things and get up on stage and perform to a full house is immensely satisfying for them and for all of us adults who are involved.
Q: You talked a little bit about Nuçi’s mission with the brain illness awareness and mental health awareness. How is this mission executed here?
A: The mission outlines the guiding principles for pretty much everything we do. Nuçi’s Space is a space where anybody and everybody is welcome. We have musician services, which encompasses our rentals, rehearsal rooms and studio services. Then we have our youth programs and our health and wellness services. We are making an investment in the community. Every person that walks through the door, we want to try to make an investment in their lives. We really stress that we are a resource for the entire Athens community. All of the work we do serves that mission, that's across the board, that's why we do what we do.
Q: You talked about Camp Amped. What is your role as the youth programs manager for this summer camp?
A: As the youth programs manager, I'm accountable for all of the things that need to happen in order to make the camp happen. So, that is working with our lead instructor and the instructors that she brings on, that's working with the parents, that's dealing with the paperwork that's associated with having all the kids come to camp, coordinating with studios and with volunteers, and soliciting donations from local businesses for food and lunch, that’s creating the logo for camp this year. We have a programs coordinator named Chris, so he helps me to get all these things done. You know, it's scheduling, it’s picking all the rooms, it's making camp happen. You know, that's what I'm responsible for.
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you could give to people struggling to make way in the music industry?
A: It's crazy because it's like, by no means do I feel like I have it figured out. So, maybe that's the advice. Don't feel like you have to have it figured out. Be you. Be authentic and know that figuring it out is something that everybody is doing at all times.
Comments trimmed for length and clarity.
Q: What is your favorite part of your work in your role at Nuçi’s?
A: My favorite part is definitely seeing the kids at the end of each one of our sessions perform on stage. Up until that point, there have been struggles, there have been hurdles, there have been things that they have needed to overcome that me and the other instructors helped them overcome, and seeing them get past those things and get up on stage and perform to a full house is immensely satisfying for them and for all of us adults who are involved.
Q: You talked a little bit about Nuçi’s mission with the brain illness awareness and mental health awareness. How is this mission executed here?
A: The mission outlines the guiding principles for pretty much everything we do. Nuçi’s Space is a space where anybody and everybody is welcome. We have musician services, which encompasses our rentals, rehearsal rooms and studio services. Then we have our youth programs and our health and wellness services. We are making an investment in the community. Every person that walks through the door, we want to try to make an investment in their lives. We really stress that we are a resource for the entire Athens community. All of the work we do serves that mission, that's across the board, that's why we do what we do.
Q: You talked about Camp Amped. What is your role as the youth programs manager for this summer camp?
A: As the youth programs manager, I'm accountable for all of the things that need to happen in order to make the camp happen. So, that is working with our lead instructor and the instructors that she brings on, that's working with the parents, that's dealing with the paperwork that's associated with having all the kids come to camp, coordinating with studios and with volunteers, and soliciting donations from local businesses for food and lunch, that’s creating the logo for camp this year. We have a programs coordinator named Chris, so he helps me to get all these things done. You know, it's scheduling, it’s picking all the rooms, it's making camp happen. You know, that's what I'm responsible for.
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you could give to people struggling to make way in the music industry?
A: It's crazy because it's like, by no means do I feel like I have it figured out. So, maybe that's the advice. Don't feel like you have to have it figured out. Be you. Be authentic and know that figuring it out is something that everybody is doing at all times.
Comments trimmed for length and clarity.
Metal Mania at 40 Watt Club: Rosie & the Ratdogs Lead Athens' Hardcore Scene in Epic Lineup
The 40 Watt Club will host a lineup of four hardcore metal bands on Tuesday. (Photo/Sara Beth Warnken)
The event will feature Apostle from Atlanta and three bands from Athens — Rosie & the Ratdogs, a heavy metal psych band, Attest, resurrected as a hardcore punk band and Oxystar, an alternative rock band. Apostle’s newest EP Liminal was released last December.
“There's something beautiful about the Athens music scene and of itself that you just want to join and be a part of,” said Donnie Malone, lead singer of Rosie & the Ratdogs.
Rosie & the Ratdogs is a metal band from Athens that have been together since summer 2023. The band is named after former band member Andrew DeLong’s dog Rosie. Rosie & the Ratdogs continues to release music with a new single, “Peench,” released earlier this month. The group’s sound is a hardcore mix of psychedelic rock, heavy metal, punk and shoegaze.
“When you get to that show, starting that pit and seeing that energy, that's like, OK, all of that work just paid off,” said Ben Shytle, guitarist for Rosie & the Ratdogs. “You can see it there, it's right in front of you. You can grab it, you can jump into the crowd and grab it.”
Shytle describes the Athens music scene as an “accumulation of all of these unique souls.”
Rosie & the Ratdogs said they believe the metal scene is growing in Athens and attribute its recent success to Athens record shop Shadebeast, who has brought in metal bands from out of town.
“Beast is doing a lot for the scene here, for sure,” said Jordan Russell, bassist for Rosie & the Ratdogs. “They are like the driving force I think behind it.”
Tickets to the show are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the 40 Watt Club website.
The event will feature Apostle from Atlanta and three bands from Athens — Rosie & the Ratdogs, a heavy metal psych band, Attest, resurrected as a hardcore punk band and Oxystar, an alternative rock band. Apostle’s newest EP Liminal was released last December.
“There's something beautiful about the Athens music scene and of itself that you just want to join and be a part of,” said Donnie Malone, lead singer of Rosie & the Ratdogs.
Rosie & the Ratdogs is a metal band from Athens that have been together since summer 2023. The band is named after former band member Andrew DeLong’s dog Rosie. Rosie & the Ratdogs continues to release music with a new single, “Peench,” released earlier this month. The group’s sound is a hardcore mix of psychedelic rock, heavy metal, punk and shoegaze.
“When you get to that show, starting that pit and seeing that energy, that's like, OK, all of that work just paid off,” said Ben Shytle, guitarist for Rosie & the Ratdogs. “You can see it there, it's right in front of you. You can grab it, you can jump into the crowd and grab it.”
Shytle describes the Athens music scene as an “accumulation of all of these unique souls.”
Rosie & the Ratdogs said they believe the metal scene is growing in Athens and attribute its recent success to Athens record shop Shadebeast, who has brought in metal bands from out of town.
“Beast is doing a lot for the scene here, for sure,” said Jordan Russell, bassist for Rosie & the Ratdogs. “They are like the driving force I think behind it.”
Tickets to the show are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the 40 Watt Club website.
Photography
Showcased here is some of my work as a freelance concert photographer in Athens. As a student photographer, I've had opportunities to shoot at various local music venues, such as the Georgia Theatre, the 40 Watt Club, Nuçi's Space and The Foundry for acts The Gringos, Elijah Johnston, Red Mile Road, The Wraps and more.
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