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The Constellations – Interview and Videos from the Drunken Unicorn

I recently had the pleasure of seeing and hanging out with The Constellations at the Drunken Unicorn. This was my first time seeing them live and I had been rocking their upcoming album (thats right, the rest of you get it on June 22nd) for a couple weeks. I had heard that their shows were great and truth be told I was impressed even when going in with high expectations. Vocalist Elijah Jones was an energetic Atlanta socialite, chronicling his urban adventures and ushering the audience on an odyssey through the bands funky, electro-dance techniques. Jamie Gordon was a monster on keys, pounding his board while beads of sweat from his hair pelted the lucky fans up front, and bassist Wes Hoffman and guitarist Trevor Birdsong led the band through Beck/Chilipepper like dance-funk phenomena. Here is a video from the show…?

The show was packed and fans were singing along and moving around as a collective during the entire set. The production was tireless and it was hard not to get entrenched in the atmosphere that I hear comes complete with any Constellations show; that of merriment and debauchery where stories of Atlanta reality meet the songs of fanciful and imaginitive visions of funky, groovy dance themes.

The Constellations were recently signed to Virgin Records. Their major label debut titled Southern Gothic (produced by Ben
Allen whose attributes include Gnarles Barkley) is due out June 22nd of this year. I was lucky to get an advanced copy and write a review. The album is an original and effervescent take on groove induced electro rock and it makes an enormously fantastic mark on the city of Atlanta and the talent that our great city incites.

Below you’ll find an interview with the band and more videos from the show…

ALBUM REVIEW OF “SOUTHERN GOTHIC” FROM THE CONSTELLATIONS…

Due out June 22nd, 2010…

The Constellations Southern Gothic is an electronic funk machine boasting hip-hop grooves and ultra pop dance flavor. Put the album in your player and you’re immediately greeted with sound waves that force your entire body into motion.  Each track is a well thought out explosion of musical elements forming threads of sound that take on life like strands of DNA; a group of 8 mixing multiple guitars, keys, drums, percussion and 2 background singers…The Constellations.

The opening track Setback greets you with studio effects and distorted keys until a bubbly pop keyboard driven tune leads you into front man Elijah Jones’ rap inspired vocal storming. Songs like the next track Perfect Day, Weighing Me Down and What I see give you a preview of singer Jones’ sometimes smooth, boogieman like approach to his vocals; creeping up on you like a shadow in an alley, seducing you into a dark circus of imaginative narratives. Overall, however, the album is filled with funky, dance infused grooves that are sure to get any dance floor hopping. The song Step Right up ends in an awesome electronic disco breakdown after Jones leads you on a journey through Atlanta, citing many of the city’s famous nightlife happenings, including The Clermont Lounge and the Drunken Unicorn. He even name drops some door guys and the Clermont’s famous can crushing Blondie. Be sure to check out guest singer Cee-Lo on the track Love is a Murder as well as the always fantastic radio hit Felicia, a song about a girl who gives great head.

Elijah Jones vocal stylings are filled with soulful vibrations that mix hip-hop influences with an unrestrained rock spirit. His lyrics are ripe with sharp metaphors and philosophical wonderings all while creatively managing to inject his home town of Atlanta into his songwriting and lyrical process. He is the perfect lead to such a talented, diverse and divergent super group of 8. Us ATLers should feel a noteworthy connection to what The Constellations bring to our city. They are cleverly and rapidly taking a lead as one of Atlanta’s premier breakout bands and Southern Gothic is sure to catapult them even further.