Eleanor Byers Photo and Art

The Japanese House

Review By Oli Turner Photography by Eleanor Byers

April 10, 2025

The Japanese House, the solo project of English musician Amber Bain, is a dreamy synth-pop sensation—mellow, contemplative, often somber, full of longing or regret. At The Tabernacle on Thursday, April 10, Bain’s live performance fell more on the dreamy side, far from somber. Her Atlanta show brought levity and new dimension to songs from her most recent record In the End It Always Does, released in 2023.

Bain opened the show with her upbeat indie pop hit “Touching Yourself.” She smiled through it, her blonde bob flipping with the rhythm as she played. Like her music, Bain is mellow and confident. Her vocals were clean, flawless, smooth, like breathing. She swapped out her electric guitar for an acoustic one partway through the show to sing a touching rendition of “Boyhood” that entranced the crowd. The slower songs on the record, while soothing and ambient, were never sleepy, and contributed to the atmosphere of peaceful gratitude that swelled through the audience like a synth.

Venus & the Flytraps’ performance at The Tabernacle was the third in a string of four North American shows the Nashville band is playing with The Japanese House this spring. Vocalists Ceci Tomé and Brenna Kassis delivered a high-energy performance, winning over even those weary from standing for an hour at the barricade to secure the closest spots to the main act. With their punk rock roots and indie pop edge, Venus & the Flytraps couldn’t be more different from The Japanese House, but most of the younger band’s choruses evoke a similar earnest nostalgia present in The Japanese House’s most beloved songs. Eleanor Byers, the other half of WMRE’s concert coverage team Thursday night, pointed out the contrast between the acts’ fashion choices: Venus & the Flytrap’s “Gen Z y2k-influenced grunge” and “the polished, chic millennial blazer and cashmere sweaters” of The Japanese House. Maybe these are generational differences, aesthetic statements made to last—or perhaps they will shift, changing shape as the musicians age and their music evolves, a reminder that “in the end it always does.”

Oli Turner Video

Arts Fishing club

By Carmen maldonado

I would not consider myself an indie-folk girl, but I am a big Arts Fishing Club girl. Let me set the scene: we shuffle into Eddie’s Attic, a historic and iconic venue in Atlanta. It's packed—no seats, no space to stand. I’m slightly uncomfortable, a little sweaty, and exhausted when suddenly, I hear the most angelic voice from the most captivating man. Chris, the lead singer and a skilled tambourinist, absolutely lit up the stage. He was electric, engaging, and in that moment, I realized I need to go on a long road trip with my best friend, windows down, music blaring.

Arts Fishing Club is a tribute to Chris’ grandfathers, both named Arthur. The band embodies a sense of history, nostalgia, and community in everything they do. My favorite track, “Horizon Eyes,” has made its way onto at least three of my playlists. And “Supernatural Groove,” which was released on February 10th, is pure fun. There's something about Chris’ voice that melts me, and it’s even more magical live.

Beyond the stunning vocals and heartfelt lyrics, the stories they shared were unforgettable. Chris told us that for his first tour, he walked from Maine to Atlanta and then to Nashville—on foot! He trekked across the country with a guitar in a stroller. That’s an incredible story! He also shared a strange tale about sleeping under a picnic table while people were, well, having a moment. His charm wasn’t limited to his stage presence. Offstage, he was one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met.

I also loved how, despite their different looks, the band came together as such a cohesive unit. The keyboard player, rocking the coolest glasses and jorts combo I’ve ever seen, added a unique touch. Their passion and dedication were palpable, and as an audience member, you could feel every bit of it.

The Pleasures

By Diyya Ganju

Prepare to embark on a mesmerizing journey as Pleasures unveils their highly anticipated debut
album, "The Beginning of the End." This musical odyssey transcends genres, pushing the limits
of boundaries and imagination. With an ethereal blend of funky beats, haunting melodies, and
thought-provoking lyrics, Pleasures invites listeners into a realm where the lines between
country, folk, and pop all blur. Pleasures' musical prowess is on full display, with each
instrument and electronic element meticulously curated to evoke emotion and provoke
thought. The production values showcase a commitment to sonic innovation, pushing the
boundaries of what is expected in contemporary music.

The Pleasures describes themselves as “raucous, dirty, and blues-inspired”, a group that
combines elements of country with folk to create their unique sound. Listeners would never
guess this band just formed in 2022. Their Eddie’s Attic show on the 29th is the last stop on
their tour of the Southeast US. The intimacy of the Eddie’s Attic listening room is sure to
enhance The Pleasures’ performance. The 10 track, 37 minute album, is the perfect sweet spot
for listeners to enjoy in one sitting. As a fan of traditional country music, I enjoyed The
Pleasures’ unique interpretation of the genre. Each track brings something new to the table,
from funky beats to feminist rage anthems.

An element of the album I really enjoyed was that certain songs seemed to honor the style of
previous greats. “You Made Another Woman Out of Me” reminded me so much of the Johnny
Cash songs my grandparents would play for us as kids. The twangy vocals, simple backing track,
and lovesick lyrics all paid a beautiful homage to the style of Johnny Cash. “I Fell For It” has a
similar twangy feel with a honkytonk beat, and even has piano and harmonica elements that
I’m sure Johnny Cash would’ve loved to hear. “Mutual Friends” has a folk chill style, but rather
than Johnny Cash this song reminded me of the style of an Elvis song. The relaxed, slightly sad
and reminiscent vibes of “Three Star Hotel” reminded me of a Dolly Parton song, especially with
the female vocalist’s powerful voice.

The absolute standout songs of the album are its titular song, “The Beginning of the End” and
“Howlin for my Darlin”. For “The Beginning of the End”, the captivating lyrics, energizing back
track, and beautiful vocals make it an upbeat hit that both country fans and haters are sure to
enjoy. It’s easy to see how this song debuted at #2 on the Australian Country charts. “Howlin
for my Darlin” reminded me of a personal favorite song, “These Boots are Made for Walkin”
with their similar strong bass and emotional lyrics. The album rounds out these upbeat songs
with the mellower tracks “Homewreckers”, “Every Story has Two Sides”, and “Seven Spanish
Angels”. “Seven Spanish Angels” has a stripped down acoustic backing track which allows the
audience to enjoy the raw beauty and power of the vocalists.

"The Beginning of the End" weaves a narrative that delves into the complexities of existence,
love, and the inexorable passage of time. The lyrics are poignant and introspective, inviting
listeners to reflect on their own journeys and connections with the world. Pleasures' lyrical
prowess is matched only by their ability to craft evocative soundscapes that resonate with the
deepest recesses of the soul. Be sure to catch their show at Eddie’s Attic on 2/29 – a show
that’ll likely help them become a mainstream favorite here in America.

From the Archives

almost monday
By Emmett Roth and Isabella Lester
On Thursday, February 1st at the Masquerade in Atlanta, the contagious charisma and rhythms of the boy band almost monday gave the entire audience a great time. The band played some crowd favorites and revealed some new tracks. With a Californian surfer presence, almost monday’s lead singer Dawson Daugherty came on stage with black shades, a golden shag, and a permanent smile. His bandmates Cole Clisby and Luke Fabry on guitar and bass joined him in a similar, easy swagger. All four band members were incredibly talented, noted by the magnificent vocal range of Daughtery and some of the drum fills played by the unknown drummer. Starting with one of their best known songs, the band played “only wanna dance,” an upbeat, summer-ish tune heavy on dancing all night ‘til the sun comes up. Their sound is reminiscent of early 2000s pop-punk combined with the vibe of the 2013 Teen Beach Movie. Later, the boys gave their spin on “What I Like About You” by The Romantics, a song entirely synonymous with the feel-good brand of the group. Daugherty’s bright vocals matched the sunny rock rasp of The Romantics’ Wally Palmar with the snippy guitar- and bass-playing from Clisby and Fabry to follow. Nearing the end of the show, the band played a couple of new, unreleased songs, including “you look so good.” almost monday’s infectious personalities and impressive talent made for a fantastic show and incredible experience. With new music coming soon, expect more from almost monday!