The TwoTakes from Atlanta revel in the nostalgic pop/rock of the '60s, but also the DIY attitude and synthesized sounds of early MTV.
You need only realize the name of their debut album, "Submarine Races," is a reference to the dating habits of their parents, or grandparents, and probably needs some explaining for their contemporaries.
When asked if their video for "When We Were Kids" was influenced by '80s MTV, bassist Chase Brown says, "We haven't thought about MTV necessarily, but it has that nostalgic feel going for it. That '80s vibe is on purpose. It was a time when people were way into the way things looked."
He said the band's focus on the '80s actually has a more current connection, though it is a Netflix show about the '80s.
"That song is very synth-driven. Our singer [Gio Turra] is a huge 'Stranger Things' fan. We put a lot of time into thinking about how the videos look."
The TwoTakes are Turra, Brown, Beau Anderson and Josh Riccio. They will perform a free show Thursday at Songbirds with Seven Year Witch. Burra is from Brazil and the four met at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.
Brown says the four met through chance. Atlanta is now the band's home base, though Brown says he spends a good deal of time in his hometown of Athens, Georgia.
If you go
* Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St. (South), 41 Station St. (North)* For more information: 423-531-2473THE TWOTAKES with SEVEN YEAR WITCH* When: 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 (S)* Admission: FreeAN EVENING WITH TRACK 145* When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 (N)* Admission: $10 in advance, $12 day of showSTONED COLD FOX with THE AFTERNOONERS* When: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 (S)* Admission: $10 in advance, $12 day of showRUBIK’S GROOVE with NEON QUEEN: A TRIBUTE TO ABBA* When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 (S)* Admission: $17 in advance, $20 day of showSHOOTER JENNINGS with HELLHOUND GLORY* When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 (S)* Admission: $20 in advance, $25 day of showBLUES MONDAY SPECIAL EVENT: AJ GHENT with RICK RUSHING* When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 (S)* Admission: $15JIMMY HERRING AND THE 5 OF 7* When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 (S)* Admission: $25AN EVENING WITH GAELIC STORM* When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 (S)* Admission: $20 in advance, $22 day of show
Being in both cities gives him a sense of musical perspective and fuels the idea that it is possible to make it in the music world.
"You can't predict what will happen, but being from Athens," Brown said, "you know that something can happen. Seeing it happen, or knowing that it can happen, helps push that creative vibe. It's a cool vibe."
Seven Year Witch formed in South Carolina, and bases its sound on bands like Jackyl, Buckcherry, P.O.D. Pop Evil and Crobot. The band features Aaron Langford, brothers Seth and Spencer Burden and Gage Worley. Their sound and stage show is as in-your-face as it gets.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
Seven Year Witch / Photos contributed by Strikermanagement.com