The 2009 “Artists to Watch” show at The Venue will be the first time in four years that local bands have headlined there. We talked to A to Z, Hours Eastly and Moodhosa to get their thoughts before the show.

By Stephanie Granada and Ashley Spencer
Photos by Charlie Doerner (except Hours Eastly)

A TO Z

We caught up with A to Z’s Zack Yanger and Adam Niedzwiecki after class to get the scoop on this rising band.

Self-described as “pop folk rock with influences of John Mayer, Jack Johnson and old school Tom Petty,” Adam (guitar/songwriter) and Zack (vocals/songwriter) formed A-Z two years ago and added Adam Share (keyboard), Steffen Locascio (drums) and Peter Kolter (bass) last year to round out the band.

“People should come out to our shows because we’re five college guys going through the same thing everybody else is going through, so we’re writing off of our experiences and everyone can relate to the music,” Adam says.

Listen to this now: “Brighter Than the Sun”
Website: myspace.com/atozrock
Gville Faves
Eat: Flaco’s Cuban Bakery, Leonardo’s By the Slice
Go out: The Swamp Restaurant, Mother’s Pub

HOURS EASTLY

Hours Eastly has the farthest way to travel before they can play at the Venue tonight. But, the three-piece band, based in Atlantic Beach, Fla., doesn't mind.

"Gainesville knows how to appreciate live music and we love them for it," the band wrote in an e-mail.

With a wide array of influences ranging from early Weezer to Toots & the Maytals, you can expect to be jamming out to a rock show with some reggae sounds woven in during Hours Eastly's performance tonight.

Mark Hodges (bass and vocals), Darrin Lindsay (drums) and Joe Putmam (guitar) played their first show together as Hours Eastly in January of 2007. Tonight's show will be the second time they play The Venue, one of the most highly coveted venues for musicians to perform in Gainesville.

Although all three of the band members have separate jobs, they aren't blind to the possibility of breaking into the music industry.

"It's in fantastic shape," they say. "Let us in."

Listen to this now: "Not me" and "Mash it up"
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/hourseastly
Gville Faves
Eat: Satchel's Pizza, Chopstix Cafe for sushi and Chunky T's for barbecue
Hang out: "After the show it's the after-party, and after the party is the hotel lobby. The only problem is that around 4am you have to clear the lobby, but you can always take it to the room and ... well, you know."

MOODHOSA

Inspired by everyone from Led Zepplin to the Black Keys, Moodhosa will introduce a new sound when they headline tonight’s show, featuring more of a “soulful blues and hip hop influence” while staying true to their southern roots. We chatted with original members Jason Moody (guitar) and José Peruyero (vocals), along with Ashley Wilkinson (drums) and Drew Allen (bass) as they practiced for the upcoming show.

“We take it as serious, if not more serious, than any other artist out there. We pour all our emotion into our songs, play as hard as we can and leave nothing behind,” José says.

Listen to this now: “Hollywood” and “Gospel”
Website: myspace.com/moodhosa
Gville Faves
Eat: Hogan’s
Go out: Common Grounds, The Atlantic

The "Artists to Watch" Show is tonight (Fri., Sept 18) at 9pm at The Venue.  Also performing is the Jon Lash Band. Tickets are $7.

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