The Buddy System!

In a town loaded with musical goodness, Athens electro-pop "ani-band" The Buddy System may be the next local act to garner widespread attention. Made up of Ryan Lewis (guitar, vocals; ex-Kincaid, Sunshine Fix), Mat Lewis (vocals, drums; ex-PocketRockets, The Agenda), Lauren Gregg (bass, vocals), and Craig Sheldon (keyboards, vocals), The Buddy System was born out of a mutual love for animation and music. Gregg and Sheldon are, in fact, an illustrator and animator by trade affilated with the Kangaroo Alliance. They've made the visual experience a vital part of their music, and claim that the two are virtually inseparable.

Their music is largely, though not exclusively, instrumental -- a reference point might be The Octopus Project as the house band in a sci-fi saloon. Really, any band with Dr. Who sound effects in their tunes gets bonus points from me. The Buddy System made their public debut in December, and have been generating quite a buzz since. Even the Athens Banner-Herald took notice. Some tracks, courtesy of the band:

The Buddy System - Clap Paws
The Buddy System - Tesla Sez

Upcoming tour dates from The Buddy System:

4/26 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Je Suis France)
5/08 Gainesville Popfest, Gainseville, FL
5/09 Club 210, Lakeland, FL
5/10 The Crowbar, Ybor City, FL
5/31 Flicker Bar, Athens, GA (w/ Spring Tigers)
6/28 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Maserati)

The initial release from The Buddy System will be a limited edition DVD (100 copies) that will include four videos. They'll be available at their April 26 show at the 40 Watt, with the remaining copies for sale via label Kindercore afterward. You know I should be on hand to score one.

A pair of videos from The Buddy System:

"Clap Paws"

"Return to Horse Mountain"

Ain't Athens pop just terrific?