{by: Han Vance & Heather C}
Merch of myriad artforms was displayed in a red hardshell retro suitcase, at Waller’s in Decatur, Ga., proving without a shadow of a doubt the prolific creativity of Jeffrey Butzer.
In one grand gesture, the Academy of Staring Daggers driving force dropped a stunning full-size coffee table collage book on Western Pines Press and a mesmerizing new group album under the same brand. Academy of Staring Daggers actually started as a solo album by peer guitarist Claire Lodge.
AmCulture caught up with Claire as she was going expat, asking when she met Jeffrey and how they started doing music together. Claire replied, “I have known Jeffrey for most of my life (family friend). I mostly helped other people with their music and recorded instrumental guitar tracks. We recorded some drum/guitar stuff together probably in 2008 and have played on each other’s music ever since.” She continued that she had two tracks she sent him, and he had two tracks, and they were both “huge fans of triphop. So, we went in that direction.” AmCulture commented, “Perfect, the sweeping theater and exotic sort of Euro feeling is wrapping me.”
Heather C immediately noted a dream-like vibe when she listened, and Han Vance found it transportive. Heather most adores the albums opening track “Cotton Hearts,” which Han chimed somehow reminds him of sensual sheets. The single “Turning Earthquakes” is supported by an indie import-filmesque music video, and the noir feels of “Un vrai monstre” further link the music to cinema. Butzer is a huge film fan and has had work featured in soundtracks.
The album is as if Dick Dale got Portishead, and the union proved to make one band. Rollicking surf guitar, reminiscent of Butzer’s earlier and heavier act Bicycle Eaters, emanates throughout the record. While the quiet parts and intentionally discordant bits make it a masterpiece.
The collage book’s further mastery of style and beauty more closely binds the album – adorned with a Butzer collage as cover – to the book. The 16th collage is a warm-colored floral display, contrasting sharply with the dark makeup and pale complexion of the fashion model therein. Collage 45 is flowers, again, here bright red and vintage-looking roses, with a classic pencil drawn female knitting atop them, while a large bee hovers nearby.
Later, AmCulture saw another Academy of Staring Daggers live performance at The EARL in EAV [East Atlanta Village], noting the stellar drum work of Sean Zearfoss and the rich cello playing of Kristin Haverty. Butzer “plays a little piano,” he cracked in entendre, literally playing a child’s piano, regular-sized keys and guitar. His heroic guitar playing and multitasking loop-de-loop positions him at a pinnacle of Atlanta-based musicians and melody makers.
At times Butzer appears with only one other musician onstage, while sometimes it’s a full band. It’s always a wall of sound…and a fun time. AmCulture found Butzer’s Johnny Carson-like shtick amusing, at both shows.
Han first met Jeffrey when both participated in a mixed variety show at Star bar in Atlanta’s L5P [Little Five Points] one summer, Han saying to Claire, “Butzer was the best part of the whole night, and there were a lot of talents there. Tom Cheshire did poems and a few songs; the great folk duo then-called Pretend Sweethearts played. I headlined the spoken word portion. Butzer did piano songs and unscripted comedy. He crushed.”
Album:
www.ClaireLodge.bandcamp.com
www.JeffreyButzer.bandcamp.com
…and on Apple Music and Spotify
Book:
www.westernpines.net
Academy of Staring Daggers (includes):
Jeffrey Butzer, Claire Lodge, Sean Zearfoss
Kristin Haverty, Eric Balint, Mitch Laue
[all photos by: Han Vance]
~ New AmCulture contributor Heather Correll was named executive vice president of Atlanta-based artisanal indie book publisher Silver Stone Press in June 2023, and she is executive producer of American culture and sporting travel series All College Report. She loves cats, clouds and hockey, not necessarily in that order. AmCulture editor-in-chief Han Vance has written about art and music for Art Nouveau magazine, LOOKBOOK, eide’ magazine, American Culture Reporter, Creative Loafing, F.A.M.E. magazine and Atlanta INtown paper and is an avid art collector and former art gallery board member (dooGallery), often seen roaming HIGH Museum of Art in Atlanta and frequenting any local art shows with free beer.