Where fringe meets twang

When Randy Castello of free improv trio the Flakes set about drafting a proposal for the Star Bar's monthly Wednesday residency, he decided to go about it differently. Instead of inviting friends and like-minded bands to share the stage with the Flakes, Castello -- who also happens to also be the booking agent for local artspace/collective Eyedrum -- decided he'd rather showcase what he calls the "Eyedrum experience." So, along with his band, Castello has lined up groups he either met or booked through Eyedrum -- bands, he says, that appreciate Eyedrum's freeform, by-artists/for-artists approach.

Castello sees no contradiction in booking Eyedrum's type of fringe acts at the more rootsy rock-and-country oriented Star Bar. He books shows "like an art curator," he says, finding the right gallery for the music, especially if that means exposing quality bands to a different audience.

Castello also hopes this local-venue exchange program will help spread the word of Eyedrum's upcoming move. In mid-September, Eyedrum will relocate from their long-time Trinity Ave. space to the Mattress Factory (290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Bldg A-14).

The collective may not be able to replicate the old space's charm in its larger digs, but Eyedrum plans to continue supporting adventurous artists and trying to dissuade them from leaving Atlanta. While Castello acknowledges Atlanta's art scene has taken some hits, he believes the city is poised to explode. "True players will prevail. The artists who are born out of Eyedrum are on the frontlines and ready to do battle. The revolution will be publicized."

Eyedrum Goes to the Star Bar is held every Wednesday in August at the Star Bar.