Source Medicine is run by Katie Hanna, Cheyenne Lord and Lokoko who make beautifully wrapped stones. Their products include many different enchanting crystals which are used as “tools for ascension” or as great decorations around the house. They can be found on Instagram and will be at An Indian SummerNight in downtown Auburn on Oct. 9.
Britt Cherry creates unique hand-painted portraits on wood panels. Her company, Silas & Miri, started in 2009 and gets its namesake from her two children. Cherry paints celebrities and pets, and she also creates custom works. Harry Potter, John Lennon and Robin Williams are just a few notable faces that can be seen when browsing through her bins. Cherry has an etsy shop and her works can be found on Facebook. Although she now lives in Marietta, her works can be shipped anywhere across the country.
MusicTown Records is a record store that Allie Fox opened in February. It is located in downtown Opelika on 109 S. 8th St. Fox grew up loving music and started her career doing management and booking in Birmingham. When she moved to the area, Fox said to her husband, “We don’t have a record store in Auburn or Opelika, and I’m going to fix that.”
Captain Kudzu is a local powerhouse of a band led by Jackson Gafford with rotating accompanying members. This set included Seth Brown of Lady Legs on bass, Abby Anderson on drums and Nathan Coker of Nate & Function on guitar. Gafford got his start in music playing guitar at age 12.
He met Seth Brown his freshman year of high school, which was the spark needed to fuel his creative musical fire. His senior year, he acquired a loop pedal which has become a vital element of Captain Kudzu’s engaging sound. Gafford, Anderson and bassist Shannon Wren just released their first EP entitled Shady Glenn. Gafford said, “This album is more introverted, but I want my next to be more extroverted.”
Recorded in his grandmother’s old screenprinting shop, Gafford hopes to open the doors to more local musicians wanting to record. As their name suggests, Captain Kudzu is proud of its native heritage and influences. Gafford says, “I just want to show people the weird, eclectic stuff that comes from Alabama.” Captain Kudzu performed in Montgomery on Aug. 29 at the Dragon Boat Festival and will be at the Railyard in Opelika on Sept. 11.
Brooklyn-based Breanna Barbara was scheduled to perform, but because of car troubles was unable to attend. Luckily Andrew De Velschow was in stow and able to save the night with a country sound influenced by Hawaiian origins. The set was unrestricted and free with several musicians coming in and out to add to the fun.
Abby Anderson and Seth Brown made an appearance on drums and bass, while Richard Speake displayed his trombone skills, and Kody Warren serenaded with his harmonica. De Velschow appeared with his band, the Electric Rangers, at the closing event for the Supper Club, The Last Supper, on Sunday, Aug. 30.
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