The Athens-based alternative rock band SCHMOOZE has made their mark in the local scene and now has its eyes set on expanding their audience to listeners in Atlanta and across Georgia.
The band was created in 2022 by guitarist Jack Weatherby, and drummer Dallas Wiggins, while they were students in the University of Georgia’s music business program.
SCHMOOZE first started as a freeform project focused on at-home jam sessions, with former member Kutter Reddan on guitar. Stewie Brannam eventually joined the band as a temporary vocalist while the musicians grew their sound. But after Reddan’s graduation in 2023 and subsequent departure from the group, the band faced questions about its future.
“We needed to figure out what direction we’re gonna go in,” Weatherby said. “So, over that summer, it was kind of some soul searching and figuring out, ‘What are we gonna do?’”
Following the departure of Brannam and Reddan, SCHMOOZE wanted a new singer, but wondered where to find them. The group turned to “Athens Jam Ham,” a GroupMe group chat where Athens musicians could connect.
Through this group they were able to meet Cameryn Carr, a UGA communications major, who soon became their lead vocalist. With Carr’s addition, the group’s direction shifted.
“Cam’s got a powerful voice,” Weatherby said. “She can write some very strong lyrics. So we wanted to kind of build around that.”
This period marked the development of the band’s signature, heavier, distorted style, which shaped their first EP “If You Say So”, which released July 11.
The EP’s five tracks were a collection of 2022-era originals combined with Carr’s influence in lyricism. The album art, which features a variety of dark, psychedelic eyeballs, was painted by Carr’s own roommate and long-time friend, Angelina Lemon.
“I’m very big on [wanting] something to sound like a project and be kind of intentional,” Carr said about the EP.
More recently, the band announced a variety of show dates for both Athens and Atlanta concert venues, including The Masquerade and local Athens events including Porchfest and Stay Dead Fest.
Athens-based alternative rock band SCHMOOZE performs during a recent show. Formed in 2022 by University of Georgia students Jack Weatherby and Dallas Wiggins, the group now features lead vocalist Cameryn Carr and is set to expand its audience with upcoming shows in Athens and Atlanta. (Courtesy/SCHMOOZE)
The band’s most recent musical release, a new single titled “Too Late to Plead Insanity,” will be out on Nov. 7. The single will be a love song that highlights Carr’s feelings about being in a relationship while fighting personal battles.
“I personally think that this is the best song that we’ve ever written or recorded,” Carr said.
SCHMOOZE drew inspiration for the single from pop-punk Paramore’s song “All I Wanted”, as well as “Anti-Eulogy” by Hail the Sun. The band agreed that the song was one of their strongest lyrically, instrumentally and productionally.
“I would hope that there’s at least one [person who] could listen to that song and the things that I’m describing and feel it in the same way and relate to it or resonate with it in some way,” Carr said. “Even if it’s not their exact scenario.”
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