Blab Music
Athens Music Scene Releases: New Albums and Singles from Nicholas Mallis, Futo, Parking Garage, KIT, and Messiah Cartiye
Athens, Georgia – The local music community is in the midst of a busy release cycle, with five new projects dropping in the first week of August 2026. The releases span a range of styles from nostalgic pop to bedroom‑pop and hip‑hop, and they all appear on independent distribution platforms such as Bandcamp.
Nicholas Mallis and his backing band The Borealis have issued The Lost Tapes (Songs Regained After Years of Legal Battles) on August 3. The 13‑track collection pulls the complete songs from Mallis’ first two albums, Golden Age Vanity (2014) and The Hobby Lobbyist (2015). According to the Bandcamp page, the tracks are the original recordings and have not been re‑recorded. The release is positioned as a response to past legal disputes, though no further details are provided. The album is available for streaming and download on the artist’s Bandcamp site.
The next project is a five‑song EP from Futo, the stage name of Patrick Brick. The EP, titled Crying on Oglethorpe, was released on August 4 and is described as “bedroom pop.” The opening track, “Rec League Tennis,” sets a slow‑tempo mood that the Bandcamp description compares to Neutral Milk Hotel. Subsequent songs include “Dog Years,” the title track, and “Drawers Of Junk.” The EP marks Brick’s first new music in two and a half years and is also available on Bandcamp.
Parking Garage, an Athens rock outfit, issued the single “Truly Automatic” on August 5. The track begins with a bass riff that quickly gives way to horn‑driven hooks. The single is part of the band’s forthcoming album Steel, scheduled for release on September 4. Parking Garage performed a release show for the single at Dead Beat Club on August 13, joined by Atlanta acts Futon and Dogism. The band’s Bandcamp page and Instagram profile provide additional information.
KIT, a group known for heavier rock, released the single “Morning Glory” on August 14. The song represents a stylistic shift toward smooth pop and R&B, with a sound reminiscent of 1980s acts such as Simply Red and Paul Young. The band performed a release show on August 15 at Flicker Theatre and Bar, sharing the stage with Michael Carnes and The Unbelieving Dog. The track is available on major streaming services.
Finally, Messiah Cartiye, a rapper, producer, and songwriter, dropped the 13‑track album Abnormal on August 1. The album blends home‑grown hip‑hop with elements of funk and pop. Tracks such as “Sunny D,” “Pockets,” and “The End” showcase the artist’s range. The release is available on Bandcamp.
All five releases are distributed through independent channels and are accessible on streaming platforms and Bandcamp. The projects illustrate the diversity of the Athens music scene, with artists exploring different genres while maintaining a DIY approach to production and distribution. No major label involvement is reported for any of the releases.
The upcoming month will see the release of Parking Garage’s full album Steel on September 4, and KIT’s next project is expected later in the year, though no date has been announced. Futo and Messiah Cartiye have not indicated further releases at this time. The local community continues to support these artists through live shows, streaming, and direct purchases on Bandcamp.
As of now, the only scheduled live events tied to these releases are Parking Garage’s August 13 show at Dead Beat Club and KIT’s August 15 performance at Flicker Theatre. No additional tour dates or festival appearances have been announced for the artists.
The releases demonstrate that independent musicians in Athens are actively producing and distributing new material, leveraging digital platforms to reach audiences while navigating the complexities of music rights and legal disputes. The community’s continued engagement with these projects suggests a sustained interest in the region’s eclectic musical output.
Nicholas Mallis and his backing band The Borealis have issued The Lost Tapes (Songs Regained After Years of Legal Battles) on August 3. The 13‑track collection pulls the complete songs from Mallis’ first two albums, Golden Age Vanity (2014) and The Hobby Lobbyist (2015). According to the Bandcamp page, the tracks are the original recordings and have not been re‑recorded. The release is positioned as a response to past legal disputes, though no further details are provided. The album is available for streaming and download on the artist’s Bandcamp site.
The next project is a five‑song EP from Futo, the stage name of Patrick Brick. The EP, titled Crying on Oglethorpe, was released on August 4 and is described as “bedroom pop.” The opening track, “Rec League Tennis,” sets a slow‑tempo mood that the Bandcamp description compares to Neutral Milk Hotel. Subsequent songs include “Dog Years,” the title track, and “Drawers Of Junk.” The EP marks Brick’s first new music in two and a half years and is also available on Bandcamp.
Parking Garage, an Athens rock outfit, issued the single “Truly Automatic” on August 5. The track begins with a bass riff that quickly gives way to horn‑driven hooks. The single is part of the band’s forthcoming album Steel, scheduled for release on September 4. Parking Garage performed a release show for the single at Dead Beat Club on August 13, joined by Atlanta acts Futon and Dogism. The band’s Bandcamp page and Instagram profile provide additional information.
KIT, a group known for heavier rock, released the single “Morning Glory” on August 14. The song represents a stylistic shift toward smooth pop and R&B, with a sound reminiscent of 1980s acts such as Simply Red and Paul Young. The band performed a release show on August 15 at Flicker Theatre and Bar, sharing the stage with Michael Carnes and The Unbelieving Dog. The track is available on major streaming services.
Finally, Messiah Cartiye, a rapper, producer, and songwriter, dropped the 13‑track album Abnormal on August 1. The album blends home‑grown hip‑hop with elements of funk and pop. Tracks such as “Sunny D,” “Pockets,” and “The End” showcase the artist’s range. The release is available on Bandcamp.
All five releases are distributed through independent channels and are accessible on streaming platforms and Bandcamp. The projects illustrate the diversity of the Athens music scene, with artists exploring different genres while maintaining a DIY approach to production and distribution. No major label involvement is reported for any of the releases.
The upcoming month will see the release of Parking Garage’s full album Steel on September 4, and KIT’s next project is expected later in the year, though no date has been announced. Futo and Messiah Cartiye have not indicated further releases at this time. The local community continues to support these artists through live shows, streaming, and direct purchases on Bandcamp.
As of now, the only scheduled live events tied to these releases are Parking Garage’s August 13 show at Dead Beat Club and KIT’s August 15 performance at Flicker Theatre. No additional tour dates or festival appearances have been announced for the artists.
The releases demonstrate that independent musicians in Athens are actively producing and distributing new material, leveraging digital platforms to reach audiences while navigating the complexities of music rights and legal disputes. The community’s continued engagement with these projects suggests a sustained interest in the region’s eclectic musical output.
