Violent Femmes and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1945 in Atlanta, evolved from a youth ensemble to a globally acclaimed orchestra, recording over 100 albums and winning 27 Grammys. Conductor Nathalie Stutzman leads since 2022. Notable collaborations include Glenn Gould and Isaac Stern. The orchestra made history with a digital recording in 1978 and performed at the 1996 Olympics.

The Violent Femmes, formed in early '80s Milwaukee by Gordon Gano, Brian Ritchie, and Victor DeLorenzo, are pioneers of alternative rock known for their jittery, catchy tunes. Discovered by Pretenders' James Honeyman-Scott, their 1983 debut album, featuring hits like "Blister in the Sun," found cult status. They evolved with albums like 1991's "Why Do Birds Sing?" and collaborated with icons like Tom Verlaine. Despite lineup changes and hiatuses, their influence endures, marked by a 2023 deluxe reissue of their debut.