SPLIT REUNITES FOR ONE LAST SHOW
STORY AND PHOTOS BY OLIVIA LEGGANS
The band Split graced The Union for a one-time-only reunion show last Saturday evening with an unpretentious, yet nonetheless captivating show. For those of you who didn’t hop on stage as a hype man or sardine themselves into the crowd last Saturday, let me catch you up on Split’s history.
Split played their first show on Sept. 2, 2023, at The Union. From there, band members Ella Franks, Calvin Whipple, Jacob Dickey, Harrison Smith, and Ethan Shatz had an impressively steady run at Athens’ beloved venues and house shows. Split even secured first place in ACRN’s 2023 Battle of the Bands competition in November. Come Spring, it was time for four of the five to graduate and thus, Spilt’s days were numbered.
Despite the band’s brief one-year stint in Athens last year, the momentum of their initial rise and — maybe most notably — the recent frenzy of fans that filled The Union for their return is cause for attention and admiration.
Spilt fills a well-loved, yet tricky slot in the Athens music scene; unfussy, crowd-pleasing music that doesn’t skimp on quality. While the slew of original songs and styles that come out of Athens should be celebrated, Split’s choice to perform well-known cover material while simultaneously engaging audiences is a noteworthy testament to their style, chemistry, and talent.
Some may argue that Split’s primary capacity as a cover band diminishes their skill or impact. Yet, in the world of live performances, Split occupies a needed role as genuine entertainers who are unafraid of being playful and refreshingly unserious.
Bassist Ella Franks, a junior studying music business and visual communication, felt the band’s initial intentions were rooted in the enjoyment of performing for a crowd.
“Why not play songs that, you know, people are going to have fun listening to and have a good time in the crowd playing,” Franks said. “I feel like a lot of people dog on us for covers, but it's like we are a one-year band. What’s the problem?”
Guitarist Ethan Shatz, a 2024 media arts production graduate, summed up the band’s mentality and simultaneously disarmed any critics that may target the band’s originality.
“We are doing this for fun,” Shatz said. “Also on the topic earlier, about people being pretentious about music, play what you want to play. Play what you're going to have fun playing, not what other musicians care about.”
Split’s humble, yet genuine enthusiasm for music and performance was visible at their reunion show, not only in the crowd’s glowing endorsements and screams but also in their smorgasbord of a setlist.
From crowd pleasers like Fountains Of Wayne’s “Stacey’s Mom” and Briston Maroney’s “Freakin’ Out On the Interstate” to true classics like “Today is Gonna Be a Great Day” from “Phineas and Ferb,” Split churned out beloved songs without coming across as pandering or shallow.
Drummer Calvin Whipple, a 2024 aviation graduate, described the behind the scenes of their setlist with the same casual composure that permeates the rest of the band.
“We choose our songs beforehand but decide the order last,” Whipple said.
Maybe Split’s frank, unapologetic acceptance of the music they love, and of loved music, is something we all can learn from. No one can deny the crowd they draw, the quality of their music, or the pure fun of their live shows.
As Split’s presence in Athens wanes, the bandmates have their hands full with various other projects. Franks plays in The Laughing Chimes, which is set to release its second LP on January 31. Blush, an all-femme band, will play at The Union on Feb. 7, Feb. 14, and Jan. 30 for a Trans fundraiser show.
Whipple currently plays in Feline Frenzy and reunited with Ethan Shatz for Locke’s first show at The Union.
To see more of Split, see their Instagram, @split.the.band.
