Vanessa was born in Atlanta, GA, to a textile worker and a housewife. After completing her elementary and secondary education, she moved to Athens to attend the University of Georgia, graduating with a BFA in 1978. In 1979, fellow students Randy Bewley, Michael Lachowski, and Curtis Crowe asked her to audition for their band, Pylon. This performance art project, initiated by three art students who barely knew how to play their instruments, aimed only to perform in New York City, inspired by the chart-breaking B-52’s, and then disband. However, after their supposed one-off performance at the Art Rock Festival and a write-up in Interview Magazine, they decided to continue as long as it was enjoyable. They opened for Gang of Four after many Athens bands encouraged Harrah’s in NYC to book them. From there, they traveled widely, playing alongside bands like Talking Heads, B-52’s, and U2. They first disbanded in 1983, reunited once, and had their final breakup in 2009 after the loss of their beloved bandmate Randy Bewley. Gradually, Vanessa began exploring new musical collaborations and formed a new band called Pylon Reenactment Society (PRS). In a 2016 interview, she said, “It's been inspirational, if that's the right word, to be able to play this music again. I really don't want people to forget Pylon. These are different people, and we are re-enacting this experience, so it's not exactly Pylon, but it's fresh and done in the same spirit." And this band certainly has spirit! It is incredibly fun to watch. I can't say enough about Vanessa and how much she captivated me from the first word she spoke. Her calming voice kept me engaged with her wonderful stories about the past with Pylon and her current work with Pylon Reenactment Society. You'll be delighted once you hear this conversation I had with Vanessa Briscoe Hay. SHOW: AthCastMusic Time: 43:25 Vanessa’s contact Pylonreenactmentsociety.com Instagram: Vanessa_b_Hay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.b.hay?mibextid=LQQJ4d Pylon Reenactment Society: https://www.facebook.com/pylonreenactmentsociety?mibextid=LQQJ4d AthCastMusic Contact: Email: [email protected]