TWiN – New Year’s Edition | 12.28.12-1.1.13

Is everyone already holiday hungover? There’s not too much happening around town this weekend which must mean folks are resting up to party extra hard for NYE this year. In case you need a warm-up before the music note drops, Andrew suggests some options to keep you busy before the big night AND then Philip details all the possible ways you could put 2012 to bed (while you’re, ya know, trying to bed someone).

FRIDAY:

Frances & The Foundation, Kiernan McMullan, Joshua Black Wilkins, and Closely Watched Trains @ The 5 Spot

The anthemic, steady introduction of percussion from Frances & the Foundation’s drummer Jared Corder and the meticulous finger-picking rhythm guitar chops of guitarist Matt Simms foreshadows lead singer Samantha Frances’ poetic pop-rock vocals to arrive right on cue and proclaim “You can run away, but they’ll follow you,” the first line of the song “Ghosts.” You can watch their video for that song below.

Is folk sensation Joshua Black Wilkins going to have a belly-dancer on stage when he performs the song “Queen of Diamonds” tonight? The video below, for that very song, makes me wonder if such a fantasy might come true.

Also check out Kiernan McMullan, who wreaks laid-back, understated pop that recalls John Mayer’s album Continuum, especially in the song “Sick of You.” The video for that song can be found below.

Closely Watched Trains, from New Haven, Connecticut, have chosen to grace Nashville with their presence and fun, folky, garage rock tunes. Check out the song “Finding the Light” below.

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SATURDAY:

Self w/Forget Cassettes: Benefit for the Music for Life Alliance @ Exit/In

From the Exit/In website: “The Music For Life Alliance is a 501c(3) tax exempt, not for profit charity that facilitates the efforts of individuals and organizations making music learning accessible to young people who may not otherwise be able to experience the educational, psychological, and social benefits of making music.”

Self’s brainchild Matt Mahaffey is a unique specimen, listing Prince, synthesizers, kids toys and Star Wars as his influences. Self’s 1995 debut album, Subliminal Plastic Motives, was an interesting collection of sounds and music, including power pop, hip hop, and rampant samples and was sometimes referred to as “genre-hopping” because of its interesting mix of musical styles. Mahaffey played a part in the creation of Spongebath Records scene of the mid ’90s and early ’00s. Earlier this year, he relocated to the Tennessee area to build a new home studio in Franklin, TN called Fresh Imperial. You can watch the video for the song “Could You Love me Now” below.

Forget Cassettes has certainly seen some lineup and musical changes throughout the decade, but lead singer Beth Cameron is still leading the charge with unique fluttery vocals and a change of pace to electronic synthesizers and drum loops. I have to say, she’s been one my favorite Nashville artists simply because her stage presence is so convincing, even though she seems to be hardly trying. She’s naturally gifted in live performance I guess is what I’m trying to say, or it appears that way at least. Check out the video for the song “Sometimes You’re the Bad Guy.”

Sorry if you didn’t get your ticket already. This one is sold out.

NEW YEAR’S EVE OPTIONS:
12th & Porter has a So Long 2012 show kicking off at 9PM (8PM doors), featuring Newmatic, Kink Ador, The Die Nasties, The Poor Boys, and The Weekenders. It’s only $10, and you can still snag tickets here. All of the bands are local, so if Nashville music and rock/pop are what you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with this one!

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Also at 12th & Porter, a second show, dubbed the NYE After Party, will be kicking off after midnight (doors at 11:50PM). Featuring Two Fresh, White Noise, and Quiet Entertainer, this one’s going to be more of a dance party than a show. It’s also $10 and even if you’re going to the 9PM show, you’ll need to grab a ticket here. Nashville’s own Two Fresh have been making quite a name for themselves in the EDM world lately. They’re actually opening a show at Bridgestone earlier in the evening, but this is a great chance to catch them in a smaller, more dance party appropriate setting.

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3rd and Lindsley has some great Nashville rock in the form of Moon Taxi and Kansas Bible Company. The show’s at 9PM (6PM doors) and costs $25, but unfortunately it’s already sold out. If you happened to already snag tickets, or find another way to track some down beforehand (people love overbooking their New Year’s plans, ask around!), this is sure to be an incredible show.

At The Basement, you can catch Nashville blues rock band SIMO for a NYE Blowout show! The show’s $10, kicks off at 9PM, and support isn’t currently announced but I’m sure another band or two will be in the mix. If you’re looking for some old school rock with a tinge of blues and psychedelic to fill your final hours of 2012, look no further.

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For the second year in a row, Bridgestone Arena is getting in on the New Year’s Eve fun with EDM breakout artist Bassnectar. The show’s sold out, which is seriously impressive, but I’m sure you’d have no problem tracking down some tickets if you’re set on catching this one. Tickets were $50, it kicks off at 9PM, and you can find more info here. Not only is Bassnectar sure to turn the arena into a huge dance party, but he’s also debuting a brand new stage setup which sounds pretty similar to U2’s 360 stage.

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Holiday/special event favorites Guilty Pleasures will be rocking The Cannery Ballroom with ’80s covers all night long. The show starts at 9:30PM (doors at 8) and tickets are $30-50 here. In a city full of great cover bands, Guilty Pleasures are one of the greatest and their show never disappoints.

The End has Diarrhea Planet, Tristen, Frank the Fuck Out, Evan P. Donohue, and Promised Land. The show starts at 9PM and tickets are available for $10 here. If you’re more of a punk fan and/or looking for another great all-Nashville bill, this is the show not to miss!

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Exit/In has quite the New Year’s bash going on with their Funk ‘N Soul Ball, with The Dynamites featuring Ruby Velle and more, along with Space Capone! The show kicks off at 8PM and you can snag tickets for $30 here. If you’re from Nashville, you’re probably already well-aware of the amazing soul/funk powerhouse that is The Dynamites- they’re sure to make it one of the most fun (and funky) parties in town.

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If you’re tired of cold Nashville New Year’s, The High Watt has the solution for you: an ’80s Miami beach-themed NYE bash, featuring Jensen Sportag, Wild Cub, Coach, DJ Rate, Rio, and special guests! Don’t expect normal sets, everyone is sticking to the them (and Wild Cub is performing Prince covers), so get ready for ’80s, beach, and dance music all night! The show kicks off at 8PM and you can snag $20 tickets here.

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If bluegrass and jam music is more your scene, you can catch The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams, and The Travelin’ McCourys at Marathon Music Works. The show is at 8PM (doors at 7) and standing tickets are $35. (seated tickets are also available for $60) here. This show is a bit of a change of pace for Marathon and great bluegrass alternative to the many rock and electronic shows of the night!

http://youtu.be/F3Is_C5KIVs

Mercy Lounge is set to ring in 2013 with Nashville’s favorite ’90s cover band, My So-Called Band. If the ’90s are your preferred decade (to the ’80s-themed shows going on next door at Cannery and upstairs at The High Watt), you can still get tickets for $30 here. The show kicks off at 9:30PM (doors at 8) and, if we know My So-Called Band, it’s going to be a ton of fun.

Rocketown is doing one of my favorite holiday ideas, a show full of bands doing full cover sets of other bands. It’s a stacked bill, featuring Tell Romeo I Hate Him (All Time Low), Storybook Endings (Outkast), Signatures (Brand New), Burn the Bridges (Parkway Drive), With Hell at Our Backs (My Chemical Romance), Sound Guy Courtney (Eminem), and Abarnathey (The White Stripes). The show’s $10 and kicks off at 5:30PM (doors at 5). This also might be the only all ages NYE show in town!

http://youtu.be/8j25knwtBJ0

Yet another show sold out already, the Ryman Auditorium will be hosting Old Crow Medicine Show. This is the Nashville folk rockers’ third year in a row ringing in the new year at the Ryman, and you can find more info about it here. If you have your heart set on this one, you might be able to find some scalped tickets, but they’ll probably be pretty pricey. The show starts at 9PM and also features Pokey LaFarge.

Finally, The Stone Fox has a pretty incredible local lineup of Pujol, Slammers, D. Watusi, Ranch Ghost, and Richie! For only $10, this show might just be the most bang for your buck as far as quality and diversity goes. If you’re set on catching a Nashville bill, love indie rock, and want a straight up show (no covers or theme parties), The Stone Fox is going to be your sure-thing destination.

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No matter where you end up (and you certainly have plenty of choices- most all of the venues we didn’t name are hosting dance parties), we wish you a happy new year from everyone at No Country!