TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | 10/4 – 10/6

Banner by Holley Maher Creative

Our mission is to try to bring as much attention to the non-commericial country music happening around town that we can, and here in Nashville that often takes the form of garage rock.  However, this may be the most pop-influenced weekend that I can remember happening in Nashville since, well, since ever.  Don’t fret pop-haters there is definitely still more going on around town including free stuff and beer-versaries.  Get started planning your weekend below, and get out to see some live music.

FRIDAY

BLACK SEA ROYALTY
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7PM (5-7PM happy hour) | Free | All Ages

Channeling indie pop sensibilities reminiscent of the French invasion of indie pop at Marathon Music Works later in the evening, Black Sea Royalty is the opening act for your Friday night.  If you are one of the lucky ticketholders to the Phoenix show, this is probably the perfect pre-game for you.  Check out that track you’ve been hearing all week on Lightning 100 called “War Cry” below. [MH]

PHOENIX w/ ROYAL BANGS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8PM (7PM doors) | SOLD OUT | 18+

We told you about this one when it was first announced back in July, and we gave you the scoop on Phoenix‘s activity as of late, so, what I’m saying is, you had plenty of chances to snag tickets before the show sold out. For those who will be in attendance, this is going to be a downright intimate show by Phoenix standards, and one nonstop dance party. [PO]

THOSE DARLINS w/ ADIA VICTORIA, BULLY, MUSIC BAND
@ Mercy Lounge | 9PM (8PM doors) | $12/10 | 18+

We told you more about country punk outfit Those Darlins, their new album Blur The Line, and their penchant for stirring up controversy, when we gave away tickets to this show earlier in the week. Read all about it here, and check out their new video for “Optimist,” below. [PO]

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA w/ JACKSON SCOTT
@ Exit/In | 9PM (8PM doors) | $18 | 18+

Unknown Mortal Orchestra burst onto the scene after quietly posting “Ffunny Ffriends” on Bandcamp back in 2010.  A bunch of bloggers picked that track up, and Fat Possum picked up UMO.  They shifted over to Jagjaguwar for their sophomore release, II, which they are currently touring in support of.  You can prepare for opener Jackson Scott by checking out his recent premiere of “Sandy” on NPR, and you can see where it all started by listening to “Ffunny Ffriends” below. [MH]

BEN RECTOR w/ TYRONE WELLS
@ The Ryman | 8PM | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Anyone who’s ever experienced a concert at the Ryman knows there’s a certain level of class and excellence expected of both the audience and the performers. It is perhaps for this reason then that Ben Rector is a perfect fit for the Ryman. Rector’s crystalline voice soars above the simple piano driven harmonies, which might not be the most original style, but is certainly one that Rector has found himself quite talented at performing. The Nashville local will be taking this legendary stage at around 8, and at only $25 dollars, this is one of the cheaper shows you could see at the Ryman. [JS]

TYPHOON w/ RADIATION CITY
@ The High Watt | Early Show: 6:30PM (6PM doors) | $12/$14 | Late Show: SOLD OUT | 18+

Portalandiers Typhoon will be joining their friends Radiation City at The High Watt, that small room upstairs from the Cannery, for two back to back performances this evening. Because of the size of the room, Typhoon’s already familiar, catchy tunes will bring a whole new level of intimacy. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of checking out this stellar act, the group sounds like a toned down, more indie friendly version of Two Gallants. Be expecting crazy catchy gang vocals and some pretty sweet horn parts from Typhoon this Friday. [JS]

VON GREY w/ NIK & SAM, MICHAEL POLLACK
@ The Basement | 7PM (6PM doors) | $12/15 | 21+

I raved about these ladies before (and during) Bonnaroo. Comprised of four young sisters from Atlanta, von Grey‘s sound is seasoned beyond their years. I was blown away by their perfect harmonies and strong performance skill at ‘Roo, and their knack for crafting smart, poppy, folk tunes is unparalleled. This is one show definitely worth kicking off your weekend plans a little early for! [PO]

NIKKI LANE w/ SADLER VADEN and JP HARRIS
@ The Basement | 9PM | $5 | 21+

BUFFALO CLOVER w/ MIKE COYKENDALL, OLD HAZELWOOD, ELLE KING
@ The Stone Fox | 9PM (8PM doors) | $5 | 18+

SATURDAY

MUSICIANS CORNER: GRIFFIN HOUSE, THE FAIRFIELD FOUR, WAHIDA SUFI SECOND LINE w/ JONELL MOSSER, VINTAGE MANDOLIN QUARTET
@ Centennial Park | 2-5PM | Free | All Ages

The fall edition of Musician’s Corner is in full swing, and this week brings a pretty eclectic bill. In addition to the headliners above, the Lightning 100 Acoustic Stage will feature Holly Maher (psst. she also designed the banner at the top of this page), Imer Santiago, and Sarah Jean Kelley. The music kicks off at 2PM, but there will be festivities and food trucks as early as noon! [PO]

THE GRAHAMS
@ Grimey’s | 5PM | Free | All Ages

Bluegrass duo The Grahams will play Grimey’s at 5 p.m.. This event, like most in-stores, is free and all ages. The couple’s debut album Riverman’s Daughter just dropped in September. Alyssa Graham provides nostalgic country vocals delicately backed by her husband Doug. Their guitar and six-string melodies are smartly crafted and will no doubt be a treat to experience. Their release video for Revival Time has wrangled a decent audience to their classic country bluegrass sound. [OF]

DELTA SAINTS w/ BALL HOG, SCOTT CHISM & THE BETTER HALF, CHRIS JOHNSON, PATACHI KID
@ Yazoo Brewery | 5PM | Free | All Ages

Yeah, you read the title correctly. Nashville favorites the Delta Saints won’t just be taking on any old stage this weekend, these guys will be playing at the actual Yazoo Brewery in celebration of the brewery’s 10th anniversary. The Delta Saints, who are fresh off playing Live on the Green, have made tons of strides in Nashville this past year, but this fun event might be a free, awesome way to get to see the band like no one has before. Come check it out, and get a beer from the actual brewery (we recommend the Gerst). [JS]

TURBO FRUITS w/ THE WANS, CHRIS CROFTON
@ The Basement | 9PM | $7 | 21+

Killer local lineup alert! Between garage rockers Turbo Fruits, eccleic rock trio The Wans, and Chris Crofton (comedian and leader of The Alcohol Stuntband), and in The Basement no less, this might just be the best $7 you could spend all weekend. [PO]

THE DODOS w/ DUSTIN WONG
@ The Stone Fox | 9PM | $12/14 | 18+

Indie rock duo The Dodos just released their fifth album, Carrier, back in August. Their emotionally honest, indie pop sound, and magnetic performance style, paired with the ever-fantastic Dustin Wong to open the show, makes this one of the best small shows of the weekend. [PO]

CRYSTAL FIGHTERS w/ METH DAD, MY JERUSALEM
@ The High Watt | 9PM (8PM doors) | $12/14 | 18+

British, folk-tinged, indie/alt rockers Crystal Figthers are nothing if not eclectic. With the amount of hype surrounding this group, especially since their latest album, Cave Rave, it’s kind of astounding that they’re playing a room the size of The High Watt (and with one of our faves, Meth Dad no less). Catch them while you can, because they’ll graduate to much, much larger rooms in no time. [PO]

TESLA BOY w/ FUTURE UNLIMITED, ROBIN CARNAGE
@ 12th & Porter | 10PM (9PM doors) | $10 | 18+

I seriously can’t think of a better matchup for Russian synthpop/new wave act Tesla Boy than Nashville’s Future Unlimited. It seems like the Future Unlimited guys have been everywhere lately (a trend we hope continues) but, for once, they’re on a bill with kindred souls, rounded out by Robin Carnage. If you’re looking for some moody, atmospheric, sweeping tunes (a dance party with substance), this is the show of the weekend for you. [PO]

JON McLAUGHLIN w/ SARA JEAN KELLEY, MIKEY WAX
@ Exit/In | 9PM (8PM doors) | $12/15 | 18+

That name always makes me tremble with excitement, and then I am reminded that this is the piano McLaughlin rather than that guitar virtuoso.  Regardless, this piano driven pop music is feel good stuff that is impossible not to bob your head to.  After five labeled releases and hundreds of thousands of sales, we’re not the only ones that have taken notice.  Things get started with the appropriately billed and very busy(see above) Sara Jean Kelley & Mikey Wax. [MH]

SUNDAY

SAVES THE DAY w/ INTO IT. OVER IT., HOSTAGE CALM
@ Exit/In | 9PM (8PM doors) | $15 | 18+

Look for a full on preview of this tomorrow. Emo forefathers Saves the Day just released their new, self-titled album and it’s the most fully-realized, inspired thing they’ve done in years. Paired with nu-emo champions Into It. Over It. (who also just put out an amazing new record) and politically charged pop punks Hostage Calm, this is hands-down my most-anticipated show of the weekend!  [PO]

DANE COOK
@ The Ryman | 7:30PM | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Remember Dane Cook? He was that guy who made all those Kool-Aid jokes a few years ago and even managed to score a role with Jessica Simpson in Employee of the Month, a movie that very might get more TV repeats than any other movie in the last few years. As it turns out, Dane Cook actually is quite a funny individual, and has managed to sell out shows across the nation. Surprisingly, rather than Zanie’s, Cook will be performing at The Ryman. Be sure to check of Cook’s unique take on raunchy comedy. [JS]

AMANDA SHIRES w/ CORY BRANAN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8PM (6PM doors) | $10 | All Ages

JD WILKES AND THE DIRT DAUBERS w/ BETSE ELLIS
@ The High Watt | 9PM (8PM doors) | $10 | 18+

[JS] Jack Smith
[JG] Jared Godar
[JM] Jessika Malone
[LS] Lauren Strange
[MH] Matt Hall
[OF] Olivia Fay
[PO] Philip Obenschain