What a wild week of shows for us here at No Country! We’ve been reserving energy though, because this weekend is just as action packed. We’ve been giving away tickets this week for Jessie Baylin and John & Jacob, and we ran down the Emancipator show earlier today… so, you’re probably already dialed in on those. There’s a lot more going on though, and we run through our staff’s top picks in another edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
SMOOTH HOUND SMITH
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
Soulful blues inspired folk has taken over the airwaves of Lightning 100 this week with their artist of the week, Smooth Hound Smith. If you’ve somehow missed out on this duo, you should familiarize yourself, and then head over Soulshine Pizza tonight to party with them and L100 DJ Wells Adams starting around 7ish. [MH]
JESSIE BAYLIN w/ THE WATSON TWINS
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $10ADV/$12DOS | 18+
In what’s being touted as “Her first headlining show in Nashville since the release of Little Spark, two years ago, January 17, 2012,” Jessie Baylin has brought no less than The Watson Twins (who formerly famously flanked Jenny Lewis on her solo debut) to her side for this auspicious event. Refresh on Jessie’s lush, wistful pop below via her Grimey’s instore appearance featuring a nice little intro from Mr. Grimes himself. [JM]
KIDDEAD ALBUM RELEASE W/ PEACEFUL WARRIORS, SPOKEN NERD, PHANTOM FARMER, AND ERIN RAE
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $7 | 18+
We’ve spent a few nights this week at The Stone Fox for rocks shows, but the groove is gonna change in The Nations when kidDEAD drops his latest hip-hop album. Throw in the more hip-hop, pop, and hip-pop (is that a genre because it should be) from locals Peaceful Warriors, Spoken Nerd, Phantom Farmer, and Erin Rae for what should be a groovin’ ass good time. [MH]
THE DANBERRYS W/ DOGWOOD DANCE CRAZE
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Calling themselves a ‘Choose your own adventure band’ a la the books most of us read as kids, The Danberrys will be bringing their folk/country/bluegrass/Americana/Blues mash-up to the Basement for our auditory amusement. Even though we’re not sure what to expect, we’ll be getting there early to check out a new band, Dogwood Dance Craze composed of some locals we love (Christian Sedelmyer, David Goldenberg, Mark Sloan). With a band name like that it’s sure to be an awesome ensemble! [JR]
MAJESTICO, RANCH GHOST, JAMES WALLACE AND THE NAKED LIGHT, CLEAR PLASTIC MASKS, OH DANG LO MEIN, AND CHROME PONY
@ fooBAR.too | 9pm | $cheap | 21+
With a line-up like this one in a venue like fooBAR, you just KNOW something insane is going to go down and you’re gonna’ want to be able to say you were there. Majestico recently rocked the 8th Off 8th Jingle Ball (see our feature here) and they’re bringing it hard into the new year with some of No Country’s other favorite faces including James Wallace & The Naked Light (read our interview here). We’re certain this will be plenty of headbang for your buck so get there in time to grab a hot spot in the smokey haze and have fun! (Headdresses not required, but apparently encouraged). [JM]
GHOST OWL + THIS IS ART W/ MAGIC OF SCIENCE
@Exit/In | 8pm | $10 | 18+
This Friday, we’ve got a show that will really knock you off your feet. EDM/Indie rock extraordinaires Ghost Owl will be gracing the stage of Exit/In with their intensely psychedelic tunes. Opening for Ghost Owl is both This Is Art and Magic Of Science, which not only represents both sides of intelligence (art and science) but also basically guarantees a swinging evening. If swinging sounds like a great way to spend an evening, the whole thing goes down at 8 pm. [JS]
SATURDAY
SEA WOLF (SOLO) w/ KIERNAN MCMULLAN and LIZA ANNE
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $12 | 18+
Sea Wolf frontman Alex Brown Church is playing a special acoustic show Saturday night at The High Watt, and you’re not gonna want to miss out! Church is touring in support of his band’s most recent album Old World Romance and it’s been getting a lot of attention lately. Incredibly talented singer/songwriter Kiernan McMullan and one of our favorite Nashville locals, Liza Anne, will be opening. Be sure to get out to The High Watt early and check them all out! [KA]
EMANCIPATOR ENSEMBLE WINTER TOUR 2014
@ The Cannery Ballroom| 9pm | $15ADV/$20DOS | 18+
Maybe you went to the Ghost Owl show on Friday, but you’re looking for something chill and psychedelic to follow up on Saturday. Fortunately for you, Emancipator will be in town, and this time the DJ will be playing his usual peaceful tunes with the help of a live ensemble. Fans who have already seen Emancipator should know that this tour is supposed to be totally different than anything he’s done before; check out the video below for more details on the live ensemble. [JS]
THE NASHVILLE FRINGE FESTIVAL PRESENTS: SNOW BALL! FEATURING: THE CUNNING, GUTHRIE BROWN, JUSTIN KALK ORCHESTRA & THEM VIBES
@ fooBAR.too | 9pm | $5 in advance / $10 at the door | 21+
The Cunning formed in the summer of 2013 and released their second track (“Honey Bee”) in December, a song that showcases the solar and outreaching side of southern rock. The band lists their influences as “Girls” with CAUTION: “Only for the grown and sexy!” Guthrie Brown is 18 years old and has been playing / writing music since he was 10. At times he projects a young Paul Simon ala “Graceland” with the radio friendliness of John Mayer. The frenzy of Justin Kalk Orchestra will bring a festive feel of blues-rock and theatrics to the night. Them Vibes self-proclaim as “honest rock & roll and it’s a take it or leave it kind of attitude.” If you’re having an impulsive kind of night, you’ll dig the extemporaneous jam-grooves of P4. [LT]
CASSIO MONROE, ELISE HAYES, LEWIS, DJ HISH, CLAIRE STAHLECKER AND MORE
@ The Basement | 8pm | $5 | 21+
Are you a fan of super-pop (a la Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, etc)? If you like that, but can’t afford those pricey tickets to Bridgestone, Cassio Monroe might be the coolest thing you have ever heard. They headline a pretty stellar genre spanning bill as a going away party for Claire Stahlecker. If you know her, then you are probably already on what is sure to be a super long guest list. If you aren’t pals, you can still head out for some fun tunes. [MH]
THE POOR BOYS, DEADSUN, THE NOTION
@ 12th and Porter | 8pm | $10 | 18+
Nashville’s The Poor Boys call back to a more carefree, less pretentious time in rock and roll. Hovering in sound somewhere around the hard rock heyday of the ’70s, with an ’80s penchant for partying, the group are a hell of a lot of fun, always managing to rock the house at 12th and Porter. Sweeting the deal are hard rockers Deadsun and grungy alt-rock act The Notion.
[PO]
HILLBILLY CASINO AND KRANK DADDIES W/ SPECIAL GUEST
@ Mercy Lounge | 9:30pm | $8 | 18+
We caught these locals a few months back when they were part of an epic Psychobilly showcase and you can read all about it here. Saturday night Hillbilly Casino will be the headliners and we’re about as excited as a methed-out pig in shit! They’re quit a sight to see live so don’t miss your chance to get rebel yelled by this rockabilly band on steroids. Openers Krank Daddies bring more of the same vibe but with a Windy City flare. As for ’special guest’? Your guess is as good as ours so we’ll just have to wait till show time! [JR]
SUNDAY
JOHN AND JACOB W/ LOS COLOGNES AND SAM PALLADIO
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 7pm (doors at 6pm) | SOLD OUT | All Ages
There’s no better word to describe the music of John and Jacob than downright cheery. Songs like “Be My Girl” immediately conjure thoughts of sitting out in the sun, drinking an adult beverage, and enjoying life. By the way, if you entered our contest for free tickets to this show, the winners will be announced today, so be checking your emails! [JS]
AGAINST ME! W/ THE SIDEKICKS AND THE SHONDES
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $15-17ADV/$17DOS | 18+
We’ve been plugging this one for awhile, and are a bit shocked that a show this good hasn’t managed to sell out. Buzzed-about punk rockers Against Me! are one of the most organic, gimmack-free acts in the scene, able to deliver one of the most energetic, emotional, and face-melting performances imaginable night after night. Their highly-anticipated new album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, officially drops Tuesday, but you can hear it early, just in time to learn all of the words. The Sidekicks and The Shondes were handpicked to open, so show up on time! [PO]
THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, SWORN IN, SHAI HULUD, SIRENS AND SAILORS
@ The End | 6pm | $12/$14 | All Ages
Metalcore rockers This Or The Apocalypse will bring their intense live show to The End, for an early, all ages performance. Backed by hardcore group Sworn In, hardcore pioneers Shai Hulud, and fellow metalcore act Sirens and Sailors, this is your quintessential heavy fix for the weekend. [PO]
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JM] Jessika Malone
[KA] Kelsi Alexander
[LT] Lindsey Thompson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
The Danberrys show tonight was the heat! Can’t wait to see them again.