Happy Friday Nashville! We have another packed weekend of great shows going on around town. We have a former member of jam bands, punk bands, folk bands, indie rock bands just like usual, but this weekend you can see a TON of that stuff for free! We’re not sure if Nashville venues are clamoring for your business that desperately or what, but we certainly aren’t complaining! Start planning your weekend by checking out all of our staff picks in another edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
KATE TUCKER AND THE SONS OF SWEDEN
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
We were lucky enough to have Kate Tucker and The Sons of Sweden grace our stage at last year’s Caroling Party, and holy shit did they rock it! We were so impressed that we find it shocking that you can see them for free while you grab some ‘za after work. If money is tight and you have to see some music this weekend, this is THE go-to event for you. Don’t miss it. [JR]
LYDIA w/ HRVRD, GOLDEN SUN
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $12 | 18+
Since a band member shuffle in 2010 followed by a short breakup, Arizona’s Lydia have been somewhat slow to restarting. Though the band has technically released two post-hiatus records, 2011’s Paint It Golden and last year’s Devil, the indie rockers are just now getting back into the groove of touring extensively, and will hit Nashville for the first time in a couple of years. Backed by amazing proggy indie rockers HRVRD and alt-rock outfit Golden Sun, this is sure to be a good one! [PO]
SUN SEEKER, HONEY LOCUST (DUO), TWIGGS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Local folk darlings Sun Seeker will be playing a super cheap show at one of our favorite haunts (The Stone Fox knows what’s up when it comes to great food and good tunes). For a measly $5 at the door, you also get the multi-instrumentalist goth/folk duo Honey Locust and country cross-over folk’sters Twiggs. Don’t worry, denim jackets, beards, beanies and rolling your own cigarettes isn’t required. [JR]
THE WERKS w/ BACKUP PLANET
@ 12th & Porter | 9pm | $10/12 | 18+
The Werks are one of the newest additions in the proud tradition of American jam bands, and, as such, one might expect their shows to be improv heavy and highlighted by some pretty spectacular visuals. Fortunately, you would be correct in assuming this. This four-piece comes to us from Ohio as part of their national tour, and we couldn’t be happier that they’re making a stop here in Music City. Opening for The Werks are Nashville’s own Backup Planet, whose eclectic and funky tones are sure to impress any listener. Catch both these stellar acts tonight at 12th and Porter! [JS]
THE CRUMBSNATCHERS w/ MELON & THE MAYHEM, ARC & STONES
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
While this recommendation should actually be applauding Grimey’s ability to pack insanely tangible genre stretches into one of our favorite Nashville venues, this nod is actually going to go to Melon & The Mayhem for the release of their new EP Bluerise. Have a listen to the full EP below, and just consider yourself blessed when you experience the serendipity of Arc & Stones and Crumbsnatchers who are also on the bill! [MH]
ROADKILL GHOST CHOIR, AMANDA SHIRES
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10ADV/$12DOS | 18+
Since the release of their debut EP, Quiet Light, in 2012, Deland, FL’s Roadkill Ghost Choir have gained a reputation as an excellent live band. On Quiet Light, Andrew Shepard (vox / guitar) sings in landscapes of Jim James and the overall sonics feel of Grizzly Bear’s “Sleeping Utne” (Shields) with the track “Tarot Youth” paralleling Radiohead’s “There There.” Their self-proclaimed influences are Wilco, Dylan, and Gram Parsons. Combine all of the artistic nods and its no wonder they’re a band to cast eyes upon. Nashville’s own Amanda Shires is a Texas born fiddle player / singer-songwriter touring in support of 2013’s Down Fell The Doves. On songs “Look Like A Bird”, “Bulletproof”, “If I”, “Stay” and “The Garden Song”, she shines her brightest with intrigue. Shires is a beautiful folkie who delivers Texas storm on the fiddle with a bit of Nashville snake bite. [LT]
SATURDAY
ABANDON JALOPY, THE GREAT AFFAIRS, SCALEHOUND
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | $cheap | 21+
Brad Smith might not have the same distinctive voice as Shannon Hoon, but it’s hard to deny the former bassist of Blind Melon at least a little of your Saturday night attention. The current incarnation strikes more of a singer songwriter vibe (ala Connor Oberst), but, hey… that’s not so bad, right? Not to mention, it is crazy inspirational to see a guy that loves music enough to give up the big buses and bright lights to bring a new life on the road by whatever means will make it possible. Bravo. [MH]
JP HARRIS & THE TOUGH CHOICES w/ MARGO & THE PRICE TAGS, JOHNNY APPLESEED
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
One of The Basement’s finest features is that they book such great talent and on this Saturday night, they are giving us a lineup of what country purists lust after. JP Harris & The Tough Choices, Margo & The Price Tags and Johnny Appleseed are of the finest examples of true country that deserve the airwaves of country radio. Artistically, they kick the ass of almost every chart topper on the country charts right now. So as we put on Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” in faith that the pop country radio powerhouse will soon see the light, we raise our Budweisers to our best kept secrets with selfless desires for them to one day receive their truly deserved spotlights. [LT]
REAL ESTATE w/ PURE X
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $15 (only a few left!) | 18+
When ever Brooklynians (via NJ) Real Estate come to town it’s a hot ticket so hurry up and buy yours while you can because it’s bound to sell out! We can’t get enough of their ambient, surf rock psychedelica and with Pure X’s spaced-out vocals and equally trippy instrumentation both bands will have you on cloud nine for the duration of your evening. [JR]
TEITUR w/ GRACE & TONY, CALEB GROH
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $10 | 18+
World traveler Teitur (that’s pronounced Tie-Tor) left his homeland, the Faroe Islands, an obscure way station half way between Iceland and Norway, ten years ago to pursue his dream of music. Six albums later he seems to really be coming into his own with a very unique brand of chill alternative rock and eclectic musical blends. If you’re looking for something different to wet your sound pallet than this is the show for you. [JR]
SUNDAY
GREEN JELLÖ w/ LOOK WHAT I DID, THELMA AND THE SLEAZE
@ Exit/In | 8pm | Free | 18+
And the award for best FREE fun this weekend goes to…. legendary satirical punks Green Jellö (aka Green Jelly), local hardcore/political punk/math metal outfit Look What I Did, and female punk trio Thelma and the Sleaze. Hell of a lineup, right? Did we mention it’s totally FREE! [PO]
MATRIMONY w/ ELEL
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
We’ve been keeping you regularly clued in to North Carolina folky indie rock outfit Matrimony since their Bonnaroo debut last summer, and subsequent handful of Nashville dates. They’ve graduated from opener and smaller rooms to headlining 3rd & Lindsley’s Nashville Sunday Night (Lightning 100 knows what they’re doing), and our friends and soon-to-be Bonnaroo performers ELEL will be there to open things up! This band is destined for big things, catch ’em in a more intimate setting while you still can. [PO]
THE DEAD DEADS w/ A SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL, BABE CITY, RANDALL SHREVE AND THE SIDE SHOW, ONE CENT STAMP
@ The Basement | 8pm | Free | 21+
It’s not too hard to put on a live show. Sure, the artists will have to put in a lot of work and have a smidgen of natural talent, but there are a few key ingredients that every band can rely on: catchy hooks, blaring guitars, and an energetic stage presence. The Deads Deads wholeheartedly embraced these ingredients, and as such happen to put on a heck of a live show. Seeing as this awesome group will be joined by a variety of rocking openers for a free show (with $2 pints), you can be sure that The Basement will be rocking this Sunday. [JS]
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[LT] Lindsey Thompson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain