For the fourth time in just five years, acclaimed folk rockers Dawes have announced a performance at The Ryman Auditorium– hands down one of the best places on earth to experience their unparalleled live show. Set to take place tonight, April 20, the band will bring along Hiss Golden Messenger as their opening act. As of writing, only a handful of single tickets remain right here, so read on for details and grab your spot now before it’s sold out!
DAWES
Born out of the ashes of Los Angeles indie/post-punk outfit Simon Dawes, Dawes have managed a quick and well-deserved ascent in just over six years. Made up of brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, and rounded out by Wylie Gelber and Duane Betts, the group’s rootsy, folk-rock aesthetic is the product of early jam sessions with the likes of Conor Oberst, Chris Robinson, and Pat Sansone. Influenced by the “Laurel Canyon Sound,” the band have adopted a nostalgic, rock informed flavor of folk, which has nabbed them tours with the likes of Oberst, Mumford & Sons, Shovels and Rope, and M. Ward, and helped them quickly become a festival mainstay, graduating to big stages just a couple years into their career. Dawes have steadily released LPs every other year since their 2009 debut North Hills, most recently last year’s All Your Favorite Bands, and each has been met with critical and commercial success. Known for their engaging, authentic live presentation and nuanced performance style, the band have played the Nashville area numerous times over the years, most recently at last year’s Pilgrimage and Bonnaroo festivals, and backing Conor Oberst at The Ryman the year before. Given their ever-increasing presence, we’d expect this show to sell fast, so don’t miss out on a chance to see one of the best live acts touring making music today, before they presumably retreat for a bit to craft new tunes.
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER
Formed in 2007 by MC Taylor and Scott Hirsch, longtime collaborators who had previously played together for decades in various bands, including hardcore punk outfit Ex-Ignota and indie rock act The Court & Spark, Hiss Golden Messenger are a definite musical departure, adopting a country rock, alt-country, and folk vibe, with elements of blues, soul, jazz, funk, gospel, pop, and dub (needless to say, they’re eclectic, and also prolific). Largely viewed as a musical vehicle primarily for Taylor, who resides in North Carolina and is typically the only member featured in promotional materials, Hirsch, a resident of Brooklyn, has seemingly remained an integral part of the writing and recording process, which also regularly boasts a plethora of collaborators, including Nashville’s own William Tyler. Prolific in their output, Hiss Golden Messenger have released five full-lengths and two EPs in the span of seven years, most recently inking a deal with Merge for their latest, Lateness of Dancers (and even more recent EP, Southern Grammar). Known for deeply personal, literary-referencing, emotionally vulnerable, and story-based lyricism, enhanced by raw and personal musicianship, Hiss Golden Messenger are an exciting and timeless project, deserving of even more recognition than they’ve amassed.
Dawes and Hiss Golden Messenger will perform tonight, April 20 at The Ryman Auditorium. The show is all ages, begins at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), and tickets are available for $35.