TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Oct. 13-15

Fall touring season is in full swing, and, even if you aren’t going to the sold out multi-night runs by Chris Stapleton at Bridgestone or Jason Isbell at The Ryman this weekend, there is still surely something that is going to satisfy your musical desires. You have punk shows, beloved songwriters, top notch hip hop, book readings, Halloween soirees, psych rock, metal, pop, and a monster benefit show as we kick off the October show season. Head below to dig into all of our staff picks for the weekend in this week’s edition of TWiN.

FRIDAY

THE MENZINGERS w/ SECRET STUFF, PALE LUNGS
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7pm doors) | $18-21 | 18+

Heralded as one of the best punk bands of the past decade, Philadelphia’s The Menzingers have been fueled by both underground cred and critical acclaim since their breakout 2012 third LP On the Impossible Past, and with their latest and fifth album, this year’s After the Party, the group continue to flex the emotional, angsty, powerful, heartland fueled punk that sets them apart. A powerful and dynamic live force, it’s been nearly four years since the group last played a headlining show in Music City (they’ve been back as opener more recently), so their return this weekend at The Basement East is all the more exciting. Tickets are still available here, and with support from two of our favorite local acts, Secret Stuff and Pale Lungs, this is an essential show for any fan of quality punk. Read on for more about the lineup here! [PO]

CONOR OBERST w/ TIM KASHER, FRANCES QUINLAN
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm (6:30pm doors) | $30 | All Ages

Back on a prolific tear as a solo artist, after several years of various collaborations and band reunions, renowned indie/folk singer-songwriter Conor Oberst is set to return to Nashville for the fourth time in just as many years this Friday to play Marathon Music Works with Tim Kasher (Cursive, The Good Life) and Frances Quinlan (Hop Along). After releasing his most stripped-down and intimate effort in years last fall, and supporting it with a similarly-strucutred tour, Oberst is back with a new LP, Salutations, and full band setup for his latest run, marking his smallest Music City stop as a solo artist in years. The lineup is fantastic from top to bottom, so we urge you to grab tickets here while they last! Read on for more about the lineup here. [PO]

MIKE FLOSS w/ MICHAEL DA VINCI, FLU GAME Q, DJ CRISIS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Over the past few years, local hip hop artist Mike Floss has grown from being just one of many exciting names in the new, relevant, growing Nashville hip hop scene to, perhaps, the most relevant rapper in Music City, adopting a socially conscious, southern, progressive sound and lyrical focus that, between 2015’s Don’t Blame the Youth and his brand new release, Tennessee Daydreams, which he’s celebrating this weekend at Exit/In, has earned him high critical praise and growing fanbase. Floss’s hometown release show also features support from Michael Da Vinci and Flu Game Q, along with DJ Crisis, and with Floss’s dynamic, energetic, and honed performance style, it’s guaranteed to be lit. [PO]

THE WHIFFS, THE RUBS, THE SHITDELS
@ Fond Object (Downtown) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Fond Object’s 4th Ave location keeps the great weekend show trend rolling with a couple of great touring acts and a wallet-friendly cover. Kansas City power pop outfit The Whiffs, out in support of new record Take a Whiff, head up the bill, joined by Chicago garage punks with a pop penchant The Rubs, and Nashville’s own The Shitdels. [PO]

FICTION STRANGE AS LIFE ft. ORNAMENT
@ Third Man Records | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

To help get you into the mood this Friday the 13th, Third Man Records is hosting an all ages spooky fiction-focused reading in the Blue Room that will also feature, as a back drop, the psychedelic musical talents of Nashville’s very own Ornament. Award-winning author Kiini Ibura Salaam will be making her Music City debut, drawing from her second collection of stories, When the World Wounds, published by Third Man Books last fall. Joining her will be renowned fiction writer Pinckney Benedict, and Nashville’s own Betsy Phillips (look for her short story collection Jesus, Crawdad, Death, coming soon from Third Man Books). If you’re looking to do something a little unique this weekend, but keep the Friday the 13th vibe, this is the perfect ticket for you! [JR]

WATERFALL WASH, LACQUER, FUR ON FUR, DOCTOR GIRLFRIEND, MARK BULLOCK
@ Little Harpeth | 7pm (6pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Local rockers Waterfall Wash have had a bit of a lineup shake in recent weeks, but they are pushing forward as a rising force in the local indie rock scene.  They headline the “2 Spooky 4 U” Friday the 13th show at Little Harpeth, which also features shoegaze rockers Lacquer, Jacob Disadere’s lo-fi jangle rock outfit Fur On Fur, the uniquely fresh sound of Doctor Girlfriend, and talented local producer and songwriter Mark Bullock.  Little Harpeth has expanded their show space, making it even more ideal for a fresh barley pop and a great collection of local bands on a Friday night. [MH]

HARI w/ ONLY, MARK FREDSON, BLEARY
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | 21+

As we told you earlier this week, local poppy, shoegaze, indie rock outfit HARI are gearing up for the release of their debut EP, Daze In The Sun, today, and we even shared an exclusive stream earlier in the week.  You can grab an official copy when the band performs on Friday night at The 5 Spot with like-minded, garage-leaning outfit Only, rising local songwriter Mark Fredson, and Bleary (a new project featuring members of Dogtooth). [MH]

CREAMER
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

Local (via Austin, TX) alt rock powerhouse Creamer have been making a great name for themselves in the area scene ever since they dropped anchor in Music City. If you’re not hip to them just yet, and you love great pizza, then we have some wonderful news, friends! You can check them out for free this Friday while you grab a slice or two and some happy hour beers. Best part is it starts early, so you can still make plans to catch another show afterward. [JR]

VALE OF PNATH, DEPTHS OF HATRED, VIRVUM, INFERI
@ The East Room | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

If you’re looking for something more heavy and off the beaten path this weekend, The East Room has you covered. A decade into their run, Denver’s Vale of Pnath play a progressive, technical death metal that’ll appeal to both vans of bone-crushing heavy metal and intense technical prowess. Quebec’s Depths of Hatred bring a similarly brutal and technical bent, and Swedish ambient, proggy death metal/black metal outfit Virvum and likeminded locals INFERI round things out. Fans of heavy, heady music will not be disappointed. [PO]

RON POPE w/ AGES & AGES, THE HEART OF
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm (7pm doors) | $20-22 | All Ages

Since springing onto the scene a decade ago, New York pop rock singer-songwriter Ron Pope has had a buzzy and prolific run, earning buzz and a devoted following with his eclectic, accessible sound. Pope is currently out in support of his latest, Work, and will hit Cannery Ballroom this weekend with great supporting acts Ages & Ages and The Heart Of. [PO]

TWIDDLE
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $12-15 | 18+

Formed at Castleton University in jam band centric Vermont (Phish’s home state as well) around 2004, Twiddle are a rock band on the rise, especially in the tight-knit jam community. Like all performers lumped into the genre, the four man collective relay heavily on instrumental improvisation in their live shows, much to everyone’s dancing delight. Incorporating flavors from rock, jazz, funk, reggae, and bluegrass, Twiddle hit that genre bending sweet spot their growing legion of fans have come to know and love. Touring in support of their new record, Plump: Chapter Two, the band hope to keep the diehards happy while luring in new fans of jam, so if you dig the vibe in the embed below, don’t miss this show! [JR]

SATURDAY

HAVE MERCY w/ BOSTON MANOR, CAN’T SWIM, A WILL AWAY
@ The End | 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) | $15-17 | 18+

We’ve been singing the praises of Baltimore-based, emo-tinged indie punks Have Mercy since back in their DIY days, and have been thrilled to watch the talented group amass a national following over the past few years, earning spots at Warped Tour, scoring high-profile independent record deals, and releasing a trio of celebrated full-lengths, all the while touring endlessly and making a point to play Music City on a regular basis. After a number of recent lineup changes, leaving just frontman Brian Swindle from the original incarnation, the group recently their aptly-titled Make the Best of It earlier this year, and return to The End in support with a stacked bill of Boston Manor, Can’t Swim, and A Will Away. It’s an especially solid weekend for punk fans, and this is another great option. [PO]

WALRUS, THE HOLIFIELDS, MORUGA SCORPIO, TWEN, CARINAE
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Presented by Nashville Psych Alliance & Cold Lunch Recordings, Canadian poppy, psychedelic rockers Walrus head up a great DIY show at The Cobra on Saturday, celebrating the recent release of their debut full-length, Family Hangover. Knoxville psych rockers The Holifields, Morgua Scorpio, the latest project led by local rocker Evan P. Donohue, Nashville lo-fi/psych pop/genre-bending group TWEN, and Massachusetts up and comers Carinae round out the lineup, making this the most awesome-to-cost ratio show of the whole damn weekend. [PO]

BOO DUDES, SEXY FEEL COLLINS, BLACK APPLES, BRUFASA
@ Fond Object (Downtown) | 8pm | All Ages

Halloween is fast approaching, and Fond Object are getting into the spirit a little early this weekend, with a “Saturday the 14th Spooky Soiree” at their downtown 4th Ave location. The first of four planned appearances for “Nashville’s premiere fright rock ensemble” Boo Dudes, who awaken every October to get into the spooky spirit, the party will also include Sexy Feel Collins, which is Leticia Wolf of The Dead Deads and Carter Routh, Black Apples (LYLAS’ Kyle Hamlet), special guest BRUFASA, DJ sets, and more. Basically a bunch of local favorites adopting Halloween themed alter-egos; can’t go wrong! [PO]

TRICKY w/ IN THE VALLEY BELOW
@ Exit/In | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | $20-25 | 18+

One of the creators and first practitioners of trip hop, English producer, rapper, and vocalist Tricky is going to kick out the jams for Music City this weekend in support of his latest LP, Ununiform, which dropped just last month. Often a collaborator as well, Tricky has worked with performers as diverse as Massive Attack, Björk, PJ Harvey, and RZA horror rap side project Gravediggaz. A jack of all trades, he’s even found some success as an actor. It appears there isn’t much he can’t do. With help from California indie dream pop outfit In The Valley Below, this promises to one of the most unique gigs of a totally stacked weekend. So if you want something a little out of the ordinary, this could be the genre breaking ticket you’re looking for. [JR]

THE JAG w/ HR_LEXY, DEDSA
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

We’ve been following the trajectory of local rockers The JAG for a few years now, and they are celebrating the vinyl release of their new Andrija Tokic produced 7-inch on Saturday night at Mercy Lounge.  Based on our first listen to the new tracks, the band are taking on more of a avant-pop, post-punk leaning, Bowie-esque direction that you can hear in the track “A Star Is Born” below.  This show is supported by an eclectic lineup featuring haunting electro dream pop trio HR_Lexy, and electro-pop melded psych rock outfit DEDSA.  Looking for a perfect example of why Nashville has far more to offer than twang?  Here you go.  [MH]

MOON HOOCH w/ LAVENDER FIELDS, JACKSON WHALAN
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $17-20 | 18+

Electro-inspired jazz funk outfit Moon Hooch have seen quite the rise since their days of busking the NYC subway.  They’ve taken their unique two sax and drums setup to new heights with the use of unique effects to create an irresistible blend of driving bass lines, catchy melodies, and dance-inducing rhythm.  They are joined by LA-based, electro-dubbed, reggae infused outfit Lavender Fields, and live-tronic, hip-hop rapper and producer Jackson Whalan. [MH]

PETE YORN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $30 | All Ages

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Pete Yorn is best known for his early ’00s trilogy of albums (musicforthemorningafter, Day I Forgot, and Nightcrawler), and further gained international acclaim for the 2009 release of “Break Up” with movie goddess Scarlett Johansson.  Yorn has shared massive bills with the likes of Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., Foo Fighters, Weezer, and more, so to see the talented singer in the stripped down setting of 3rd & Lindsley will be a treat for fans new and old. [MH]

SUNDAY

SAD BAXTER, GHASTLY MIKE HACKENSLASH, ALLEN THOMPSON, THE MEDIUM, CHARLIE WHITTEN, HARI, METH DAD, SEXX, FAUNA HALO, MICROWAVE MOUNTAIN, TWEN, SNAKE CHENEY, & MORE
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | $10 (suggested) | 21+

We already shared the news about the benefit this weekend for local music advocate and east side bad-ass Caroline Bowman.  If you haven’t heard, Caroline has been struggling with some health issues of late, and, as we do in Nashville, a huge number of bands are coming together to help raise some money to help her get back on her feet and pay the bills.  If you can’t make it, you can also donate to her GoFundMe, but with a lineup like this, featuring the likes of Sad Baxter, Sexx, Meth Dad, and tons more, it a perfect, feel good way to end your weekend.  Get better Caroline! [MH]

CRAIG FINN & THE UPTOWN CONTROLLERS w/ JOHN K. SAMSON
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15-22 | All Ages

Best known for fronting venerable Brooklyn indie rock outfit The Hold Steady, Craig Finn is something of a modern indie icon, renowned for his unparalleled, story-driven style and conceptual, smart lyrical prowess. Since 2012, Finn has also flexed his range as a solo artist, crafting and touring on albums of his own between periods of Hold Steady activity. His latest and third LP, We All Want the Same Things, dropped earlier this year, and in support, Finn returns to Nashville for a set at City Winery, a perfect place for his accessible and mature but still indie and punk helmed sound. John K. Samson opens, and while not the most flashy, this is all but guaranteed to be one of the weekend’s best shows. [PO]

BOGUES, BLOOM, EARLY HUMANS, EUREKA MO
@ That 70’s House | 7pm | $7 | All Ages

The musical outlet of local singer-songwriter AJ Gruenewald, Bogues is a project we’ve had our eye on for awhile, and his debut EP, Mulligan, was one of the most criminally-underrated local releases of last year, adopting a similar emo-derived, emotionally resonate, and minimalist style akin fellow former-Murfreeboro resident Julien Baker. Also an influential figure in hosting DIY and house shows around town, Bogus hits That 70’s House this weekend on a tour with VA emo/post-hardcore group Bloom, with support from buzzy indie/emo/college rockers Early Humans and resonant emo influenced up and comer Eureka, MO. It’s an overstuffed weekend for punk and DIY shows, but this one is very worthy of your consideration. [PO]

ZEKE w/ ANTISEEN, AGAINST THE GRAIN
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15-18 | 18+

Seattle hardcore punks Zeke have been going strong since the early ’90s, emerging this year to release their first album in over a decade, with a revamped lineup still helmed by frontman Blind Marky Felchtone. Known for their fast, energetic sound, earning Motörhead comparisons despite being more punk rooted, the band are best experienced live, and you can do so this weekend with Antiseen and Against the Grain. [PO]

A DAY TO REMEMBER w/ MOOSE BLOOD, WAGE WAR
@ Marathon Music Works | 7:30pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

With the unprecedented success they’ve experienced over the last few years, even leading them to previously headline Bridgestone Arena, it’s certainly no surprise that Florida metalcore outfit A Day to Remember managed to sell out their Marathon Music Works show well in advance, especially with a strong supporting slate of Moose Blood and Wage War. If you were lucky enough to snag tickets, you’ll be treated to plenty of new cuts from last year’s Bad Vibrations, plus plenty of classics from their decade-long catalogue. [PO]

THE BUMBS, KID FREUD, LUCAS
@ The Cobra | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Recently formed cosmic blues rock outfit The Bumbs earned top billing for a super tasty low dough show this Sunday, and it is a must-not-miss for fans of Nashville’s underground rock scene. With them eagerly hyping their debut single “Cuz I’m A Zombie,” which drops Friday the 13th, we look forward to hearing what they’re all about live and in person. With help from blog faves Kid Freud and likeminded performers Lucas, it should be a rowdy good time. So get off your butt, and scrape five bones together, so you can get the most kickass out your weekend this Sunday at The Cobra. [JR]

BIRDTALKER w/ SAD PENNY
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

Birdtalker have a pure Nashville story of their creation. Husband and wife begin songwriting together, and friend after friend continue joining in over time, like an extended jam session, to find the groove that sang true to their group heart.  The band are riding high off the success of their late 2016 EP Just This, and return home in the midst of a fall tour this weekend with a handful of recently released singles in tow from their upcoming debut LP, including the fresh music video for “Autodomesticated Animal” below. Talented indie rock project Sad Penny open things up, and you’ll get a chance to hear tracks from Sun Cured, which just debuted this week. [MH]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain