One of the absolute best artists to spring from Nashville in recent years, alt-Americana turned psych folk genre bender Rayland Baxter will release his highly-anticipated third album, Wide Awake, on July 13. To celebrate the Butch Walker-produced effort, which features an all-star studio band, Baxter is set to headline a hometown show July 18 at The Basement East, with support from psych pop supergroup Okey Dokey. A fantastic and honed live performer and now a buzzworthy national fixture, Rayland is nothing short of stellar each and every show, and with his best batch of songs ever in tow, this one is sure to be extra special. You can still grab tickets here, but we’re also giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky fan! Read on for more about the show, and enter for a chance to win below.
RAYLAND BAXTER
The ascent of local singer-songwriter Rayland Baxter has been an exciting one to watch, and is certainly well-deserved, as he’s one of the most profound and versatile artists to emerge from the Nashville scene and recent memory. After collaborating with Caitlin Rose on “Shanghai Cigarettes” way back in 2010, Rayland, the son of multi-instrumentalist Bucky Baxter (who’s played with everyone from Bob Dylan to Ryan Adams), found swift critical praise for his 2012 full-length debut, Feathers & Fishhooks. Big tours, festival appearances, and national buzz would soon follow, and by 2015’s incredible Imaginary Man, Baxter had begun to play with a full backing band, and to push his early alt-country and Americana leanings to more adventurous, rock-infused, pop, and retro psychedelic heights. Now firmly a national presence, and certainly a local icon, Baxter debuts new LP Wide Awake on July 13, taking an even more expansive, honed, and filled-out turn. Written while isolated in an old rubber band factory in Franklin, Kentucky, and recorded in Santa Monica under the guidance of acclaimed producer (and sometimes Nashvillian) Butch Walker, the record features Dr. Dog’s Erick Slick on drums, Butch Walker on bass, Cage The Elephant’s Nick Bockrath on guitar, and piano wizard Aaron Embry (Elliott Smith, Brian Eno) on keys, culminating in a hypnotic, harmon-laden, substantive, and socially-charged effort that is, without a doubt, Baxter’s finest work yet. Needless to say, a hometown show sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.
OKEY DOKEY
We’ve been following the rapid rise of local psych pop outfit Okey Dokey since they first sprung onto the scene in early 2016. Formed by visual artist Aaron Martin and guitarist Jonny Fisher, formerly of Sol Cat and currently a live member of The Weeks, the band began fleshing out their unique and entrancing sound with the help of friends from other projects, including The Weeks, Sol Cat, Diane Coffee, Wild Child, and Desert Noises. They’ve come a long way since we hosted them at our No Country Presents showcase at Acme Feed & Seed that spring, and, following the release of their stellar debut album, Love You, Mean It, last year, have gone on to tour with bigger and bigger acts and landed spots at a number of regional and national festivals. Though the buzz from their debut is still pushing the group to bigger audiences and new ears, Okey Dokey aren’t slowing down on the creative output, dropping a few non-LP singles throughout last year, and even drumming up some buzz with a brand new EP, Besides, ahead of their recent Bonnaoo debut. With a groovy, soulful, pop accessible psych rock sound, the band are a vibey, engaging good time live, and a perfect compliment to Rayland’s sound and style.
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ENTER TO WIN TICKETS
Enter to win tickets by filling out the form below. Must be 18+ to attend. If you experience any trouble with the contest widget, or have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Winner will be announced Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m. CDT, and will receive one pair of tickets. Good luck!
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Rayland Baxter and Okey Dokey will perform Wednesday, July 18 at The Basement East. The show is 18+, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $17-20.
