Easily one of our favorite acts to spring from the local scene in the past few years, psych pop duo Okey Dokey made a strong debut in 2017, and have continued to wow us more recently with a string of stellar singles. Joined by two more of Nashville’s finished rising talents, new(ish) James Wallace musical vehicle Skyway Man and psych pop transplants Harpooner, who all make for a really inspired and complimentary lineup, Okey Dokey are set to play an exciting hometown show Jan. 25 at Mercy Lounge! You can still grab tickets right here, but we’re thrilled to announce that we’re also giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky fan! If you’ve somehow missed out on these artists until now, read up on them all below, then enter for a chance to win.
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 aforementioned Weeks and Sol Cat as well as 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, in the fall of 2017, 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 wider audiences and new ears, Okey Dokey aren’t slowing down on the creative output, drumming up some buzz with a brand new EP, Besides, ahead of their Bonnaoo debut last summer, and in recent months, debuting a string of new singles (which, we hope, means a new album on the way in the near future). With a groovy, soulful, pop accessible psych rock sound, the band are a vibey, engaging good time live, and a local band you should absolutely catch in concert at any chance.
SKYWAY MAN
We’ve been fans of immensely talented local musician James Wallace since his many years of making music under the moniker James Wallace and the Naked Light, but with his latest outlet, Skyway Man, Wallace seems to have finally found his ultimate artist distillation, combining his years of crafting smart, layered, and hypnotic psych folk, obsession with UFOlogy and all things cosmic, the worldliness of his global travels, and even the sensibilities of his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, where he recorded Skyway Man’s 2017 debut, Seen Comin’ from a Mighty Eye, with acclaimed musician, producer, and longtime friend Matthew E. White. Wallace’s latest outlet has, in just a couple short years, managed to amass plenty of acclaim, and though it’s not a huge leap from the stuff we loved before, a distinct new moniker and musical chapter seems to have also brought the most focus, defined artistic identity, and broadest ambition of his work to date (and a brand new collaborative record with Teddy and the Rough Riders only further flexes James’s range). We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Skyway Man live a handful of times already, and he’s never anything short of stunning!
HARPOONER
Hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, but based in Nashville for several years, eclectic, psych-tinged, retro pop trio Harpooner have long been a site favorite. The band released their debut full-length, Rose Park, in 2016, but have a been a formidable presence in the local scene for much longer, adopting self-proclaimed “1970’s pop” sound which features a lush, baroque, layered vibe, psych flourishes, and midwestern flair. Since Rose Park, Harpooner have grown from promising local up and comers to a group attracting well-deserved national press, and with such a unique and hypnotic style, we have no doubt that they’re destined to resonate on a much wider scale, especially whenever their highly-anticipated sophomore effort arrives. If this band have somehow slipped by you, this is a perfect chance to get acquainted, and a stellar way to kick off this stacked local show.
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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 Thursday, Jan. 24 at 12 p.m. CST, and will receive one pair of tickets. Good luck!
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Okey Dokey, Skyway Man, and Harpooner will perform Friday, Jan. 25 at Mercy Lounge. The show is 18+, begins at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $13-15.