Tis’ that time of the season. That wonderful time of year that we are frantically cramming in parties and shopping… and praying that our credit card wasn’t stolen at Target. However, it is also the time of the season for a lot of awesome shows that are supporting various charities around town, and they are luring you in with some incredible talent. From a battle of the Beatles vs. the Stones with pretty much everyone awesome in Nashville to a bunch of tough as nails guys bringing it all home for children in need. Get in the spirit and get to the shows with our top picks for the weekend in our latest edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
GREAT PEACOCK
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
Local duo Great Peacock possess a honed knack for crafting hook-laden, emotionally dense, and harmony-filled tunes that balance an old folk appreciation, rock sensibilities, and modern indie pop sound. They’re a real treat to catch live, so, if you haven’t yet done so, Lightning 100 is making it extra easy (and free) for you with their Artist of the Week showcase at Soulshine Pizza. [PO]
BEATLES VS. STONES – NIGHT 1 of 2 – 7th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOWL FOR CHARITY (FT. MAYHEM, DANIEL ELLSWORTH & THE GREAT LAKES, NATALIE PRASS, HOWLING BROTHERS, BLANK RANGE, BILL LLYOD, DEROBERT & THE HALF TRUTHS, SHUT UP + MORE!)
@ The Basement | 8pm | $7 (or 5 cans of food) | 21+
And so this is Christmas..the Beatles vs. Rolling Stones (war is over). Ok, maybe not. Squabble over which band is the greater music icon or just shut your trap and time warp with renditions from a long list of Nashville’s Rock Gods and Goddesses at The Basement’s 7th Annual Beatles vs. Stones Christmas Bowl For Charity to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. For just $7 or 5 cans of food, Bill LLoyd, Howling Brothers, Blank Range, DeRobert & The Half Truths, Natalie Prass, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes and Shut Up will warm you up with some Beatles covers before you get Sticky with Mayhem and special guests Shelly Colvin, Greg Mangus, JP Harris, Ashley Wilcoxson and Patrick Sweany. With so much local talent and so many killer songs to pull from, TWO rounds of B vs. S are needed for Friday night (12/20) vs. Saturday night (12/21) so it’s just getting started! Why choose one when you can have both? Happy Xmas! [LT]
RISING APPALACHIA W/ THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND MORE SPECIAL GUEST
@ Cannery Ballroom | 9pm | $17ADV/$15DOS | 18+
If you’re looking for something incredibly unique to witness this weekend, Rising Appalachia has got you covered. This pair of sisters plays a spiritual blend of roots music straight from the foothills of the Appalachians, which already makes their sound something you don’t hear everyday. However, the duo is also known for their work with international musicians, and their work prominently features folk instruments from across the globe, including didgeridoos, hand drums, and tablas. All in all, the duo expertly craft a unique ethereal experience for listeners. [JS]
STONE SENATE, THE CADILLAC SAINTS, THE WOOLY MAMAS AND STONE COLD FIRE
@ The End | 9pm | $13 | 18+
We ran this rocking event for an even more incredible cause down already, so click here for more information. Or, you can just get in the mood all over again with this incredible cover from Nashville’s The Wooly Mamas. [MH]
CORY BRANAN
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Eclectic songwriter Cory Branan keeps raw and clever storytelling alive with his folk-rock catalog. We hear he’s doing a longer “evening with” setup on Friday night, so expect some talented surprise guests. If he performs “Lily”, pretend he’s talking about Santa when he sings, “I guess the best trick is to see the magic once you’ve seen the wires.” [WD]
THOSE DARLINS W/ D. WATUSI, CHURCHYARD
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Nashville’s Those Darlins will be taking on The Stone Fox again this weekend for a killer show with D. Watusi and Churchyard. We ran this one down earlier too, but, remember, the coolest part of the night is the live taping and probable special guests for Those Darlins. [JS]
TASSLES N TWANG (TAYLOR BRASHEARS, HEIDI FEEK, LONEY JOHN HUTCHINS)
@ Exit In | 9pm | $10 | 18+
If you love tits (and who doesn’t?), local music and cheap PBR tallboys then there’s simply no other place you can be Friday night except Exit/ In. It’s the only semi-monthly, totally local bill booked with burlesque girls! We told you about Heidi Feek in this post, Taylor Brashears will contribute alternative bluegrass sounds and Loney John Hutchins will perform as well so get there early. We’re not really sure how it will all play out, so we’re just going to have pony up the $10 and find out for ourselves. [JR]
SATURDAY
BEATLES VS. STONES – NIGHT 2 of 2 – 7th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOWL FOR CHARITY (FT. MAYHEM, GRIMEY’S FOLLIES W/ CORY CHISEL, NIKKI LANE, JENNY O AND CHUCK MEAD, SADLER VADEN, DEREK HOKE, THE DANBERRYS, LANGHORNE SLIM, BEECH BENDERS, GRANT LEE PHILLIPS + MORE!)
@ The Basement | 8pm | $7 (or 5 cans of food) | 21+
Are you still bickering about Beatles vs. Stones? Jagger vs. Richards? McCartney vs. Lennon? Lennon & Yoko vs. the Beatles? Make the ultimate decision to settle the debate or “Give Peace A Chance,” all while benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank for The Basement’s 7th Annual Beatles vs. Stones Christmas Bowl For Charity. We already gave you the rundown on Night 1 (Friday 12/20), here’s what Night 2 will have in store from a long list of Nashville’s Rock Gods and Goddesses for just $7 or 5 cans of food..Grimey’s Follies (w/ Cory Chisel, Nikki Lane, Jenny O, and Chuck Mead), Sadler Vaden, Derek Hoke, The Danberrys, Langhorn Slim, Beech Benders and Grant Lee Phillips will deliver doses of B & S tunes, rolling right into Mayhem with guests Jeremie, Richie and Jonathan Lister, Erin MCcarley, Geoff Smith, Courtney Jaye, Joe McAnutly and Ben Elkins as they bare their Soul. By the end of two nights of sexy, sweaty rock n’ roll, you might need a cig! [LT]
BIRD DOG W/ SHOOT THE MOUNTAIN AND WHOA DAKOTA
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | All Ages
It’s everyday that we hear of another roots band coming out of Nashville. It’s everyday that we hear of another indie rock/synth pop band coming out of Brooklyn. But it’s not all the time that we hear about a soulful bluesy roots band from Brooklyn playing in Nashville. That’s Bird Dog. And they do the roots soul thing just as, if not more genuinely (dare I say?) than some folks here do. So what if they’ve opened for Futurebirds at The Bowery Ballroom in New York. The show at The End with local bands Shoot the Mountain (post-punk/power pop/indie-rock) and Whoa Dakota (rock and roll) will be much more intimate in our favorite little shithole club. [SS]
BLANK RANGE W/ SHY GUY AND CHURCHYARD
@ fooBAR | 9pm | $3 | 18+
‘Twas just last month that Blank Range was Lightning 100’s Local Artist of the Week around the release of their 7″ vinyl (of Scrapin’ & Before I Go To Sleep) and tour with Futurebirds. Earlier this year, they delivered Phase II on cassette (what’s that??) with Sturdy Girls Records and have been on the radar since. Shy Guy released their beautiful and appropriately named EP Dream earlier this year with talented, young and local producer Jon Tyler Conant (creator of Penicillin Baby). Lead singer Taylor Lawrence has the kind of vocal purity live that mesmerizes and combined with the ethereal guitar craft of Brennan Walsh, it seems like only a matter of time before a label like Sub Pop Records scoops them up. The babes of cryptic-rock group Churchyard will open the night with a desired kick in the teeth. Catch them all at Foobar T00, kickass Saturday night… guaranteed! [LT]
SUNDAY
ANDY DAVIS & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS SHOW
@ 3rd & Linsdley | 8pm (doors at 6pm) | $10 | All Ages
Andy Davis’ sound is an incredible mashup of soul and pop. His seductive, smooth voice paired with witty lyrics and melodies is completely irresistible. Although he won’t be singing many of his originals, head down to 3rd and Lindsley to hear him calm everyone with some Christmas classics before the hectic holiday week begins. [SM]
THE WHITE WALLS W/ ESAU, MIND NOT THE TIMID, AND JOSEPH MARLOWE
@ The End | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Seeing as Christmas is only a week away, it shouldn’t be surprising that nearly all the venues around town are having some kind of Christmas party or event. The End’s Yuletide festivities include a performance by local acts The White Walls along with Esau and the Giant, Mind Not the Timid, and Joseph Marlowe. All of these groups perform indie music, with some, like Joseph Marlowe and Esau and the Giant, leaning more towards the folk end of the spectrum. So go on, get your yearly dose of Christmas cheer, and check out some of Nashville’s best underground artists this Sunday at the End. [JS]
[AD] Amber Davis
[HC] Harvey Coldstone
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JM] Jessika Malone
[KA] Kelsi Alexander
[LS] Lauren Strange
[LT] Lindsey Thompson
[MH] Matt Hall
[OF] Olivia Fay
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[RH] Ryne Hambright
[SM] Samantha Major
[SS] Sarah Sharp
[SJ] Shawn Jackson
[WD] Wes Davenport