TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Dec. 11 – 13

Are the holidays in full swing?  Writing this in short sleeves, it’s hard to imagine that we are almost two weeks away from Christmas Day.  Hopefully, you are almost finished with your holiday shopping, and have a little time to relax with some music this weekend.  It’s a jam packed bill of shows including a handful of holiday shows, a funksplosion at Marathon Music Works, tons of shows from local and touring rockers, and one show on Sunday that still has us shaking our heads.  Enjoy the unseasonable weekend, and get out to see some live music!

FRIDAY

WILDER EMBRY
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

Folky, country-tinged singer-songwriter Wilder Embry is this week’s Lightning 100 Artist of the Week, and will help you get your weekend off to a great start with some free Friday night tunes at Soulshine Pizza. With his eclectic, introspective, and calming style, Embry has earned big name fans like Kings of Leon and Gary Allan, and his latest effort, Smolderoldingpictureaid, should absolutely be on your radar. Get a taste of his sound below! [PO]

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE w/ NEW BREED BRASS BAND
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $12-25 | 18+

One of (if not THE MOST) badass New Orleans inspired brass bands are making a return visit to Music City, and you’d be crazy to miss. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be tearing the roof off Marathon Music works with help from like-minded performers New Breed Brass Band. We’ll have a full preview for this one tomorrow if you still need convincing after checking out the track below. [JR]

COOL CHRISTMAS ft. BIRDCLOUD
@ The Basement East | 8pm | $10 | 21+

Our favorite irreverent songwriting duo Birdcloud is hosting a “Cool Christmas” at The Basement East, and are reporting a number of special guests including members of Old Crow Medicine Show, Deer Tick, Tristen, & more.  If you’ve ever seen Jasmin & Makenzie perform in this project before, you know you are in for a special holiday treat, and one that you likely won’t soon forget.   [MH]

FUTURE THIEVES CHRISTMAS PARTY
@ The Basement | 8pm | $10 | 21+

Getting into the holiday spirit, local alt rock outfit Future Thieves are hosting a “Not So Silent Night” party at The Basement. Were not exactly sure what all to expect, but the PBR sponsored event promises “tunes, booze, games, and good times,” and Christmas attire is encouraged. What you can expect for sure, though, is a damn good set from Future Thieves. [PO]

MUSIC CITY BIG BREAK ft. THE GILLS, THAT’S MY KID, NODAWAY, FUTURE UNLIMITED, SAM BURCHFIELD, THE MIDDLE GROUND
@ MERCY LOUNGE | 8pm | $7 | 18+

It’s down to the final installation of Music City Big Break, so come out to see which of your favorite local acts wins the grand prize of a festival slot, recording session, and tons more. Pop rockers The Gills, blues/garage rockers That’s My Kid, synthy indie popster Nodaway and more will all compete for the #1 spot, but regardless of who wins, they’ll all remain favorites of us here at NC. [MG]

CAR SEAT HEADREST, NE-HI, LIONLIMB
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10 | 18+

Car Seat Headrest is bringing his experimental indie rock to Nashville Friday night The High Watt, fresh off the release of Teens of Style. This intimate venue is just the place to see this show. Joining him are NE-HI, a four-piece from Chicago. The group are similar in taste but with a more psychedelic feel. Lionlimb, a Nashville psych-rock project, will open up the night. You don’t wanna miss out on this. Tickets are only $10 and the show is 18+. [OL]

TRENTON, LOVEDRUG, APOLLO
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $10 | 18+

The chilly, ambient pop sounds of Ryan Courtney, aka Trenton, come to life at Exit/In this weekend for a show you won’t want to miss. His EP Ghost Runner is easily one of the best local releases of the year, and his performance at our Acme showcase back in May sealed his reputation as an incredible live performer. He’ll be joined by acclaimed indie rockers Lovedrug and new alternative pop duo Apollo. [MG]

SATURDAY

RDGLDGRN w/ CHANCELLOR WARHOL, DUCKWRTH
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10-12 | 21+

Indie/alt/hip hop trio RDGLDGRN return to Nashville in support of their latest EP, 2, and if you haven’t gotten hooked on these up and comers yet, there’s never been a better time to hop on the bandwagon. We told you all about the show already, and with the addition of local hip hop artist Chancellor Warhol, and buzzworthy up and comer Duckwrth, it might just be the best under the radar event of the weekend. [PO]

LIGHTNING 100’S FESTIVUS CHARITY SHOW ft. HOUNDMOUTH, ANDERSON EAST, COLONY HOUSE
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $10-20 | 18+

Everyone needs a little Festivus celebration, so why not do it for charity? Lightning 100’s Festivus Charity Show at Marathon Music Works is going to be downright awesome this year! Plus, a portion of proceeds go to one of the best charity organizations, The Salvation Army. You are also encouraged to bring a new toy to donate to the very worthy The Salvation Army Angel Tree and Forgotten Angel Program to help make a child’s Christmas dreams come true. Dress up as your favorite Seinfeld character, compete in the Elaine Dance-Off, donate to charity, and, lest we not forget, see some killers bands at the same time! Opening the show is Nashville’s own Colony House, followed by another Nashvillian, Americana/rhythm and blues artist Anderson East, and then none other than the quartet Houndmouth, with their entertaining live shows, spot-on four part harmony, and intricate storytelling. This is a party you don’t want to miss!  [IS]

OPPOSITE BOX w/ FLORALORIX, CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT BAND
@ The High Watt | 7pm | $7-10 | 18+

Chattanooga based experimental belligerent jungle funksters Opposite Box are headlining a radical show with friends of the blog reggae rockers Floralorix, and local jam band Captain Midnight Band. This super eclectic show is all yours for just $10, and we think you’d be hard pressed to find a line-up this diverse anywhere all weekend. [JR]

SAN FERMIN w/ SAM AMIDON
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $9-15 | 18+

Give your ears a modern pop and classical infused treat with Brooklyn-based San Fermin this Saturday night at Exit/In. The band are returning to the venue, and Nashville for the first time since last year. This time they’re armed with a touring group of 8 and a new album, Jackrabbit, the band’s second release, out earlier this year. Kicking things off is solo folk artist, and banjoist/fiddler/guitarist Sam Amidon. Fork over the $9-$15 ticket price for a cool combo of horns, violin, guitar, drums and duel, co-ed vocal goodness. Check out the video from San Fermin’s new single “No Devil” off their latest album below to get in the spirit for Saturday. [CO]

SAD BAXTER, FLUFFER, BILL EBERLE
@ The Crying Wolf | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Get your East Nasty on, and check out some bodacious tunes while you’re at it, for just $5! Enjoy blog endorsed local alt-rockers Sad Baxter, Ohio dance rock trio Fluffer and Americana folkster Bill Eberle kicking things off. So if you’re heading to the East Side, and you want to rock out/have a good time, buuuut you don’t want to spend a ton of scratch, this is the only ticket for you. [JR]

STEELISM, JOSH HEDLEY, DJ RADSKI, AND SPECIAL GUESTS
@ The Stone Fox | 8pm | $7 | 18+

Local instrumental standouts, Steelism, are hosting a special release show for their original holiday song, “Christmas Around The World.”  We have a full post about it  here.  You can head below to check out the track, and make plans to head to The Stone Fox to see it live on Saturday night! [MH]

QUEEN VS. BOWIE
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $7 | 18+

Do you love Queen and/or David Bowie? Of course you do — who doesn’t have at least a soft spot for one of the bombastic rock and roll icons? JoCo Shows and Red Hook Brewing are putting on a night of covers at the Mercy Lounge that will have you living out your best glam-rock ’80s fantasies featuring electro-pop band KiND, producer Kyle Dreaden with the Tesla Rossa, blog favorites Milktooth, hip-hop duo SIK WIT, Atlanta-based art-rockers Fox Grin, and more. Seems like a good occasion to break out any ridiculous ’80s-appropriate outfit that’s been sadly hanging out in the back of the closet since Halloween. [JSa]

REEVES GABRELS & HIS IMAGINARY FRIENDS
@ The Family Wash | 9:30pm | Free | All Ages

Local standout songwriter / guitarist Reeves Gabrels has been busy for the past few years touring with The Cure, but that is only the most recent notch on his impressive CV, which also includes a long time work with David Bowie.  In his spare time, Reeves also manages to bring his slick guitar driven power pop to life through Reeves Gabrels & His Imaginary Friends, and you can see them performing live at The Family Wash on Saturday night.  The show is free, but RSVP’s are recommended by contacting (615) 645-9930. [MH]

SUNDAY

B∅RNS w/ PHASES, THE VANITY
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages

LA-based performer B∅RNS has been all over pop and alternative radio lately with his hit “Electric Love,” so it’s no surprise that his show at 3rd & Lindsley is sold out. Those of you that snagged tickets are sure to be captivated by his dreamy blend of electronic, rock and pop, made even more exciting by openers Phases (formerly JJAMZ) and The Vanity. [MG]

CITY AND COLOUR w/ BAHAMAS
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $32 | All Ages

City and Colour, the long-running live performance alias of singer-songwriter Dallas Green, made a big artistic leap with his latest effort, If I Should Go, self-produced, recorded here in Nashville, and, for the first time ever, featuring the members of his permanent backing band. Layered, slicker, and more rock-driven, it still retains the folkier elements and personal sensibilities than defined the singer’s earlier work, while really exemplifying the direction in which he’s evolved. We told you all about this War Memorial show, which also features Bahamas, right here. [PO]

DAVID ALLEN COE w/ WHEELER WALKER JR.
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $25 | 18+

David Allen Coe will bring some of his iconic and controversial songs to life at Exit/In on Sunday night, and, while we are as big of fans of “Take This Job And Shove It” as the next guy, we’ll make sure to get there in time to see opening act, Wheeler Walker, Jr.  Upon first glance, Walker Jr comes off as a complete parody of contemporary country music with tracks like “Fuck You Bitch,” “Beer, Weed, Cooches,” and “Better Off, Beatin’ Off” from his recent Dave Cobb produced EP, but, after a number of listens from the reported Thirty Tigers product, it’s hard to understand what is going on here.  Is this a joke, or is this for real? The first single caught the attention of Jared Followill of Kings Of Leon who makes a cameo in the video for “Fuck You Bitch” to win Walker Jr’s love interest (Followill’s real life wife, Martha Followill) away.  I wonder if his antics have caught the attention of Adele, when the irreverent artist sent a shot across her bow on Twitter when he stated that his upcoming full length “will outsell Adele’s new piece of shit you have my WORD on that.”  Bold words, bro. [MH]

[CO] Claire Osburn
[IS] Ione Singletary
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[OL] Olivia Ladd
[PO] Philip Obenschain