Welcome in 2016, and welcome in a full slate of shows around Music City this weekend. Apparently, the holiday lull is over for all of us, as we dig into a loaded local weekend of great tunes. Head below to get your 2016 off to a good start, with all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
JON LATHAM
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
Real Bad News: Jon Latham is indeed not Bob Dylan, as he reminds us in his IndieGoGo video for his song “Anesthesia,” to raise money to release his latest album called, you guessed it, Real Bad News. But, he does entertain with folk sensibilities, matter-of-fact storytelling skills and catchy hooks. Perhaps those are reasons why he’s Lighting 100’s artist of the week, and playing Lightning’s weekly showcase at Soulshine Pizza Factory. Grab some pizza, prepare for a quality evening, and maybe donate to his cause if you’re feeling moved by the video below. [AJ]
STEVE EARLE w/ KATHY MATTEA
@ City Winery | 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages
It’s no surprise that a show featuring Nashville royalty such as outlaw country legend Steve Earle and country superstar/social activist Kathy Mattea is sold out. These two are truly two of Nashville’s finest; their roots run deep and the extent of their influence is staggeringly vast. If you weren’t lucky enough to get a ticket in advance, you can sign up for the wait list here. [JS]
THE BEAT BUMS, ACTION!, DELI, ANOUK ASUNDER
@ The Stone Fox | 8 pm | $5 | 18+
Looking for a low dough show this Friday night? Head on over to the west side, for a eclectic bill at The Stone Fox that is just five bucks! For that minimal fee you get to see Chicago trip-hoping punks The Beat Bums, husband/wife duo Action!, local multi-instrumentalist Deli and folk rockers Anouk Asunder. We know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s all true, so be there to support live music without having to break the bank. [JR]
JORDAN HULL (RELEASE PARTY) w/ RON GALLO
@ The Basement | 7pm | $5 | 21+
In honor of the limited (200 copies) cassette release of his new recording, Grenadine: The Lost EP, Jordan Hull is putting on a very special, full band performance at the original Basement. Jordan penned the songs when he was just seventeen/eighteen years old, and now he’s revived them as a 26-year old man. Playing in support is garage rocker Ron Gallo. The price of admission gets you a cassette, but only while supplies last! [JR]
CHALAXY (ALBUM RELEASE PARTY) w/ JUSTIN KALK, LAUREN STRANGE & THE PRETTY KILLERS, THE DEAD CURES
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Local psych-pop outfit CHALAXY are constantly putting on shows that are always described as “electrifying,” so we expect nothing less from them this weekend as they celebrate the release of their new full-length album. They’ll be joined by guitar virtuoso Justin Kalk, indie-grunge songstress Lauren Strange & The Pretty Killers, and alt-pop trio The Dead Cures. And, there may still be a few free tickets up for grabs over at Eastside Music Supply. [MG]
PALAVER RECORDS PRESENTS: IAN FERGUSON, GLEN MARTIN, BIRDTALKER, TOMAS GORRIO
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Each week Palaver Records curates a show, and this week’s installment boasts former Kingston Springs frontman and Acme showcase alum Ian Ferguson performing solo. Also playing are Birdtalker, a five-piece band led by husband/wife duo Zack and Dani Green, who have a Civil Wars-esque sound. They’re joined by Americana singer/songwriter Glen Martin and Tomas Gorrio, who writes catchy, danceable folk songs. [MW]
TREE TOPS
@ South | 8pm | Free | All Ages
Progressive Knoxville based indie rockers Tree Tops are taking over South on Demonbreun for two sets of their jam laden, groovy cock rock. We’ve been hip to these guys for a couple of years now, and are looking forward to seeing how the addition of Jack Willard will enhance what we know is an already awesome experience. [MH]
ZACH TAYLOR, MOCHA, CAM, WILDER
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Still relatively new to the local scene, Washington transplant Zach Taylor spits a soulful, emotional brand of hip hop that fits right in with the rich and flouring Music City indie rap scene. The buzzy young artist will be joined by soup/r&b group Mocha, fellowing rising MC CAM, and newcomers Wilder for one of the best under the radar bills of the weekend. [PO]
SATURDAY
GOTH BABE w/ CLOUD, THE VISION, THE FLAUNERS
@ The End | 8pm | $5 | 18+
One of our top low-dough Saturday shows is headlined by new(ish) garage rocker Goth Babe, birth name Griffin Washburn. We’re really digging what we’ve heard from him so far, and we have word that a new EP is close to being finished, so please stay tuned for more information on that as it develops, and go see him live with a full band. Since you’re already heading to the The End, if you want to get the most rock for less $$$, be there on time for Cloud, The Vision and The Flaunters as well. [JR]
KEVIN GRIFFIN
@ City Winery | 8pm | $25-$32 | All Ages
Best known for fronting popular ’90s alt rock band Better Than Ezra, you might also know Kevin Griffin for his role in co-founding new local festival Pilgrimage, or remember our chat with him last year on our Podcast. A transplant to the Nashville area, Kevin, when not still playing on occasion with his band, is a prolific songwriter and producer to some big name rising talent, and surely has a healthy arsenal of solo material to showcase. [PO]
MOIRA, YUMI AND THE SYSTEM, MOUNTAINS LIKE WAX, SUNRACER
@ fooBAR | 9 pm | $5 | 18+
If you’re looking to spend the evening in East Nasvhille, head to fooBAR for a nice show that’s only five bucks! Dayton, Ohio’s Moira are bringing their experimental dream pop to the scene, fresh from the release of their debut album Asleep/Repeat/Awake. Yumi and the System‘s powerful female-fronted rock is a Nashville favorite. Mountains Like Wax are an up-and-coming local band who create southern-post rock bordering on the experimental side. Locals Sunracer will start up the night with fresh and vibrant indie electronica. Show starts at 9 p.m., and it’s a great combo of artists you don’t want to miss. [OL]
SHANE SMITH & THE SAINTS w/ FRIENDS OF LOLA, BRANDON WATSON & THE IKB SOUND
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $8 | 18+
Hailing from northeast Texas, singer/guitarist Shane Smith and his band The Saints join forces to create gorgeous four-part harmonies and rootsy, Americana (aka country) music that’s accessible to people that don’t realize they even like country music. They’re out on tour supporting their album Geronimo, and they’ll be joined by local singer-songwriter Brandon Watson & The IKB Sound, whose single we premiered back in December. [MG]
SUNDAY
THE FEATURES w/ FARRO
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $15 | All Ages
Beloved local indie rockers The Features headline this week’s Nashville Sunday Night, hosted by Lightning 100. The group, who are gearing up release a new album, will receive support from Farro, the new solo project of ex-Paramore guitarist Josh Farro (his brother Zac, also ex-Paramore, now makes music as HalfNoise, who we’ve told you about many times0. Per usual, the cover is low and the lineup is great. [PO]
THE NUDE PARTY w/ FAUX FEROCIOUS, CREASE READER, DIGDEEP LIGHTSHIP, AND UZI
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Faux Ferocious are local Infinity Cat punks that we can’t get enough of. We recently called them a mix between Natural Child and Parquet Courts, so what’s not to like? Also playing are North Carolina natives, The Nude Party, who play groovy, ‘60s influenced rock, Crease Reader, a psychedelic surf-rock band, and Uzi, who are fronted by Diamond Carter’s Tyler Tuohy. [MW]
THE DEAD DEADS, NIGHTBLONDE, SHE THE KILLER, ETHAN LUCK & THE INTRUDERS
@ The Basement East | 8pm | FREE | 21+
The BEast is hosting one hell-of-a-hot-bill this Sunday night, and the best part? It’s free! Be there for local goth oriented alt-rockers The Dead Deads (who always put on a great show), ambient synth-rockers Nightblonde, She The Killer plus Ethan Luck & The Intruders. You’ll be hard pressed to find more free AND awesome live rock music on a Sunday night anywhere in town, so don’t miss it! [JR]
[AJ] Andrew Johnson
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jen Starsinic
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[OL] Olivia Ladd
[PO] Philip Obenschain