TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Nov. 17-19

It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving (phew, where did this year go?), and that means it is your last chance for a normal weekend to get out to see music before you are stuck with your Aunt Harriet trying to force the fourth slice of pie into your face.  It’s a bit of a slower weekend, which honestly means that you’ll have an easier time choosing the right show for you, but it’s still packed with talent including everything from punk to jazz and performances from new faces and old friends.  Head below to plan your last normal weekend before the holidays officially begin (yikes!).

FRIDAY

BUMMR CITY, OCTOBER TOOTH, BLEARY
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Head to The Cobra this Friday for some tasty treats from stoner garage psych rockers Bummr City, as well as minimalist indie rockers October Tooth and the newly formed dreamy post rock outfit Bleary. That’s three killer local bands, who are all part of the vibrant DIY scene, for just five bones. So scrape some quarters together if you have to, and get your butt to The Cobra because being broke is no excuse. [JR]

Z, TELEFONES, PINKEST, SECRET FRIENDS
@ The Move | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | All Ages

Presented by the tastemakers at Cold Lunch Recordings, if DIY house shows are your cup of tea, here’s one with a stacked local and regional lineup that won’t break the bank. Z is the latest musical outlet of Zach from Mom & Dad, and has been bringing his folky, artsy, indie pop to local lineups left and right lately. Similarly, psyched-out, experimental garage rockers Telefones have  really become a fixture of the local DIY scene as of late. Rounding out the bill, spaced out indie pop rockers Pinkest are in town from Atlanta, and local experimental outfit Secret Friends bring even more musical diversity. Look for the address on Facebook. [PO]

SHADOW AGE, SKELETON HANDS, J. CARTER
@ The East Room | 9pm | $10 | 18+

“Bringing together some of the brightest names in the American post-punk/darkwave scene,” Friday night at The East room is the place to be if you like dark, moody, nostalgic, and synthed out music. Richmond’s Shadow Age play gloomy post-punk akin to Joy Division or The Cure,  while Cincinnati’s Skeleton Hands adopt a more dark, new wave, electro, goth bent (perhaps the New Order to Shadow Age’s Joy Division vibe). Local experimental/synth project J. Carter kicks things off, and DJs Ichabod and Baron von Birk will be spinning before and throughout the night. If you’re looking for a gothy Friday, you’re going to be floored.  [PO]

HAZEL ENGLISH
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

Oakland, CA based indie pop rock performer Hazel English is still riding high on the release of her double EP Just Give In/ Never Going Home this past summer, and she will be stopping in on Music City to play a very special in-store at Grimey’s.  The best part is you can enjoy her set in this intimate setting for free, but only while space allows. Odds are with their rising popularity, spots will fill up fast, so get there early! [JR]

STACKED LIKE PANCAKES w/ STEALING OCEANS, TRAPPED ON EARTH
@ The End | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

The ska scene is definitely a lot more niche than ever, but in addition to the handful of classic acts who keep active and keep the scene alive, it’s newer groups like Stacked Like Pancakes helping maintain interest, attract new fans, and, hopefully, influencing future bands. If you’re a sucker for the ska/pop punk fusion that became popular in the ’90s, you’ll dig SLP, who manage to inject their sound with some modern flair and topical urgency (see their anti-Trump anthem below). The band return to town to play The End this week, with local support from Stealing Oceans and Trapped On Earth. Let’s be real, ska fans don’t always have a weekend option, so this is a welcome addition. [PO]

DYNAMO’S THANKFUL FEAST w/ ELECTRIC KIF, THE 4 KORNERS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $12-$30 | 21+

No Country Presents alumi Dynamo have been on our radar for a while with their funky, improv-laden, jazz-fueled, downright fun shows, and their new album, Celina, has generated quiet a bit of buzz around Music City since its release earlier this year.  The band are hosting a three night “Thankful Feast” at The 5 Spot to give back to fans, and they are hosting special guests each night.  The Friday night event features self-described “post nuclear” (think jazz synth funk) outfit Electric Kif and Atlanta based funk wizards The 4 Korners in what is sure to be an absolutely stellar display of exceptional musicianship.  Head below to get a taste of Dynamo’s latest, and definitely click on the links above to find more from the other bands.  Full details are at the event’s Facebook page. [MH]

ELIZABETH COOK w/ LITTLE BANDIT
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $18 | All Ages

Nashville staple and throwback country singer Elizabeth Cook is still riding high on the release of her excellent Exodus of Venus late last year.  The talented songwriter, who is also the host of a morning radio show on Sirius XM Radio, has had her share of personal struggles over the past few years, but her future appears as clear as ever now with talk of a follow up to Exodus in late 2018.  Rising local throwback country outfit Little Bandit are set to open for a show featuring the type of talent that put Nashville on the map in the first place. [MH]

JILLETTE JOHNSON
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

New York born and now Nashville based singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson is still buzzing from the release of her Dave Cobb produced sophomore LP, All I Ever See Is You in Me, which arrived over the summer, and is this week’s Lightning 100 Artist of the Week, which means she’ll kick of the weekend with a free performance at Soulshine Pizza. With her powerful voice and personal songwriting, she’s garnered comparisons to the likes of Fiona Apple and Adele, and thanks to her stellar new release, we suspect that Johnson is on the cusp of breaking out in a major way. [PO]

SATURDAY

SAD BAXTER, REALITY SOMETHING, BIG SURR, TWEN
@ Little Harpeth Brewing | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-$12 | 21+

Rising stars in the local underground rock scene, Sad Baxter will be releasing their new 7-inch featuring the NPR-premiered track “Baby” on the A-side, and “Sliver” on the B-side. To celebrate the release, SB will be playing a very special show at Little Harpeth Brewing, with help from like minded garage/grunge revival rock outfit Reality Something plus Big Surr and Twen. Seven dollars get you in the door, and an extra fiver gets you a copy of the record, while they last! [JR]

LUNCHFEST! ft. THELMA AND THE SLEAZE, ZOBRODOME, BUTTHOLE, FISCHER’S KITCHEN, CASUAL SECTS, SYMPTOMS, FLESH EATER, KEVANA WEST, FROM WORLDS ALIKE
@ The Cobra | 7pm | Donations | 21+

Hosted by Punk Lunch Murfreesboro, a new organization working to fight hunger in our community, this weekend’s Lunchfest at The Cobra is not just a stacked out local rock show, but one for a good cause. All donations raised will allow Punk Lunch to hand out classic paper lunchbags and backpacks filled to the brim with canned food items, personal/feminine hygiene/comfort products, and other necessities, so please bring unopened items or cash to donate. For doing so, you’ll be treated to Thelma & The Sleaze, Butthole, Casual Sects, and tons more local faves, so it’s a win-win! If you really want to be an MVP, buy some merch to support the bands as well! [PO]

THE GLORIOUS SONS w/ FRANCES & THE FOUNDATION
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $10-$12 | 18+

Rising Canadian rockers The Glorious Sons are touring in support of their excellent new record, Young Beauties and Fools, which just dropped last month.  Their well known amongst our northern neighbors, but the high voltage indie rock vibes of the new record beckon to be heard in the U.S. and beyond.  Frances & The Foundation are perfectly tapped in support on this bill, as their latest release, Nothing Is Perfect, Everything Is Fine, is some of the best alt-rock to come out of our local scene this year. [MH]

JD MCPHERSON w/ DYLAN PRATT
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $20 | 21+

The throwback sound of modern rock and roller JD McPherson is back in Nashville this weekend for a headlining performance at The Basement East. The tour stop is in support of his latest LP, Undivided Heart & Soul. This time, he’s bringing along longtime friend and impressive singer-songwriter Dylan Pratt for the evening. It’ll be a night of fun and introspective, retro-inspired tunes, so get there early and bring your dancing shoes. [LL]

DYNAMO’S THANKFUL FEAST w/ JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA, MIKE HICKS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $12-35 | 21+

Dynamo wrap their “Thankful Feast” run on Saturday night with another special event, this time featuring some more very unique artists in support.  Asheville based Jonathan Scales Fourchestra have a jazz-based, Caribbean-influenced style that is absolutely mesmerizing, as you can see in their new video for “The Trap” below. Soulful local jazz mainstay Mike Hicks kicks off what is stacking up to be one hell of a weekend at The 5 Spot.  You can find out more about the event at their Facebook page, and a shoutout to Dynamo for putting this together. [MH]

BROTHER MAN vs BLACK VENUS w/ MICROWAVE MOUNTAIN, MACHETE
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Two bands. One stage. It’s a back-and-forth combined live set to crown the best blues rock duo in Nashville, as Brother Man and Black Venus square off in this uniquely presented rock extravaganza. It will also be the official release show of the split cassette single “Brother Man VS Black Venus,” so snag a copy while they last. With power punks Machete, and garage rock brethren Microwave Mountain filling in the undercard, it’s poised to be one of the best overall bills for you buck of the weekend. Don’t miss it! [JR]

PHIL LESH & THE TERRAPIN FAMILY BAND w/ ERIC KRASNO
@ Exit/In | 8pm (6:30pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

If you were hoping to catch Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band with Eric Krasno this weekend, and you do not already have tickets, we are sorry to inform you that this puppy is SOLD OUT. Act quicker next time Phil’s coming to town, if we’re lucky enough to have him, or keep you fingers crossed and your eyes peeled for Dead & Company’s spring tour plans to get your Grateful Dead jones satisfied. [JR]

LEFTOVER SALMON
@ City Winery | 7pm (5pm doors) & 10pm (9:30pm doors) | $25-35 (7pm & 10pm) | All Ages

Boulder, CO spawned jam band Leftover Salmon have remained a force in the festival scene since their late ’80s inception with their unique approach leaning heavily on bluegrass and cajun influences to spice up their twangy rock style.  They’ll be playing two shows at City Winery on Saturday night, which will offer a very unique experience to catch them stripped down in an intimate setting.  Head below to get a peek of their show at The Ryman a few years ago for a taste of what you’ll be in store for on Saturday night.  [MH]

SUNDAY

MODERN ENGLISH w/ ENTERTAINMENT, KROVI
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7pm doors) | $17-20 | 21+

Known for their epic hits like “I Melt with You”, “Hands Across the Sea”, and “Ink and Paper,” English new wave and post-punk outfit Modern English rose to fame in the ’80s, swept up in one of the most beloved periods of British music. They disbanded a few times over the years, but never for long, and have remained together now since ’95, with 4/5 of the original lineup currently counted among the group’s ranks. They’ve intermittently released new music as well, most recently last year’s Take Me to the Trees, but the bulk of the band’s output still lives in the ’80s, and you can surely count on a set stuffed with hits. The fact that this is in an intimate space like The Basement East propels it to one of the weekend’s most essential shows. It’s a bizarrely great weekend to be a post-punk fan in Nashville. [PO]

BLITZEN TRAPPER w/ LILLY HIATT
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20-22 | 18+

It’s hard to believe that Portland based indie folk troubadours Blitzen Trapper have been at it for 15 years, though I guess it’s easier when you think that they just released their ninth studio album, Wild & Reckless, earlier this month.  The new record was born from the stage production of the same name from the group; which was half-musical / half-rock opera and saw the band delving into some dark topics. Frontman Eric Farley likened it to “a cross-eyed stepchild to [their beloved record] Furr,” and you can probably pick up on what he is getting at with the video for “Rebel” below.  This show also features local singer-songwriter and blog fave Lilly Hiatt, who is still touring in support of her excellent new LP Trinity Lane. [MH]

JOHN MORELAND w/ JOEY KNEISER
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $18 | All Ages

Fast rising local songwriter John Moreland will be taking over the Nashville Sunday Night duties on the 3rd & Lindsley stage this week.  We’ve had an eye on him for a while now, and his recently released Big Bad Luv (via new label 4AD) has turned some heads, especially with guest vocals from Dawes and Shovels & Rope.  Former Glossary vocalist and talented songwriter Joey Kneiser, who worked with Moreland on his single “Cherokee” from his previous album High On Tulsa Heat, will be opening in support, and you’ll be sure to hear some tracks from his 2015 solo release The Wildness while you are wrapping up your weekend. [MH]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain