The music of Les Miserables in a concert benefitting YEAH: tonight & tomorrow at Mercy Lounge
December 7, 2011
It’s been a big season of benefit shows for YEAH! but this one is probably the biggest- a bunch of local musicians/artists have teamed up to present the music of Les Miserables live in concert two nights in a row at Mercy Lounge. It kicks off tonight, tickets are $18, and it will be awesome. With Larissa Maestro and Jordan & Alex Caress at the helm and a huge cast of local musicians from such acts as Uncle Skeleton, By Lightning!, Ponychase, The Privates, Umbrella Tree, The Non-Commissioned Officers, Happy Little Trees, Blue Heart Hour, and many more, this is quite the undertaking. Again, this is a two night stand, but I have a feeling tonight will be the biggest of the two since Hall & Oates are at the Ryman tomorrow night. YEAH! is just about the coolest non-profit in all of TN and I’m proud to be an active volunteer with them. They deserve your support!
On a completely separate note (but still relevant to this blog), I’ve been approved by YEAH’s music programs director to start a new workshop at the Tennessee Teens Rock & Roll Camp this year- the Science of Music. Here’s the description I came up with, with the help of fellow volunteer (and former camper/fellow nerd) Alyssa Scheele:
How does an electric guitar work? How does a microphone work? How does MUSIC work? Learn this and much more in the brand new Science of Music workshop. This workshop will give campers a crash course in the science behind music and how different instruments and audio equipment create and amplify sound. This workshop is ideal for campers who might be interested in the production side of music. The Science of Music will empower campers to pursue science as well as music by showing them how science is an integral part of art.
I’m ecstatic about getting to teach kids how basically everything, let alone modern music, would not be possible without science. I want to get them to make that connection and realize that science isn’t all far-off labs, atom smashers, and old dudes in white coats. It’s also a part of literally EVERYTHING. I think that focusing on how science makes music possible is the best way to make it “hit home” with them. AND it will hopefully jumpstart some of them in the direction of music production, both studio and live.
A Few Good Shows: 12/2/11
December 2, 2011
Busy weekend. Lots of good shows and stuff to do in Nashville. Let’s get right to it-
FRIDAY:
Last Year’s Men, Fly Golden Eagle, Ranch Ghost @ The End. 9pm $7
Mashville 4 year anniversary+Girls & Boys Nashville @ Mercy Lounge. $5 (This one features Coach, Hands Off Sam, Wick-it, Kidsmeal, Bateman, Mike Vulcan, Wildcub, Kevin Perryman, Revenant, Jenn Harbin, DJ Orig, and others- a very diverse DJ lineup indeed.)
Vitalic Noise presents the return of CRAVE @ Tavern. FREE, 21+ 10pm-3am. CRAVE was becoming THE place to be on Friday nights when it was hosted at the Wine Loft, but then Wine Loft was shut down by its parent company. Justin and the Vitalic Noise team have been hard at work finding the perfect new home for CRAVE and they’ve found it at TAVERN (sister company to Virago, Whiskey Kitchen, and Kayne Prime. This new installment features DJ sets by Losici, Donny Rest, Vitalic Noise (Justin Katerberg), and d.Babe. Did I mention it’s FREE?
SATURDAY:
Happy Little Trees 7″ release show w/ Poly and Frances Foundation @ the Basement. 9pm 21+ $5
Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers w/ Split Lip Rayfield and the Dirt Daubers @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $12 adv $14 DOS
Mr. Gnome w/ Cry Baby, Pushy Lips, and Thelma & the Sleaze @ The End. 9pm $7. Mr. Gnome was just named a “band to watch” by Rolling Stone, and I just checked out their record- it feels a bit scattered but there are some phenomenal tracks toward the middle and end. Moody, psychedelic, and dynamic, they never cease to just rock. I’ve heard very good things about their live shows and am thinking this could be one of those amazing shows that slips under the media radar for whatever reason. But I’d recommend not letting it slip under your radar.
SUNDAY:
Birdcloud, Denny & The Jets, Ranch Ghost @ the 5 Spot. 9pm $5 (Natural Child was on this bill initially but were replaced by Ranch Ghost.)
A Few Good Shows: 11/18/11 (My 30th birthday edition)
November 18, 2011
Before we get to the show listings, I have a show of my own to plug: I’m turning 30 this Sunday the 20th, and to celebrate I put together the 3rd-ever “Nashville Under the Covers” show at Mercy Lounge. That is, Nashville bands covering other Nashville bands. AND, it’s all to benefit YEAH‘s TN summer youth music camps- SGRRC and TNTRC. It’s gonna be a blast, and the lineup is fun (though Matt Friction did have to drop off the bill at the last minute), and the minimum donation is only $5! For more, read the generous blog post the Nashville Cream gave me yesterday. That’s this Sunday Nov. 20th, 9pm at Mercy Lounge, 18+, $5 minimum donation. (Hot tip: past YEAH volunteers will get in FREE with their volunteer tshirts!)
Now for the rundown:
FRIDAY:
Lucero (night 1 of 2) w/ Glossary @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $20
Hanzelle, The Greater Good, Casa Castille @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5
Hull, Tijuana Goat Ride, Laser Flames, The Ascent of Everest @ The End. 9pm $7
SATURDAY:
Wanda Jackson w/ The Black Belles @ Marathon Music Works. 7pm $15
Lucero (night 2 of 2) w/ Austin Lucas @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $20
Bad Cop, Ranch Ghost, Denny & The Jets, Majestico @ The End. 9pm $5
Manchester Orchestra, White Denim, The Dear Hunters @ Cannery Ballroom. 8pm $17
SUNDAY:
SEE ABOVE. And come celebrate me getting old!
Have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 11/11/11
November 11, 2011
This weekend is a little weak in the show department, but there’s still some good stuff to be seen around Nashville. Let’s get straight to the point:
FRIDAY:
The Black Belles album release w/ The Black Faces @ Third Man Records (Sold Out) 8pm.
Spidervirus reunion, w/ Riff Raff (AC/DC Tribute), Rock City Birdhouse, and Flesh Vehicle @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5
Those Darlins @ Gilligan’s (in Murfreesboro). 9pm $10
SATURDAY:
Nashville Premier of Girls Night Out, a film by Meredith Kotas and Chris Davis. 4pm-8pm @ the 5 Spot, accompanied by performances by Birdcloud, Rall Tide, and very special top secret guest. $5 (proceeds benefit Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp)
Har Mar Superstar, Fake Brad, Five Knives @ 12th & Porter. 9pm $10
SUNDAY:
Melt Banana, Diarrhea Planet, Look What I Did @ The End. 9pm $12. *BRING EARPLUGS YALL*
Have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 11/4/11
November 4, 2011
In case you didn’t know, I’ve been moving since last weekend, and the fact that my life is still mostly in sea of boxes in my new place means that my mind and body have been overwhelmed, thus no posts this week. But- I must tell you about some great shows going down this weekend in Nashville, so behold:
FRIDAY:
The Nobility’s The Secret of Blennerhassett Island album release show @ The Rutledge. 9pm $5 for entry $10 for entry + CD. According to their facebook, they are the only band on the bill and have a “DJ/general merriment” before and after them. I’m very excited for this one because the new album is phenomenal and the sound guy at The Rutledge is Frank Sass- the best sound guy in the history of sound guys. I seriously hope this venue starts getting more inde rock shows like this because he makes it sound like a million dollars, and every band deserves to sound that good.
Shoot the Mountain, Joel J. Dahl, Poly, and Backwords @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5 21+
3rd annual rock for ovaries benefit ft. How I Became the Bomb, Soul Incision, and a fashion show @ Mercy Lounge. 7pm, $15 min. donation.
Girls & Boys Nashville presents: Dani Deahl, Coach, Hands off Sam, Jensen Sportag DJ set, Autoerotique, Rio, Kidsmeal, and Kevin Perryman. Girls free before 10pm, $5 gen. adm.
JEFF the Brotherhood, Mom & Dad, Seafood Hotline @ Walnut House in Murfreesboro. A YEAH! benefit show. 7:30pm $10
SATURDAY:
The Black Angels, Spindrift, and Dead Meadow @ Exit/In. 8pm $15
Big Surr w/ Triptides, Dino DNA, and Chrome Pony @ The End. 9pm $5
Hands off Cuba, Hepatitties, Coupler, Renee-Louise Carafice, and Bird Names @ Noa Noa (620 Hamilton Ave.) 8pm $???
SUNDAY:
Cortney Tidwell w/ Ponychase and Jasmin Kaset @ Exit/In. 8pm $7
Remember daylight saving time ends at 2am Saturday night/Sunday morning, and have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 10/28/11 (Halloween edition)
October 28, 2011
Welcome to Halloween weekend in Nashville. This is a busy one, as always, and I’m just here to give you a smattering of some events of interest. By no means is this a comprehensive list of Halloween happenings. Just some stuff I think looks good/interesting.
FRIDAY:
Self (Matt Mahaffey solo acoustic) w/ Seth Timbs Thing and The Hellens @ The Basement. 9pm $5 21+
Vitalic Noise presents VITAL: 1 Year Anniversary @ Wine Loft ft. La Zebra, Dee Goodz, Deacon, Total Savage, Dark Sister, plus resident CRAVE DJs Losici and Dali Drama. 10pm $5
Halloween Spooktacular ft. My So-Called Band, The Aught-Nots, Space Capone, and Coach @ Mercy Lounge & Cannery. 9pm $15
The Grayces album release show w/ Dave Cloud and the Gospel of Power @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5
SATURDAY:
Halloween Warehouse party ft. Girls & Money, Scale Model (I play drums), and Eight ‘O Five @ The Zombie Lair (aka Jiggy Graphics- 1015 W. Kirkland Ave. Suite 310, East Nashy) 10pm, $5 suggested donation gets access to the keg and spiked punch. Also there will be a professional movie makeup artist zombifying people!
Night of the Living Cover Bands: a benefit for YEAH! music programs (SGRRC/TNTRC/NYCRC) ft. Head over Heels (Go-Go’s covers), Ponychase (Cyndi Lauper covers), Cortney Tidwell, The Non-Commissioned Officers, Uncle Skeleton, and Spaceship of the Imagination. @ the 5 Spot, 9pm $5 or donation.
Jacuzzi Boys, Heavy Cream, and Cy Barkley @ The End. 9pm $6
The Greenhouse Halloween party ft. How I Became the Bomb, the Black Belles, and DJ Mindub @ The Greehouse. 9pm $???
SUNDAY:
Meatmen w/ Hans Condor and Slammers @ Springwater. 10pm $5 21+
MONDAY: (throwin’ it in there because I likely won’t have time to post on monday and there’s shit you should know about)
Dixie Downturn presents Halloween 8 off 8th ft. Lylas, How I Became the Bomb, A Greater Good, Casa Castille, Bows and Arrows, Shaboi, and Bummer. 9pm FREE 21+ For more info and previews of each band, check out Dixie Downturn!
Protomen, Peelander-Z, MC Frontalot @ Exit/In. 9pm $14
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin w/ Evan P. Donohue, Faux Ferocious, & Blown Stag @ The End. 9pm $6
PHEW. That’s it. Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend.
New Duck Sauce video (slightly NSFW)/Chromeo & Breakbot tonight
October 25, 2011
Duck Sauce (A-Trak + Armand Van Helden) released a video for their latest single “Big Bad Wolf” today and… um… well… it’s *scratches head* absolutely ridiculous? I don’t even know. I wouldn’t recommend watching it at work, though. (It’s age-restricted on YouTube, so it probably won’t play embedded below, but we’ll try anyway…
Also, tonight Chromeo (fronted by A-Trak’s brother Dave) takes over Nashville at the Cannery Ballroom. As of posting there are still tickets left. What’s possibly even more exciting than Chromeo is the fact that the one and only Breakbot is opening for them. It’s a VERY special treat to get to see an Ed Banger artist in Nashville, so you should seize this opportunity. Breakbot is one of my all-time favorite dance/electronic producers and he will NOT disappoint. Even cooler is the fact that locals How I Became the Bomb are on the bill in place of Mayer Hawthorne, and they’re doing a set of Hall & Oates covers! (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not glad Mayer Hawthorne canceled for whatever reason, just glad that my pals in HIBTB got seize such a great opportunity.) Check the video for Breakbot’s “Baby I’m Yours” below:
The Nobility: The Secret of Blennerhassett Island
October 18, 2011
One of Nashville’s most underrated bands is back with a brand new album. The Nobility (formerly Jetpack, then Jetpack UK) just released their latest, The Secret of Blennerhassett Island, and it’s a masterpiece. 2007’s The Mezzanine was their first proper album under the new moniker, and it firmly set the tone for their future as a band. That tone was one of more mature, intricate, and clever songs with a wide array of instrumentation, all with an unwavering pop sensibility. They stated in their own description of the album that they had been listening to early Paul McCartney and Kinks records, and it shows. TSBI (I refuse to type that name again!) is clearly influenced by the same era of pop music, but no matter how obvious the influences are, these songs never get old or tired. I’ve always loved a good marriage of band to producer, and this album is no exception. They worked with Brian Carter of Paradox Productions as they did with The Mezzanine, and honestly I don’t think there’s a better producer for this band than him. The orchestral instrumentation fits perfectly where it’s used, and it’s never over-used. Especially impressive are the horn arrangements. TSBI is easily one of the best albums to come out of Nashville’s rock scene this year, so go get it at their bandcamp page and thank me later. AND go see them at the record release party on Nov. 14th Nov. 4th at the Rutledge.
A Few Good Shows: 10/14/11
October 14, 2011
I apologize for the lack of posts this week, I’ve been working, finding a new place to live, and generally sorting out major life things. But I found a great new place to live that’s affordable and literally two blocks from 5 points, so I’m happy.
This weekend is looking pretty busy with lots of good shows going down:
FRIDAY:
Vitalic Noise presents CRAVE at the Wine Loft. I will be once again guest DJing at this FREE weekly dance party. We have good drink deals and sexy people, so come on down to the Gulch tonight! 10pm-3am, 21+ Dress code: No ballcaps, no shorts
Kindercastle, Codaphonic, Shaboi @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5 21+
SATURDAY:
PUJOL EP release party w/ Turbo Fruits, D.Watusi, Fox Fun, and King Arthur @ The End. 9pm $5
Liam Finn, Marques Toliver @ Exit/In. 9pm $12
Sextide, Rubrics, How Cozy!, Nut Collector @ Little Hamilton Collective. $???
SUNDAY:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart w/ Twin Sister @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $12
That’s it, have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 10/7/11
October 7, 2011
Remember that delightful promo video for Glossary’s new album? The one that featured Bingham Barnes bustin’ a move on the Murfreesboro square? Well now we have the follow-up, and it’s an outright showdown:
That transitions nicely into this week’s show listings because TONIGHT is Glossary’s album release show at 5 Spot! Here’s the full rundown:
FRIDAY:
Glossary Long Live All of Us album release show, with Ri¢hie at the 5 Spot. 9pm 21+ $5
Bobby Bare Jr., Tristen, and Ponychase @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $10
Girls & Boys Nashville ft. The Four Horsemen, Kidsmeal, Wick-it the Instigator, Coach, Hands off Sam, Kevin Perryman, Sam & Tre, and Creative Control @ Cannery Ballroom. Girls Free till 11, $5/$20 VIP
Vitalic Noise presents CRAVE @ the Wine Loft. 10pm-3am, FREE. DJs Losici, Dali Drama, and special guests every week.
SATURDAY:
Frontier Ruckus w/ Birdcloud at The End. 9pm $8 (I’m sure there is a least one other opener but I can’t seem track that info down.)
J Roddy Walston & The Business, The Bohannons, The Sex Bombs @ 12th & Porter. 8:30pm $10
SUNDAY:
Infinity Cat showcase ft. Mom & Dad and King Karl + DJs @ The Basement. 9pm $3 21+
Have a great weekend!
steve cross loves music and science 