The Features: a new album May 14th and Grimey’s RSD show
April 17, 2013
Nashville’s hometown indie-pop heroes The Features are back with a new self-titled album on May 14th! They released the bouncy, catchy single “This Disorder” (which you can stream below) a while back, and just announced the official presale for the album on CD/Vinyl and iTunes. The pre-order on Bandcamp will also get you 2 free mp3s of your choice.
The boys will be performing at Grimey’s Record Store Day festivities along with Paramore, Hotpipes, Alanna Royale, Daniel Bachman, Josh Rouse, and PUJOL. They’re also playing a special free Frye Jam Session showcase this Friday night at Mercy Lounge with Nikki Lane, Odessa Rose, and Andrew Combs. Get there early if you want in- it’s limited to 300 capacity!
The Features present “Still Lost: Volume One”
May 10, 2012
This one kinda took me by surprise… I hadn’t a clue that The Features were about to release a compilation of b-sides, outtakes, and demos. Still Lost: Volume One is a fantastic collection of rare Features gems. If you’re a die-hard fan and have been since “the early days” you have probably at least heard all these songs at some point, but there are some alternate mixes and versions on here that you may not have heard. The best part of this is that it’s totally free. So go grab it now via NoiseTrade. You have no excuse!
(Via We Own This Town)
A Few Good Shows: 8/26/11
August 26, 2011
After last weekend’s insanity, this weekend is a little more chill in the show department, but there’s still plenty of good music to be seen this weekend in Nashville.
FRIDAY:
Natural Child, Liquor Store, and Thelma & the Sleaze @ Springwater. 10pm 21+ $5 UPDATE: apparently Diarrhea Planet and Denny & the Jets are also on this bill.
SATURDAY:
The Features album release show w/ PUJOL and Seth Timbs Thing @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $10 (In addition to the awesome lineup, former Feature guitarist Don Sergio’s new craftbrewery Calfkiller will have a special Features brew on tap. AND local chocolatiers Olive & Sinclair have made a special chocolate bar that will be sold as well. BEER AND CHOCOLATE=YES x 1,000!)
Sex Cult, Dirty Dreams, U-Nix, New Pleasure @ The End. $5 9pm
Canon Blue, Action!, Tyler James @ The Basement 9pm 21+ $10
SUNDAY:
Hate Life hosted by Ben Swank @ The Basement. I can’t find a lineup for this anywhere but whatever it is, it’ll be good and you should check it out. The past lineups have featured some good bands and good DJs spinning boogie-jams.
Have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 8/19/11
August 19, 2011
Well, this weekend is literally bursting at the seams with awesome music to go see. So if you live in Nashville and you’re not out seeing at least 1 good show this weekend, you have a problem.
FRIDAY:
Heartbeater, Bows & Arrows, and Action! @ the 5 Spot. 9pm 21+ $5(This is Heartbeater’s FINAL show, so if you’re a fan, don’t miss it!)
GLOVES, w/ Vitalic Noise, Jenn Harbin, and Mindub @ Virago Rooftop. 9pm $3. My man Justin at Vitalic Noise has been consistently bringing top-notch touring DJs from around the world right to our doorstep here in Nashville, and this week he’s trying something new: a rooftop party. GLOVES is one of my favorite DJ/producers and his brand new remix of New Zealand up-and-comer Kimbra’s song “Cameo Lover” has been on repeat lately. And where’s he from? Melbourne Australia. I am repeatedly blown away by amount of amazing sexy/smooth disco goodness coming out of that city. Cut Copy, Miami Horror, Cassian… the list goes on and on. This is one not to miss! For more info check out the Vitalic Noise blog.
SATURDAY:
8th Ave South is gonna be a madhouse on Saturday night.
Nashville Cream 5th anniversary party w/ The Features, Tristen, and Evan P. Donohue @ Third Man Records. 8pm, SOLD OUT. If you snoozed, you loozed. As I understand it, The Features will be playing a very special set that’s different from their album release party at Mercy Lounge 1 week later.
Up The Antics Nashville Block Party w/ Turbo Fruits, Delta Spirit, The Rosebuds, Surfer Blood, and The Wild Feathers @ Mercy Lounge/Cannery parking lot. 6pm, 18+, FREE w/ RSVP here.
Up The Antics afterparty w/ DJ set from Pat Mahoney (of LCD Soundsystem) @ Mercy Lounge. FREE w/ above RSVP.
Kyle Andrews in-store performance at Grimey’s. FREE, 5pm
The Clutters, Chocolate Horse, Century Club @ the 5 Spot. 9pm 21+ $5
SUNDAY:
Nashville’s Dead presents: Heavy Cream, Feral Beat, Useless Eaters @ The Basement. 9pm 21+ $5.
I have a feeling Nashville’s collective liver is gonna be hurting after this weekend.
The Summer of The Features
May 11, 2011
As reported today on the Nashville Cream, Nashville/Murfreesboro’s hometown heroes The Features are prepping for the release of their 3rd full length album Wilderness on July 26. Their last album Some Kind of Salvation was simply fantastic, but this next one seems as though it will be the “perfect” Features record. I’ve heard absolute rave reviews from the first few local folks who got a promo copy to review, and hopefully *ahem, Rory/Rollum/somebody* I’ll have one to review soon as well. I can remember having a somewhat drunken conversation with producer/vacuum tube wizard Brian Carter one night at Mercy Lounge late last year in which he excitedly said something like “this is the record the guys and I have always wanted to make.” Basically I get the feeling this album was done the way the band wanted to do it, where they wanted to do it, and with whom they wanted to do it. Mad props to the Kings Of Leon for signing them to their own 429 Records and allowing the band to do what they want, when they want, and how they want.
Building up to the release, the first of probably many promotional items to whet our appetite is a 7″ single with the track “Rambo” b/w “This Much I Know.” The video above it a promo for that release, set for May 31st.
NBN EventBrite day party Friday
September 28, 2010
There have been hints and rumors galore about this Friday’s NBN day party, but the word is officially out now. This party is being touted as one of the best, if not THE best event at Next BIG Nashville this year. It’s a SXSW day party-style event going down at the awesome Neuhoff Factory in Germantown, and there will be TONS of free swag, free booze, a photobooth, t-shirts printed onsite, and of course an awesome lineup of music. The Features headline, with support from Morning Teleportation, Take The Power Back (female RATM tribute), and Kurtis Stanley. I will also be DJing some hot new jams between and after the bands.
Priority entrance will be given to NBN VIP badgeholders and wristbands, but EVERYONE MUST RSVP at the EventBrite website. If you’re not a badgeholder or wristband-wearer but still want to go, get your ass on over there and RSVP now because only the first 100 general public will get in! Full details:
EventBrite NBN Factory party
3:30-7pm
Neuhoff Factory- 1315 Adams St., Nashville
21+ ONLY, must RSVP here
THE FEATURES
Morning Teleportation
Take The Power Back
Kurtis Stanley
DJ sets by BURGERS between/after bands
Free drinks, free swag, photobooth, onsite t-shirt printing
See you Friday!
Before I list this weekend’s Nashville show offerings, there are a few newsy-bits that need to be shared:
Caitlin Rose stopped by the Daytrotter studio recently to record a lovely live session. Go grab the mp3’s here… the free ones are an ugly 128 kb/s in quality, but for a measly $4 you can get the high quality version. I still haven’t heard an official release date for her album (which was recently completed), but it should be this coming fall/winter. (Via Yewknee via Hartley)
Some other big news from the Hartley camp- De Novo Dahl’s new album Tigerlion is officially out, and you can get it at their bandcamp for whatever price you wish to pay. They celebrate the release tonight at Mercy Lounge. (More on that below.)
Brooklynvegan is a bit behind on their coverage of Nikkin Darlin’s injury, but I mention the post because they included a pretty cool short documentary video about them that was shot during this year’s SXSW. Check it:
Now for this weekend’s plethora of show offerings…
FRIDAY
As I mentioned above, tonight is the release party for De Novo Dahl’s new album Tigerlion. It’s at Mercy Lounge, they’ve enlisted the help of How Cozy!, Tallest Trees, and Fly Golden Eagle. The show’s proceeds will benefit Ms. Candice Burnside, who you’ll know if you ever frequented Grimey’s New & Preloved Music over the past few years. She’s currently battling breast cancer (which as I understand, she’s all but won).
There’s a pretty kickass house show happening tonight in east Nashville- the Non-Commissioned Officers, Tristen, and the Whole Fantastic World. More info on the facebook event.
I must also mention that tonight is the 2-year birthday of Happy Valley, taking place at the Cannery Ballroom. Jim O’Shea and the staff of Cannery Ballroom have put their heads together to create a light show/atmosphere that will surely blow your mind. DJ’s are Coach, Mindub, Sanchez & the Shockers, Ducko, and Hands off Sam. I also hear that a certain hat wearin’, trash talkin’, Dime managin’, former oil tycoon will be there….
SATURDAY
There’s yet another benefit for Candice Burnside happening on Saturday, this time at the Exit/In, with none other than the Features, Cortney Tidwell, and a re-united (with a slightly different lineup) Hotpipes. There will also be DJs between bands: Sean Maloney (as LWWS LRRRGNT), Curse of the Drinking Class, and yours truly (Burgers). Facebook event here.
The other big show for Saturday is the Moustache May closing party at Mercy Lounge. Michael Eades has put together a great lineup for this one: The Whole New Usuals, Tristen, Shaboi, Roy Ira, and Uncle Skeleton. The big story here is Uncle Skeleton, the (formerly) side project of Ross Wariner of Kindercastle fame. Ross put out his debut album Pancho Chumley last year under the Uncle Skeleton moniker, and now the follow-up Warm Under the Covers will be unofficially released at this show. I say unofficially because Mr. Eades (whose label YK Records is handling the album) said “Sadly, the vinyl version will not be available in time for the release so I’m not making it official official until that time.”
I must also mention now, since it’s Memorial Day weekend, that this coming Monday, May 31st is my next 8 off 8th. It’s actually 7 off 8th, but that’s because it’s the official afterparty of the Rock & Roll Trivia 1-year anniversary, which is happening earlier that night and may run a little later than usual due to the festivities. The lineup is (in no particular order): The Whole Fantastic World, Bad Cop, Powerbrrrd, How Cozy!, Evan P. Donohue, Zut Alors, and Kingston Springs. As always, it’s FREE and is 21+. They also have $2.50 Yuenglings. Flyer (links to facebook event):
Kings of Leon and Features talk about their love in NME
February 18, 2010
Thanks to the keen eyes of We Own This Town, we now have a very clear picture of the relationship between the Kings of Leon and The Features: nothin’ but love. Along with false rumors of Kings of Leon opening for The Features at their Feb. 5th show at Exit/In, I also heard about several UK music journalists on the guest list. The reason for that is evident in this NME article which features an interview with Caleb Followill and Matt Pelham at Nashville bar Loser’s. While I may not love KOL’s music nearly as much as The Features’, I must say I’m very happy to see the KOL appreciate Pelham & Co.’s amazing talent as much as they do, and I think The Features just might be one of luckiest bands in America. Click the pic to access a bigger version:
Features afterpary @ La Paz/Majestico tracks
February 5, 2010
The big story today is also an act of shameless self-promotion. Tonight is the sold-out Features/Majestico/Cortney Tidwell show at Exit/In, and I’m DJing the official afterparty at La Paz along with Fan Fiction. La Paz is literally only 3 doors down Elliston from Exit/In, and given the fact that A) there’s NO COVER and B) well drinks/margaritas/wine are all $3 and PBR cans are $2, you’d be CRAZY not to come over after the show (if you’re going). Since the show sold out in one day due the rumor of Kings of Leon opening (which proved to be false), you may not have a ticket. In that case, I suggest simply coming straight to La Paz, because we kick things off around 9-10pm and you know the party will really get hoppin’ later on anyway. In case you hadn’t realized- this is the new incarnation of BFF. It’s simply whenever/wherever Fan Fiction and I DJ together. And trust me, we’re bringin’ the bangers. The resident La Paz DJ for whom we’re covering, Potamus, will be hitting the decks down in M’boro at SWAG, so if you’re in that neck of the woods and wanna dance, 527 Main St. is the place to be.
Speaking of Majestico, they’ve got 2 brand new tracks up on their bandcamp for free (unless you give your email address monetary value). Together they comprise the Bright White Lady single. What the hell are you waiting for? Go get them now. Oh, and there’s another great track called “I Like You” on there as well. These dudes might just be my favorite “new” Nashville band. (Via a star to sail her by, AKA the new blog from Andrew J. Smithson)
D. Patrick Rodgers of Nashville Cream did an interesting interveiw with Daniel Pujol as a part of this week’s Scene cover story “10 Artists to Watch in 2010.” Pujol’s answers are rather hilarious and quite cryptic at times, but that’s the main reason it’s a good read… You can also grab 2 free mp3s of Pujol’s solo work, which are hard to come by since most of his solo material has been released on cassette tape.
Other stuff this weekend:
Saturday is a major dilemma for sure:
Of Montreal/James Husband @ Cannery Ballroom vs. Girls/Magic Kids/Smith Westerns @ Exit/In…
Personally, I’ve seen Of Montreal 4 times and much prefer their mid-career material (Coquelicot through Sunlandic Twins). That, combined with my Scene photographic assignment will likely land me at Exit/In, because I haven’t seen any of those bands, and want to see all of them, especially Magic Kids.
On Sunday the party doesn’t stop, because Tristen will be at the 5 Spot, along with Murfreesboro’s The Only Sons, and Action!.
Have a great weekend!
Weekend craziness/Meemaw/meteorites
January 22, 2010
Combined science/music post today. Not much time….
A meteorite about the size of a fist crashed through the roof of a doctor’s office in Virginia on monday. Reports say that it was traveling about 220 MPH when it hit the roof. There’s a common misconception that all meteorites hit the ground as a fireball and cause a crater. The truth is only the really big ones, about car-size and up, actually have enough inertia to keep up those kinds of speeds all the way to the ground. The smaller ones that reach the ground have long since been slowed by the friction of the atmosphere, and usually hit at speeds anywhere from 100 to 300 mph, depending on the size and weight. I don’t want to spend much time on this so go here or here for more info.
Now for the music.
I mentioned a while back that beloved Nashville scrap-punkers Meemaw decided to end their hiatus. Well, the time has come! It all goes down tonight at The End, along with Marj!, So Jazzy, and JEFF the Brotherhood. I don’t really know if you can quite call it an interview, but please do check out this gem of a video segment of them talking/playing a new song/goofing off over at Nashville’s Dead. Good times.
Unfortunately this had to happen the same night as a ton of other good stuff in town.
One of the aforementioned other things is the special edition of Happy Valley at the Cannery Ballroom, where I will be running the Generation Domination photobooth. It’s part of Mercy Lounge’s 7-year anniversary party, but unlike the other show upstairs, it will cost a meager $5 to get into. The FREE show upstairs will consist of The Non-commissioned Officers, The Ettes, De Novo Dahl, Apollo Up, and the two secret guests have now been revealed- The Features and Turbo Fruits. That has to be the most amazing lineup of local rock I’ve seen in a long time.
On Saturday Mercy is once again the place to be, as the last day of their week of free shows consists of Space Capone, How I Became the Bomb, Heypenny, Madi Diaz, Tallest Trees, and Armed Forces. This amazing lineup will be followed by the return of BFF, featuring yours truly and Fan Fiction of Nashville Nights on the decks, and we promise to keep your butt on the dancefloor till the wee hours.
In case you missed the memo, BFF was a weekly dance party held by me (Burgers) and Joseph (Fan Fiction) at Mad Donna’s in east Nashville. That location turned out to be not quite right for what we were trying to do, so instead of keeping BFF as a monthly staple, we decided to just let it be the branding we use whenever/wherever we spin together. There are two upcoming BFF-related events, the first of which I just mentioned, and the other is Feb. 5th at La Paz. More details are in the pipeline about that, but I’ll say now that it’s probably going to be the official afterparty for the Features’/Cortney Tidwell/Majestico show which just a block away at Exit/In. It’s gonna be a blast y’all.
Have a great weekend!
steve cross loves music and science 