independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
I thought I was prepared--I had listened to the music on repeat. Â I had interviewed the band. Â I had watched video after video of their live performances on YouTube...but y'all, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can adequately prepare you for the sonic force to be reckoned with otherwise known as David Wax Museum, live and... Continue Reading →
It's no secret that I'm a huge Anthony D'Amato fan; I first caught his live show a while back when he opened for another blog favorite, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds (openers, y'all, pay attention to them). Since then, I've had the pleasure of interviewing D'Amato and even shot a couple of videos with... Continue Reading →
Alt-rocker Candice Martello, who performs under the moniker Hemming, made her debut appearance at the Ryman Auditorium recently, providing opening support for Chris Cornell on his nationwide acoustic Higher Truth Tour. The Ryman was packed; the rumble of the crowd quietened as the unassuming Hemming took the stage. Dressed in black with her long dark... Continue Reading →
Breakout U.K. band The Struts made a stop in the Music City recently as a part of their extensive U.S. tour in support of their new EP, Have You Heard, out now via Interscope Records.  Comprised of Luke Spiller (lead vocals), Adam Slack (guitar), Jed Elliott (bass) and Gethin Davies (drums). The Struts formed in Derby, England in 2012; the band has been... Continue Reading →
Blue-eyed soul man and all-around force to be reckoned with Nathaniel Rateliff, and his band, The Night Sweats, descended upon the Music City recently to perform at the Mercy Lounge. Â The show was sold out, which was no surprise, and the crowd, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, let the spirit of soul take them over as they worked... Continue Reading →
Florence + the Machine, now at the end of a nationwide headlining tour, made a stop in the Music City to perform at the new Ascend Amphitheater on October 9th.  The band has been touring in support of their latest release, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful; the album debuted at #1 this June, marking Florence’s first U.S.... Continue Reading →
Brooklyn-based blues rock band The London Souls blew the roof off of The Ryman recently, and I was there to witness it with my eyes widened and my jaw touching the floor. Â Lead vocalist and guitar shredder Tash Neal, who was injured in a horrific hit-and-run accident in 2012 which required him to undergo brain... Continue Reading →
I got invited to the Vinyl Thief show at Mercy Lounge a while back, attendance at which was a no-brainer.  I mean, come on y'all, it's VINYL THIEF.  The deal was only made sweeter by the fact that another blog favorite, Dinner and a Suit, was also on the bill. The first group to take the... Continue Reading →
Folk-rock four piece Langhorne Slim & The Law, is currently on a nationwide tour--which has included stops at the Newport Folk Festival, CBS This Morning, and the Conan O'Brien show, no big deal--to support the release of their sophomore album, "The Spirit Moves,"Â Â an effervescent collection of his now-signature, cinematic, joyful noise, rooted in folk, soul,... Continue Reading →
World-renowned musical collective Watkins Family Hour released their acclaimed self-titled debut album on July 24th via Family Hour Records, and recently appeared at Nashville's City Winery for two special performances to celebrate the release, joined by artists Fiona Apple and Benmont Tench.  Watkins Family Hour began in 2002 as a monthly musical residency held exclusively at Los Angeles’... Continue Reading →
