independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
In October 2018, singer/songwriter Kurt Vile released his critically-acclaimed seventh album Bottle It In via Matador Records. Bottle It In heads off in new directions, pushing at the edges of the map into unexplored territory--these songs show an artist who is still evolving and growing, expressing himself through monster jams, a songwriter who, like his hero... Continue Reading →
The shows you attend by chance are usually the ones that leave lasting and indelible impressions--Fleet Foxes’ recent stop at the Ryman Auditorium was definitely one of those shows. Fleet Foxes released one of the 2017’s best records, Crack-Up, and they finally made to Nashville to play two nights at the mother church. To classify... Continue Reading →
“It’s always nice to play in the southeast,” says David Rawlings as he watches the snow fall outside of his east Nashville home and prepares to go on tour in support of his latest album, Poor David’s Almanack. “There are a lot of people here who connect with the same music we connect with,” he... Continue Reading →
This past weekend, folk rock band Dawes played a two-night stand at The Ryman, and I’m not sure I will ever be the same. I can confidently say—and speak for everyone that was in attendance either of those nights--that something magical happened, and it set the bar for live music. Dawes is currently on an... Continue Reading →
As bodies began to file into the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, April 12th, everything seemed normal--people were chatting about the show, what they do in the world, and the like. As the mother church began to look more and more like a sold out auditorium, the lights dimmed and the opener promptly took the stage.... Continue Reading →
Omaha-based singer/songwriter Conor Oberst, touring in support of his new record, Ruminations, made a much-anticipated appearance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium recently. The former Bright Eyes frontman has become a cult icon in the indie music world, and still has the magic touch when it comes to crafting new and creatively fresh songs. Ruminations is a... Continue Reading →
To me, the historic Ryman Auditorium has, after 12 years of attending live performances within the confines of its hallowed sanctuary, a distinctly familiar smell; if someone blindfolded me and walked me into the concert hall, I would know exactly where I had landed. On this particular evening, the wood of the antique pews and... Continue Reading →
Louisville-based dreamy indie rock trio Twin Limb has recently hit the road with fellow Louisvillian music-maker Jim James, a tour that will bring them to the Ryman Auditorium to perform for the first time. “We’re opening for Jim, and then we’re playing in his band,” says Twin Limb’s Lacey Guthrie. “I never imagined I’d walk into... Continue Reading →
Though husband-wife duo JOHNNYSWIM is based in Los Angeles, they will always consider Nashville their home turf; the pair brought their signature style of energetic pop n’ roll to the historic Ryman Auditorium recently, and we are still reeling from the greatness of it all. Touring in support of their intensely vulnerable new album, Georgica Pond, Abner Ramirez and... Continue Reading →
“We’re on our way to soundcheck in the minivan with the baby in the back. You may hear some high-pitched squeals. It could either be Joaquin or Abner,” laughs Amanda Sudano Ramirez, who, along with husband Abner Ramirez, make up endearing pop duo JOHNNYSWIM. The pair recently released their latest record, Georgica Pond, featuring their... Continue Reading →
