Nashville for Free

This weeks’ Artist of the Week is A.A. Bondy, who currently resides on the label Fat Possum. On Tuesday night he’ll be opening for the excellent Elvis Perkins but first he’ll be stopping by Grimey’s at 6pm to serenade you lovely people. Let’s see what Doyle at Grimey’s has to say about Mr. Bondy.

“Scott Bondy’s Birmingham, Alabama-based band Verbena came on like a southern Nirvana and was much-loved in these parts. Since the band’s demise, Scott has recast himself as AA Bondy, stripped-down indie folker, and his music is perhaps even more compelling. His latest is called When The Devil’s Loose and the AV Club says it ‘showcases a resolve and relief Bondy’s never evinced before, as if he’s raked his hand through the sands of these spooky songs and transformed the grains that stuck into flawed, captivating pearls.’ Ooh!”

I have to say, I’ve been listening to A.A. Bondy’s MySpace, and I really enjoy his stuff. Very good indie folk. I think you guys would like it. It won’t be a par-tay like Edward Sharpe, but I’m sure that it’ll be great and that there will be free beer. So come and get your chill on with A.A. after a long day at work. It’s gonna be awesome.

-Emily

Here’s a video from the wonderful Jill Andrews. It was obviously recorded for Paste Magazine’s website. I approve.

Once again, the show is tomorrow (Wednesday) night at The Basement. The show will kick off at 8pm. It’s The Basement, so it is, of course, 21 and up.

Just for fun, I’ve included a live video of one of her songs from when she was with The Everybodyfields.

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You will get the following for free…

EDWARD SHARPE & The MAGNETIC ZEROS

Yazoo Beer

Jimmy Carl's BBQ

Would I lie to you?

You will get the following for free…

EDWARD SHARPE & The MAGNETIC ZEROS

Yazoo Beer

Jimmy Carl's BBQ

Would I lie to you?

The first in-store I ever saw at Grimey’s was in the Fall of 2007. The band was the Everybodyfields. I arrived during their last song, which was, I believe, a Smashing Pumpkins cover. I was completely blown away by the band. I never got another chance to see them before they broke up (my only real opportunity was the same night as a Silver Jews show, and I though, “hey, the Silver Jews never tour, the Everybodyfields will be around for a long time”). That was not the case, and I was heartbroken to learn about their fairly recent break-up.

However, bands breaking up is no reason to abandon all hope! Jill Andrews is playing shows, recording music (she currently has an EP available), and she sounds great even without Mr. Quinn at her side. Her songs are beautiful, her voice is fantastic, and I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t be up to seeing a her perform a free short set this Wednesday at ASCAP Rocks The Basement (8pm).

Anyway, I haven’t yet convinced you to go see her free set then I recommend you check out her website and listen to some of her tunes. I think you’ll like it.

The show is 21 and up, and also features former The Kopecky Family Band, who we’ve written about before, Keegan Dewitt (who has been featured on Paste Magazine’s website), Michael Ford Jr and The Apache Relay, and Alyssa Bonagura. So that’s two artists who have been featured in Paste or on the Paste website, one band that we’ve already told you is good, and two other artists who sound pretty legit if you take the time to check them out on MySpace. So, yeah, I think it’s gonna be a pretty solid show. Freal.

-Emily

I know it’s a little late in the week for an Artist of the Week feature, but I think that this needs to be brought to your attention.

Do you know who Jim Lauderdale is? Well, he’s a country singer who has the best hair in Nashville, tells the 3 most hilarious jokes on-stage (I’m sweating more than Dick Cheney at an Ani Difranco concert, excuse me, I have a piece of crystal meth stuck in my teeth, etc), has recently toured with Elvis Costello (AKA my BFF), is a super snazzy dresser, and oh yeah, has had his songs recorded by Patty Loveless, the Dixie Chicks, and George Jones, among others. Also, I met him once or twice and spoke to him on the phone once, so I can tell you firsthand that he is a really nice guy.

Why do I bring all of this up? Well, this Halloween at midnight Jim is going to host/perform at the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree!!!!

What? You don’t know what that is? Well, to quote the press release..

The prestigious show started by the legendary Ernest Tubb in 1947 has always immediately followed the Grand Ole Opry and is the second oldest live radio show in the country, next to the Opry itself. Past hosts list like a virtual “who’s who” of country music royalty! Some of these include: Tex Ritter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Dr. Ralph Stanley,
Jim Ed Brown, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, and of course Ernest Tubb himself!

This fantastic event is, of course, free, and is held at the Troubadour Theater. If you can’t make it out to see Jim you can listen live here or watch it live here. Again, it starts at midnight.

Don’t forget to check out Jim’s site and bask in the glory of his glory.

-Emily

Hey, do all of you remember Mr. Paul Burch? I hope you do, because I just wrote a big ‘ol article about how he’s our artist of the week here at Nashville for Free and I probably mentioned that he’s playing a free show at everyone’s favorite place to get shepherd’s pie in Nashville: The Family Wash tomorrow at 7pm.

Well, to keep you all entertained I thought I’d post this little video of his song “Life of a Fool.”

Enjoy.

This one’s called “Bad Girl She Used To Be”

-Emily

Friends, today I’m excited to tell you about our artist of the week: Paul Burch. I’ve been a fan of Paul since I was 16 and heard his song “Railroad Steel” on a Bloodshot Records sampler that I got from a magazine that probably doesn’t exist anymore (RIP music mags of the world).

I was instantly drawn to the song, which is still one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. It impressed me with its simplicity and it’s emotion, and Paul’s clean vocals brought something to the song that any other singer would have been lacking.

After hearing Paul for the first time I immediately bought a few of his records and found that “Railroad Steel” wasn’t his only masterpiece, in fact, his records are full of great songs. I was still in Ohio at the time, and I was saddened to see that he doesn’t do those big ‘ol tours that so many people embark on, and when I moved to Nashville I finally got a chance to see him at the wonderful Family Wash in East Nashville. For free. It was awesome. Some fella bought me dinner and Paul was fantastic.

I’m sure by now a lot of you have heard that The Family Wash is in trouble. I’ll admit that I haven’t been there much, though it is frequently on my mind (as is their baked mac’n'cheese and baked potato pie). It’s an awesome little place that has a pretty big selection of beer that would please any connoisseur, but, in my opinion, the best part about the Family Wash is the live entertainment. They’re open from Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm until midnight, and almost every night they have live music with no cover charge (though they do pass around the hat).

I bring all of this up because Paul and the WPA Ballclub are playing at the Family Wash this Wednesday, the 16th at 7pm, and I think that you should go out and see him. If you miss what country used to be then Paul is your man. I’ve seen the man twice so I can tell you firsthand that he doesn’t disappoint (and neither does the venue). Don’t just take my word on it. Check out his website, where you can hear songs from his new album, and if you like what you hear, which I’m sure you will, head down to the Family Wash, catch his set for free, and enjoy a beer and a shepherd’s pie.

Paul’s site

The Family Wash

-Emily

As some of you may remember, Flora Shakespeare is our Artist of the Week, and they’re playing a free in-store/EP release party at Grimeys this Saturday at 5pm. Michelle wrote all about it earlier this week, but I thought I’d try to bring you a little more.

This is your chance to start following a cool band at the beginning of their career. They only boast 90 something fans on MySpace, their song listens are only in the 60s, but make no mistake, they’re GOOD.

I’m not much of a music critic, but I know what I like, and I really like their sound. Their sound is very retro, and it reminds me of the 1960s channel on Sirius Radio. Their song “Out of Our Hands” bounces along cheerfully, building momentum until it ends rather suddenly. Their songs sound familiar and warm, and I’m sure they’ll have a great performance

Oh, did I mention that there will be free food, free beer, AND you’ll get the Flora Shakespeare EP for free? Did I also mention that they were produced by Joel J. Dahl from De Novo Dahl?

No? Well, there you go. They perform at Grimeys this Saturday at 5:00pm

-Emily