Nashville for Free

To quote their press release, “Defeater is a band recognized not only for their musical talent, but also for their social awareness and environmental activism in a musical landscape plagued with insincerity and complacency.” They’ll be at The End later tonight, but the lead singer and guitarist Derek Archambault will be at Grimey’s early for an in-store performance at 6pm.

This might not make up for the sorrow we felt in our hearts to learn that The Evan P. Donohue in-store was postponed, but if you’re really craving that Grimey’s in-store action this could certainly tide you over.

Just because Americana Festival is over doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some sweet alt-country-indie-americana rock. Grimey’s is here to take care of your free-wheelin’ soul. I say that because tonight they have booked Blitzen Trapper (playing the Mercy Lounge tonight with Dawes) for an early, all ages, and completely free in-store performance.

Also, BT just released their 4th album, called American Goldwing, which I’m sure they’ll be signing, so either bring your copy or buy one there so you can hang the autographed artwork on your wall and make all your friends envious.

Things will get started at 6pm, and it’s a Grimey’s event so there very well may be free beer. While you’re there you should consider taking the time to enter to win all their awesome contests. They may be your broke behind’s last chance to see Gillian Welch at the Ryman in December (pick me!).

-Emily

It’s been a little slow on the in-store front from Grimey’s lately, but I’m excited to announce that things are about to get awesome, because Hands Off Cuba are playing at Grimey’s tonight!

Hands Off Cuba are Ryan Norris, Scott Martin, Ben Marcantel, Jonathan Marx, William Tyler, Matt Glassmeyer and Adam Bednarik. As you can imagine, it’s not always easy to get a lineup like that together (schedules and whatnot), which makes any live performance of them pretty special.

This in-store, which starts at 6pm, is to celebrate the release of their new vinyl/digital download-only album Volumes of Sobering Liquids. According to Grimey’s this is for fans of everything from Krautrock to Afrobeat.

-Emily

In my opinion, Centro-matic is one of those bands where it’s hard not to like them. Well, it’s hard not to like them if you like straight-up, no-frills rock from Texas. I try not to give Texas too much credit, but they sure do get the whole music thing right.

I’m actually really excited for this in-store because I have never seen Centro-matic live. I’ve seen Will Johnson, their frontman, but never as a band, and that saddens me. That man, he just does something for my soul, and I know for a fact that I cannot be the only person who feels that way.

But it seems that my sadness is soon to cease! Today Centro-matic is kicking off their tour by playing a free all-ages in-store at Grimey’s before their show in the Basement later. Huzzah! Things should kick off around 6pm, but I suggest getting there earlier to make sure you can actually, ya know, see things.

Even if you haven’t heard of Centro-matic you should check them out if you’re a fan of Glossary, the Drive-By Truckers, Uncle Tupelo, or any southern-rock-ish americana rock. Also, if you are from Texas. Have some pride.

Peace.

-Emily

I sincerely have absolutely no idea when this happened, but it would seem to me that Amos Lee has become HUGE all of the sudden.

Well, maybe it’s not as sudden as I like to think. I mean, I first heard Amos Lee on a sampler from Paste Magazine (RIP) six years ago, and I was instantly smitten. What can I say, I like the soft-spoken singer-songwriter types, and Mr. Lee is much much better than most. I don’t know, maybe there’s something about being a former school teacher that makes you that much more awesome at music (Bob Pollard, Ezra from Vampire Weekend…Peaches?).

But I digress. Amos Lee is officially a big deal. Sell out the Ryman big deal.

That’s right, if you’ve been meaning to buy tickets for his show on Friday night then you would seem to be out of luck. There are no more tickets.

That’s where Grimey’s comes in. This Friday Amos Lee is giving a free, all-ages, super limited capacity free show at Grimey’s New and Pre-loved music. Things get started at noon, so you better take an extra-long lunch break, because I get the feeling you’re not going to want to miss this. Acts that have NOT sold out the Ryman have filled Grimey’s to capacity, so there’s no reason to think that you’ll be able to just stroll into this in-store, so get there early, or don’t come cryin’ to me.

Again, Amos Lee. Grimey’s. Friday the 8th of April. Noon. Don’t miss out on this awesome bragging opportunity. There might be free beer, there will be great tunes, and there will be a fantastic chance to actually converse with Mr. Amos Lee. This is why I love Nashville.

-Emily

If there’s one band I’ve fallen in-love within the past year, it’s Warpaint. Hailing all the way from Los Angeles, their recently released album, The Fool came out in October 2010. It’s also the most perfect experimental, ambient art I’ve heard in quite sometime, those angelic voices just make me swoon.

Warpaint is compiled of Emily Kokal (vocals/guitar), Theresa Wayman (guitar/vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass/vocals) and have been together since 2006 and just recently added the fourth member, drummer, Stella Mozgawa in 2009. The girls are self-proclaimed besties from childhood and I think it’s adorable. Anyway, this new album, The Fool, is something you can kind of roll your head back and sway to, if you’re in to that sort of thing, that is of course if you ever unfold your arms at a show, Nashville! Sadly, I missed the all-girl, four-piece group last year when they played at Exit/In. You’re going to want to make double sure that you aren’t missing them again, like I regretfully did, and on Tuesday, you can. Their FREE instore at Grimey’s is at 6pm. I’ve been told from a reliable source that if you want to see Warpaint at Grimey’s, you need to get there early, plant your feet, and don’t move.

If you can’t make it to the free instore (it happens), then by all means, shell out the $10 ($12 at the door) and go see them at the Mercy Lounge. PVT & Family Band are opening and show starts at 9:00. I’ve had my tickets for a month and a half, so I’ll see you guys there!

Below you can stream Warpaint’s latest album, The Fool

The Fool by warpaintwarpaint

Do you remember Cadillac Sky? Well, they recently split, but luckily for us their lead guitarist and contributing songwriter David Mayfield is pretty talented himself, enough so that he has fans in the Avett Brothers. He’s been known to tour with the Avetts and even got Scott & Seth to guest on his solo album.  His solo career is a pretty new thing, so you have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a great new act.

He’s playing at Grimey’s tonight for free at 6pm. Oh yes, and later tonight he’ll be at Exit/In with Light Pilot. Don’t miss your chance to see the guy who produced one of the coolest publicity shots of all time. I mean, just look at that picture, it’s amazing. That’s the kind of person I want to know, right there. David Mayfield Parade, if you’re a fan of bluegrass then do yourself a favor and just go.

-Emily

Grimey’s has a great habit of bringing awesome in-store performances to their shop, and tomorrow at noontime the tradition will continue with an exclusive Grace Potter and the Nocturnals set.

You may have heard of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. A lot of people have. They’re also playing (not for free) at the Cannery tomorrow night and that show is SOLD OUT. That means if you didn’t snag tickets to that the only chance you’ll have at seeing this awesome band that’s been described as Tina Turner fronting the Rolling Stones is by taking your lunch break at Grimey’s tomorrow.

Yep, the show is at noon. Yes, in a way that kind of sucks, but it means you won’t have to get there 3 hours early for a spot. Less competition is worth it, trust me. You know you wanted to take a long lunch tomorrow anyway! I mean, come on, it’s Grace Potter. The woman’s got soul, and you have the chance to see her in the most intimate venue in Nashville, for free. Do I have to start chanting “do it, do it” because I swear I will.

No I won’t.

-Emily

You might be tired of me bringing this up by now, but I’m from Ohio. Specifically I’m from Cincinnati. Cincinnati is an incredibly German city. In Cincinnati (there’s a point to this story, stay with me) there’s an area called Over the Rhine which was named so by the German immigrants. This area used to be incredibly beautiful. The architecture is fantastic; ornate brick buildings that reflect the diverse styles of the late nineteenth century. There were awesome breweries, a still beautiful music hall, a wonderful market – it is an area that used to be so full of grace that it was compared to Greenwich Village in New York.

I say it used to be beautiful because now much of the area is all but in ruins. It’s a shadow of its former self.  There’s violent crime, there are buildings in disrepair, it’s an area that most people avoid, which is such a shame.

This is the place the the band Over the Rhine took their name from.

Like me, the band Over the Rhine is from Cincinnati. In my humble opinion, the name fits them perfectly. Their songs contain the same beauty that used to be present in that now derelict neighborhood, they can hit you with the same dull ache that it is now and makes you feel the same sorrow that you feel thinking about all that beauty and promise that now sits in decay. But they can also write songs so full of hope that echo the unwavering optimism of attempts made to rebuild OTR.

Maybe I’m over-stating things, but I don’t think that I am. I’m just trying to make a point here about Over the Rhine’s music. It’s truly great stuff. I’ve listened to them many a-sleepless nights when I’m homesick for the Queen City. Their music reminds me of home, that’s true, but there’s more to it than that. Their music makes me feel like I’ve been seen, it’s that good and pure. Maybe it makes me think of Cincinnati, but that’s just because I’m from Cincinnati. I imagine that no matter where you’re from, when you hear OTR’s music you get the distinct feeling that they know where you’re coming from, and maybe they do. Hell, maybe you know where they’re coming from, because the tragedy of the neighborhood that is their namesake, and the beauty that it once was is present everywhere. From Nashville to Moscow, Idaho to Luxembourg, every city in the world has its Over the Rhine, and that is why their name is so perfect for their music.

And now, the point of the story: they’re playing a free in-store this Saturday at Grimey’s at 5pm. Don’t miss it. The girl scouts will also be there, selling cookies. It’s sure to be a great show, so do yourselves a favor and don’t miss out on this one.

-Emily

Man, the Greenhornes have been all up in Nashville lately! The Basement, Third Man, and now Grimey’s, these Cincinnatians seem to have taken it upon themselves to make sure Nashville gets more than its recommended dose of awesome rock.

You might know these guys because the bassist and drummer, Lawrence and Keeler, are in the Raconteurs with Jack White and Brendan Benson, but that’s not the only thing they have going for them. The Greenhornes are a great band in their own right and I think it’s incredible that they’ve decided to play a free show to accommodate broke Nashvillians such as ourselves. Well, broke Nashvillians such as myself who couldn’t dish out $14 to see them at Third Man the other weekend…

Their new album, **** (Four Stars) will be getting hitting stores on the day of their performance, so it’s undoubtedly going to be a party.

They’re playing at Grimey’s this Tuesday, November 9th at 6pm. There will probably be free beer.