Been really impressed with the full-length debut from Murfreesboro’s VampTones. It’s clearly influenced by the likes of surf rock, punk attitudes and high energy pop fury. You know that feeling when the band is furiously tearing through a song and you’re beaming while throwing rock fists? Yea, they do that.
→
Sturgill Simpson -Â A Sailor’s Guide To Earth
This is an unpopular opinion but I don’t always get Sturgill Simpson. From a helicopter view, I’m a fan of throwback country vibes as the next guy and I’m way into anyone that can modernize the style and make it accessible to new audiences. Even with all that in mind, his previous album just didn’t grab me. It sounded country and talked about far out topics but it always felt flat to my ears. I know, I know! What’s wrong with me!?
His newest endeavor, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, pushes his style past modernized classic country and integrates a lot of R&B fundamentals; plenty of horns and upbeat undertakings. The Nirvana cover is an “interesting†way to rope in new listeners but, honestly, it sticks out fairly oddly in the flow. I would not be the least bit surprised that, in ten years, we find out some label head or manager really pushed to have that included for marketing efforts.
All of this is to say, my interest in Sturgill Simpson has grown by leaps and bounds with just a single listen of A Sailor’s Guide to Earth and I imagine it will only deepen and solidify with every additional spin.Â
→
I did not know Jim Ridley, Editor-in-Chief of The Scene, but I have felt his influence all around me in more ways than I could ever count. Many of my friends are journalists that have published under him and learned from his tutelage. The Scene in general has been a phenomenal source of championing Nashville, in no small part to his steadfast work. I am saddened to hear of his passing and my sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends and everyone who had the opportunity to know him. Moreso, Nashville should mourn his loss on the whole, as our city was absolutely made better by his tireless work.
Adia Victoria “Dead Eyesâ€
The debut full-length album from Adia Victoria, Beyond the Bloodhounds,  is due out May 13th. You can hear the studio version of the song “Dead Eyes†over on Soundcloud but the energy and ferocity is well captured in the live version embedded above.Â
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
The East Nashvillian – WTF
Have you felt the tension around Nashville lately? #NewNashville vs #OldNashville. It’s a real thing and, I promise, it’s not going to stop anytime soon. This article from The East Nashvillian – WTF – is worth a read as it captures the frustrations of Newcomers vs The Established quite well.
The meat of the article surrounds the “controversy†of certain residents of East Nashville wanting to stop the passing trains from sounding their horns as they pass through. The vitriol of the article towards the organizer of this movement is palpable. However, it’s also the biggest pain point of where the article falls apart.Â
It’s an Op Ed piece so a bit of flair and anger is expected, I get that, but there’s a somewhat childish slant to the mud slinging against Houston or LA that undermines the entire piece. Being upset about Nashville’s expedited growth is one thing but stamping your feet because your favorite bar is different now is another thing entirely.
Please don’t get me wrong, the article is filled with sentiments that properly capture the frustrations of the growth. As the article states, this isn’t East Nashville’s first painful growth spurt and it won’t be last but surely there’s a better way to preserve our history, our architecture and our cities vibe than shitting on anyone with a different opinion?
Phosphene Freak of Normalcy
The 1999 album from Phosphene just recently made its way on to Bandcamp and I am highly enjoying the eclectic ride. The album starts with very familiar production values and emo-y post-rock feels but quickly dives deep down a rabbit hole of various alternate styles. You can hear touchstones of Trent Reznor and David Lynch in some of the weirder and industrial songs and something much more ghastly and foreboding in the more ambient undertakings.
I certainly missed this one when it came out 17 years ago but it stands as a fascinating, worthwhile, listen.
Okey Dokey “Wavy Gravyâ€
Enjoy this first track from Okey Dokey – the collaborative project of Sol Cat guitarist Johny Fisher and bassist Aaron Martin. It’s got a bit of a doo-wop  mixed with bedroom pop psychedelia vibe going on. I look forward to more.
→
The Lees of Memory – Unnecessary Evil
The second full-length from The Lees of Memory is available for pre-order over on PledgeMusic. I can not imagine a scenario in which this album is disappointing, so go ahead and get it.
→
*repeat repeat – Podcast Podcast
Did you know repeat repeat has a podcast now in its tenth episode? Well, they do and it’s quite enjoyable. Go give it a listen and then go see them on April 5th at Third and Lindsley.
Bravemaker “1234567″
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Bravemaker but, slowly but surely, he’s been releasing some great new songs at a pleasingly trickle pace. The latest, “1234567″, a fuzzed out, rolling-tempo rock song. The choral oohs are undeniable.
Usenet – Bummerwave (Lost Trax 2015)
Remember when I recently admitted to being totally shocked that some legit Vaporwave was coming out of Murfreesboro? Well, turns out that there’s plenty more where that came from. Ardis Tilson is a man of many projects and Usenet just happens to be his Vaporwave moniker, done in great collaboration with Lauren Croney.Â
To be technically accurate (the best kind), this steers away from purist Vaporwave and mixes in some post-rock and gothic overtures but who’s counting? It’s interesting and worth a listen.
Pale Houses “Safe Placeâ€
Aaron Robinson has collaborated with Patrick Damphier and Kyle Andrews for this brooding, rather emotionally crushing song. Robinson’s voice has always had an indescribable weight to it but pair it with a song about gun violence and you’ve got some serious oomph. Oddly, they still managed to make the song catchy and enjoyable, despite the heavy subject matter.