Author Archives: Charles Gray

Hey, Memphis! How are your New Year’s resolutions going? Forget about that one were you said you weren’t going to do that thing anymore… That just isn’t gonna happen. Although you might have had to ditch a few, there’s still one resolution you can stay true to: Go to see more local music!

This week we’ve got you getting into some Memphis folk, slowing down with some sludge metal, and celebrating the life of the king. Today’s the day to start living life like you should; it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday (1/4) brings out all the crazy mother folkers. The first show you should check out is that of a rising Memphis star who’s amassing a crowd with her powerful songwriting and dry lyricism (the fact that she’s gorgeous helps too) at the 1884 Lounge. Kait Lawson released her debut album last year to positive reviews and a growing number of venues that see booking her as a must. Her on-stage performance is directly located at the intersection of infectious charm and sultry songwriting. Fellow singer-songwriter Rob Baird is also providing a full night of intimate music.

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Nostalgia’s palm is a place where it’s easy to find comfort. After all, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

The Switchblade Kid is a Memphis act who relishes and recreates sounds of the past with accurate emotional clarity. The outfit’s sound has an analog soul that ranges anywhere from Cure-esque dream pop to over-driven guitars and hella-death metal.

At the tail end of December, they released their self-titled debut on Miss Molly Music, and we’ve got an LP to give away! How can you get your hands on such a tasty treat? It’s easier than you may think…

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Stop the presses—it may be a little too early to finish your “Best-of” lists quite yet.

We’ve got a video that deserves consideration. Memphis bluesman Jason Freeman has walked a long and winding road to get to where he is today and has something to show for it. We’re pleased to premiere the video for Freeman’s “Magic in My Home,” a swarthy guitar tune well-worth blasting through your headphones all week long.

“Magic in My Home” is directed by Emmy Award-winning director Alan Spearman and finds Freeman in the middle of nowhere, whispering his music’s sweet nothings into the Southern air with local juke artist Lashonte Anderson giving you plenty to look at. If the tune is familiar to you, it probably speaks to your great taste in film, as it was featured in Craig Brewers’ recreation of Footloose.

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Hey, Memphis! Done with Christmas shopping? Finished up with finals? No to both? No worries; this weekend has you set up to celebrate all the stuff you finished or ignore it and procrastinate without remorse.

This edition of Weekend Shots has you getting into the Christmas spirit, listening to some rich Memphis flavor, and getting a healthy serving of some Southern folklore. No quitters allowed—it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday (12/14) begins things with a touch of the holiday spirit with the Shangri-La Christmas Party at The Hi-Tone Cafe. Shangri-La Records is a staple of the Memphis vinyl scene and are always worth supporting. (Which reminds me, vinyl makes an amazing, though awkwardly shaped, stocking stuffer.) Breakout Memphis throwback pop-rock act Tiger High will be headlining with support from Wuv Birds and Ultra Cats.

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What’s up Memphis? After a long streak of never having a “winning” pro team for any sport, it feels damn good that the Grizzlies are doing so well for Memphis. Success deems celebration, and this weekend has got you set up for some good stuff to go out and feel great to.

We’ve got you getting dirty with some Southern pop, getting buck with one of the crunkest acts around, and getting dense on some brand new heady hip-hop. Hope you’ve cleared the next three days in your schedule because it’s time for some weekend shots.

Friday (12/7) has a few different options available. To start, Dirty Guv’nahs are playing at The Hi-Tone Cafe. The Guv’s released their most recent album Somewhere Beneath these Southern Skies in August and are currently touring in its name. They’ve picked up steam from reviews from Relix Magazine and Musicians Magazine and honestly, they put on pretty rad show. Black Cadillacs, who also released their album Run in June, supports.

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Ever thought of driving through Memphis… just for fun?

From the historical architecture prevalent in the downtown area to the tree covered streets of East Memphis, It’s really a town worth seeing. On the off-chance you live to far away for a short driving tour (or, you’re just too lazy), Chris Milam’s new music video has you covered.

The singer-songwriter who just released his most recent effort, the Young Ave EP, recently posted the video for his song “Any Day Now,” which takes you through a driven journey of the bluff city.

If you’re already in Memphis (or are going to be soon), check him out at the Christmastravaganzafest at Otherlands on Dec. 15. Also, be sure to give a listen to his Young Ave EP, full of Memphis love and inspiration.

Hey, Memphis! How was getting fat last week? If you didn’t OD on gravy and stuffing, you’ve got a great weekend to look forward to. We’ve got you riding on musical lightbeams, jamming out with some Middle Tennessee blues rock, and getting your pop fix on. Hope you saved some room for dessert—it’s time for some weekend shots.

Friday (11/30) has a few contrasting events to offer. Over at The Hi-Tone Cafe, the River City Tanlines are playing a show in celebration of all those who donated money to the Kickstarter fund that got them through their European tour. If you’re unfamiliar with their work, The Memphis three-piece is the rock ‘n’ roll outlet for Alicja Trout— One of Memphis’ most well-known unknowns. They released the full-length Coast-to-Coast earlier this year. Come out to hear what modern Memphis rock sounds like.

At Newby’s Memphis, mathy rock Lightbeam Rider will set up bar-side. Other than having brilliant art direction, Lightbeam Rider has a sound that’s somewhere between the articulated guitar work of redneck manifesto and late 2000s’ post rock. October saw the release of Mississippi, a full length that bounces around rock styles and techniques with a concentrated effort in memorable choruses.

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Hey, Memphis! In preparation of stuffing, yams, and the customary fried turducken, this weekend has plenty of music that you should give thanks for.

We’ve got you dancing the robot to ’80s synth pop, getting down with two of Tennessee’s top MCs, and sifting through the back catalog of a living legend. Hope you’re working on an empty stomach—it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday (11/16) is a long day with plenty to see. ’80s revivalists Future Islands bring their FM synth and 30-year-old drum machine sounds to The Hi-Tone Cafe. The synth-pop trio are working off their “Tomorrow” 7″, which was released earlier this year. Noise rockers Talk Normal are also billed, working off of their second album Sunshine, also released earlier this year. Memphis’s own Ilya Twins provide additional support.

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Hey, Memphis! How’s November treating you? Weather for sweaters is reason enough to get out there and do something fun.

This weekend we’ve got you getting crunk to hip hop beats, checking out a release for a Memphis country charmer, and reliving the old days with one of Memphis’ best acts from the past. Hope you’ve got your Bill Cosby attire ready—it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday (11/9) brings the beats with DJ Quickie Mart coming to Hi-Tone Cafe. The Beatmaker who’s known for both his remixes and for backing rappers like Devin the Dude and Know One will joined by Unicorn Fukr and Memphis DJ Glitch Doctor, giving you a long night of dancing like a robot. (Everybody still does that, right?)

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Hey Memphians, did you get any good treats on Halloween? If the holiday wasn’t kind to you, this weekend is sure to make up for it. We’ve got you getting historic, rocking out, and checking out a Brooklyn crooner. Get your costumes back out of the closet—it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday (11/2) kicks things off on a good note. For Memphians with a taste for history, the Playhouse On the Square hosts the 15th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival featuring the long-awaited Antenna Club documentary. The club had its heyday in the latter part of the last century and has become legendary after closing, with a reputation for being a milestone in live Memphis music. An afterparty will be held at the 1884 Lounge inside Minglewood Hall. Angerhead and The Modifiers are billed.

Indie punk rock band Titus Andronicus is coming to The Hi-Tone Cafe. The four-piece from Jersey has recently released their third album Local Business through XL Recordings, and it has received a fair share of positive feedback. Also billed is Ceremony, a punk band who released their own new album this year in February with Zoo.

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Hey Memphis! What’s scary, lavish, and awesome all over?

It’s this weekend’s long list of shows! In this edition, we’ve got you checking out a synth pop staple, going to see indie darlings from Brooklyn, and getting crunk with a local legend. Hope you’ve got your costume ready—it’s time for some weekend shots!

Friday, (10/26) kicks things off right with a hella show from THE chickenhead expert, Project Pat. Newby’s Memphis hosts Trick or Beats, a Halloween-themed costume show that features music from the ’90s trap hound as well as a crunk selection from DJ Ben Murray.

Those that are able to make it out early are in for a super special treat as underground Memphis producer Minivan Markus will play a set of weirdo beats characterized by abstract synth work, syncopated beats, and lots of deep bass. SPOILER ALERT: this is what the future sounds like.

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Ever heard of a radio program spreading Memphis music around the world? Something like that couldn’t even last a dozen years!

But what about 16? Beale Street Caravan has been proliferating Memphis music, new and old, for 16 years, reaching over 2.4 million listeners through 400 different radio stations. On Oct. 25th, The Hi-Tone Cafe will play host to Beale Street Caravan’s Sweet Sixteenth with plenty of great memories and good music from dedicated Memphis musicians.

“We’re going to bust out some soulful tunes that run deep down in the roots of Mississippi country blues rock music. Put on a pot of turnip greens, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, kick back and let the music take you to the banks of a muddy river flowing through the heart of Mississippi,” said Andy Ratliff of Reemus Bodeemus.

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What’s up Memphians? I hope your work week was easy. We’ll be taking you through the ringer this weekend with almost too much to see. We have you getting loud with some muted music, driving by some southern goodness, and getting an earful of a good Memphis showcase.

Friday, (10/19) starts things off on a good foot with the educated indie pop of MuteMath at Minglewood Hall.

Down a guitarist and up on hype, the newly reformed MuteMath are flying through a tour in support of their most recent, super jazzy (and effectively self-produced) album Odd Soul. South African Civil Twilight comes as support with heavy attention to their latest effort Holy Weather, released in March of this year.

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