The time has finally come. So far I’ve brought you two out of three parts of coverage from SoundLand, but now it’s time to say goodbye. I give you the final installment of my musical journey through the last day of SoundLand 2011. A moment of silence please…
Actually there’s no reason to be sad over the third and final review of my SoundLand experience, because the final day was actually the BEST day of the entire festival in my opinion. Not to mention every single act that I saw was Nashville based. I’ve got to hand it to SoundLand; they really know how to bring a festival home. See what I did there?
I spent most of the day walking around the Neuhoff Factory Party Stage, watching performance after performance of the most amazing bands Nashville has to offer. There’s a reason the word “party” is in the name. It was so hard to pick out the highlights because literally every performance was a highlight. So, in the spirit of rock and roll I’m bringing you all coverage from the final day of SoundLand 2011.
Let’s just begin at 4:00 PM when I actually arrived at the venue. The Neuhoff Factory Party Stage was literally just an old industrial factory building with an outside stage. Not only did the best food trucks around stop by, but there was a moon bounce and slides for maximum “party” going. Remember when I said there would be a dragon?
Not only that, but Jack White’s latest endeavor, the Third Man Records Mobile Record Store, made an appearance as well.
The music started for me at about 4:30 when The Apache Relay took the stage. Usually when someone brings up The Apache Relay, The Avett Brothers or Mumford and Sons get brought into the conversation. Yes there are remarkable similarities, but based on their performance from SoundLand, The Apache Relay made it apparent that they are their own deal and we’re just fine with that.
They have a classic indie-rock sound accompanied by stringed instruments to give it a Nashville twist. The set was energetic and full of life. It was just what everyone needed to begin the long night ahead of them. Really it was just a bunch of guys playing really great music without a care in the world on stage. It was refreshing and a lot of fun to watch. The Apache Relay is always a highlight in my book, so if you missed them at SoundLand check them out immediaitely.
Next up was another Nashville act that’s gotten a lot of national attention lately. Tristen has been featured in Rolling Stone as well as SPIN fairly recently and there has been a lot of attention focused around her most recent LP Charlatans at the Garden Gate. Her SoundLand performance was nothing short of what was to be expected from the artist. She has a way of painting stories with her music to audiences though powerful lyrics, catchy pop hooks, and pristine vocals over dynamic harmonies. Tristen proved once again that she is, in fact, as innovative as her reputation precedes her.
Next up on the schedule was an act that I was a little skeptical about, but nonetheless anxious to see. The Black Belles have been described as an all girl “garage goth” rock band. You probably recognize them from their performance with Stephen Colbert back in June of this year. They are one of the more recent Third Man Records additions, and generated a lot of buzz leading up to the SoundLand performance. I have to admit that any band described as “garage goth” just had me thinking I was about to watch a bunch of Winona Ryders via Beetlejuice era yelling their songs on stage. Once The Black Belles started their set, however, I was extremely surprised by how good they were and thoroughly enjoyed everything about their set.
I’d like to think that if I had a badass, goth alter ego it would be a member of The Black Belles. The vocals were raspy and a bit grungy with dark poppy hooks and equally slick guitar riffs. The lyrics were as dark as their wardrobe in the best way possible. Jack White gets some major props from me for his innovative artists, and The Black Belles are an excellent addition to the Third Man catalogue.
At this point, the set times were running about 30 minutes behind and the weather started getting dicey so I took cover and regrettably missed the Those Darlins set, but I could hear the crowd cheering along to songs like “Be Your Bro” and “Red Light Love” from the VIP tent down the hill from the venue. Knowing what crowd pleasers they are, I’m sure Those Darlins brought an amazing set to the SoundLand stage.
Once the weather cleared itself and the thousands of people now crowding around the Neuhoff Factory Party Stage had gathered in, I prepared myself for the last act on the venue’s lineup. I’m talking about none other than Nashville’s pride and joy, JEFF the Brotherhood. Last time I had seen JEFF the Brotherhood I somehow managed to leave the venue with bruises all over my legs, blood on my palms, and a black eye. I can’t make that up if I tried. I literally could not wait to see what the night had in store for me this time.
Within the first song Jake Orrall, the vocalist/guitarist for JEFF, ran off the stage and pulled the barricade gate as close to the edge as he possibly could trapping my photographer as well others in the pit. It was probably the most rock and roll thing I’ve seen happen in a long time.
The rest of JEFF’s set pretty much went exactly like that. Every song played was as energetic and fun as the previous. It took about 20 minutes into the set before the crowd surfers began diving off the stage into the pit and by then the barricade gate was practically nonexistent.
One thing JEFF the Brotherhood does insatiably well with their music is bring out the animal in people. Sure everyone sings along, but let’s be honest: you’re most likely thrashing yourself around to the music more than singing along to it whenever JEFF graces the stage with their presence. There’s something really awesome about that aspect that attracts more and more people to their shows. It’s no wonder they’re getting such attention.
The highlight of the night probably came from the end of the performance when the phrase “This is our last song!” ended up being something more like “These are our last 4 songs, so you might as well get as crazy as possible while you still can!” – much to the audience’s delight, forcing them to go even more wild with the prospect of having to stop soon.
If you missed JEFF the Brotherhood play SoundLand this year you can catch them October 6th on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
By the time JEFF’s set was done I was positive that both of my ear drums were busted and I had no perception of balance whatsoever, but the party wasn’t over yet. I managed to make my way over to the Mercy Lounge just in time to catch the remaining 4 numbers of the last Nashville-based act of the night: Evan P. Donohue
It was a nice change of pace from what I had just come from at Neuhoff, but still a lot of fun nonetheless. I’ve seen Evan play many times previous to SoundLand, and if you’ve never been to an Evan P. Donohue show before the music is innovative and pleasant while the live performance is always new and unexpected.
He has a way of taking sorrowful lyrics and synching them to playful, whimsical harmonies and melodies under low yet powerful vocals. He is truly an artist and one of Nashville’s best songwriters, taking ideas from literature, his travels, and whatever other fictitious creations he can cook up in his own mind.
Having Evan P. Donohue close out the night for my highlighted coverage was a perfect example of SoundLand’s excellent choices for the Nashville based artists in the festival. It was smooth, it was a bit old school, and it was a lot of fun.
If you missed Evan P. Donohue’s performance at SoundLand they will be releasing a 7″ record titled Jazzputin in November 2011, followed by a tour. The title track of the record includes vocals by fellow SoundLand artist Natalie Prass.
And that’s a wrap on The Vinyl District’s 3 part coverage, folks. Thanks for the good times, SoundLand. Until next year!
Photos by Caitrin Collins
