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Music Music Blog

Bar DKDC Opens Saturday with DJ Matty, More in Store

Plenty of music venues that have reopened in recent months have done so with the caveat, “Masks are required.” But when Bar DKDC opens its doors again tomorrow night, they’ve added another condition: “Dancing is a must.” And that’s a given with their musical curator of the evening, DJ Matty from New Orleans, famous for his Mod Dance Parties in the Crescent City.

DJ Matty is especially appropriate to get the tiny venue hopping again, now that dancing is allowed, as owner Karen Carrier explains: “It’s funny, because Matty opened up DKDC’s first night in January of 2013. And now he’s reopening us after the pandemic.”

Karen Carrier (photo by Michael Donahue)

But there will be some precautionary measures, above and beyond the official mandates. “Our thing is, you have to be masked up to be in there, but you can dance your ass off,” says Carrier. “Even when the mandate changes, when the City of Memphis lifts everything, I’m not going to lift the mask mandate. I just believe people need to be masked. ‘Cos I don’t know if you’re vaccinated. We’re still going to take temperatures to enter. We’re going to have security outside. So we’re going to try to do our own thing, even as we reopen DKDC.”

With the cozy club having been used as an annex of sorts for Carrier’s Beauty Shop restaurant through the months of quarantine, when more spread-out seating was required, this is a big moment for Carrier and the many music fans who hold her club dear. But it’s not exactly going full blast just yet. “We’re going to do this Saturday night as a one-off, then we’ll close down, and then we’re going to figure this whole thing out,” she says. “So we’re getting ready to blow open pretty soon. Probably by the first of June.”

There are already shows planned for next month, notably a two night residence on June 23 and 24 by a group that includes Memphis’ swamp soul queen, Marcella Simien. Known as Gumbo, Grits & Gravy, the trio also includes guitarist Guy Davis, son of civil rights activists/actors Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis, and violinist Anne Harris.

They have been gaining fans and acclaim internationally, with several European appearances planned for later this year.

Meanwhile, Bar DKDC staff and regulars are eagerly anticipating this weekend’s event, starting at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Carrier sees it as a therapeutic necessity. “We can only let so many people in,” she says, “but we’re going to shake your ass off for a while. I think people need to get out there and dance. And when Matty’s in the house, you can’t sit down, you know?”

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Music Music Blog Music Features

Levitt Shell Announces First Shows of 2021

As the weather turns balmy, casual conversation has lately turned to the topic of the Levitt Shell, and how it may respond to this new era of widespread vaccinations. Wonder no more, music lovers. Today the Levitt Shell released a schedule of its first six shows of the year, two limited-capacity, ticketed concerts a month for May, June, and July.

(photo courtesy Levitt Shell)

While names of the performing artists involved are only being released one month at a time, we do know that May will feature the North Mississippi All-Stars (May 6th) and Tank & the Bangas (May 20th).

The Levitt Shell’s annual ticketed Orion Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series is typically limited to one or two per year. But now the Roosevelt-era venue is reintroducing the series as a celebration of the return to live music and outdoor conviviality. In partnership with chef Kelly English and a team of other Memphis chefs, the Levitt Shell will curate a unique, picnic style dinner dubbed “Tasty Compositions” for each concert.

Presented by Roadshow BMW, the series will be limited capacity with socially distanced pod experiences on the Shell lawn. Dates for the series are May 6th and 20th, June 3rd and 17th, and July 1st and 15th.

And an announcement of free shows is not far off, as Executive Director Natalie Wilson notes, “This vital series powers the continued preservation of the Shell and the return to free, live music from our historic stage in the fall.” The upcoming ticketed Shell Yeah series “allows us the opportunity to gift Memphis with a rich diversity of music from all over world.”

For his part, Chef Kelly English is excited. “The Shell is one of the places in Memphis that has always been an epicenter of authentic moments and organic experiences for me,” he said. “I am proud to be a part of its story and to work with a truly diverse group of restaurants to bring it back from slumber.” 

Participating chefs in the series include:

Kelly English: Iris/Second Line/Fino’s 

Bala Tounkara: Bala’s Bistro

Jimmy Gentry: Paradox Catering

Ryan Trimm: Sweetgrass/117 Prime/Sunrise

Karen Carrier: Beauty Shop/Hazel’s Delicatessen

Philip Ashley Rix: Philip Ashley Chocolates 

Ben Smith: Tsunami

Eli Townsend: Townsend Food Services

Nuha Abuduhair: 17 Berkshire 

Jason Severs: Bari

For more information about the Orion Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series, visit www.levittshell.org. Tickets will be on sale online at Ticketmaster.com starting April 9th.

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Music Music Blog Music Features

Crosstown Resumes Live Music in the Atrium

Ever since its grand opening, one defining quality of the Crosstown Concourse has been its emphasis on live music. From ad hoc performances on the public grand piano in the West Atrium to full-blown music festivals spilling into all manner of open areas, there were always sounds bouncing around the wide open spaces of the old Sears Tower. There were, that is, until last year’s lockdown.

New light wells in the Concourse have increased its natural light. (Courtesy Crosstown Concourse)

Now, with vaccinations and other preventive measures becoming more common, the Crosstown Concourse is taking its first steps back to those pre-COVID days. For the past few weeks, musicians have occasionally been sponsored to play under the covered tables in the front plaza. And this week, they’ll be back in that huge reverb chamber known as the East Atrium.

Actually, the Concourse is taking a hybrid approach, with some performances still being scheduled outside in the plaza, and continuing online events as well, such as Crosstown Arts’ Virtual Resident Artist Talks. Here, then, are the first pop-up live and online events helping the Crosstown Concourse kick off April.

Alice Hasen, Andrew Geraci, & Jordan Occasionally
(Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Alice Hasen
Thursday, April 1st, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. | Central Atrium

Born in Vermont and based in Memphis, Alice Hasen is a professional violinist, recording artist, and songwriter. She leads Alice Hasen & the Blaze and is part of the Blackwater Trio, an acoustic rock band. 

Andrew Geraci with Jeff Hulett and Chris Davenport
Friday, April 2nd, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. | Plaza

Memphis-based Andrew Geraci is a Mississippi Delta-bred electric and upright bass player who picks up a guitar every blue moon. He is currently working with Alice Hasen and the Blaze, Alicjapop, Crockett Hall, Great Lakes, Eleven Point (Oxford), James and the Ultrasounds, Los Psychosis, Pistol and the Queen, and San Salida. 

Jordan Occasionally and inoahcreation
Saturday, April 3, 11:30-1:30 p.m. | Central Atrium
Jordan Occasionally, or JD, is a neo soul and R&B artist, born and raised in the capital of soul music, Memphis, Tennessee. She was an Emerging Star with David Porter’s Consortium MMT in 2019 and has performed her original music on stages ranging from the Levitt Shell in Memphis and City Winery in Nashville, to Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Virtual Resident Artist Talks
Thursday, April 8th at 6 pm.

Presenting artists include Sepideh Dashti (6 p.m.), Joann Self Selvidge (6:30 pm), and Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo (7 p.m.). Click here to register.

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Music Video Monday: Chantae Cann at Crosstown Arts

Music Video Monday is taking you back to the Before Time.

Remember the long-ago days in March when we could see actual musicians perform music live in front of an audience? Good times, good times.

But seriously, Memphis’ live music venues, the lifeblood of the city’s most significant and enduring cultural influence on the world, are in grave trouble because of the coronavirus pandemic. With no shows since March, and no end in sight, we stand to lose the thing that makes our city distinctive and valuable.

One of the best places to see live music in Memphis is the Green Room at Crosstown Arts. This unique venue books all kinds of acts from all over the world, and features state-of-the-art sound. On July 5th, 2019, the Green Room hosted Chantae Cann. The Atlanta R&B singer has appeared with India.Arie, and sang hooks for everyone from Snarky Puppy to Lil’ John.

The Crosstown Arts staff recorded the show, and the entire, hour-long show is here on this well-produced video. So take an hour of your time, or play this in the background as you work, and pretend you’re back at a show in Memphis.

CHANTAE CANN LIVE FROM THE GREEN ROOM from Crosstown Arts on Vimeo.

Music Video Monday: Chantae Cann at Crosstown Arts

If you would like to see your music video appear on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com. 

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Music Music Blog

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup

The Levitt Shell, winner of the Memphis Flyer’s Best Place To See Live Music last year, has announced the acts booked for the fall season.

Robert Cray plays the Levitt Shell on July 13.

Beginning September 6th and running through October 21st, the Orion Free Music Concert Series will present 24 shows on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Memphis acts, sponsored by Regional One, include Snowglobe, Star and Micey, North Mississippi Allstars, and Opera Memphis.

Two, ticketed “Stars at the Shell” shows serve as fundraisers to supplement the free music. The first, coming on July 13th, features internationally renowned bluesman Robert Cray, with special guest Cedric Burnside.

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup

On September 29th, Brooklyn soulsters Lake Street Dive will anchor 2018’s final “Stars at the Shell” series.

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (2)

Here’s the full line up for the Levitt Shell fall season:

Thursday, September 6th: 
Devon Gilfillian

Friday, September 7th:
Orquesta Akokan

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (3)

Saturday, September 8th: 
Meta and the Cornerstones

Sunday, September 9th: 
The Mulligan Brothers

Thursday, September 13th: 
Black Umfolosi

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (4)

Friday, September 14th:             
Snowglobe with Star & Micey

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (5)

Saturday, September 15th: 
Rhodes Jazz Night with Joyce Cobb

Sunday, September 16th:
Those Pretty Wrongs

Thursday, September 20th: 
Low Cut Connie

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (6)

Friday, September 21st:             
Memphis Renaissance

Saturday, September 22nd:
North Mississippi Allstars

Sunday, September 23rd:             
Opera Memphis

Thursday, October 4th: 
Dean Owens and the Whiskey Hearts

Friday, October 5th: 
Squirrel Nut Zippers

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (7)

Saturday, October 6th: 
Film and Music Night

Sunday, October 7th: 
Memphis Hepcats

Thursday, October 11th:             
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (8)

Friday, October 12th: 
Bette Smith

Saturday, October 13rd:             
Walden

Sunday, October 14th: 
Las Cafeteras

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (9)

Thursday, October 18th:             
Crystal Shrine

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (11)

Friday, October 19th: 
John Fullbright

Saturday, October 20th:             
Film and Music Night

Sunday, October 21st:
Nefesh Mountain

Levitt Shell Announces Fall Music Lineup (10)

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Music Music Blog

Get Hip to the Hop: Where to Hear Live Rap in Memphis

Travis Whiteside

Moneybagg Yo at Minglewood Hall

For some world-class hip hop, keep your eyes on the festivals. This city boasts several, often featuring the superstars of rap as headliners. This year’s Beale Street Music Festival presented, among others, Tyler, the Creator, Ludacris, Al Kapone, renowned Three 6 Mafia producer/artist Juicy J, and Young Dolph, currently riding high in the charts. That’s a high ratio of local rappers.

This October’s Mempho Music Festival will bring Juicy J once again, as well as other Memphians from way back, like Project Pat and Frayser Boy (with the Hi Rhythm Section, no less). Brooklyn’s legendary Nas will headline the October 7th lineup, supporting his new album, Nasir

Juicy J

Memphis is also host to a good many single-artist hip hop concerts: grand affairs in roomier venues like Minglewood Hall, the New Daisy Theatre, or the Hi-Tone (where Cities Aviv plays June 29). And then there’s the FedEx Forum, in a class of its own. On June 28, the latter will feature one the country’s biggest hip hop extravaganzas, Yo Gotti & Friends Birthday Bash 6, which always includes top-tier guest artists in addition to Gotti. It must be satisfying for Gotti to survey the landscape of his youth and reflect on his triumphs from the Forum’s stage.

Yo Gotti

Beyond concert and festival appearances by the mega-stars, hip hop shows are experiencing a renaissance in Memphis—for the first time since the 1990s heyday of clubs like the Complex, Fantasia and Precious Cargo, which closed its doors in 2006.

These days, Brinson’s Downtown (340 Madison), Height Lounge (6135 Mt. Moriah Ext.) Midtown Crossing Grill (394 N. Watkins) and CANVAS of Memphis (1737 Madison Ave.) are all places you can catch live hip hop on a regular basis. For DJ battles, keep an eye on the calendar at Memphis Slim Collaboratory (1130 College Studio), where Kingpin Da’ Composer hosts Let’s Get LOUD, a semi-annual beat battle and producer showcase. When Slice of Soul Pizza Lounge (1299 Madison Ave.) opened for business in January, they celebrated with a performance by famed Bronx duo Camp Lo that felt like the days of Precious Cargo revisited. Slice of Soul is also the current home of The Word, Neosoulville’s monthly open mic night, which features MCs alongside jazz divas, soul singers, poets and comedians, all set to the backdrop of Chinese Connection Dub Embassy.

Get Hip to the Hop: Where to Hear Live Rap in Memphis (2)

The Word is probably the city’s longest-running hip hop salon, but it’s hardly the only one. Look out for Dope on Arrival, a quarterly rap showcase held at Height Lounge, Pressure World, a DJ showcase usually held at Growler’s, and the Kickback, an eclectic, funky DJ and live music mash-up hosted by Devin Steele at the Hi-Tone. And every third Sunday of the month, two of the city’s top creative, Brandon “Eso” Tolson and Siphne Sylve, curate a musical salon called Artistik Lounge at Minglewood Hall. Over the last six years, they’ve brought in a wealth of local and national talent, running the gamut from Three 6 Mafia’s Gangsta Blac to NPR darlings Tank and the Bangas. On July 15, Zephaniah headlines Artistik Lounge.

Get Hip to the Hop: Where to Hear Live Rap in Memphis (3)

My favorite spot to catch live hip hop is, hands down, House of Mtenzi Museum (1289 Madison Ave.). The low stage and DIY atmosphere reminds me of the hardcore scene that captivated me in high school. And when local MC Jason Da Hater is running the microphone, you can expect hijinks like four-bar mic battles where the losers are forced to do push-ups before they can regain their mic privileges.

Iron Mic Coalition

Social media is the best way to find out about underground hip hop shows. Be sure to join the Rhyme Writtaz & Rhyme Lovaz Discussion Forum on Facebook. Moderated by Roy Dickenz, aka Milk, one of the MCs in Iron Mic Coalition, the forum offers a plethora of information about the local scene. While you’re at it, download the UnApp, created by the team at Unapologetic, who are hosting their own don’t miss event, the Stuntarious Vol. III EP Release Show, at Railgarten on Saturday, June 30.

It’s a banner month for hip hop at Railgarten—this Saturday night, the venue is also hosting Memphis Massacre, a skateboarding, jookin’ and rap extravaganza put together by VHS storeowner Luke Sexton. The line-up includes instrumental garage rock band Impala, Billboard charting rap duo HippySoul, Unapologetic’s Weird Maestro, and headliner Tommy Wright III, a Memphis-born rap legend of the 1990s who has resurfaced as a skate culture hero.

Currently, it’s easier to catch Wright onstage at SXSW, or in New York or Los Angeles, than it is in his own hometown. Wright’s last local appearance was during Gonerfest 13:

Get Hip to the Hop: Where to Hear Live Rap in Memphis

Parse through his YouTube channel and you’ll see him performing at L.A.’s hipster sneaker store Undefeated, or at the Circle Bar in New Orleans, surrounded by young white kids who know every syllable of his 1994 underground hit “Meet Yo Maker.”

Sexton sees Memphis Massacre as an opportunity to take VHS beyond the brick-and-mortar storefront. “We’re promoting the culture of the Dirty South,” he says. “Tommy really brings out a raw essence that skateboarders love. What he raps about isn’t glamorous—it’s the raw and dirty side of things.” Admission for Memphis Massacre, which kicks off at approximately 6 p.m. with DJ Hush and a skateboarding demo, is $10.

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Calling the Bluff Music

DreamFest Weekend to Showcase Memphis Talent, Promote Unity

Live music. Hip-hop ciphers. Local vendors. These are some of the things people can expect from the fourth annual DreamFest Weekend.

In addition to showcasing Memphis’ rich culture and music scene, the three-day music festival seeks to promote unity. The gathering was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr’s world-renowned “I Have a Dream” speech.

DreamFest kicks off Friday with a concert featuring performances from a diverse lineup of talent. Iron Mic Coalition, YoYo Munie, R.I.C.O., DJ DNyce, Jus Bentley, Chris Hill, DJ Wyzlyfe, DeJaNique, JROQSOL, and a multitude of others will grace the stage.

The concert will take place at the 1524 Events & Banquet Facility and be hosted by K97‘s Ena Esco. 

On Saturday, The Overlooked: Reloaded Showcase will also occur at the 1524 Events & Banquet Facility. The event will feature performances from Tyke T, Tori Whodat, Marco Pave, Hippy Soul, violinist Mario Williams, and several others. 

DreamFest weekend will end on Sunday at Minglewood Hall. Hip-hop heads Artistik Approach and Marco Pave will perform in the venue’s Madison Dance Studio for a special installment of “Artistik Lounge.” 

Dreamfest is being presented by CLE Events in collaboration with Driven By Music and Artistik Lounge. Event sponsors include Evergreen Grill, Paradigm Dental, Brister Street Productions, Sweet Potato Baby, Angie Nicole Photography, Legacy SoulFood, Meekie’s Munchies, and more.

Food and beverages will be available at all events throughout the weekend. 

Shay Johnson of CLE Events said she hopes DreamFest will blossom into the “Beale Street Music Festival of local artists.”

“We want DreamFest to be both a launching pad and a snapshot of what’s happening on the Memphis music scene,” Johnson said. “We would definitely like to also incorporate more elements — panels, workshops for participating artists, etc. — but always keep an emphasis on promoting talent that’s local to Memphis.”

All three days of DreamFest begins at 7 p.m. Admission to each event is $10.

For more information on DreamFest, click here.

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Calling the Bluff Music

“This is Memphis” Music Festival Showcases Local Talent

Sounds of live rock, country, folk, and hip-hop will flow through the New Daisy Theatre this Saturday during the first annual “This is Memphis” music festival.

Blue TOM Records, a label spearheaded by University of Memphis students, is presenting the culture-filled event. Among the diverse lineup of artists slated to perform include Mason Jar Fireflies, Mary Owens, Austyn Michael, Deering and Down, and Drew Erwin.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance, but on the day of the event tickets will be $7. There are also V.I.P. tickets available, which provide exclusive access to the venue’s lounge area as well as a plate of barbecue.

All of the proceeds from This is Memphis will be split among the performing acts.

“We just wanted to give back to the artists because the industry is so tough,” said Misty Ingram, publicist for Blue TOM Records. “We just wanted to let the artists know they are appreciated. ‘This is what you earned. The people came to see you.’”

Famed rock ‘n’ roll artist/musician Jerry Lee Lewis is among the sponsors for This is Memphis, donating $1,000 toward the event.

Although this is the first installment of the event, Ingram said she hopes This is Memphis will blossom into a music festival known for showcasing some of the best up-and-coming talent Memphis has to offer.

“It probably sounds cliché, but I want [attendees] to embrace what Memphis is all about,” Ingram said. “I want them to know that there are artists out here that are talented and are gifted. I want them to just come and have fun and experience the whole ‘This is Memphis’ culture.”

Doors at the New Daisy open at 7 p.m. for This is Memphis. Live performances begin at 8 p.m. 

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Sing All Kinds We Recommend

10 for 10: October Sound Advice

Aviana Monasterio

Neev

1. Neev with Aviator, Rescuer and Gone Yard

Crosstown Arts, Oct. 5. $5. 7:00 p.m.

For those looking for something heavier than Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour, post-hardcore local NEEV will be opening for Aviator and Rescuer as they make their way through Memphis on their “Death-to-False Music” tour. While both touring bands have recently released records on No Sleep Records, NEEV put out their first full-length album Those Things We Tomorrowed on cassette in May through Ireland based ndependent label Little League Records. The post hardcore outfit combines melodic math rock with chaos, and while no song meets the three-minute mark – they are each packed with unpredictable twists and turns that keep you on your toes. This is not a band to ignore.

10 for 10: October Sound Advice

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2. Hea Head and the Heart

d and the Heart with Rayland Baxter

Minglewood Hall, Oct. 6. $30. 8:00 p.m.

On The Head and the Heart’s sophomore release Let’s Be Still, they managed to capture a sense of sincerity that is often lost in the now saturated indie folk genre that has grown popular over the last few years. This is serious, heartfelt songwriting. Perhaps it’s the band’s humble beginnings playing on street corners that separates them from the rest of the crowd. Without a doubt, their live show is less of a concert and more of an experience that will pull your mind away from Memphis for the evening and take you somewhere special.

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3. Berkano CD Release with Ugly Girls and Hair Party


The Hi-Tone, Oct. 7. $7. 9:00 p.m.

Berkano is everything that is right about garage rock. The guitars blend distortion and reverb while the vocals lazily echo their way into the mix. It’s beer-drinkin’-head-bobbin’ rock ‘n roll, and you’d be silly not to come pick up a copy of Santa Sleeping. Ugly Girls are also not to be missed. The three-piece punkers are unapologetic. They sing songs about hating “frat boys” and being gifted cancer from God. You can find more of that on their EP Bad Personalities that they released in February. 

10 for 10: October Sound Advice (2)

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4. Juicy J with Project Pat

Juicy J and Project Pat


Minglewood Hall, Oct 8. 8:00 p.m.

Juicy J has risen far beyond Three 6 Mafia fame, making his way to the soundtrack of the latest reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, he’s rapping alongside Miley Cyrus and is an active member of Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang. His third studio release Stay Trippy featured the radio favorite “Bandz a Make Her Dance,” and landed at 29 on the Billboard Top 100. J and his older brother Project Pat will be returning
to Memphis with some new, and, fingers crossed, hopefully some of the old iconic sounds that defined Memphis rap from the ‘90s to late 2000’s. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll get to hear some classic Three 6 Mafia tracks. 

Footnote: Juggalos gather and spray your Faygo. Da Mafia 6ix, a new project formed in 2013 featuring six original members of Three 6 Mafia, will be joining Insane Clown Posse and Mushroomhead at The New Daisy Oct. 11.

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5. Interpol with Rey Pila

Interpol


Minglewood Hall, Oct. 9. $25 advance / $30 day of show. 8:00 p.m.

Interpol didn’t reinvent the wheel with their nearly brand new release El Pintor, but after four years, it breathes life into their tired, old routine. It’s reminiscent of Turn On The Bright Lights, the album that launched them into the spotlight, and is arguably the best thing the band has released since Antics. With bassist Carlos Dengler having the left the band, the former four piece is now made of three, which is not at all a bad thing. Interpol is playing like a band in their prime again, and the energy of their live show may very well be the best that it has been in quite some time.

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6. Slugz with Gimp Teeth and DJ Wasted Life
Josh Miller

Gimp Teeth


Murphy’s, Oct. 12. $5. 9:00 p.m.

Richmond, Virginia’s Slugz plays raw, punk music that gives show goers a reason to thrash their bodies against each other. Local punkers Gimp Teeth merge power violence with surf rock to create a sound that belongs in a Harmony Korine film. They recently played Gonerfest 11 and released an EP titled Naked City earlier this year.

10 for 10: October Sound Advice (3)

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7. The Jack Oblivian and Monsieur Jeffrey Evans Revue

Josh Miller

Jack Oblivian

The Hi-Tone, Oct. 18. 9:00.

Jack Oblivian and Monsieur Jeffrey Evans have spent decades creating and cultivating a sound derivative of blues and punk that has forever left a stamp on Memphis music. On Oct. 18, the two will share the stage with a batch of Southern musicians. If you can make it to only one show during October, this is it.

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8. City and Colour with Clear Plastic Masks

City and Colour


Minglewood Hall, Oct. 30. $25 advance / $30 day of show. 7:00 p.m.

Dallas Green’s distinguishable tenor and stripped down, acoustic structure coupled with his sentimental lyrics and catchy melodies have carried City and Colour from a small, independent band with a cult following to a household name, selling out venues all over the country. His latest release, The Hurry And The Harm, sees
Green moving into the mainstream with additional musicians and even poppier sensibilities. More recently, Green released the single “You and Me” with Pink, and the two have formed a duo under the same name with plans to release an album titled Rose Ave. While Green’s place in the indie music world seems to be ever growing, he hasn’t lost sight of the intimate performances that define City and Colour’s live show, and you shouldn’t miss out on it, either.

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9. Dead Soldiers with Clay Otis and James & The Ultrasounds
Jamie Harmon

Dead Soldiers


The Hi-Tone, Oct. 31. $10. 9:00.

Dead Soldiers are one of the most hardworking bands out there – playing a brand of alternative-country that is similar to no one else in Memphis. The Soldiers are packing out every show they book, and for good reason. For a relatively new band, 2013’s LP All The Things You Lose and follow up EP High Anxiety are impressive, to say the least. On Halloween night, they will play alongside local pop singer Clay Otis as well as James & The Ultrasounds, whose first full-length Bad To Be Here is due out through Madjack Records in December. The Hi-Tone will also hold their annual costume party, where they will choose the best dressed male and female who participate. The winners get free admission to The Hi-Tone for a full calendar year.

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10. Manchester Orchestra with Chris Staples

Manchester Orchestra


The New Daisy Theatre, Oct. 31. $18. 7:00 p.m.

The last time Manchester Orchestra came to Memphis, it was a cold February evening in 2010 at The New Daisy Theatre. The Atlanta-based rock quintet was touring heavily on their sophomore release Mean Everything To Nothing, and they were just on the cusp of the success that would carry them through 2011’s Simple Math. After releasing 2013’s COPE, an 11-track album that capitalized on the huge guitars and roaring vocals of Frontman Andy Hull that have come to define Manchester Orchestra’s sound, the band later released a stripped-down album entitled HOPE featuring alternative versions of all 11 songs accompanied with a string of stripped-down tour dates. When Manchester Orchestra comes back to The Daisy, it may be the first and last time we get to see the band abandon their amps and tone down their songs.

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Sing All Kinds We Recommend

Rocket Science Audio Rock for Love Telethon

Tonight at 8 pm Rocket Science Audio will be hosting a telethon to benefit the Church Health Center and Rock For Love Eight. Staying true to the theme that Rocket Science Audio has developed over the last two years, there will be comedy, live music and “all around tom foolery,” according to Rocket Science co-founder Robin Pack. visit www.rocketscienceaudio.com to stream the entire telethon for free. To get a feel for what’s in store for tonight, check out Rocket Science Audio performances by Memphis’ own Time and The Oblivians in the videos below.

Here’s the complete list of tonight’s performers and special guests:

Nick KnowledgeNick Hicks, The McStays featuring Lori and Jared McStay, Benny Elbows, Katrina Coleman, Joshua McLane, SUPER WITCH, J.D. Reager, Mark Stuart, Faith Ruch, Jason Pulley, Harry Koniditsiotis, vi, Ross Johnson ,and Many More! The telethon wil be hosted by Stephen and Michael Kline.