Local songwriter Lisa Mac will premiere her debut video for “Hurricane” this Friday at Studio688. Produced by Elliott Ives, a guitarist who has played with Justin Timberlake, “Hurricane” kicks off a productive spurt for Mac. The song is one of two singles (with music videos) that will be released before her debut EP drops later this year. Mixing elements of blues and hip-hop, Mac creates futuristic pop music with Ives that is more than likely far removed from the music she used to create in church.
Her song “Get Away,” featuring Project Pat, is especially interesting and seems to be as radio-ready as local pop music gets. Mac describes her relationship with producer/guitarist Ives as an “underlying vibe.” “We just have something in common,” Mac says. “He gets me — he gets exactly what I want. I want to surprise people, confuse them a little bit. Really, I write blues songs. They’re relatable and real and coming from a real place. But the sound is pop with hip-hop and rap influences. I want to catch people off guard.” Mac will be performing at the video premiere.
Lisa Mac, Friday January 29th at Studio688, donations are suggested.
Fresh off the release of a brand new album recorded with Jack Oblivian by Doug Easley, the Sheiks continue their musical onslaught with a show at the Lamplighter. While Sheiks guitarist Keith Cooper has been busy recording the second NOTS album and a new album for Time, his band has found time to keep their shows at an all-time high, recently performing at the “Memphis Does Bowie” benefit. Speaking of the “Memphis Does Bowie” benefit, the Sheiks’ drummer Graham Winchester organized the event in almost no time, and the money raised is reportedly over $20,000, all of which will go to St. Jude. Not bad, Mr. Winchester. Not bad at all.
Also on the show is Duma, a band that features local artist Langston Tayloe and Quinton-JeVon Lee, the recording artist known as RPLD GHSTS and frequent Cities Aviv collaborator. While the Sheiks and Duma probably have very little in common musically,
shows at the Lamplighter have been well-attended, and, as this show is free, there’s really no reason not to check it out.
Sheiks and Duma, Friday, January 29th at the Lamplighter, 11 p.m. Free
Windy Mayes Sibberson
Choke Chains
Choke Chains hail from different cities in Michigan, but their Memphis connections run deep, mostly due to Lindsay McConney being involved in No Bails, a band that played GonerFest and saw a release on the short-lived local label Orgone Toilet. While No Bails is still kicking, McConney now spends her time in Choke Chains alongside former Dirtbombs and Bantam Rooster member Thomas Potter.
Choke Chains recorded half of their debut album at Rocket Science Audio last year, and they are set to play the first Rocket Science Audio Variety Show of the year this Thursday with Richard James and the Special Riders. The main event goes down on Saturday, however, when Choke Chains finish their Memphis victory lap with a performance at Murphy’s with Manateees, Time, and Bloody Show (from Ohio).
To celebrate the release of their new album, Choke Chains enlisted Kevin Corrigan to appear in their video for “Safe Word.” You might remember Corrigan from the movies The Departed, Goodfellas, and Buffalo 66. According to Thomas, the two met when Corrigan attended a Dirtbombs show in Los Angeles, and they vowed to someday work together. That dream came true with the extremely bloody music video mentioned before. It’s worth checking out if you’ve got the stomach for it.
Choke Chains, Manateees, Bloody Show, Time, Saturday, January 30th at Murphy’s 9:30 p.m. $5
Lastly, the local hardcore band Thief’s Hand is playing a show at the Hi-Tone on Tuesday, February 2nd, with Syracuse hardcore band Bleak and local shredders Creux. Thief’s Hand recently opened for Power Trip at Murphy’s, and musically they sit somewhere between heavy hitters like Hatebreed and Integrity. Creux are also a newish band on the hardcore/metalcore circuit, and their EP Con Artist is worth a listen. If either local band sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll also enjoy Bleak, whose name isn’t exactly a fair representation of their fast and heavy music. Bleak, Thief’s Hand, Creux, Tuesday February 2nd at the Hi-Tone, 8 p.m. $7
