WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14
Bug Girl High-voltage Aussie rock duo – he drums while she sings and smashes guitars – keeps it simple with time-weathered riffs – AC/DC, Motley Crüe – that are stroked with good ole T ‘n’ A lyrics suitable for framing. Yeah, you get the picture. The blokes from down under obviously love their rock heroes and continue the tradition with drunken abandon. Also on the bill: Dirtbag Love Affair and Self Made Monsters. The Milestone (Samir Shukla)
THURSDAY, APRIL 15
The Ravenna Colt John Quaid may be familiar to some My Morning Jacket fans – he is a founding member of the band who appeared on the first three albums before splitting amicably in 2004. This side project has just released its debut, Slight Spell, and fans of MMJ will probably pleased with this offering. The Evening Muse (Jeff Hahne)
Todd Snider East Nashville’s Todd Snider has been an acclaimed songwriter so long it may as well be added to his name. Always a friend to (and sometimes an enabler to) his musical characters in need, he’s also not afraid to take on himself (or a version of himself) in his lyrics. To these ears, the seminal Snider document is East Nashville Skyline (it has none), a humorous, yet sometimes starkly poignant record that Randy Newman or Patterson Hood (with whom he sometimes duets with) might be proud of. His most recent release, The Excitement Plan, while starker musically, is also well-worth searching out. With Paleface. Visulite Theatre (Timothy C. Davis)
FRIDAY, APRIL 16
Needtobreathe Most country music can pretty much get lost in the clear blue yonder for all I care, but Needtobreathe, among a short list of other Southern-inspired bands, is an exception to the rule. Despite growing up in a small town that lacked a music scene, Needtobreathe adds a unique soulful sound to Southern music. Holding strong to a Southern essence, the band incorporates soul, light rock, jazz and a Christian-based genre into their ensemble. The vocals are poignant and cutting edge so it is no surprise the band has such a strong following. Performing songs from their 2009 album, The Outsiders. With Will Hoge, Matt Hires. Amos’ Southend (Nicole Pietrantonio)
SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Super Ape Essentially a gathering of producers, knob twirlers and sound designers, Super Ape creates electronica dub and trance tracks with the aid of turntables, sampling, programming, a dash of guitar and plenty percussion. It all melts into a mélange of jazz, rock and trancey dub. Vinyl lovers of the world unite! Visulite Theatre (Shukla)
Jamie McLean Band For a while, singer/songwriter/guitarist McLean was best known as a former member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, but those days are long gone. McLean has set out on his own blues-soul-rock path and gained solid footing on the music landscape without worry of where he came from. His new album, Completely, hits stores on April 13 and you’re sure to plenty from it on this night – the CD release party. Double Door Inn (Hahne)
Webb Wilder For about a quarter century, roots-rocker Wilder has been cranking out quirky grease monkey rockers, jump blues, and honky-tonk twangers made to order for a night of dancing and neck shakin’. With last year’s More Like Me, another solid outing loaded with rollicking originals and a couple of covers, Wilder proves he’s got staying power to hop along for another quarter century. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
SUNDAY, APRIL 18
Caves Begun as a muse for one Zach Shepard, the Brooklyn-based combo’s psychedelic folk travels back and forth to the late ’60s through a musical time portal. There’s percussion, fuzzed guitars when needed and spacey sounds. The combo writes psych-folk for the new century, to be enjoyed in reflective solitude, or with fingers wrapped around a cold beverage. With Van Edward and Matthew Paul Butler. Snug Harbor (Shukla)
The Wailin’ Jennys Hauntingly rootsy, the Canadian female trio boasts three solid vocalists and multi-instrumentalists with silky harmonies and astute songcraft woven with acoustic country and folk instrumentation. Their multi-hued voices alone beg repeat listens, add to that heart-tugging lyrics and get transported to breezy summer evenings spent on porch fronts. With ES Guthie. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
MONDAY, APRIL 19
Loud & Rich Not to be confused with former country duo Big & Rich, Loud & Rich is the tour name for the partnership of Loudon Wainwright III and Richard Thompson. Wainwright is the father of musicians Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, was born in Chapel Hill and has released more than 20 albums in his storied career. Thompson has a storied career of his own – his songs have been covered by R.E.M., David Gilmour and Elvis Costello among others. The duo pairs up for a couple of songs on this tour, but it’s mostly each one doing what they do best in their own lyrically conversational way. Knight Theater (Hahne)
This article appears in Apr 13-19, 2010.
