While his talent and charisma are renown in their own right, David Mayfield might be more readily associated with The Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, or little sister Jessica Lea Mayfield. Of his solo career, Mayfield has earned the title of “The Wild Man of Americana.” “Human Cannonball” from his second album “Good Man Down” unfolds from a soft folk number to a sweeping orchestral movement, with the story echoed in the way the fiddle winds its way through the song. The video is a seamless work of art, but probably only half as entertaining as catching Mayfield live. This Thursday promises to be a great night of music, between The David Mayfield Parade, Those Darlins and Shakey Graves, enhanced by the exclusive availability of Lagunitas’ Couch Trippin’ Fusion Beer. This is the band’s last show before they head to Austin for SXSW, and free for those that RSVP here, so there’s no excuse to miss it! -Terra James-Jura

http://davidmayfieldparade.net/home

I caught The Poor Boys this past Sunday open for Thelma and the Sleaze (hey, it had been a minute since anyone addressed me as motherf****r, and it turned out it will be a few more, since this show was being broadcast live by 102.9 The Buzz, and decorum was being exercised with white-knuckled intensity.) Taking cues from the Nashville Pussy school of Southern Rock, Poor Boys presented a steady noise that seeped through the eardrums in the same way mud finds its way through holes in your boots. Yeah, it’s filthy and going to be a pain to clean up, but in the present moment, it’s kind of fun to wiggle your toes around in. Any band that treats a room of 50 like 5000 is always fine with me. They released the tune "Psycho" on February 5th, as an ode to a particular individual, but it can easily transfer that special hosebeast in everyone’s life. -Terra James-Jura

http://thepoorboysmusic.com/

Those at Mercy Lounge for the QDProm over Valentine’s Day got lucky in more ways than one (or just one, if they’re severely lacking game) as Ponychase was in the lineup. The backstory in the group’s creation reads like its own little romance: girl (Jordan Caress) is distraught over what will come of her home demos, meets her musical soulmate in Beth Cameron of Forget Cassettes, enlists her synth-savant little brother, and the rest of the pieces fall into place. The band’s debut album “Parade of Youth” is due out March 4th. From the sound of the title track released last fall, the serendipity of the band’s creation is going to make a lot of people happy. Ponychase performs at The Basement on March 7th; the show starts at 9 and cover is $5. -Terra James-Jura

Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes have been in the Deli before, and its about time we mention them again for the release of the new album “Kid Tiger."  The release party is coming up on March 8th, when Ellsworth will be at Exit/In with Alanna Royale and Blank Range. Their first album “Civilized Man” probably had you bouncing around or even relaxing, so don’t expect “Kid Tiger” to be anything less than completely captivating, addictive, calming, and perfect for any occasion. "Tourniquet" was posted to the public all of two days ago. After the album’s  release, they will be on tour. So come out and see them before they leave! The show starts at 8, and cover is $10. –Amanda Aydelott

Here is a brief round-up of recommended events for this weekend, assuming last night’s tornadic activity (will someone please name their band Tornadic Activity?) does not lay waste to any listed venue.

Friday:

Hard Working Americans performs at Marathon Music Works. This collective of veteran musicians, including Todd Snider and Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, have come together to reimagine a collection of beloved hits and perform them in a way that tells the story of the working man. Turbo Fruits open, show starts at 7pm, and tickets are $25.

Liza Anne is having a record release show for her new album “The Colder Months.” Sam Pinkerton and Aliza Carter Band join her at The High Watt starting at 8pm. Cover is $7. The official video for her single “Rubble” is available for your viewing pleasure at the tail end of this post.

Saturday:

Natural Child will be at in Grimey’s at 5pm for an in-store performance. The band is performing fully plugged in, there will be free beer for those of age, and their brand-spankin’ new album “Dancin’ with Wolves” will be available a few days before its official February 25th release date.  

Go to the Stone Fox to see why folks are fawning over Angel Olsen’s parlor trick of channeling Roy Orbison, and enable local “love song addict” Natalie Prass as she spirals deeper into her obsession. Show starts at 9pm, and cover is $10.

Nashvillian-by-way-of-Chicago songstress Tristen will be at Exit/In, with Adia Victoria and The Wans complete the lineup. Cover is $12, show starts at 8pm.

Sunday:

Southern Sludge rockers Thelma and the Sleaze hit Exit/In. Goodbye June and The Poor Boys join the girls; show is $7, and starts at 9pm.  

The Basement has you covered with their no cover Sunday Post in case you spent all your dough this weekend watching talented ladies (musicians or otherwise…) 1933, Jimmy Weekend, Owsley Brothers, The Red Tails and That’s My Kid perform, beginning at 8pm.

Wowee! With full acknowledgement that not everyone watches internet polls in the wee hours of the evening, the neck-and-neck race between Sad Baxter and The Chewers was intense! The margin was so tight that there was a good chance that things were going have to be decided by a physical fight, which was sure to be a disaster, as The Chewers appear to be a band of giant faceless teeth. Ultimately, Sad Baxter pulled ahead, earning a slight advantage with their clean pop and appeal to Nashville’s dog lovers. This is a perfect moment to draw attention to the fact that Sad Baxter is currently recording their first full length album, which promises to be as earnest and catchy as their previous EP "Nothing is Real."  The next opportunity to get sad with them is March 24th at Mercy Lounge. In the interim, listen to “Hit the Road!” and post something nice on their Facebook page. –Terra James-Jura

Mouth Reader released their self-titled EP January 16th of this year. Fast, fuzzy, and raw, they’re everything a garage band should be. The gnarly guitar tone and rapid-fire cymbal hits edge their sound towards surf rock. Kudos to the band for managing to get a sandy, salty crust on their songs despite Tennessee being about as landlocked as they come. The track, “Inside You” hits with the same swift and mesmerizing arc as the first brick hurled in a riot. The band is preparing for a mini-tour that goes nowhere near the ocean at the beginning of March; stay updated on their whereabouts here. –Terra James-Jura

The lyric “right now I would will drink pure blood to sober up” should grab anyone’s ear. Followed by a throaty chorus of “WHERE’D I GO WRONG?” the track “Responsibility” by The New Industry Standard could be an anthem for Monday morning. At the very least, it’s a damn catchy tune about getting slobbering drunk. The song comes off their EP “Part 3” released February 5th, of which the band succinctly describes: “The first 3 songs are fast. The last two songs are slow.” You have to appreciate a band so keenly self-aware and apt in creating bouncy punk rock. -Terra James-Jura

Its Valentine’s Day weekend! No matter where you are in love, luck, or finances, there’s something for everyone going on this weekend. Here’s a select sampling:

Friday:

Bad Cop, Gunther Doug, Colorfeels, and Couched at the End. $5 cover, show at 8.

Whiskey Disco and Electric Western present The Valentine’s Day Dance Party at the 5 Spot. $7 before 10 pm and $10 after. Get ready to get messy to a night of soul and funk classics.

Death Comesto Mattenson, Pale Houses and Beards at the High Watt, $7 gets you in, show starts at 9.

Saturday:

"Slurp for a Cause" at Marathon Music Works.  Eat a ton Ramen, listen to Guilty Pleasures, and raise money to fight pediatric cancer. If you need to know more, read HERE.

QDProm at Mercy Lounge involves DJs, dancers, and live bands including Ponychase, Tipper Whore and a super secret musical guest will keep this live dance party thumping. Dig out your old prom dress, grab your man or lady, dig out their prom dress, and party straight till Sunday. $10 gets you in, prom starts at 8.

The Goldroom, Ole Mossy Face, Spirits and The Melchizedek Children play at fooBar. Show is at 10, cover is $5.  

Nashville stalwarts Blackfoot Gypsies play at the 5 Spot with Justin and the Cosmics, Phil Hummer and the White Falcons, and Haunted Device. Show starts at 9.

Sunday:

The Allen Thompson Band joins Cory Branan and Lucero at Exit/In. Show starts at 8, and is $15 without RSVP.

 Did the champagne and rocks drain your pockets? Head to the Basement for the Sunday Post for a free show. City Water, Jordan Carpenter, Pilot Rouge and Elliot perform, starting at 8.

Cleanse your brain of any lingering red, pink or winged thoughts with the sweet hatred of crust metal at Yautja’s album release show at the Stone Fox. Ramming Speed, Cove, and Act of Impalement open; show is at 9, cover is 5. Here is “Denihilist” off of “Song’s of Descent.”

Feedback Revival released their self-titled album on January 30th. Friends and fans packed into the High Watt that night for an album release show with el el, Kim Logan, Bones Owens, and Queens Boulevard. It was a tremendous and well-deserved show of support for the band’s sophomore effort. The album is a brick of visceral rock ‘n’ roll covering all the bases: gypsy women, whiskey, and outlaws. Check out a full review HERE. –Terra James-Jura

Omega Swan released their single “Earthbound” on February 11th, with the underlying message: “We just want people to do whatever the f**k they want, no rules.” It’s stripped down and a little bit more New Wave than their party-heartier May 2013 “OS-1,” kind of what half of Devo would cook up in their garage. Personal objection to nihilism by and large aside (will no one think of the children?!), it’s a great track from a hard-rocking and endlessly entertaining band. A band that will be at the Other Basement this Valentine’s Day with Plastic Visions, Designer, Rachel, and Dogs of Oz, starting at 8pm and followed by a dance party DJ-ed by Treekeeper. If ever there was a night to get lucky, it would be this one. You’ll be leaving with a pocket full of panties. –Terra James-Jura

Natalie Salzman released her album, “Ebb and Flow” Jan. 5th of 2014. Recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals with some of the original Swampers among the session players, it spans blues, country and pop in 7 tracks about love and loss. The album is fortified by her voice like a prodigal Judd and background as a classically-trained harpist. Though it may be the most in-organic instrument to load in, the harp finds place without ceremony, and this casual approach keeps it from veering off into the realm of gimmicky fusion or Adult Christian Contemporary. Of the whole album, “You Don’t Know What Is” has the most teeth. The next time Salzman plays Nashville will be at Ugly Mugs on March 15th. –Terra James-Jura

http://www.nataliesalzman.com/