Usually when I hear the phrase, “They sound a lot like the Black Keys,” I take it as a red flag and exit the conversation as fast as possible, but this time I’m glad I stuck around. All Them Witches’ 2012 release, "Our Mother Electricity," tastefully weaves swamp-blues with a foreboding metal aesthetic. Check out the single “Charles William” off the new album, "Lightning At The Door," here. “Charles William” some pretty sweet slide guitar and back-round “Oohs” and “Aahs” that’ll make you want to do black magic in the woods. You can catch All Them Witches on their November tour at the Springwater on November 9th! -Michael Perry

Loved poet and fearless experimenter, Daniel Johnston played Exit/In this past Sunday night. Opening his set with a few solo songs, it was clear that age and health played a factor in his ability to perform, nonetheless, he was persevering. After a short break, Johnston reappeared with a full band. Flipping through his lengthy song book, Johnston would call out song titles, many of which band didn’t know. “Play whatever you want,” he would answer with a smile. After a humorous, yet powerfully-dark joke, and wishing the audience to find true love as an early Christmas gift, Johnston ended with an acappella version of “Funeral Home.” Brazen sincerity made Johnston’s performance truly captivating. Persistence through odds that most would quit from made it unforgettable. Maybe instead of trying to explain human existence to aliens by shooting DNA codes into space, we should just shoot a few Daniel Johnston tapes out there?

Local legend and dive bar haunt, Dave Cloud opened up with his Gospel of Power. Pumping out punk-rock tunes with a mixture of poetic bouts, Cloud paced the stage while doing his well-known take on interpretive dance. This was the first time I have gotten to see The Gospel of Power and they lived up to the hype I’ve heard about their performances. Cloud’s antics, entertaining personality and one-of-a-kind “rough as gravel” voice was absorbing. -Michael Perry

Tristen released CAVES on October 15th on her own label, PUPsnake. This is a move that exemplifies her whole approach to music: sister’s got to do it herself. She comes from the South Side of Chicago, but followed the best path to serve her music down to Nashville, TN. Her sound retains bubblegummy innocence of 60’s pop, the attitude of Dolly Parton and the spirit of David Bowie. According to her video for “Baby Drugs” she is also Nashville’s sweetest little drug mule. She and her faithful band play the Stone Fox this Friday with Meadownoise and Penicillin Baby. -Terra James-Jura

Gang of Youths has already written themselves off as a**holes, by the looks of the biting reviews they’ve posted (as in “Wanna see someone with zero charisma get up on stage and pretend to be Jim Morrison for half an hour-?” ) But it takes a special bastard of jerk to flaunt their own bad press; the kind that generates must-see CMJ buzz. If Arcade Fire were a little more bromantic, they would be Gang of Youths. They’ve recently made the leap from Australia to Music City, and hopefully more hijinks on the level of “A Sudden Light” will ensue. Listen and decide for yourself if any more attention is warranted. –Terra James-Jura

 Levi Weaver has claimed his rightful place (gazing at you from the top of this page with a plainitive, but oh so confident look in his eye) as our new Artist of the Month.  Listen to the music man by way of his website here, and donate to Porter’s Call, a nonprofit for musician’s and their families that Weaver champions, here. –Terra James-Jura

There’s a photo of Ashly Badgett with a fat lip on Bashly’s Facebook page. It is proudly captioned with “Got hit in the face with one of Local Natives drumsticks.”

This general badassery of founder Badgett is one of the reasons Bashly was voted Artist of the Month by Deli readers this past summer. Numerous live shows around Nashville and a free EP has not hurt either. They are preparing for a blowout show at The Rutledge this Thursday before their focus is devoted to a full-length album. Kick the Robot, That’s My Kid and Keeps round out the bill, all for 5 bones.

“Fountains” was picked up by Lightning 100’s rotation; expect more of the same compelling vocals and dreamy soundscapes from their upcoming album. Their EP “Not Alone” is available for free here: https://noisetrade.com/bashlymusic/not-alone -Terra James-Jura

This Tuesday Nashville veterans, Ttotals, are playing at The End with Crystal Antlers and Steven Gordon. Ttotals blends a dark 80’s ambiance, evoking Depeche Mode, with elements of psyche-rock, creating a haunting, captivating sound. Fresh off their fall tour, Ttotals are back in town (with some badass stickers) and will round out the bill nicely with Crystal Antlers’ take on raucus rock’n’roll. -Michael Perry

Self-proclaimed “strange rockers” Kink Ador have been on tour for the good part of October, racking up new fans like so many points on a pinball machine as they work towards the release of their EP this Saturday. Their fun glam rock is tight enough to bounce quarters off of it, and Sharon Koltick is the consummate frontwoman: tall, blonde, and quick to jump, shimmy or shred onstage. They deliver a brilliant live show punctuated by entertaining twists. The sight of Nordic princess Koltick bringing a trumpet to her lips for the opening of “Shape” ought to make the most jaded of music snobs smile. They take the stage at The Basement this weekend, probably with a ‘pinging’ noise still in their ears. –Terra James-Jura

Anyone who enjoys Horsefeathers but wishes that they took after OMD a little more in the vocal department ought to enjoy this video by Honey Locust. “Honey Pot” will be the first track of their upcoming album, “The Great Southern Brood," due to be released this fall. It brings me great joy to know there are kids out there producing such rich, emotionally intelligent music, and I hope the album delivers the same moody bite as this track. They hit the Basement this Monday night (10/21) with Frontier Ruckus. -Terra James-Jura

https://soundcloud.com/honeylocust

The Whitewall Gentlemen have a finely tuned chemistry simmering beneath their swampy cocktail of blues and Southern rock. Comprised of 4 members that look all of 22, they score high marks for delivering all the elements of headbang-induced whiplash: chugging guitar, rumbling bass, auditorium-worthy bravado. “Promised Land” is just the type of racket to get this week started off right. By giving it the finger. They play The End this Monday night with Resident Zero and The Bracers, and Pretty Ugly. –Terra James-Jura

Arkansas Elvis released their album “Yvette” October 5th. Being prone to snap judgments, I was expecting something entirely different and possibly banjo-driven prior to my first listen.  Instead, my ears were met with the seething offspring of Alice in Chains and The Deftones. Cognitive dissonance aside, it’s a solid bid for the hearts of Nashville’s alt-metal fans. This track “Opening” sums up the Arkansas Elvis experience. They play at the Springwater Supper Club November 3rd with The Jerks and The Cadaver Dogs. –Terra James-Jura

http://arkansaselvis.bandcamp.com/

This weeks free music buffet at Mercy Lounge was fun as usual, but this week two acts really stood out.

Omega Swan had me reminiscing of going to Buzz Fest as a youngin’, just waiting for Slash to come out with the failed Velvet Revolver. Delivering booming grooves and plenty of wah-soaked guitar solos, Omega Swan had every long haired kid in a black t-shirt head banging. I even caught a woman who had to be over 70 air-drumming along. No matter what genres you’re inclined to, it’s hard to deny that Omega Swan can entertain.

Up next, Dogtooth took the stage with their more relaxed set of looming melodies and swelling effects. Dogtooth blends an interesting mix of alternative rock with shoegaze tendencies that appealed to the younger crowd. The layered effects and buzzing fuzz create a wide sound nicely balanced by the rhythm section. Dogtooth has a split coming out in the near future so be sure to keep an eye out for that!  -Michael Perry