If you’re feeling panicked about being all dressed up with nowhere to go tonight, fret not. We’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite Halloween-friendly music galas, so get your notepad ready:

No matter which door you pick at 1 Cannery Row tonight, your costume and dance moves will be welcomed with open arms. But we’re torn between "A Gala Of Goblins and Ghouls" (featuring The Features, Heypenny, and Tristan, and the Goldroom) at the Cannery Ballroom or Black 13 Tattoo’s "High Watt Horror Show" with Diamond Rings, Stepdad, Kyle Andrews, and Gold Fields.

Music City Roots has a stacked show featuring: Humming House, The Black Cadillacs, The Dirt Daubers, The Memphis Dawls, and The Owsley Brothers. In addition to an overwhelmingly stellar lineup, the whole thing is taking place in Loveless Barn– which is a fairly festive place to spend Halloween night.

The 5 Spot is hosting their weekly Old-Time Jam night, where you can get your fill of traditional roots music, but rumor has it that this is the place to go if your primary concern tonight is costumes and beer specials.

And last but most certainly never, ever least, No. 308 is hosting a "Halloween DJ Mob" with the likes of DJ Junior, DJ Grandpa, DJ Lonesome, DJ Heath Hanes, and more.

It feels like we’ve been celebrating Halloween for a month now, but the festivities are finally, FINALLY coming to an end, so you better get your party in tonight because you’re going to be spending the next two months with your relatives.

It’s possible that Mikky Ekko will release an album’s-worth of new music through his Soundcloud account before we hear any new information about his forthcoming album– which is fine, in a slow burn sort of way.

This latest release puts Clams Casino behind the production wheel alongside Ekko and the outcome feels like a natural, obvious pairing.

Stream "Pull Me Down" here:

For Mikky Ekko’s other recent post-pop releases, visit his Soundcloud profile. –Brianne Turner

Today self-described "prog pop"pers Umbrella Tree announced that they’ve reached the end of the road as a quartet. From the band:

On August 23rd, we celebrated the 7-year anniversary of our first show as Umbrella Tree. We now announce, with introspection and cautious optimism, that Umbrella Tree is no more. So it goes. We part ways with a great surplus of love and mutual well-wishing.

 

As our final encore, we are now making available the complete, multi-camera, HD video from our album release show this past May. It is available HERE for free. Enjoy it. Pass it along. Remember us fondly, as we will remember you.

 

Finally, we must thank a considerable enclave of supporters. Thank you everyone who ever bought an album or came to a show or put us on a mixtape. Thank you all Kickstarter backers, everyone who made their own Umbrella Tree music videos, and those of you who choreographed dance pieces to our songs. Thank you to all the bands with whom we played. Thank you Christi Bissell, Matt Slocum, Richena Purnell, Matthew Beale, Chris Click, Adam Troxler, Jamie Bacon, Timbre Cierpke, Anna Fitzgerald, Tia Shearer , Jill Ann Raney, and Poly for performing on our records or with us live or doing sign language interpretation or some combination of these things. Thank you Jeremy Ferguson for everything you have ever done for us, and Jimmy Abegg for introducing us to Jeremy. Thank you Jim DeMain, Loney John Hutchins, Justin Boots Herlocker, Steve Mabee, and Al Willis for your work on our recordings. Most of the photographs we have ever used professionally were taken by either Ben Pearson or Sally LaFave; thank you pixels and pixels and pixels. Thank you Amy Smith, Jack and Heath Henley, Kip Kubin, and especially Dave Ogle for your help and work on our videos. Thank you Sandy Craven for your work and personal investment in the band. Thank you Sylvie, Ben Frank, Laura Baisden, and Rachel Gresham for your album and poster and t-shirt art and layout. Thank you Annalise Frank for introducing Zack to Derek, and Justin Spencer for introducing Zack & Derek to Jilly & Ryan. Thank you Stefaniah McGowan for jumping on board in the 11th hour; we wish we had met you 5 years ago. Thank you Kristin Pearson for being our beloved den mother from note one.

 

So that’s that. We had a great time with you. Enjoy the live video. We hope to remain on your turntables, virtual or actual, for many years.

Lovey dovey,

Zachary, Jillian, Derek, Ryan

Umbrella Tree

As a parting gift to their fans, the band has offered a free download of their complete live show from May 19th at the Exit/In in the link above.

After a week of buildup and teasers on their Facebook page, the expansive and accurately self-described "retro soul and rock group" Magnolia Sons have released the video for their cover of the Yardbirds’ "For Your Love." Recorded and filmed at the Welcome To 1979 recording studio, the video highlights Lydia Elise’s sweet and soulful timbre as well as the comprehensive cast of characters that make up Magnolia Sons.

For a free download of an original Magnolia Sons song, click here and download the aptly-titled "Pass On My Love." –Brianne Turner

On November 16th and 17th, East Nashville Underground will once again take over The East Room, their staple venue over on Gallatin, to bring us a weekend full of rock and booze. Hosting one of their most solid lineups to date, the same ENU rules apply: lots of alcohol with the purchase of a wristband, all-you-can-eat hot dogs if you show up in a t-shirt from a previous season, and unlimited rock all weekend long, as seen in the lineup:

November 16th: Feedback Revival, Caleb Owens, Thee Japanese Schoolgirls, The Bridges, Wild Cub (headliner), Heypenny (headliner), DJ KDSML

November 17th: Buffalo Clover, Heavy Sole, Sol Cat, Billy Swayze, Kansas Bible Co. (album release), Ravello, DJ Jazzy Jazz (Brandon Jazz)

You can find all of the festival details– including where and how to get your wristbands– over on the official event page.

After weeks of preparation and keeping invitations in heavy rotation, Ernie Halter, The Paranormals, and Kristen Cothron came together on the 12th & Porter stage to put on a solid rock show under the Deli Nashville banner (figuratively. We did not print a banner.)

Filling the void of initial opener Josh Foster, Kristen Cothron took the stage with only her guitar and gave no hint of being asked to join the lineup just hours before the show. It’s difficult to avoid the word "sultry" when defining Kristen’s sound– which is a pleasant change of pace for Nashville’s girl-with-a-guitar game. In a scene saturated with sticky-sweet lyrics about girls who can’t live without a boyfriend, it’s comforting to hear a woman sing lyrics that deal with topics a little edgier than being ignored by her high school crush.

We introduced you to The Paranormals back in August and have yet to take their EP off rotation. The three-piece have built a solid rock show around roughly seven songs that manage to fuse the infectious catchiness of pop music with the sweaty rawness of classic rock. The three members dominate their corners of the stage without overpowering the music or each other, suggesting experience and compatibility that exceed their two years together as a band.

Nashville newcomer Ernie Halter rounded out the show, kicking off his set with one of his newest tunes, "In July." Using his live set to showcase his sheer talent and undeniable affability, he shared with the crowd what it’s like to have a song covered by Justin Bieber and his enthusiasm for the overwhelming response to his 52 Songs Club. After having covered Ernie Halter’s career for five years and from one coast to the other, I can assure you that Nashville has struck gold with this recent addition to the local music scene.

If you missed the show, then there’s no way to soften the blow of telling you that you missed out. But you can catch Kristen Cothron with her band, The Darkside, at Douglas Corner Cafe on November 9th.
The Paranormals will play the Red Rooster on October 26th.
Ernie Halter will be at 3rd and Lindsley on November 17th. — Brianne Turner

In the spirit of keeping things interesting, we’ve had a bittersweet, last-minute shakeup in our lineup for tonight. Though we’re incredibly bummed to announce that Josh Foster can’t make it to tonight’s show, we’re thrilled to tell you that Kristen Cothron has come through as Pinch Hitter Of the Year to take his place!

All of the other details remain the same: 12th & Porter, $5, 18+, awesome show. Kristen Cothron is on first, followed by The Paranormals, and rounded out by Ernie Halter. We will see you all at 7 pm!

This week Sol Cat premiered their music video for "Fishin’ With John," a three-minute vignette of summertime at every dude house you frequented during your college years. (Cover your eyes for this one, Mom and Dad.) The video was directed by Hayden Mason and the song will be featured on the band’s upcoming 2013 release, but you can grab a free download of "Fishin’ With John" now over at Bandcamp.

Just a friendly reminder to pencil Sharpie us in for our show down at 12th and Porter on October 15th. We’re showcasing Ernie Halter, The Paranormals, and Josh Foster, and we would love to say hello to all of you in person.

The event is exactly one week away so rally your friends and get your tickets now! It starts early and is super cheap, so come down and drink or dance off your Monday. This show will make you feel much better about going back to work on Tuesday.

The fact most likely to be beaten to death about The Gills is that the four piece is comprised of two sets of brothers. In the vein of The National, The Bee Gees, and the more Nashville-specific Kings Of Leon, a band built around a family unit is far from unheard of, but the resulting sonic solidarity can be difficult to replicate without the inarguably binding background of bunk beds and DNA. With Chris and Jesse Wheeler covering both guitar and vocals while twins Matt and Andy Prince maintain the rhythm section on drums and bass (respectively), the band’s tightness onstage as well as on their debut EP, Motor Running, is a tough subject to ignore.

With the help of motorcycle shop/recording studio NOW Records, The Gills have released the music video for "Feel It," in which they introduce themselves and their female alter egos to the public.

You can also buy or stream "Feel It" here. –Brianne Turner

The Horror Vacui (pronounced "vac-yoo-eee" when you’re requesting to hear their music on your local radio station) are celebrating their first decade as a band. Formed by Kyle Kelly and Ted Fox, the group that refers to their unit as a "four-piece endearing nightmare" began to take shape in 2002 when Fox, a Nashville native, met Kelly, the recent college transplant from Atlanta. But it wasn’t until last year that the band hit its stride as a burgeoning staple in the local rock scene.

The Horror Vacui initially recorded their self-titled, debut album as a four-piece at Villain Place, the recording studio owned and operated by members of the band, a member of Fireworks Over London, and their friend, Stephen D. Jones. But after the departure of their first two additional members, Kelly and Fox commissioned Rico Whitfield to play bass and Jonathan Parrish to sit behind the drum kit. To better represent their refurbished lineup and sound, they hand-selected five personal and fan favorites and re-recorded the songs for their EP, Scissor Crystal Eyes. "The EP is more a focus of what we’re representing now, reflective of the newer members. [The Horror Vacui] was a blank canvas; Ted and I painted it with an extremely creative vision, and with the second go-’round, we kept the creativity, but streamlined the process to convey what we represent live," said Kelly.

An accurate live representation of The Horror Vacui is essential to the list of things that make the band stand out in Nashville. Tracks like "Cold and Frightening" are built to create an explosive sonic experience, complete with a slow build to an auditory fireworks show of harmony and melody at around the four-minute mark. But it seems that wavering from the typical acoustic live show in what continues to be regarded as "the land of unplugged six-strings" does seem to allow a unique opportunity to connect with the continuously-loyal music community. "There is a strong rock showing here– bands and fans– and while it’s a town known for the acoustic/Americana/country, etc. genres, we feel that there are plenty of folks here who will support good music for good music’s sake."

In the vein of supporting "good music for the good music’s sake," you can make sure to find yourself at The End tomorrow night, where The Horror Vacui will share the stage with Fireworks Over London, Walking Man, and The Die Nasties. The show begins at 9 pm. – Brianne Turner

It’s time to put away those water wings and cornhole bags because, as expressed by the newest track from Those Darlins, "Summer’s Dead."

According to the press release, the song was inspired by "a gruesome murder and Francis Bacon’s provocative paintings," giving the track an especially disturbing sentiment, just in time for Halloween.

"Summer’s Dead" was premiered over on SPIN, where you can read more about the song’s backstory.