I hate the thought of the approaching cold weather, but it has a few redeeming values. The holidays acknowledge Johnny Mathis for the pimp he is, and the bleak days make dark, moody music much more appealing. This album by Courtesy Drop is going to find its way into my winter rotation. "Songs to Drive to; Make Love and Cry to" is a heavy collection of tracks with enough sullen guitar and screaming misery to scratch that emo itch, while retaining enough white-hot anger to keep it hardcore. My teen aged, Small Brown Bike-loving self would have flipped for these guys; I just appreciate them for giving me something to legitimize my seasonal depression. They hit the End November 7th. –Terra James-Jura

As I was looking up Year of October on Facebook, I noticed that at the top of my "Invite your friends to like this page" list was JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound. There is some similarity between  “Behave,” off their album “Stories” and JC Brook’s “Rouse Yourself,” mainly because they sing ‘baby-‘ the same soulful, bitterweet manner. From there “Stories” digs deep into blues territory. Its heavy and biting, with organ and Phelicia Sullivan’s propensity to end phrases with a Patti Smith-esque uptick giving it plenty of personality. It’s good music for forgetting a no-good man, and the album is available for free on their bandcamp: yearofoctober.bandcamp.com/releases

Catch them at one of their many shows around Nashville this fall, the next going down at the Ruteledge on Oct. 17th. –Terra James-Jura

Although hip-hop isn’t exactly my most knowledgeable subject, one local emcee reminded me of why I went through that black sheep obsession in high school. Cincinnati native, Don Sdot is a refreshing break from the overwhelming tide of today’s spoiled hip-hop. Don Sdot ditches the commercial glam many rappers bank on and delivers concise, honest lyrics in such a relaxed way that you feel as if you’re in a conversation with him. One of his latest tracks, “The Fro,” mixes aspects of jazz, soul and funk, while still retaining that raw hip-hop intensity. It’s clear that Don Sdot can deliver hard-hitting lyrics dealing with daily struggles but I’d be interested in hearing a track he took some fictitious freedom with. Or maybe I just want to hear a story? Either way, check out Don Sdot for some Nashville hip-hop you’re missing out on! -Michael Perry

Bully released their self-titled debut 7-inch vinyl EP on the 1st of October. It’s a fun four songs, heavy with guitar fuzz and crystalline vocals provided by Alicia Bognanno. This is what may have resulted if Kim Deal wandered into Pavement’s garage during a jam session. They’ve been busy around town, recently opening for Those Darlins at Mercy Lounge this past Friday. They’re making it all too easy to get sweaty palms around their virgin vinyl by offering it with every ticket purchased to their show this Friday, Oct. 11th at the Stone Fox with PUJOL and Study Hall. –Terra James-Jura

Want to hear something cool? This song, “Out in the Street” by Walking Man took me through a variety of opinions: I disliked it in the first few syllables (reminded me of Thom Yorke in a bad way), wanted to hate it during the first verse but kept listening, and was conquered by the big, hollow guitar riff at about :37 in the track. The song is one of a pair released this April; their repertoire includes acapella spirituals and dreamy electronic-influenced numbers. They are good enough at being weird to make me like them. They hit The Basement this Thursday, Oct. 10th with The Tendoor and Colin Schiller and the Reactions. –Terra James-Jura

Guthrie Brown relocated to Nashville from Billings, MT.  By 18, he has already performed with the Lumineers, The Thermals, North Mississippi Allstars, and Buddy Guy. When not racking up an incredulous list of stage mates, he records at home and performs with his compatriots. He has crafted a demo of reflections of love, family, and heartbreak positively gasping with the exuberance of youth. Listen to "Family Tree" to get a sense of being a teenager underneath big Montana skies. I’m excited to hear what comes after a few heartbreaks and legally purchased beers. He also delivers a rowdy live performance, the next of which is October 8th at The End. -Terra James-Jura

Danny Trashville might be Matt Freeman stepping away from Rancid and ditching his boots and braces to perform his secret cache of folk songs incognito. “The Great Unknown” is the title of his newest album, released just this past Saturday. Trashville’s compositions could easily read as punk rock; they cover similar subject matter (heartbreak, travel, brawls and pawn shops) and his coarse voice sounds abraded by a rough life, and maybe one too many basement shows. The official launch party took place in Shawnee, OK, but Danny Trashville is performing at Kimbro’s Café this Monday evening for all those that couldn’t make it. –Terra James-Jura

Frances and the Foundation released “One Voice Among Many” this July. This is after opening for giants such as the Alabama Shakes and the Gas Light Anthem. They sound like they’d be in rotation between the Gin Blossoms and The Cranberries, putting forth the same clean brand of alternative rock once heard in malls nationwide. They perform with el el and Vinyl Thief beginning at 3pm this Friday at the Listening Room for SoBro Fest. What better reason to duck out of work early and kick off the weekend than a free street festival with great music and cornhole? -Terra James-Jura

 Congratulations to Spoken Nerd for emerging victorious in our Artist of the Month poll!  Keep up with Nathan Conrad and friends at his website: http://spokennerdlovesyou.com/  Get another taste of Conrad’s endearing indie hip hop by listening to "Watermelon Heart" right now. -Terra James-Jura

Sol Cat has received plenty of love from Deli readers, expressed most recently in being voted Artist of the Month. The group has built a following by pulling the uninitiated into their orbit of hazy, languid trip-rock. It’s hard to resist a group that could have been Jareth’s house band in Labyrinth. This Thursday is the launch party for their EP “Welcome to Cowabunga.” Fans can head down to the Mercy Lounge to congratulate the goblin kings on the release and their epic showers. -Terra James-Jura

A name like Tipper Whore brings with it an expectation to be equally as awesome and irreverent. Do they deliver? If one is a fan of snotty punk rock, lipstick, and whiskey in their Froot Loops, then yes. If not, well, cross-stitching can be fun too. Probably not as fun as the Exit/In this Wednesday, where they join Electric Six and Jerusalem for an evening of belligerent entertainment. Prep for the event by hitting the booze in the AM and listening to “Day Drunk.” –Terra James-Jura

Levi Weaver touts himself as a wanderer, and wonderer. His songs set him apart from the sea of songwriters out there without much trouble: they’re rich with a symphony of instruments and play out like a movie viewed from the good seats. He’s cut a swath from Texas to the UK, and has settled in East Nashville to perform his compositions and move closer still to standing alongside other offbeat, impressive showmen like Rufus Wainwright and M. Ward. He is about a month away from releasing his crowd-funded full-length entitled “Your Ghost Keeps Finding Me.” Currently the pledges for that project have exceeded their goal, and a portion of the surplus is going to Porter’s Call, a charity supporting musicians and their families. He opens for Kishi Bashi and Fancy Colors this Tuesday at Exit/Inn. -Terra James-Jura