There are two things that will take your Monday from adequate to F*#@ YEAH! without much effort.  The first is to download the debut album "Shine On" by Them Vibes.  The second is to head to Santa’s Pub tonight at 7 to see them for free with Guthrie Brown.  Read the full review of "Shine On" HERE, and listen to "Cryin’ Shame" if you need any more convincing that this is a Hamilton well spent. -Terra James-Jura

Sugar and the Hi-Lows released the single “Everything’s Looking Up” on June 10th, and it has been featured on ABC and garnered acclaim from Paste and Billboard. Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup founded their project on the credo of “It’s not good unless you can dance to it.” The duo has drawn on their extensive backgrounds as Nashville songwriters to craft a vintage sound with clever lyricism and upbeat hooks. If your heels are in need of kicking this coming Saturday, Sugar and the Hi-Lows will be in Centennial Park with Jeffery James and Mountain Heart at Musician’s Corner. The pre-concert festivities will begin at noon, the band goes on at 2.     -Terra James-Jura

Whether you have some steam to blow off from the week, or have been reminiscing about your teenaged house show slam dancing, Nashville fixtures Cy Barkley and The Way Outsiders have you covered. They released their album “Mutability” on September 1st, and it is heavy with rapid fire drums and belligerence. They play Exit/Inn tonight with Guitar Wolf, Coward, and Coathangers, all eager to cure your nostalgia with a boot to your face. -Terra James-Jura

Fans of Justin Townes Earl, Alabama Shakes, or Old Crow Medicine Show may be familiar with their sometime-opening act Robert Ellis. The Nashville songwriter has set February 11th as the release date for his third album, “Lights from the Chemical Plant.” Ellis recorded it at The Casino in East Nashville with producer Jacquire King, who has worked with Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, and Kings of Leon. “Lights” is a stylistic departure from his previous folk and Americana roots, and is already receiving acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone. Ellis is preparing for an October tour with Deer Tick, and is no doubt at home practicing such crowd favorites as “Friends Like Those.” C’mon, not everyone can deadpan the words ‘chocolate puddin” in their lyrics. –Terra James-Jura

Nashville indie/folk duo Calligan released this song on September 16th, excellent timing considering that it features enough acoustic guitar and harmonica to make a listener itch for autumn. You may catch yourself entertaining thoughts of leaving it all behind and heading out to the mountains upon hearing the refrain (or invitation) “Let’s be wolves-.” But those bills ain’t paying themselves. -Terra James-Jura

Oh Dang Lo Mein’s record, “OMEN” was released this March on Blacktooth Records, and offers up 10 tracks of sweet riffs and groovy harmonies. But beneath the charm of a cute band name and cute sisters Liz and Lilly manning the instruments reside lyrics that are masterful, poignant, and dark. The album zigs into blues and zags into soul, but some of the catchiest hooks are a tongue-in-cheek nod to their name/background. “Hajima” is a perfect example. Oh Dang Lo Mein plays the Stone Fox Tuesday night with Kim Logan and Moseley. –Terra James-Jura

http://ohdanglomein.bandcamp.com/

Blank Range is one of those bands that will leave you wondering how you’ve never heard about them before.  "Phase II," their only release (which can be purchased here on tape or digital download), is an eclectic mix of blues, soul and twang. Tasteful use of dynamics and a contagious percussion section sets Blank Range apart from the flood of other acts attempting to meld the intimacy of soul with the energy of rock’n’roll. Songs like “Roommate’s Girlfriend” effortlessly deliver that late-night-drive aesthetic that makes "Phase II" tough to stop listening to. -Michael Perry

Alanna Royale has a voice like honey; no wonder she’s generated so much buzz. She and her high energy 5-piece band have proven to be cornerstones in Nashville’s small but powerful soul scene, all without the help of lame puns (up until this point.)  “Animal” is the superb single off their deput EP “Bless Her Heart.” They play at 9pm at the Basement Friday night with JC Brookes and the Uptown Sound, Treetop Flyers and Andrew Combs Midnight Steelism. -Terra James-Jura

The Coal Men have an endearing sort of grit to their wholesomeness. Over a decade of experience lends itself to the craftsmanship of their fourth album, “Escalator,” released August 27th. It is full of earnest tracks that tread between country and rock without a note wasted. “Stuck” would raise some red flags if it were an online dating profile: loud and heavy with some balls to it. They join Eric Brace, Peter Cooper, Tim Carroll, Kevin Gordon, Jon Byrd, Amelia White, and Mark Robinson at the 5 spot on Thursday, Sept.19th for the East Nashville Americana Showcase. -Terra James-Jura

This Wednesday is the first day of the Americana Music Festival and Conference, which means that the streets are soon to be overrun by yet more pickers, players, and professionals all championing the music that they have dedicated their lives to. It is sure to be a dynamic five days that will leave the Americana community stronger than ever. So what better opportunity to give convention the finger and pack it over to The End for a hip hop show?

Spoken Nerd is comprised of Nathan Conrad and a shifting cast of friends. The Nashville poet-cum-rapper has 5 albums of witty, honest and catchy craft under his belt since his beginnings in 2002. Those questioning his genius will be referred to the video “Stripes on my Shirt.” Conrad, along with Astronautalis and kidDEAD will be providing asylum from the sounds of America’s heartland this Wednesday evening beginning at 9 pm at The End. -Terra James-Jura

http://spokennerdlovesyou.com/

*repeat repeat brand themselves as surf-pop, but the scope of their sound extends far beyond the nonexistent beaches of Tennessee. There’s a little bit of Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the opening riff of “History,” and the guitar keeps up its formidable noise throughout the track. Hopefully this song makes those Wednesday TPS reports a little more epic. -Terra James-Jura

Tuesday marks the national release of “The Fatman Cometh & World of Wonder,” a deluxe album by Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin. Fats has performed with Jack White as part of the Buzzards, and has played a range of instruments with a range of artists that include Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, and Paul Burch in his decades in music. Combined with his other half, Kristi Rose, they pilot the genre of Pulp Country, and what an enthralling, intimate, singular soundscape it is. The video “All is Gone” parallels their style by creating drama from very few elements. Witness a fantastic show at the Basement tonight at 7pm, pick up the album, and keep glancing back at the bar in hopes of seeing Kinky Friedman leaning in the shadows. -Terra James-Jura

http://www.pulpcountry.com/