Congratulations to The Acorn People and Friendship Commanders, our new Artists of the Month! While the Deli may have a quibble with the biological actuality of the band being "a love child of Janis Joplin and Joan Jett," The Acorn People obviously have charmed enough listeners into look past the cold hard truths of science and vote them into victory. The Acorn People released their debut album, "Secrets" on February 28th, and it is very much a roll in the in the sweet, dewy grass between rock and blues. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Grace Jermysk makes sure that no hair is left unruffled and no heart unbroken with her sassy yet intensly emotional approach. Their next show is this Saturday in Murfreesboro for a house/art show (more details here), followed by at show at The Kitchen on May 8th and a set at Music Tree Festival in Manchester, TN on June 10th. Here’s "Oh My," the first track off their album, to drive home what The Acorn People are all about. (For extra credit, listen to final track "Monster" and see if you don’t get caught up in the awesome breakdown at the end.)
Friendship Commanders throw a hat into the ring of the nineties revival, keeping things fresh with driving, bass-heavy beats lifted right out of the punk rock playbook, counterbalanced by crystal-clear vocals and intelligent lyrics provided by B. Arson. They’ve hit their stride in a very brief period of time, recording their debut 6-track EP, "Amos" in June of 2013, and finding bassist Cody Mcall the following October, thereing completing the current lineup of this power trio of alt-rock. They’ve been making regular appearances at The High Watt and Mercy Lounge, turning on enough hard core followers to vote as many times as their IP addresses allowed to move them into such a tight margin that a declaration of "TIE!" was in order. The band is working on an as-yet-unreleased track called "Tuxedo Means Wolf," which, if it’s half as well done as "Unkissed," I’d be satisfied. Friendship Commanders next play in Nashville on May 17th at The 5-Spot, closely followed by May 20th at The End.
Be sure to check out both of these winners this month, and thank them for contributing their blood, sweat and tears to the rich local music scene that makes Nashville amazing!
-Terra James-Jura