Archives For Artist Spotlight

Communion Artist Spotlight: Rosco Bandana

Cause A Scene —  December 9, 2013 — Leave a comment

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Back in 2010, when Gulfport, Mississippi based band Rosco Bandana first formed, this group of gifted vocalists and insanely talented instrumentalists was probably unaware of what would be in store for them after just a year of playing music together.  In 2011, they entered the Hard Rock Calling contest, where more than 12,000 other hopeful bands were also vying to be the first group signed to Hard Rock Records.  After much hard work sweating it out and making a name for themselves on little Mississippi stages, Rosco Bandana won the contest and landed their first deal.

It was really difficult to find a comparison for this seven-piece group. Once you think you have their sound figured out, they’ll jump in with some major sevenths or throw out an early Dylan-esque sound, all while still maintaining their layered blend of folk, Americana, and rock with southern flair.  As a lover of a good mandolin and powerful female vocalists, Rosco Bandana has got me absolutely hooked.  Their debut album Time to Begin showcases all the things I feel a good indie folk album should: harmonic vocals, story telling, just the right amount mandolin and banjo, and the ability to throw in some bluesy guitar without making anyone question anything.

To get you both in the Christmas and Communion Show spirit, go ahead and buy your ticket while you listen to Rosco Bandana’s latest offering: a Hard Rock Records produced cover of Winter Wonderland.

– Bailey Basham

Rosco Bandana- ‘Woe Is Me’

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Communion Artist Spotlight: Joseph Arthur with Mike Mills (of R.E.M.) and Bill Dobrow

Cause A Scene —  December 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

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Joseph Arthur’s latest album, The Ballad of Boogie Christ Act 2, saw him collaborating with a long list of recognizable names, including the Band’s pianist Garth Hudson, former Ryan Adams & the Cardinals bass player Catherine Popper, and Golden Smog member and former Jayhawks guitarist Kraig Jarret Johnson. For his upcoming date playing at The High Watt for the Communion Nashville show, he’ll be pulling out the big guns again and playing with Mike Mills of R.E.M. and Bill Dobrow.

The Ballad of Boogie Christ Act 2, which Arthur is currently on a world tour in support of, is the second album in a planned trilogy. The album has been described as “psychedelic soul” and Arthur has said the first two albums of the trilogy are unlike anything he’s done before.

Act 2 was released on Black Friday as an Official Record Store Day release, the first installment having been released in June. It is one of more than eleven albums and ten EPs that Arthur has put out since being signed to Real World Records by Peter Gabriel in the mid ‘90s.

Arthur’s albums are often recognized for their artwork, which he does himself. In 1999, he was nominated for a Grammy for Best Recording Package for the extended version of his EP, Vacancy.

The Nashville Communion show, which Arthur will be participating in, will be held at the Mercy Lounge on Thursday, December 12th and will also feature performances from Milktooth, Rosco Bandana, Cereus Bright and Josephine & The Wild Front. Get your tickets here for $5.

– Meagan Lawson

Joseph Arthur- ‘I Used To Know How To Walk On Water’

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Communion Artist Spotlight: Milktooth

Cause A Scene —  December 6, 2013 — Leave a comment
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Upon hearing the name of this Nashville-based band, I was intrigued as to how a group with a name such as Milktooth would sound.  After listening to a few tracks from their latest EP Wild Before Our Eyes and several of their covers, I was even more interested.  I probably spent a good hour just listening to the soulful vocals and haunting arrangements.
Having been deemed “mesmerizing” by NPR and drawing comparisons from veterans like The Walkmen and Arcade Fire, Milktooth’s sound ranges anywhere from noise-rock to indie folk.  While I was listening to their newest EP Wild Before Our Eyes, I couldn’t find a specific genre to group them into, which I really loved by he way.  There were some elements of alt-rock, tons of indie influences, a bit of synth-pop here and there, and then they would go acoustic on me, breaking out the violin and layered harmonics.  There is a definitive art to every track they put together, lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally.
Writing for Cause A Scene has brought some really killer bands into my musical repertoire, and Milktooth is no exception.  This band is another new favorite of mine strictly due to the originality and artistry of the things they put together in a song.  Be sure to check them out Noisetrade and iTunes, and get your Communion ticket soon!
– Bailey Basham

Milktooth- ‘Wild Before Your Eyes’

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Artist Update: Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden

Cause A Scene —  December 3, 2013 — Leave a comment

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Just a few months ago, Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden’s forthcoming album The Shape The Color The Feel was little more than an ambitious Kickstarter project, an appeal to actually help Tucker create her new album, press it to vinyl and create eight to ten separate videos that would accompany the songs.

Today, with the help of ten filmmakers, Tucker’s project is coming to fruition. The video for the album’s first single, “Looking Around,” directed by Tucker supporter Jason Smythe, was just premiered and several others are already on the way. The film for the song “Best Friends’ Love” was recently shot on the top floor of Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom and a behind the scenes look at the shooting of the film for “Hangover” was recently released as well. The videos, which are being shot in various cities all over the country, are all leading up to the release of the new album on February 11th.

In addition to all that the band has going on with the new album and films, they’ve also been selected to participate in the Nashville Indie Spotlight compilation that will be available on iTunes December 3rd. The band’s next single will be debuted on the compilation and they’ll headline the release party for the spotlights tonight at the Stone Fox. Korby Lenker, Emily West, KS Rhoads, Jillian Edwards and Shannon LaBrie will also be playing. Tickets are $7.

– Meagan Lawson

Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden- ‘Looking Around’

 

 

 

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Communion Artist Spotlight: Shelly Colvin

Cause A Scene —  November 13, 2013 — Leave a comment

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On November 14th, Nashville based singer/songwriter Shelly Colvin will take the stage at the High Watt to play alongside artists like Tennis and On An On for Nashville’s Communion show.

Though Colvin’s debut album, Up the Hickory Down the Pine, came out just last year, she’s been playing music almost her whole life. Before she was even old enough to go to school Colvin joined her family to sing in a Baptist church in Alabama, where her father was the minister of music.

While you can hear the years of experience in Colvin’s voice, her music today has more of a rootsy, folk sound with a heavy country influence. Colvin’s musical inspirations are in the same vein; she listens to The Byrds and Emmylou Harris, Neil Young and the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Recently, Colvin’s enchanting vocals and straightforward songwriting have landed her a spot performing on Music City Roots and seen her featured in Nashville Arts Magazine and on Daytrotter. She’s also performed with a wide range of artists, including Jackson Browne, Dierks Bentley and Old Crow Medicine Show.

After she takes the stage for November’s Communion show, you won’t have another chance to hear Colvin in Nashville until December, when she plays alongside Brendan Benson and friends at the Ryman. On Thursday, Colvin will take the stage at the High Watt first; doors open at 7:00 P.M.

– Meagan Lawson

Shelly Colvin- ‘Shady Grove’

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