Communion Artist Spotlight: Milktooth

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

kate tucker2

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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Daily Discovery: Safe In Blue

Cause A Scene —  December 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

safeinblue

 
Safe In Blue, Nashville based alt-indie band, is made up of South African native Vian Zaayman and Canadian musician Phillip Englehart.  Having been compared to greats like Coldplay and Death Cab, Safe In Blue’s sound is mostly based around simply arranged melodies and intensely poetic lyrics.  Drawing inspiration from extensive travels across Europe and Africa, Zaayman shares that “the quiet Mediterranean evenings sitting in abandoned restaurants drinking wine and listening to the air can’t be ignored when it comes to our inspiration.”  Living simply in the forests of Africa can’t be discounted from all that influenced the writing, too.
 
Safe In Blue formed last November after having shared stories of travel and musical interest.  Many of the songs on their debut album This Heart Will Bring were written in collaboration shortly after meeting.  During Safe In Blue’s earliest days, the group was made up only of Zaayman and Englehart.  Most recently, close friends and talented instrumentalists Paul Fenner (drums), Chris Bates (bass), and Kevin Carroll (guitar/aux) joined Vian and Phillip in flushing out a live set of the album, and in doing so, “adding a whole new level [to the tracks] with their musicality.”
 
Having personally listened to every song on their debut This Heart Will Bring, I’m really excited to have been given the opportunity to share their work with all you Cause A Scene readers.  Songs like “Starlit Summer’s Eve” would make bands like The Head and The Heart proud to share a genre with acts as talented as Safe In Blue. This Heart Will Bring is an album you are all going to want to check out.  You’re also going to want to keep an eye on Safe In Blue.  I’m expecting some big things from them soon, including their upcoming Christmas EP.

– Bailey Basham

Safe In Blue- ‘Song I Believe In’

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Show Preview: Lulu Mae with Jesse Lafser, Rusty Clanton, Faye Webster, Joseph Lemay & Maggie Chapman – 11/23

Cause A Scene —  November 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

CAS11_23

This Saturday we are heading back to Edgehill Cafe to close out another kick ass year at Cause A Scene. Saturday evening will mark our 63rd and last show of 2013, and we think that’s a damn good reason to celebrate. We couldn’t think of a better way to do so than to put together a lineup jam-packed with some of the best up-and-coming talent we could find, some who are CAS first-timers and many of which are making their much awaited returns.

The headliner for the evening is the Nashville-based indie folk outfit Lulu Mae. The return of this 7-piece band to the CAS stage is one that we have been eagerly anticipating and we can’t wait for them to rock the house at Edgehill. With a sound that draws influence from Ryan Adams and the Decemberists, Lulu Mae’s magic lies in their ability to unfold stories before their audience and their family-bound chemistry. Putting a fresh spin on the term “family band,” Lulu Mae is comprised of frontman Joel Finley and his wife Sarah (vocals), their college friends, brothers Ben Smith (bass) and Adam Smith (keys, trumpet) and Adams wife Jen (backup vocals). The recent additions of roommates Anthony Mangin (electric guitars) and David Sutton (drums) have given this band a distinct sound that is extensively explored on their first full-length album, The Mockingbird and the Dogwood Tree, which was released last year.

2013 has proven to be a big year for Lulu Mae and huge stepping stone in what seems to be a limitless direction. They kicked the year off by winning Music City Mayhem, Lightning 100’s giant annual local music competition, in April and opened up for Local Natives and Leagues in September in front of a crowd of thousands at this years Live on the Green, Nashville’s annual free concert series. With all the exposure they have received this year, Lulu Mae has no plans of slowing down and are closing out 2013 working on a sophomore release that is due to release next year.

Jesse Lafser, who also opened for Lulu Mae at their last CAS appearance, will be setting the stage once again with her Americana influenced indie-folk tunes. This St. Louis native, who now calls Music City home, brings an atypical sound to Nashville’s abundant music scene and we can’t wait to hear again this Saturday. Lafser’s most recent album, Land In Sight, was released in 2012.

Also on the evening’s bill are two folk singer songwriters and CAS alums, Faye Webster and Joseph Lemay. Atlanta-based Faye, opened for Little Tybee and The Get Togethers at an East Nashville back in May is making her Nashville return this Saturday and we are thrilled she chose to join the CAS ranks once again. With the release of her first full-length album Run and Tell earlier this year, Faye exudes a musically prowess and maturity well beyond her years. Joseph Lemay played one of our first house shows of 2013 and we are stoked to welcome him back to help close out the year. Possessing a bare-bones sound that is grounded in masterful lyricism, Lemay writes his songs from a trailer located in a small town in West Tennessee, but refers to Nashville as his “musical nucleus.” Joseph is currently in the studio working on his debut album.

Filling out an already stellar set musicians, are two CAS newcomers who are sure bring a perfect balance to the evening’s lineup. Rusty Clanton is a singer songwriter who calls the Cleveland, TN home and the influence of the East Tennessee hills and their sounds are a clear influence in his music. Maggie Chapman, another young up-and-coming singer songwriter with a voice that possesses a maturity well beyond her years, is a recent Music City transplant by way of Tampa, FL. This being her first Nashville show, we are honored to help her spread her music to this great city.

This lineup is going to be beyond killer and we want every friend and music lover in town to come help us celebrate and cap off another year of fantastic music discovery. Space at Edgehill is limited so ensure your spot by getting your tickets early here. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the music will start promptly at 7:30. Tickets are $5.

– Christian Lerchenfeld

Lulu Mae- ‘Fiction of Speed’ (Live at Music City Roots)

Jesse Lafser- ‘Land In Sight’

Rusty Clanton- ‘Ribs and Things’

Faye Webster- ‘I Wanna Be Like You’

Joseph Lemay- ‘Molly My Girl’

 

 

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Show Preview: My Red & Blue with Liza Anne and Jordan Gable – 11/17

Cause A Scene —  November 15, 2013 — Leave a comment

CAS November 17 - My Red and Blue

This Sunday evening we will be presenting our last show at The High Watt, which has housed many fantastic memories for us at Cause A Scene this year, as we celebrate the release of My Red & Blue‘s new EP, The Start. My Red & Blue is the new project of local singer songwriter Ben Eggebrecht, a Nashville transplant by way of Milwaukee, WI and The Start is his second record and the finished product of material he has been writing, financing and recording for well over a year. We at CAS are beyond honored to be presenting the fruits of Eggebrecht’s hard work as he performs the EP in its entirety, live for the first time. My Red & Blue boasts a pop-rock sound that draws influence from both the free-spiritedness the West Coast and the wholesome traditions laden in the Tennessee hills, yielding an identity that is perfectly encapsulated in “Never Gonna Be Mine,” the single off his forthcoming EP that debuted on Buzzfeed earlier this week.

Opening up for My Red & Blue is Nashville native and folk-pop singer songwriter, Liza Anne. No stranger to the Nashville music scene, Liza has already played her fair share of CAS bills, opening for Judah and the Lion and Matthew Perryman Jones. She is currently working on her debut full-length record, The Colder Months, which is set to release early next year. If you like what you hear this Sunday, you can help her bring her first record to life by contributing to her Kickstarter campaign. With only 9 days left she is within arms length of her goal.

Also opening up the evening is newly transplanted Nashvillian pop-rocker, Jordan Gable. This being the Ohioans first Nashville show, we are excited to hear what he has in store for our ears.

Cap off what is sure to be a beautiful fall weekend and head on down to Cannery Row this Sunday to hear some rockin’ tunes and see some of the best up and coming talent this city has to offer. Get your tickets here for $8 in advance. Tickets will also be available for $10 DOS. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the music starts at 8:00 PM.

– Christian Lerchenfeld

My Red & Blue- ‘Never Gonna Be Mine’

Liza Anne- ‘Wrecking Ball’ (Miley Cyrus cover)
Wrecking Ball (cover) Liza Anne by lizaannemusic

Jordan Gable- ‘If It Don’t Feel Like This’
If It Don’t Feel Like This by JordanGable

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