Tag Archives: indie music reviews Nashville

LISTEN: Spence Brown’s ‘Scotch Thoughts’ Are ‘A Meditation on Time’

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A sobering fact of life? None of us knows exactly how much time we have left.

So, let’s not waste any of it.

Spence Brown — who, you may recall, recently made his triumphant return to the artist side of the tracks — just hit us with another new single, “Scotch Thoughts” is a slick and soulful hip hop vibe; one Brown calls “a meditation on time” in light of his father’s recent heart attack, and the realization that it’s up to us to make the most of every moment.

“(It’s about) realizing that everyone’s time is limited, including your own,” Brown said. “It’s part of a larger project coming in the spring called 4am In Nashville, and one of the overall themes is opportunity cost; trying to figure out what is the right move to make. This is song number one on the project, and is the entrance to a dark place that we explore through the project.”

We’ll soon have even more glimpses into 4am In Nashville, with new singles due on March 29 and April 26. For now, we invite you vibe with this one!

NASHVILLE: Free Tax Strategy Session Wednesday, March 6

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Does tax season have you stressed out? Not sure how to make sense of the many important nuances that arise this time of year? Just need a refresher on what to do, and how to do it?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you’ll want to join us Wednesday, March 6 at 519 Donelson Pike in Nashville. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., Connor Christian of The Southern Gothic will be hosting a free tax information seminar to get you ready for the April 15 filing deadline.

As a former full-time touring musician, Connor has learned the ins and outs of tax season. He has since applied that knowledge to owning and operating Liberty Tax franchises across Greater Nashville. Join Connor as he reveals tips and strategies, and answers your questions to ensure that tax season is as successful — and stress-free — as possible.

This one is on us, Nashville! All you need to do is click this link and RSVP for free, and we’ll see you there!

Finding Clarity, Purpose, and Ways to Innovate (ft. BREEZE)

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On today’s #QuickSpinn edition of The Quinn Spinn, I welcome my NashLive! co-conspirator BREEZE to the show. A content creator, artist, and creative force, Breeze brings energy and insight from her years in the industry to any collaboration.

This conversation highlights the unique, curated live music experiences to be presented by NashLive!, as well as the winding roads that aided the evolution of the platform and our own lives.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

BREEZE
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NashLive! ⁠⁠

The Quinn Spinn
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UMC20: It’s a New Month, Yes it Is! (Feb. 6, 2024)

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It’s time to turn the page to a new month, and its first weekly installment of 20 fresh tracks.

As always, we keep things interesting, with plenty of genre-bending-and-breaking throughout this adventure. You’ll find sounds you never expected together, blended in perfect harmony. You’ll also find some straightforward cuts here, if that’s your bag.

And, you’ll find our bonus track: an episode of The Quinn Spinn featuring Nashville-based hip hop artist Raw Proof, who stopped by to chat about changing landscapes, community impact, and living a balanced life as a creative.

Track listing
Gangstagrass ft. Jerry Douglas – The Only Way Out is Through
Spence Brown – 2024
Lord Goldie – On da Line
Foundation Mecca ft. Ari Shavon – TKO
Yarin Glam – BURN IT DOWN
Fame & Fiction – Not the One for You
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Revelations
David Haerle – El Camino Sierra
Leon Frear – A Morning House
Julian Guba – Get Rid of You
Evan Boyer – Home to You
Dustin Kensrue ft. Cat Clyde – Death Valley Honeymoon
Frontier Ruckus – I’m Not the Boy
Josh Fortenbery – Heirlooms
Ty Warner ft. Olivia Frances – This is Not Goodbye
Orland Sunset – ON THE RUN
KNOTTS – The Offer
Mandi Crimmins – LOSE CONTROL
Kim Krans – Dead Stars
Jasce – Ecstasy

WATCH: Harris Hills is All About ‘ACTION, MAN’

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One of the true gems of the New Year so far belongs to Nashville-based rapper and producer Harris Hills, who combines the soulful sensibilities of Nashvllle with the quick-hitting, grime music influence of his native U.K. on his latest single, “ACTION MAN.”

The well-traveled artist — who also spent his teenage years in Washington state before coming to Music City — pairs slick production with a delivery that moves as swiftly as an independent artist on the rise. A true hustle anthem, “ACTION MAN” adds a fresh voice to Nashville’s already thriving hip hop scene, diversifying Music City’s sonic palette in a way sure to resonate with fans in any location.

The single is accompanied by a video, which features the adventures of Hills and his entourage traveling through many haunts on and around Lower Broadway.

Perhaps these visuals signal what we already know to be true: they’re taking over the city, and it’s only a matter of time.

On ‘Don’t Mess with Ol’ Smoky,’ The Bankshafts Honor Their Roots

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Rising bluegrass outfit The Bankshafts might be based in Nashville, but they’ll never forget their roots in East Tennessee.

Their new single, “Don’t Mess with Ol’ Smoky,” honors the time the band’s members have spent among the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains. They include mandolin player Rocky Carnell, who grew up in Bristol, TN, and co-frontman Addison Simmons, who has family in East Tennessee and spent some time at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

“I started writing the song while we were on the road in Chattanooga playing some gigs. We started talking about the Smoky Mountains a bunch, and it got the wheels turning,” Simmons said. “I wrote the majority of the song; then. I brought it to the guys and got some help finishing it. This was the first song we did as a group, so it’s a special song for us.”

Although written about East Tennessee, the band got an assist in a neighboring state — and a contribution from The SteelDrivers’ Gary Nichols — to help the tune to life.

“Recording it down in Muscle Shoals (AL) was just the cherry on top. That’s where we get the best stuff done,” Simmons said. “There’s something about recording music down there that just makes the music a little extra special. It was a group effort. We had almost everyone at the studio be a part of the song in some way.”

LISTEN: Lone Tree is ‘Holding On’ Through the Hurt

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From Nairobi to Nashville (and plenty of places in between), alt-rockers Lone Tree have a knack for delivering relatable concepts on top of an eclectic sound; one which runs an international gamut of musical perspectives.

Their latest single, “Holding On,” hits the mark yet again. On top of these infectious grooves, funk-influenced guitar shredding, and a potent melody resides a message of two young lovers yearning to make things work — despite the relational challenges they’ve yet to overcome.

“‘Holding On’ is about two broken hearts attempting to repair the love they once had. That love is still very much there, but it’s been damaged by both people in different ways,” said guitarist Patrick Sanders. “Although they’re hurt, their love is eternal, and they will always keep holding on to what they have.”

The band’s palpable chemistry is on full display on this track. It’s no surprise, then, that “Holding On” came to fruition in the studio very quickly.

“‘Holding On’ one of those few songs whose melody, rhythm, and message came together very naturally,” Sanders said. “Largely autobiographical, most of the song was written on the same day. In fact, within the same hour.”

If you’ve ever fought for love, you’ll relate. Check out “Holding On” below!

Owning Your Truth Through Your Voice and Creative Edge

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By Colleen Lindberg, host of The Light Warriors Unleashed Podcast. Listen here!

Owning your voice is a powerful thing. As artists, you know, that when you sing a song or create a beat, that you can inspire a movement with that rhythm, that changes lives for people.  

You have seen it, time and time again. 

The eyes get lit up, the movement of the body, the soul awakens and the beat moves through them (and you). 

When you look out into the audience and feel the power of the music swaying the crowd, you are reminded that music can heal people. 

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