The local music scene on the local music scene
Kent Osborne at Nameless Fest VPhoto: Lance Conzett
For our annual Rock ’n’ Roll Poll, we once again surveyed a select group of Nashville’s finest rockers, rollers, bookers, bloggers and more, and asked them what got their attention — good and bad — in the local scene this year.
What local artist or band ruled Nashville in 2019?
Kent Osborne —Jacob T. Corenflos, Adam Reid, Blake Patterson, Rachel Scarbrough, Rian Archer, Zachary Prosser, Caroline Bowman
The Highwomen —Liz Meade, Chris Sunday, Doug Hall
Holy Mountain Top Removers —Mikey Owen
Teddy and the Rough Riders —Asher Horton
Morgan Bosman, Lord Goldie, Frizzy, Brea Brea —Virghost
Rashad tha Poet is 1) a dope MC; 2) author of Elevate Your Vibe; and 3) an ascending motivator on the lecture circuit. I don’t think we’ve seen anyone exactly like him in Nashville. —Greg Bryant
Concurrence —Brian Siskind
Twen, The Medium, Sun Seeker, Sad Baxter —Caroline Bowman
All hail Sad Baxter. —Ellen Angelico
Bleary, Reality Something, Future Crib —Alex Mojaverian
Peachy —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian
Nordista Freeze —Alex Mojaverian, Samantha Zaruba
H.A.R.D. —Taylor Cole, Elena Franklin
Oginalii —Samantha Zaruba, Taylor Cole
Creature Comfort —Samantha Zaruba
Kyle Hamlett Uno, Diatom Deli —Lauren Turner
Heinous Orca —Patrick Orr, Lauren Turner, Joe Kenkel
JayVe Montgomery —Joe Kenkel
Styrofoam Winos, Altered Statesman, Safety Net —Patrick Orr
Microwave Mountain —Elena Franklin
Thelma and the Sleaze —Joseph Page
The War and Treaty —Jerry Pentecost
Brittany Howard —Ariel Bui
Kings of the Fucking Sea —Ryan Sweeney
Thirdface —Rachel Scarbrough, Chappy Hull
Eve Maret —Rian Archer, Nathan Conrad
B|_ank —Rian Archer
Basic Printer —Nathan Conrad
Peppermint Boys —Jesse Gillenwalters
I’m biased, but the entire YK Records family crushed it. The Mute Group, Patrick Damphier, The Robe, Fetching Pails and The Medium all had wonderful releases. —Michael Eades
The Mute Group —Kyle Numann
The Minks —Todd Sherwood, Caroline Bowman
*repeat repeat —Brandon Jazz
Boring Tony and the Rockin’ Americanas playing The Last Waltz every Thursday at 8. —Jeremy Ferguson
Briston Maroney, Ornament —Megan Loveless
Kelsey Waldon —Jeff Meltesen
Daniella Mason —Tyler Martinez
Soccer Mommy —Luke Schneider
Everybody ruled who did it for the love. —Ben Swank
What local artist or band is going to rule in 2020?
Flesh Eater —Jesse Gillenwalters, Adam Reid, Blake Patterson
Styrofoam Winos —Ryan Donoho, Alex Mojaverian, Kyle Numann
Sinai Vessel —Rachel Scarbrough
Freak Daddy —Rian Archer
Look What I Did —Nathan Conrad
Republican Hair —Jerry Pentecost
Teddy and the Rough Riders —Todd Sherwood, Caroline Bowman
D’Wynter Cold, Briana Micah, Ratchet 2x, P.M. —Virghost
EngineIX —Jacob T. Corenflos
Fetching Pails —Mikey Owen
Emily Clement, Tristen —Asher Horton
The Marcus Finnie Band features an A-list drummer/composer/bandleader with an equally inspiring and versatile cast. APA, Madison House, William Morris, etc.: Lend an ear and get these guys on a roster. —Greg Bryant
Luke Combs —Chris Sunday
Nordista Freeze —Taylor Cole
Nightingail —Taylor Cole, Caroline Bowman
Nu Mangos, Vid Nelson —Caroline Bowman
Tummyache, Blood Root, Whoa Dakota, Fusz —Samantha Zaruba
The Minks —Elena Franklin
The Shitdels —Joseph Page
Schizos —Ryan Sweeney
Peachy —Jared Corder
Yautja, Donors —Chappy Hull
Savoy Motel, Donors, Safety Net —Megan Loveless
Country Westerns —Cam Sarrett
Anne Malin, Glam Campbell —Lauren Turner
Caro —Liz Meade
Wade Sapp, if that new album he has in the can sees the light of day in 2020. —Jeff Meltesen
I heard G.U.N. is releasing an LP. —Jesse Rhew
Notelle. If you haven’t seen her live yet, run (don’t walk) to her next show. —Tyler Martinez
Armed with new songs produced by Paul Cauthen, Leah Blevins is destined for superstardom. —Doug Hall
Forget Cassettes’ Beth Cameron has a new band called Black Bra with Miles Price, Tyler Coppage and Jesse Case that is stunning. —Michael Eades
Qats —Ellen Angelico
Grumpy —Alex Mojaverian, Caroline Bowman
Soy Milk Boy, Heaven Honey —Alex Mojaverian
Soy Milk Boy 100 percent!!!! —Deezy Violet
Volunteer Department —Alex Mojaverian, Joe Kenkel
Ziona Riley —Joe Kenkel
Luke Schneider. Ambient is going to eclipse country as Nashville’s drug of choice. —Ben Swank
Logan Ledger, Rayon City, Plant Life Records —Luke Schneider
Dim Salon —Ale Delgado
The Blam Blams, Altered Statesman, The Mute Group —Kyle Numann
What was your favorite discovery this year?
A lot of the Nashville pop scene is not for me, but some gems from Jonie, Bantug, Wildfront and others have been real satisfying. There’s so much diverse, good, music in Nashville — you’ll never run out. —Michael Eades
The N/A Dance Party series features a diverse array of local and regional DJs, while also advocating for safer dance parties, hiring security and posting signage at their events that dictates zero tolerance for harassment or bigotry of any kind. I’m so excited to work with N/A in 2020. —Rian Archer
The underage ravers/live-hardware techno scene. —Tyler Walker
Experimental music is making a resurgence similar to what was happening in Nashville in the early 2000s. —Brian Siskind
Heaven Honey —Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick, Rachel Scarbrough, Caroline Bowman
Soy Milk Boy —Joseph Page, Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian
Nordista Freeze —Elena Franklin, Nathan Conrad
Foxbee —Jesse Gillenwalters
Lauren McClinton —Laurel Sorenson
Morgan Bosman, Ratchet 2x, B.A. the Lewe, Bria Bria, 2Piece, K.I.N.G. the MC —Virghost
Rich Ruth. Some of the best, headiest ambient New Age music being made anywhere in the world — and he’s right here in Nashville. —Luke Schneider
Cro-Mags’ connection to East Nashville’s Roxy Theater, which was briefly a recording studio. —Cam Sarrett
Kent Osborne. Love this dude, he’s gonna fuck ’em all up. —Ben Swank
Ray Gun (not to be confused with RAYGUN). Big, loud, ugly rock, with a beat you can dance to. —Mike Shepherd
The angel-voiced Gustavo Guerrero —Ellen Angelico
The Cosmic Collective has the best blend of melody, quirkiness and chops that I’ve seen in a long time. —Greg Bryant
Katy Kirby deserves a record deal immediately. SIGN HER. —Doug Hall
The New Respects —Jerry Pentecost
Ryoki Center —Chappy Hull
The Dune Flowers, Big Other —Caroline Bowman
Sad Penny —Samantha Zaruba, Ale Delgado
Jake Wesley Rogers, Kitty Pool —Ale Delgado
Future Crib, The Blam Blams —Samantha Zaruba
Vanosdale, Qats —Taylor Cole
Diatom Deli, Trash Man —Asher Horton
The Shitdels, Elcerko, Hungry Mother —Joseph Page
Jon Latham, Kelsey Waldon —Chris Sunday
Becca Richardson and her single “Japanese Eyes” —Ariel Bui
Elle Azar —Liz Meade
Full Mood —Mikey Owen
Belly Full of Stars’ album brokendatapool —Lauren Turner
Anne Malin’s 2018 album Fog Area is a lucid dream of a record. Grateful that 2019 brought her and William to Nashville. Diatom Deli’s TQM, also from last year, is another I’d previously missed: a spacious, transporting gem. —Joe Kenkel
Jasmin Kaset and Quichenight’s Tuxedo is a masterpiece. —Patrick Orr
Mac Gayden —Ryan Donoho
Re-finding The Ascent of Everest. —Kyle Numann
Baby Brains —Ryan Sweeney
Locally: Slush! They are a delight of dream pop and shoegaze. Not locally: Squid (U.K.). —Megan Loveless
Courtney Marie Andrews. When Bluegrass Underground booked her for the 2020 PBS TV taping, I started digging in, and her songs and voice are beautiful and big. —Jeff Meltesen
Depression Breakfast at Spewfest IVPhoto: Lance Conzett
Best/worst band breakup of the year?
Depression Breakfast —Jacob T. Corenflos, Asher Horton, Megan Loveless, Lauren Turner, Zachary Prosser, Ryan Sweeney, Caroline Bowman, Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick
R.I.P. Depression Breakfast. But damn, that farewell show was the sendoff of a lifetime! —Joe Kenkel
So sad we never got to see Purple Mountains perform live. R.I.P. David Berman. —Patrick Orr
Z —Tyler Walker, Adam Reid, Blake Patterson, Caroline Bowman
Blank Range —Caroline Bowman, Chris Sunday, Doug Hall
Telefones —Joseph Page, Michael Eades
Boo Dudes (best); Boo Dudes (worst) —Mikey Owen
Best: Boo Dudes. Boo Dude just sounds better. —Jesse Rhew
The Greg Bryant Expansion —Greg Bryant
Sad Baxter (oh, just kidding) —Deezy Violet
Dancers? But they’re still a band, kind of? —Chappy Hull
Rapper Internet Boyfriend broke up with Nashville and also broke my heart. NYC is a lucky mistress. —Rian Archer
Arlie. Also, I miss The Ettes. —Jared Corder
Worst: Birdcloud. No announcement, no final show, it’s over? —Jeff Meltesen
Best music story of the year?
Drkmttr reopens! —Mikey Owen, Patrick Orr, Jeremy Ferguson
Drkmttr reopened and has done an unbelievably great job of booking consistently interesting shows, catering to Nashville youth and embracing DIY ideals. —Michael Eades
Orville Peck’s 2019 (all of it); Trent Reznor’s CMA Award —Cam Sarrett
Lil Nas X and “Old Town Road” —Asher Horton, Ryan Donoho, Ale Delgado, Chappy Hull
Kacey Musgraves cleaning up at the Grammys. —Jerry Pentecost
The diversity in the 2020 Grammy nominations. —Ellen Angelico
nobigdyl.’s million-plus streams of his independent mixtape. —Rashad tha Poet
The Highwomen —Samantha Zaruba
“R.I.P. ‘It City’ ” —Nathan Conrad
Jasmin Kaset’s spider-bite treatment. —Tyler Walker
Michelle Sullivan’s return to the stage after beating a cancer diagnosis. —Ryan Sweeney
Altered Statesman getting into Rolling Stone. —Joseph Page
Brittany Howard’s return to performing and touring has been fantastic — and especially her KILLER new band. —Greg Bryant
Hannibal Lokumbe’s residency with Intersection. —Lauren Turner
I am glad to see Hammock reaching incredible heights with their TV and film scores, including Ricky Gervais’ acclaimed series After Life. —Brian Siskind
Songwriter Jay Bolotin’s first Nashville show in almost 30 years at Douglas Corner, organized by FMRL. Also: Lambchop’s takeover of Drkmttr for two shows in one night! —Joe Kenkel
The Dreamville sessions. —Virghost
Mark Kozelek from Sun Kil Moon throwing a fit about the air conditioning at City Winery. —Jacob T. Corenflos
“Church Builds Huge Baby Jesus Statue That Looks Like Phil Collins” —Ben Swank
Exit 111 was interesting? —Brandon Jazz
A teenage fan telling me that we are his 11th favorite band of the decade, and then listing the 10 he likes more than us. —Deezy Violet
*repeat repeat opening for The Black Keys on their arena tour. —Alex Mojaverian
GainesFest 2019 getting national coverage, followed by Garth Brooks telling The Tennessean that “the Gaines project isn’t done”! —Liz Meade
That picture of Inter Arma with Freddie Gibbs and his daughter. —Chappy Hull
Amy and Dillon Smith adopting their sweet li’l baby boy Harry. —Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick
The fugitive bartending at Betty’s was crazy. —Zachary Prosser
Music City Roots finding a permanent home in Madison. —Jeff Meltesen
Certainly not the “best,” but the most significant story was the passing of David Berman. R.I.P. —Luke Schneider
I was lucky enough to attend the private Billie Eilish set at Third Man. I just think it’s awesome that a small bunch of teenagers in a room full of industry adults are shouting “YAS” and “GO OFF QUEEN” on a record that Jack White put out. —Rian Archer
What trend would you like to see left behind in 2020?
Minimal to no inclusion of improvisational music groups on festivals — such as Live on the Green, Musicians Corner, AmericanaFest, etc. — is shameful. It’s nice to back up the artists on these bills year after year, so now’s the time for a few of our own bands to step out front. —Greg Bryant
Venues getting fined for flyers and posters. —Ryan Sweeney
Infantilization of women. —Samantha Zaruba
Any bros in the scene still purposely booking all-white, cis-male lineups. —Megan Loveless
Four-band bills; starting shows at 9 p.m. or later; $5 covers. —Luke Schneider
Bands playing too often. Play fewer shows — more people will come, and you can write more songs! —Chappy Hull
Bands playing sets longer than 30 minutes. —Alex Mojaverian
People booking shows but not promoting them. —Tyler Walker
Feeling the need to take a million photos/videos/selfies; day-of-show guest-list requests —Brandon Jazz
Pretending like Ornament aren’t some of the best songwriters in Nashville. Give them money. —Ben Swank
Psychedelia —Ryan Donoho
*cough* Live Nation *cough* —Todd Sherwood
Our taxes being given to developers for businesses that do not serve the interest of Nashville residents. —Nathan Conrad
Everything is so produced, groomed and industry-calculated now in all popular music. I hope there is a return someday to wild, unabashed, authentic human expression in studio performances. —Brian Siskind
Short attention spans in music. —Virghost
Treating Bandcamp as a second-class platform. It’s a direct line of potential profit and a fantastic way to help get music discovered. —Michael Eades
“I’d buy your tape, but I don’t have a player!” —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson
Lying for likes. —Rashad tha Poet
Calling all music “shoegaze”; the term “guitar music.” —Jacob T. Corenflos
Indie rock. Let’s just call a boy band a boy band. —Laurel Sorenson
Everyone moving to L.A. 🙁 —Tyler Martinez
Bitching about not being nominated for awards on social media. Whoooo caaaaaaaares. *fart noise* —Liz Meade
The strict, unspoken no-dancing policy burdening our dear musical community (this excludes everyone at the King Kong show at Betty’s in October). —Lauren Turner
Siloed communities of musicians. I hope to see more challenging cross-genre and multimedia bills inviting unlikely artists in 2020. —Joe Kenkel
The “No Smiling” movement. —Jerry Pentecost
When bands sign their first crummy little deal and decide that it’s time to get a Nord keyboard. Two years later: deal’s gone, stuck with the Nord. —Austin Hoke
Only at The Groove on Nashville Cassette Store Day 2019Photo: Anthony Merriweather
Who deserves more coverage than they got in 2019?
Every single female and gender-nonconforming DJ/producer in Nashville. I see you, I love you, and I can’t wait to book you in 2020. —Rian Archer
There’s a lot of niche music communities slowly gathering steam. The experimental electronic scene with Mischa Lively, Tan, Cells, Stacian, etc., is fascinating. There’s so much hip-hop that we’re all woefully ignorant of. There’s also a small contingent of modern classical composers throwing house events. —Michael Eades
Dale J. Gordon —Nathan Conrad
Jason Eskridge and Sunday Night Soul —Rashad tha Poet
Every pop artist making music in Nashville. —Tyler Martinez
The Shindellas —Ellen Angelico
Cassidy Gephart has killer piano chops, awesome songs and some of the best musicians in town backing her up. —Laurel Sorenson
Morgan Bosman, Frizzy and the whole Po’Boys & Poets Collective, D’Wynter Cold, P.M. —Virghost
DREAM WORLDZ —Mikey Owen
The Robe, Volunteer Department —Asher Horton
Trumpeter/bandleader/photographer/visual artist Rod McGaha —Greg Bryant
Waxed —Elena Franklin
The Shitdels, The Chewers, De3ra —Joseph Page
So many folks are working so hard and with such openness! Kyle Hamlett Uno; local label Centripetal Force Records; Wu Fei and chatterbird’s Hello Gold Mountain. —Lauren Turner
Chris Davis continues to go above and beyond as an experimental music curator and musician. His FMRL series is one of the gems of the Nashville music scene. —Patrick Orr
Cassie Berman’s Louisville-soaked ballads and beautiful story songs. —Joe Kenkel
Sean Thompson —Ryan Donoho
Everything To-Go Records and Banana Tapes touches. —Caroline Bowman
The Groove —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson
Dynamo —Jerry Pentecost
Heinous Orca —Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick, Todd Sherwood, Alex Mojaverian
Only, Bill Eberle —Alex Mojaverian
The By Gods —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian
Makeup and Vanity Set —Jeremy Ferguson
The Pressure Kids —Jared Corder
Lauren Morrow —Jeff Meltesen
Jessi Zazu Inc. —Jesse Rhew
Whatever Brian Wright has going on at Café Rooster Records. —Chris Sunday
What was your favorite local record of 2019?
Bleary, Gates —Mikey Owen, Alex Mojaverian, Deezy Violet, Caroline Bowman
Only, Only —Todd Sherwood, Mikey Owen, Chappy Hull, Rachel Scarbrough
Twen, Awestruck —Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick, Todd Sherwood, Megan Loveless, Caroline Bowman
Thelma and the Sleaze, Fuck, Marry, Kill; Josh Rennie-Hynes, Patterns —Caroline Bowman
Lambchop, This (is what I wanted to tell you) —Chris Sunday, Patrick Orr, Jeremy Ferguson
Daniella Mason, Mental State —Liz Meade
Mischa Lively, More —Rian Archer
Everything Cold Lunch Recordings released. —Mikey Owen
D’Wynter Cold and P.M., A Music City Christmas —Virghost
Iven, Little Lady #2 —Zachary Prosser, Jacob T. Corenflos
Brittany Howard, Jaime —Jerry Pentecost, Laurel Sorenson, Ellen Angelico
Molly Tuttle, When You’re Ready —Ellen Angelico
Study Hall, Local News —Asher Horton
Dara Tucker, The Seven Colors —Greg Bryant
Future Crib, Friends —Taylor Cole, Samantha Zaruba
Brasko, SEXDREAMSUPERSTAR —Tyler Martinez, Samantha Zaruba
R.LUM.R, Surfacing —Samantha Zaruba, Brandon Jazz
Cage the Elephant, Social Cues; *repeat repeat, Glazed —Brandon Jazz
Kelly Hoppenjans, OK, I Feel Better Now —Samantha Zaruba
Abstract Black, In Circles With Self —Nathan Conrad, Blake Patterson
The BlackSon, Fresh Air; Petty, How Low We In; Chuck Indigo, Indigo Café —Rashad tha Poet
Jota Ese, 60 Inches (demo 2) —Tyler Walker
Telefones, Hang Up —Joseph Page
Slush, Slush EP —Cam Sarrett
Eve Maret, No More Running (Deluxe Edition) —Ben Swank
Crave On’s Ace on the Outspeaker. Imagine scuba-diving in honey, surrounded by one jellyfish per each Bob Dylan album, all sampling and refracting timeless truths into a postmodern glory-slime! —Lauren Turner
Joe Kenkel, Dream Creator —Patrick Orr
Faux Ferocious, Pretty Groovy —Ale Delgado, Patrick Orr
Aside from YK releases, I’m very partial to the Crave On, Faux Ferocious, Twen and Heinous Orca releases. There are at least 40 more records worth listing. —Michael Eades
The Medium, Get It While It’s Hot —Ryan Donoho
Skin Tension, Skin Tension Fucking Dies —Adam Reid
Thirdface, A Demonstration of Righteous Aggression —Chappy Hull
Ian Ferguson’s mom’s-basement-created masterpiece State of Gold. —Doug Hall
Andrew Combs, Ideal Man; Quichenight, Dork in the Dark —Jeremy Ferguson
The Mute Group, Sinister Hand; Altered Statesman, Tried as Adults —Kyle Numann
The Ascent of Everest, Is Not Defeated —Kyle Numann, Jesse Rhew
Depression Breakfast, Just Because I’m a Womxn —Ryan Sweeney
Rich Ruth, Calming Signals —Luke Schneider
What was your favorite local song of 2019?
Brittany Howard’s “Goat Head” tells an honest story about what it is to be mixed-race in the South, and it grooves. —Laurel Sorenson
Brittany Howard, “Stay High” —Jeff Meltesen
Twen, “Damsel” —Nathan Conrad, Todd Sherwood, Jeremy Ferguson
Twen, “Holy River” —Asher Horton
Twen, “Baptism” —Chappy Hull
Morgan Bosman, “Venomous”; Ratchet 2x, “Ready” —Virghost
Virghost, “Good Vibes” —Rashad tha Poet
Whisperin’ Ry Jennings, “Robot Cowboy” —Jacob T. Corenflos
Holy Mountain Top Removers, “Diatribe Convoy” —Mikey Owen
I dug pretty much anything written by Dara Tucker, Paul Horton, Jovan Quallo or David Wiliford. —Greg Bryant
“End of the Night” by Taylor Noelle has been stuck in my head since the beginning of the year. —Tyler Martinez
Telefones, “Egnoramoose” —Joseph Page
Teddy and the Rough Riders, “I Found Somethin’ ”; Grumpy, “Kites Are Fun”; Tan, “Autodialer”; Ornament, “Always on Time” —Cam Sarrett
Ziona Riley, “Post No Bills” —Lauren Turner
Ziona Riley, “Actias Luna” —Patrick Orr
Crave On, “Ozzy Osbourne”; Ziona Riley, “Lydia”; Volunteer Department, “What a Life!” —Joe Kenkel
Bleary, “Ghosts”; Crave On, “Ouroboros”; Ziona Riley, “Bury This Heirloom”; Anchor Thieves, “Long Way Out”; German Error Message, “Murmuring”; The Mute Group, “Rodney O”; Adrienne Franke, “Plans to Save.” I’ve got a playlist of 100 songs from 2019 you should get your hands on. —Michael Eades
Flesh Eater, “Extinguisher” —Jesse Gillenwalters
Garbage for Lust, “Sleep” —Blake Patterson
Flesh Eater, “tinnitus” —Adam Reid
Step Sisters, “Convulsions” —Elena Franklin
Charlie Whitten, “Out of This” —Tyler Walker, Caroline Bowman
Chrome Pony, “So Bad”; Only, “Cheap Weed”; Hari the Band, “Numb”; Microwave Mountain, “We Work at Night”; Quichenight, “Cum Together” —Caroline Bowman
Sam Hoffman, “Glencrest Lane” —Ben Swank
Kyshona, “Fear” —Ellen Angelico
Kelly Hoppenjans, “Band-Aid Girl”; Pet Envy, “Slower”; Fusz, “Give It Up” —Samantha Zaruba
Future Crib, “Yer Movin’ ” —Taylor Cole, Samantha Zaruba
Dillon Watson, “Love Me Do” —Ryan Donoho
KK, “Partyin’ Material”; Okey Dokey and Liz Cooper, “Modern Chemistry”; Josie Dunn, “Ooh La La” —Brandon Jazz
Sinclair, “Drop-Dead Knockout” —Jerry Pentecost
Sad Baxter, “The Atmos” —Jared Corder
The By Gods, “Black Wave”! —Deezy Violet
The Spaceship of the Imagination, “Hold On to Christmas” —Leah Miller, Rachel Warrick
Internet Boyfriend, “CBD” —Rian Archer
Marcus King, “The Well” —Doug Hall
Every song Sad Penny released this year. —Ale Delgado
Altered Statesman, “Shit in Our Systems” —Kyle Numann
Sean Thompson’s Weird Ears, “Time Has Grown a Raspberry” —Megan Loveless
Schizos, “Dead Routine” —Ryan Sweeney
Bl_ank, “Age(Time” and “Computer” —Zachary Prosser
Lillie Mae, “You’ve Got Other Girls for That”; Chrome Pony, “Takin’ My Time” —Chris Sunday
Queens of Noise’s cover of Those Darlins’ “Ain’t Afraid” —Ariel Bui
Cassie Berman with William Tyler Band and Friends at DrkmttrPhoto: Lance Conzett
Best show of the year?
Ahmad Jamal at the Schermerhorn. Eighty-nine years old, been making records since the early ’50s and still killing it. Legend of legends. He had never played Nashville before — it was profound. —Brian Siskind
Ahmad Jamal at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. They should license that show to his label for an official release. —Greg Bryant
FMRL organized the best shows in town. Altered Statesman and JayVe Montgomery blew me away with each of their sets at Big Ears, in addition to playing locally throughout the year. —Joe Kenkel
Silver Jews tribute during William Tyler Band and Friends at Drkmttr —Chappy Hull, Rachel Scarbrough
Fester 2019 —Joseph Page
Nameless Fest —Chappy Hull
Po’Boys & Poets Nashville, The Ring Nashville —Virghost
Nashville Cassette Store Day 2019 —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson
So remarkable to see Diatom Deli go from playing open mic nights all those years ago to opening for Deerhoof, my favorite rock band. —Kyle Numann
Spewfest 4 was insane. Any show I’ve seen at Soft Junk — like Juan Wauters or the Fond Object farewell show — could be the best show of the year, too. That space is so special. —Megan Loveless
Dead Soft at Drkmttr, or Spewfest, which was insane this year —Deezy Violet
Bobfest —Taylor Cole, Tyler Walker, Caroline Bowman
Spewfest, Southern Girls Rock Camp showcase, Nosediver’s release show —Caroline Bowman
Nordista Freeze at BobFest! Multiple stage dives, jumping into a river mid-set, puking off the stage and continuing. —Samantha Zaruba
Sweet By Sweet Time 2: Sweet Time’s Revenge —Mike Shepherd, Todd Sherwood
Tie: The Oblivians at The 5 Spot, Mudhoney at the Beast —Ryan Sweeney
Lockeland Strings at The 5 Spot —Ellen Angelico
Faux Ferocious’ album release at The East Room —Patrick Orr
The Raconteurs’ Night 2 at the Ryman —Ben Swank
Fable Cry’s Festival of Ghouls —Jesse Gillenwalters
Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein at OZ Arts Nashville —Ariel Bui
She’s a Rebel has the best musicians, the best singers, and the most diverse lineup. Plus, every song is a banger. —Laurel Sorenson
BB Eye with M.A.Z.E., Depression Breakfast and Schizos at Betty’s —Jacob T. Corenflos
Machine Girl at Betty’s —Zachary Prosser
Ole Mossy Face at the December RR Party —Jeff Meltesen
ELO at Bridgestone, baby! —Asher Horton
Fabio Frizzi at Exit/In —Nathan Conrad
Denny Laine at City Winery —Ryan Donoho
Childish Gambino at Bonnaroo —Jerry Pentecost
King Crimson at the Ryman —Jeremy Ferguson
King Princess at Bonnaroo. Also best audience. Queer teens will lead the revolution!! —Ale Delgado
*repeat repeat with The Black Keys at Bridgestone Arena, Lizzo at the Ryman —Brandon Jazz
Dorian Electra at The East Room. I’ve never seen so much glitter and gender-fuckery in one place in Nashville. Ever. —Rian Archer
Every show Kim Petras performed in Nashville this year. —Tyler Martinez
Weyes Blood at The High Watt, Jamie Davis Band and Dylan Warnek at Crying Wolf —Luke Schneider
With Yola and Maggie Rogers opening and Harry Styles as a surprise guest, Kacey Musgraves’ sold-out Bridgestone Arena show was damn near perfect. —Liz Meade
Smoke the Bowl at Two Rivers Skatepark featuring G.U.N., Waxed, The Suicides and Z. It was so gnarly to bertslide the banks while G.U.N. ripped through their set. —Jesse Rhew
Respondents:
Ellen Angelico: musician
Rian Archer: photographer; DJ; promoter of good music, Sugar/Spice
Caroline Bowman: owner/founder, Cold Lunch Recordings; record girl, Vinyl Tap; your No. 1 fan
Greg Bryant: musician and producer, Concurrence and more
Ariel Bui: musician; activist, Jessi Zazu Inc., The Slants Foundation and more; founder and music educator, Melodia Studio
Taylor Cole: musician, Tayls and Creature Comfort; talent buyer, The East Room, Mercy Lounge, The High Watt
Nathan Conrad: rapper, Spoken Nerd and Fake Four Inc.; food enthusiast; thinker
Jared Corder: musician, *repeat repeat
Jacob T. Corenflos: co-founder of Nashville Show To-Go Menu and To-Go Records
Ale Delgado: bass, Dim Salon
Ryan “Domo” Donoho: entertainer, Ornament and Savoy Motel
Michael Eades: curator, YK Records and We Own This Town
Jeremy Ferguson: Battle Tapes Recording; Earth human; hobby napper
Elena Franklin: lead singer, Reality Something
Jesse Gillenwalters: musician and producer, Basic Printer
Doug Hall: music PR consultant, Big Feat PR
Austin Hoke: cellist; member, Heinous Orca
Asher Horton: musician, Rainsticks and Sun Seeker; host, Hot Fudge Tuesday on WXNA
Chappy Hull: guitarist and vocalist, Pile, Shell of a Shell and Gnarwhal; promoter and venue manager, Drkmttr
Brandon Jazz: tour manager; co-founder, TM Inc. and TM+; musician, Hot Tub Club; freelance BA
Joe Kenkel: songwriter; showgoer; member, Styrofoam Winos
Megan Loveless: marketing, Third Man Records; co-founder, To-Go Records and Nashville Show To-Go Menu
Tyler Martinez: talent buyer, Mercy Lounge; owner/operator, Housequake Productions; pop music nerd
Liz Meade: founder of Threebrand Media; local pop-music mom
Jeff Meltesen: marketing, The Caverns; country star every Friday the 13th, D. Striker
Alex Mojaverian: half of Sad Baxter; singer-drummer, Trash Man
Leah Miller and Rachel Warrick: queens; artists; members, Peachy
Kyle Numann: musician, Cloudmouth and Crack Mammoth
Patrick Orr: singer/songperson, Crave On
Mikey Owen: jam technician, Ascent of Everest, Black Moon Mother and The Viking Program; investor and proponent, Boo Dudes
Joseph Page: musician, Vladopus9; promoter, NRA Sets, LocalFest
Blake Patterson: label head, Banana Tapes; musician, Flesh Eater and secret friends
Jerry Pentecost: drummer, DJ, freelance BA
Zachary Prosser: artist and musician
Rashad tha Poet Rayford: artist; actor; author; The Moth GrandSLAM champ
Adam Reid: label head, Banana Tapes; band leader, Flesh Eater, secret friends and Zwilling
Jesse Rhew: owner, Rude Tech Guitar Effects
Cam Sarrett: distribution, Third Man Records; drums, Safety Net
Rachel Scarbrough: promoter, Sugar/Spice and Drkmttr
Luke Schneider: musician; record sales, Grimey’s
Mike Shepherd: tenor bass and vocals, Tower Defense; normal bass, The Prudish Few
Todd Sherwood: co-owner, booker, plumber, party coach at The 5 Spot; father; skateboarding enthusiast
Brian Siskind: beatmaker; video artist; film score composer; filmmaker; co-host, Art Fight Podcast
Laurel Sorenson: lead singer and writer, Laurel and the Love-In
Chris Sunday: artist manager, Bedlam Music Management; limited partner-in-crime, Battle Tapes Recording
Ben Swank: co-owner, Third Man Records; only staff, Plant Life Records; drummer, Rayon City
Ryan Sweeney: all of the above at Sweet Time Booking; pizza man; drummer, The Shitdels and The Rip Taylors
Lauren Turner: writer; one-third of Styrofoam Winos; three-thirds of Lou Turner; host of Shout, Sister, Shout! on WXNA
Deezy Violet: The worse half of Sad Baxter
Virghost: rapper; spoken-word artist; Villematic Hip-Hop Showcase creator
Tyler Walker: performer, producer and vibe coordinator, Meth Dad
Samantha Zaruba: HBIC/mom, LunaSea Media and SirenMoonZone; semiprofessional music lover