March 1: Smart Objects
Venue: The Basement
Featured Song: “Devastator”
Dynamically driven with synth the music of Smart Objects takes the scenic route. The Nashville native band’s newest single “Devastator” delivers punchy riffs with a gentle tone and is intricately layered musically and vocally. The pop/rock band has released 3 singles and has been actively playing shows around Nashville’s music scene. “Devastator” was Adam’s DJ pick shortly after its release as well as the bands 2017 single “The Autumn Man.Keep your eyes out for a full-length album from the band in 2019 and be sure to get tickets to see them kick off March at The Basement.
March 3: James Bay
Venue: The Ryman [SOLD OUT]
Featured Song: “Pink Lemonade”
“don’t fall into my arms, don’t ask for me to repeat it” opens James Bay over the ringing of a static overdriven guitar. “Pink Lemonade” emulates the feelings of being in a relationship that both people know is going wrong but continue to escape from “talking about it”. Bay does just that in his music video for the song as he escapes in a rocket; something the singer says reminds him of when he tried to run away from home as a child. “Pink Lemonade” alludes to youth not only in
March 3: Lightning 100 Presents: Andrew Leahey & The Homestead
Venue: 3rd & Lindsley
Featured Song: “Airwaves”
Before Andrew Leahey moved to Nashville; he formed a band while attending college at the University of Virginia, began a career as a music journalist and suffered a brain tumor almost costing him his hearing. Leahey’s music draws influence from the American heartland rock classics: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. Leahey has been releasing music under his self titled band Andrew Leahey and The Homestead since 2016 and the band just released a brand new single called “Airwaves” March 1st this year. Be sure to give it a listen and go to Andrew Leahey and The Homestead’s Nashville Sunday Night performance at 3rd & Lindsley. If you
March 4: Mountains Like Wax, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, Author
Venue: The Basement East
Featured Song: “Messed Up Your Hair”
The moody tunes of Mountains Like Wax
March 6: STRFKR
Venue: Cannery Ballroom
Featured Song: “Golden Light”
A band well known for their relentless touring and dance party encouraging sound; STRFKR is smooth electro-pop with a post-punk edge that occasionally cuts through their songs. The band calls Portland, Oregon home and has released six studio albums. “Golden Light” off STRFKR’s fourth album released in 2013 features moody bass lines layered over trance-inducing beats. If you’re one that takes a liking to a slow and steady build this song is for you- and if you want to go to a show that makes it hard not to move, get tickets to see STRFKR play at Cannery Ballroom and listen to “Golden Light” in preparation.
March 6: LUTHI 3rd Annual Dance Party with Guthrie Brown
Venue: The Basement
Featured Song: “Stranger”
Band front man Christian Luthi approves of the terms “Boogie Circus” and “Cumberland Funk” to describe his band LUTHI’s sound. LUTHI’s funky, New
March 9: Men I Trust
Venue: The High Watt
Featured Song: “Lauren”
Formed in 2014 in Montreal, Canada; Men I Trust is made up of members Dragos, Jessy, and Emma. Together the three write and produce all of the bands material. Men I Trust’s songs are filled with groovy beats and airy guitars making there sound feel mellow and awakening at the same time. When I first heard “Lauren”, I was instantly drawn in by the song’s punchy bass line delivering it over simple guitar strums and Bee Gee’s like vocal melodies. Give “Lauren” a listen and be sure to snag a ticket to see the band play at The High Watt.
March 9: Lightning 100 Presents Republican Hair
Venue: Exit/In
Featured Song: “Miss Prince”
Republican Hair is no stranger to the Lightning 100 airwaves. The band has performed at Live on the Green, Lightning 100’s Festivus, and Nashville Sunday Night. Republican Hair is led by multi-dimensional artist/songwriter Luke Dick. Luke has written for top country acts, while also pursuing his own project – one that explores many different genres with witty lyrics and relevant themes. “Miss Prince” expresses grief to the late Prince through lyrical and musical symbolism. Republican Hair will surely put on a show you won’t forget, so be sure to get your tickets and check out the band’s
March 9: Lucy Dacus With Mal Blum & Fenne Lily
Venue: The Basement East
Featured Song: “Addictions”
“Now I’m awake at 2 AM, Without a cause to draw you in” sings Lucy Dacus in the refrain of her song “Addictions” – a song with a notably rock able build that’s dynamic enough not to take away from Dacus’s vulnerable lyrics. Dacus grew up in Richmond, Virginia and released her first album in 2016. Since she has released her second album Historian and released an EP with
March 10: Lightning 100 Presents: William Tyler, Skyway Man
Venue: 3rd & Lindsley
Featured Song: “Fail Safe”- William Tyler
Nashville native, William Tyler is a guitarist,
Featured Song: “Aliens, Magic Sofa Reprise”- Skyway Man
Skyway Man’s “Aliens, Magic Sofa Reprise” cosmic spin on country takes place on a planet where steel guitars meet psychedelic synths and aliens wear cowboy hats. Check out Skyway Man’s latest release Lagniappe Sessions where you’ll find “Aliens, Magic Sofa Reprise” and head out to 3rd & Lindsley for Nashville Sunday Night where you’ll find Skyway Man himself.
March 14: Cass McCombs
Venue: Exit/In
Featured Song: “Absentee”
American folk singer/songwriter Cass McCombs has released 10 studio albums since 2004 with Tip of the Sphere being his most recent. McComb’s has a perfected lyrical craft and an ability to deliver one infectious melody after the other. To get a good taste of McComb’s sound, check out some old favorites from his past albums. “Brighter!” off his 2013 release Big Wheel and Others contrary to its name sounds like the way a cozy cloudy day feels. “Dreams-Come-True-Girl” featured on Netflix’s Russian Doll truly showcases McComb’s lyrical wit. A more recent tune “Absentee” led by a wallowing piano with underlying psychedelic tones takes a fresh spin on McComb’s timeless style. Be sure to get tickets to see Cass McComb’s play Exit/In.
March 16: Kurt Vile & The Violators With The Sadies
Venue: Ryman Auditorium
Featured Song: “Bassackwards”
Kurt Vile
March 17: Lightning 100 Presents: Samantha Fish
Venue: 3rd & Lindsley
Featured Song: “No Angels”
Based out of New Orleans, Blues singer Samantha Fish can pick up an acoustic or electric guitar and groove away. Her first five album projects were more guitar-focused while her most recent release Belle of the West is more vocally centered, but still full of imprssive guitar licks and solos. “No Angels” is a blues song at its core, with flickers of western influence. Don’t miss Samantha Fish play Nashville Sunday Night at Third & Lindsley, and if you can’t make it tune into Lightning 100 for a live broadcast of the show.
March 20: Lightning 100 Presents: Jeff Tweedy
Venue: James K. Polk Theatre
Featured Song: “Don’t Forget”
You may know Jeff Tweedy as the front man of Alt-Country band Wilco, but even before starting Wilco Tweedy was in a band called Uncle Tupelo. The music created by Tweedy and his bandmates while he was in Uncle Tupelo and Wilco became very influential for its fusion of punk, country, and folk. In Tweedy’s second solo album
March 24: Hozier with Jade Bird
Venue: Grand Ole Opry
Featured Song: “Nina Cried Power” (feat. Mavis Staples)
Hozier’s latest release, Wasteland, Baby! is the first full-length album to be released since his sensational self titled debut in 2014. With “Take Me to Church” becoming a household hit it’s hard to imagine the pressure that can be felt when creating a sophomore project- but Wasteland, Baby! flows nicely from its predecessor- a highly anticipated sequel that carries on consistent themes with new coloration. The records opening track “Nina Cried Power” features Mavis Staples, a stunning complement to the tone of Hozier’s vocal expression. The song also carries the baton from his first albums “Jackie and Wilson” where Hozier lyrically embeds famous singers into the meaning of the song. “Nina Cried Power” pays tribute to Nina Simone, James Brown, and Billie Holliday. Be sure to give this song a listen and get tickets to see him take the stage with the lovely Jade Bird.
Featured Song: “Uh Huh”- Jade Bird
If you’ve never heard Jade Bird before do yourself a huge favor right now and click play. The soulful singer/songwriter grew up in northern England and began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 13. Bird’s voice is rich, raspy and just flat out rocks, but her tone can switch to sweet and sultry in the blink of an eye. “Uh Huh” lyrically feels like an Americana song, but its soul and edge levitate it into the realms of punk-flavored indie pop. We have been thrilled to have Jade Bird in the Lightning 100 studio in the past. Check out her in-studio performance from our 2017 archives as well as a backstage Bonnaroo interview.
March 25: Jackson Browne
Venue: The Ryman
Featured Song: “Doctor My Eyes”
Jackson Browne will make a stop at The Ryman Auditorium for his 2019 acoustic tour accompanied by longtime bandmates Alethea Mills and Chavonne Stewart, along with multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz. Before Browne achieved mainstream success with his 1976 album The Pretender he had a top 10 hit with “Doctor My Eyes” and co-wrote The Eagles hit song “Take it Easy”. Browne’s last full-length album was released in 2014 and since he has been playing shows quite frequently. Be sure to get your tickets to see Jackson Browne play acoustically at the Ryman, you won’t want to miss it.
March 25: DILLY DALLY
Venue: The Basement East
Featured Song: “Sober Motel”
Grungy Alt-rock Toronto based band Dilly Dally has released two
March 31: Jenny Lewis
Venue: Ryman Auditorium
Featured Song: “Heads Gonna Roll”
We haven’t heard new music from Jenny Lewis since her release of the shimmering west coast pop LP The Voyager back in 2014, but 2019 has gifted two new singles: “Red Bull & Hennessy” and her latest “Heads Gonna Roll” off of her fourth, highly anticipated album On The Line. The smoldering “Heads Gonna Roll” features Ringo Starr on drums and Lewis’s songwriting at its finest. This song is vulnerable and specific, yet still universal- an ability Lewis often accomplishes with detailed verses and broad choruses. Get your tickets to see Jenny Lewis at The Ryman, give “Heads Gonna Roll” a listen and be on the lookout for On The Line; scheduled to release on March 22nd.
Written by: Raeleigh Tochtenhagen