September 12, 2008
I am so excited about tonight’s NBN ’08 line-up. The shows I have been giddy about happen this evening.
Tonight, we began our trek at The Basement to check out Jennifer Niceley, an artist who summons up the spirits of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone right down to phrasing and tonality. It was hard to tell where Niceley’s influences ended and she began. Although she presented a well executed, laid-back set, I found myself desperately wanting to know the music of the nice young lady before me. She is one to watch…as soon as she finds her own skin.
After killing a little time, my friend and I headed to 12th and Porter for Tyler James.
What James lacks in vocal power, he more than makes up in accessibility. He has successfully broken down the dividing wall by making himself vulnerable through his lyrics and stage banter thus welcoming the audience into his world for at least a little while.
Soon after James tapped out his final note, we sprinted four blocks over and about 3 block down to The Cannery Ballroom/Mercy Lounge where we would be spending the remainder of the evening.
Paper Route took the stage very near their 10:15pm start time to a full room of eager listeners.
Playing music that can be loosely described as Electronic-Americana-Rock or any variation of those themes, Paper Route boldly shares their wounds, fears, struggles and hopes in a harmonious explosion of sound. Friday night, they laid bare their souls once more as we, the audience, nodded our heads in time to the music and in quiet recognition of our like vulnerabilities.
Still in Paper Route after-glow, it was time to head upstairs with a good portion of the crowd to The Mercy Lounge for Jeremy Lister’s solo performance (he appears Saturday with Ten out of Tenn).
Lister transplanted to Nashville from Mississippi in 2003 in pursuit of his passion for making music. After setting up camp, he started playing writer’s nights until he finally caught the ear of a rep from Warner Brothers Records.
Jeremy appeared fit and ready to play to the packed room before him. The audience was captivated and sang along to his stand out performance of “Some Other Time”. His energetic performance was a great advertisement for his current EP, "Just One Day", while nodding toward his long anticipated full length CD due in 2009.
AutoVaughn’s set begin in the Cannery Ballroom in the middle of Jeremy Lister’s set. I made it back down stairs in time to hear the final two songs from this awesome band.
I have seen AutoVaughn a couple of times and they have never been a disappointment. One can tell instantly that the stage is where these gentlemen belong. Not only are they tight musically, they are just damn fun to watch. That is saying a lot for a band that seems to be playing somewhere every night of the week. They are doing what they are supposed to be doing and it shows.
The night closed with SuperDrag! Any complaints of tiredness were vanquished as soon as John Davis and company hit the stage.
I had forgotten about this band but was snapped back when songs like “Do the Vampire” were played and I found myself singing along.
Are old songs like riding a bicycle? Once you learn them, you never forget?
It was fun watching Tom Pappas, the man of endless energy, jump and duck-walk across the stage while Davis screamed and sang his self completely sweaty. It was beautiful and we loved it!
Nice ending to day three.
Cheer!
Zss
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