Music Menu - March 2020
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
TRIGGER HIPPY, Aisle 5. Returning soon after their December 2019 appearance, the revamped Trigger Hippy features ex-Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman (who recently penned a book about his time and misadventures with the band) and Nashville bassist Nick Govrik, now joined by lead singer and occasional sax player Amber Woodhouse. The result is soulful, bluesy, and occasionally funky Southern rock not far from Wet Willie or a scaled-down Tedeschi Trucks Band. — Hal Horowitz
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
KRISTEN ENGLENZ, Eddie’s Attic. This CD-release show celebrates hometown girl (now in Nashville) Englenz’s new ingénue’’ debut. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist’s (hopefully she’ll display her French horn talents) disc was produced by ex-Wilco drummer Ken Coomer and features Englenz’s sultry voice on swampy, Southern folk rockers that find an elusive soulful groove. — HH
WILL HOGE/JULIE GRIBBLE, Gypsy Rose — Marietta. Get up close and personal with roots rocker Hoge in this intimate venue as he unloads on the current administration with songs from 2018’s socio-political My American Dream EP. Indie singer/songwriter Gribble’s tough and tender voice and her emotional, introspective songs make a solid opener for a sure sellout. — HH
TRUE BLOSSOM, NICHOLAS MALLIS, LAVEDA, DELOREAN GRAY — Mammal Gallery Sit back and relax in the neon lit atmosphere created by True Blossom, where a girl with magenta lips whispers sweet nothings into your ear. The East Atlanta band formed in 2017 during the rise of the Atlanta synth pop scene, and is making waves with its alluring juxtapositions of sounds: comforting, yet stirring; soft, yet punchy; minimalistic, yet engaging. Singer Sophie Cox and guitarist Chandler Kelley started recording their first few songs while still in high school, and by 2019 put out their first album, Heater, with the addition of Adam Weisberg (drummer), Nadav Flax (bassist), and Jamison Murphy (synths.) The album combines influences of studio formalism, sophisti-pop, and Stereolab. Now, True Blossom are working towards their next album as well as on tour promoting this new record with dancey and mesmerizing shows. Join them at Mammal Gallery for a candy-coated night of dream pop — first they’re sweet, then they’re sour! $8-$10. 9 p.m. — Narah Landress
SATURDAY MARCH 7
STURGILL SIMPSON/TYLER CHILDERS, Infinite Energy Center. How Simpson will incorporate his new album’s synth-pop heavy sound with the more organic country and singer/songwriter approach of his older albums is as unclear as how many of his old fans are on board for his rather drastic artistic transformation. No such problems for opener Kentucky born and bred Childers, whose second disc firmly built on the unvarnished country debut that made him a medium-sized venue headliner. — HH
SUNDAY MARCH 8
KATIE TOUPIN, Eddie’s Attic. Toupin’s unique two-person lineup — she and incredibly talented co-musician Michael Chavez play loops, synths, and organic instruments — will make you think there is a full band on stage as Toupin sings dark, bluesy pop with luminous, sultry vocals. The singer/songwriter’s 2019 Magnetic Moves solo debut (she used to be in the band Houndmouth) should have been more widely heard, since it was a highlight of the year. — HH
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11
THEM DIRTY ROSES, Eddie’s Attic. This whisky soaked Alabama quartet’s record collection seems to start and stop with the Georgia Satellites’ original trilogy from the mid-late ’80s. But since Dan Baird’s current lineup isn’t playing tonight, this is the next best thing as the Roses’ guitars crash and twang with robust red clay rocking. — HH
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
MARTY STUART & THE FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES – Variety Playhouse If any one performer encapsulates all the great things about country music, it is Marty Stuart. From his teen years in Lester Flatt’s band, to his time with Johnny Cash, and up through his ongoing reign as one of the most authentic and talented purveyors of the genre, Stuart continues to do it all. His commitment to promoting and maintaining the deep roots and traditions of the music shine brightly the moment he steps on stage. Touring in support of the reissue of The Pilgrim, his incredible concept album, Stuart and his amazing band of Superlatives will make it a night to remember. $35-$249. 8 p.m. — James Kelly
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
ERYKAH BADU, COMMON — State Farm Arena Erykah Badu and Common have a storied past together, and there is no denying their infectious chemistry on wax. Common’s soulful lyrics are the perfect compliment to Badu’s eclectic funk, and the sweet serenade of their Grammy-winning song “Love of my Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” showcases how well the two work and sound together. Seeing a neo-soul legend and a hip-hop pioneer in a stadium setting is an opportunity you shouldn’t pass up — this is one for the books. $59-$250+. 8 p.m. — Joshua Robinson
KEVN KINNEY, Hunt House — Marietta. The Drivin N Cryin frontman/founder is even more engaging when unplugged and solo than when he’s tearing it up with his veteran band. You never know where he’s going musically (although you can usually bet on hearing “Straight to Hell”) and his between-song chatter is also unpredictable but always witty and charming. SOLD OUT. — HH
SATURDAY MARCH 14
MARC BROUSSARD, Variety Playhouse. Louisiana roots/soul/blues belter Broussard has been touring and releasing albums for over 15 years, and knows how to deliver a riveting performance. His catalog is wildly eclectic, ranging from a recent children’s album of lullabies to covers of R&B classics and live acoustic sets, so you never know what you’ll get. But you can count on a professional show and him killing it on “Lonely Night in Georgia.” — HH
MONDAY MARCH 16
Walter Trout, Terminal West. The title of electrifying blues rocker Trout’s latest is Survivor Blues, and that’s an understatement. He’s had a series of health scares since a liver transplant in 2014, so the fact that he’s back touring and grinding out one-nighters at his age (late 60s) is pretty remarkable. Better yet, his blistering guitar hasn’t lost a step throughout the ordeal. — HH
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18
John Moreland/Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, Terminal West. Oklahoma folk/country/Americana singer/songwriter Moreland has a gruff voice that brings out the bluesy undercurrents of his emotional songs. He’ll be playing tracks from his new, swampy LP5 set, arguably his finest yet. Arrive early for opener Kinkel-Schuster, whose reserved yet ringing folk rockers are expressive and powerful. — HH
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
CRIS JACOBS BAND, Eddie’s Attic. His name might not be well known but Jacobs and his taut, groove-oriented band will blow the roof off Eddie’s with their combination of tough, Petty-styled Americana, country rocking, and jaw-dropping instrumental chops. His recent Color Where You Are album is just a teaser for what this talented band can do live. He won’t be playing places this intimate for long, so catch him now. — HH
WAYLON PAYNE, DOUG SEEGERS, GARRETT WHEELER — Smith’s Olde Bar The second generation of country music royalty is among us, and Waylon Payne (son of singer Sammi Smith and guitarist Jody Payne) does not need his parent’s laurels to define his place in the industry. An incredibly talented songwriter, musician, and actor, Payne has his own impeccable credentials to trumpet. While the contemporary Nashville songwriting machines may crank out pointless ditties, Payne’s work is on a different level, much more intelligent and thoughtful than the mainstream radio drivel. With fellow singer-songwriters Doug Seegers and Atlanta’s Garrett Wheeler on hand, you can expect some heartfelt and insightful tunes. $15. 6:30 p.m. (doors) — JK
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
RARE CREATURES, THE HAILS, LITTLE BIRD — Smith’s Olde Bar Formed by guitarist and vocalist Jay Hurtt and guitarist James Rubush in Annapolis in 2014, pop funk band Little Bird plays ambient soul music with sensual crooning and lively beats. Their jazzy new release, Familiar, delivers a genre bending, funky experience to what can otherwise be a repetitive indie scene, with surfy guitar riffs, sparkling synths, fluttering piano, and steady beats. Each song sounds as if it’s echoing across the walls of a dimly lit basement. In concert, Little Bird creates a similarly raw and intimate experience from the stage. $10-$13. 8 p.m. — NL
POST ANIMAL, TWEN — Masquerade (Purgatory) Imagine punk rock married to psychedelia, but having an open relationship with electronic, hard rock, and glam rock, and you get Post Animal, a psyche rock group from Chicago whose range within each album is nearly as expansive as the range between albums. Formed in 2014, they released their debut record, The Garden Series, in 2016. Their newest album, Forward Motion Godyssey (2020), takes a darker turn into the matrix of music. Mellow tempos alternate with thrashing guitar riffs, carried by electronic bleeps and dings and punk style vocals, in dark ebbs and flows that invoke themes of the nature of grief and life itself. $15. 7 p.m. — NL
SATURDAY MARCH 21
MICHELLE MALONE, Eddie’s Attic. Two shows 7 & 9 p.m. She’s a local icon as she somewhat reluctantly admits, but Moanin’ Malone doesn’t take her status for granted. Her taut, swampy rock, blues, and soul is steeped in a Southern sensibility, and when she tears into a slide guitar solo, it all comes together in a perfect storm of tough and tender rocking. — HH
NATHANIEL RATELIFF, Tabernacle. Soul/bluesman Rateliff cracked the big time with his booming, horn-infused rocking Night Sweats band. But he started as a low-key folk singer, which is where he returns on his new, mostly acoustic And It’s Still Alright release. How fans will react to this kinder, gentler, more sensitive, reflective, and ballad-oriented Rateliff is unclear, but since he’s playing a relatively large venue, he probably has some tricks up his sleeve. — HH
SATURDAY MARCH 21 and SUNDAY MARCH 22
CHICKEN RAID BLUES FESTIVAL, Waller’s Coffee Shop. See feature in Blues & Beyond. — HH
MONDAY MARCH 23
LEGENDARY SHACKSHAKERS with SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB, The EARL. Other than frontman and founding multitalented (banjo, harmonica, author, illustrator) wildman Colonel J.D. Wilkes, it’s hard to say who else is currently in the band he has led intermittently since 2001. Their latest album of unhinged swampy bluegrass, blues, and rockabilly was recorded live at Sun Studios, which should give you a good indication of the raw, rollicking sound. Hopefully local guitarist Rod Hamdallah, who has played in various Wilkes’ bands, will be along for this ride. — HH
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
CHARLOTTE DOS SANTOS, YANG, FLWR CHYLD — 529 Less than two weeks after dropping her Harvest Time EP, Brazilian-Norwegian artist Charlotte Dos Santos makes the trek to Atlanta for a jazzy evening of music. The show serves as the penultimate stop of her first North American Tour, and local talents Yang and Flwr Chyld are slated as openers. With such a talented bunch of songwriters and composers, the night is sure to be soulful and instrumentally rich. $12. 9 p.m. — JR
THURSDAY MARCH 26
BOTTLEROCKETS, Eddie’s Attic. After nearly 30 years of one-nighters and over a dozen rocking Americana albums, it’s a mystery why this Brian Henneman-led quartet isn’t more popular. Henneman’s literate, never pretentious songs capture the frustration of the working class with insight and sometimes surprising humor, and the band always tears it up live. If you haven’t experienced the Bottlerockets yet, now’s your chance to see what you’ve been missing for the past three decades. — HH
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
THE QUEENDOM — Mammal Gallery Rocket Rhonnie and AUDIADASOUND, this month’s stars of ATL Untrapped, have many major performances this month, and their upcoming show at Mammal Gallery is more than a one-off gig. The Queendom is set to perform at My Illegal Body II, a benefit concert for the Latino Community Fund. After a run at Ad•verse Fest in Athens and SXSW in Austin, Texas, the ladies return to the city for a homecoming show that means something. $10-$20. 9 p.m. — JR
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
DABABY, LIL BABY, WALE — State Farm Arena V103 has announced the powerhouse line-up to their upcoming V103 Live event, and it promises to be lit no matter which Baby you prefer — DaBaby or Lil Baby. In addition to the babies, veteran hip-hop poet Wale, Edgewood’s own Trouble, and social media starlet Kayla Nicole round out the bill. Even though Babyfest would have been a hilarious and apropos name for the star-studded event, it’s all good because the show is an extremely cost-efficient way to see two of the biggest rappers in music right now. $63-$124+. 8 p.m. — JR
KERMIT RUFFINS, City Winery. Ruffins is a colorful New Orleans veteran whose brash, bold trumpet and vocals encompass the history of jazz and blues in that storied music mecca. He doesn’t play here often, so take advantage of this gig to get in on a little post-Mardi Gras fun. — HH
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
RODNEY CROWELL — City Winery The total package of being a singer-songwriter AND a great performer is a gift, and Rodney Crowell has been delivering it for five decades. He seems to reinvent himself with each new album, and stage time with Emmylou Harris, and his ex, Rosanne Cash, have sharpened his wit and relationship with his audience. Some people simply observe and reflect the toils of life, and some prove that they have actually lived it. With a ton of great material (and a new album, Texas) to choose from, Crowell guarantees a wonderful and insightful evening, with equal parts laughter and tears. SOLD OUT. 8 p.m. — JK
WEDNESDAY APRIL 1
KENNY WAYNE SHEPPARD BAND/SAMANTHA FISH, Center Stage. This dynamic double bill of youngish but established blues rockers matches the serious guitar chops of Shepherd and Fish with solid, mostly original material. Both are touring behind well-received 2019 albums that display their prowess as songwriters as well as guitar slingers. Hopefully they will share the stage together, which in itself should be worth the price of admission. — HH
FRIDAY APRIL 3
The Music of Cream plays Disraeli Gears, Center Stage. The son of Ginger Baker (drummer Kofi Baker) with Eric Clapton’s nephew guitarist Will Johns are as close as we’ll get to the original power trio these days. Along with Sean McNabb (bass, vocals) and Chris Shutters (guitar, keyboards, vocals), they’re touring to reproduce Cream’s 1969 classic Disraeli Gears, arguably the band’s finest and most cohesive studio set. But since that album is barely a half hour long, expect plenty of other Cream gems and of course a lengthy drum solo, to expand the set. Bring your own air guitar. [No, Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm Bruce is not along for the 2020 tour.] — HH ’‘