Those with diverse sonic palettes should rejoice at this week’s Songs You Should Hear!
These tunes, each distinct in its own sound and subject matter, have layers worth peeling back. Listen closely, and you might hear some intriguing — and even unexpected — influences make their way into a couple of these soundscapes.
Hear What You Should
NashLive! will be back at The Cobra Nashville on Saturday, May 21 with Borrowed Sparks and Uplander.
What happens when you combine the raw heartfelt honesty of a singer-songwriter with the simmer angst of punk rock? You get Borrowed Sparks (Mike Bay), who has spent years drawing from these two contrasting styles to distill a batch of songs that feel like quiet confessions being shouted from the back of a dive bar.
Uplander, formed by songwriter Riley Haynie, pulls from shoegaze, post-punk, goth, and new wave. The result?Atmospherically heavy songs that maintain an edge of pop sensibility and appeal.
The best part? This is another free one in The Cobra’s front room! Music kicks off at 7:30 p.m., and you must be 21 or older to enter!
You had to know there’d be a weather pun, with summer making its first appearance of 2022 in Tennessee this week.
It’s also accurate, because (as always), we have your flavor of total fire on this week’s UMC20. Things get off to a hot start and keep burning — from hip hop, to metal, to folk, and all stops in between.
You know what time it is. Let’s go!
Listen to UMC20
NashLive! made its first appearance of the year at The Cobra on Thursday night. It was bathed in the red lights of the venue’s front stage — and it might have been the most fun we’ve had in 2022 so far!
See the Photos
Moving on is difficult — especially when, deep down, you still believe that your old flame deserves more.
Hear ‘Just Pretty’
Since the latter stages of 2021, Borrowed Sparks — the project of Americana-punk singer-songwriter Mike Bay — has been releasing live cuts recorded at Nashville-based studio, The Smoakstack.
The final installment drops this Friday, and it’s a truly gripping rendition of one of the band’s most poignant tunes.
Hear it First
Borderline Natives have been tearing up Nashville’s alt-rock scene lately, developing their high-energy brand of pop punk at the height of the genre’s revival. However, like any worthwhile creative journey, it hasn’t been an easy road for the emerging four-piece.
Borderline Natives frontman Kevin Barry joins The Quinn Spinn today to give a detailed account of the band’s history, the lessons learned, and how it has all translated into the opportunities standing before this band of brothers.
#GetSpunn
A youthful buzz was in the air this past Friday night at The East Room!
See the Photos
With just three short years in Nashville, Sam Varga has already established himself as serious writer and dynamic performer. Coming up in the fast-paced punk scenes of his high school days and the blues of Austin, Texas, there is an edge and energy that makes his songs stand out in Music City. After quickly coming up through the writing ranks in Nashville, Sam turned his attention to his solo career, amassing more than a million streams on Spotify with 40,000 monthly listeners, and multiple viral videos with more than 100,000 TikTok followers. Coming off of multiple viral releases, his latest single “Fall Down” is a hint in a new direction, and a nod to his pop/punk and emo roots.
Fueled by the sound and passion of classic rock and roll music, Alyssa Lazar brings a 1970’s nostalgia to today’s pop/rock music. Lazar grew up in Scranton, PA, constantly surrounded by music, and began singing at the age of three. Her transition from singer to musical artist began when she learned to play the piano at the age of eight. Following this, she began to write songs, compose, and accompany herself for weekly performances at every venue throughout her hometown by the age of fifteen. After high school, Alyssa moved to Nashville, TN to continue pursuing her music career. Her love for piano, mixed with her love for classic rock, brought Alyssa’s music to a sound reminiscent of artists such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, and Queen. Lazar unapologetically brings out her fiery spirit and dauntless attitude within her theatrical, rock and roll inspired sound.
Borderline Natives have a streamlined alternative/pop punk sound that is being compared to Taking Back Sunday, Neck Deep, blink-182, and State Champs. The band’s lyrical content relates to those who have ever felt lost, those who have never belonged, and anyone who has experienced heartbreak or a loss of unity.
$10 | 18+ to enter | Must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test to enter.
Three minutes are all Wrong Eagle needs to take us through love’s soaring highs and extreme lows.
Hear ‘Crazy’