Ahh, 8 off 8th — a Nashville tradition. Eight bands. Three songs. One club. Tonight’s Holiday Edition installment of Mercy Lounge’s long-running Monday night talent showcase is curated by Scene contributor and rockin’ roustabout-about-town Seth Graves. From the scuzzy, by-pant-seat punk of Graves’ Gay Vibes and the confrontational art brut of The Maloneys, to Nikki Lane and Courtney Jaye’s fleshed-out pop, Lylas' funeral folk and the quirkfest trifecta of Birdcloud, Quichenight and Ri¢hie, tonight’s bill boasts about as varied a lineup of left-field-hailing local rock as you could ask for — and yet, oddly, one that roundly represents Nashville in 2012. It’s also free! —ADAM GOLD
They'll be doing the open-mic comedy thing next door at Mercy Lounge at 8 p.m. (also free!), and the 8 off 8th has a Facebook event page, in case you're the type who RSVPs for this sort of thing. Deck the halls, you beautiful bastards.