There’s always more music news pertinent to Nashvillians than we can ever fit into feature stories and critics’ picks alone, and sometimes the flood of information simply overruns our blogging bandwidth. Here are five news items you can use heading into your weekend.
Music City hip-hop lost a staunch supporter and a charismatic character with the recent death of Deandre Haynes, better known as DJ Svnny D. Svnny Fest, a celebration of Haynes’ life and a fundraiser to help cover his funeral expenses, is going down tonight — Friday, Sept. 13 — at La Danse (142 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.). More than a dozen MCs are set to perform, including Meme the Goat, 615 Exclusive, Lotismusic, Brian Brown, Blvck Wizzle and Gee Slab. The event is set to run 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; the cover is $20 at the door, and additional donations are welcome.
The Greater Nashville Music Census, a survey that collected data earlier this year from more than 4,000 folks who are involved in Nashville music and live in and around the city, has released its complete findings in a public data dashboard. There is a massive amount of information, helpfully organized with tabs; each tab presents some key takeaways in bold at the top. On a quick scan, these notes from the Livability tab stand out especially: “More Davidson County respondents struggle with rent or mortgage (30%) than those in other counties (20%)” and “83% of respondents are concerned with low or uncertain pay and 65% find lack of benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.) a challenge.”
Friday the 13th only comes around a few times each year, and perpetually aspiring country star D. Striker (the alter ego of lifelong country fan and music-biz pro Jeff Meltesen) always makes the most of it. As he has every Friday the 13th since 1998, Striker headlines a release party for a new edition of his golden-hued RR zine. Tonight the party kicks off at 8 p.m. at the Low Volume Lounge at Eastside Bowl, and support comes from The Criminal Kind and too-seldom-seen longtime Nashville favorites Hands Down Eugene. (A post from Striker notes it’s HDE’s first show in five years.) There’s no cover, so gather up some of that foldin’ money to tip generously.
Today is also release day for 1967: Vacations in the Past, Robyn Hitchcock’s companion album to his recent memoir 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left. (There’s a slight delay on vinyl.) Word has come that the singular songsmith will pop up at Grimey’s at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, for a short performance and to sign books and albums. To get a wristband to guarantee entry, you’ll need to preorder the book and vinyl LP from Grimey’s; check out their Instagram post for details.
AmericanaFest kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and as happens every year, noteworthy festival-adjacent events that are not officially part of the lineup have popped up. Here are a few that pinged our radar:
- On Sept. 20, The ’58 at Eastside Bowl hosts Gay Ole Opry, a benefit show for awesome LGBTQ youth advocacy organization Nashville Launch Pad. Kennedy Ann Scott hosts, and Crystal Rose, Olivia Rudeen, Crys Matthews and others will play. Tickets are $12.
- On Saturday, Sept. 21, Vinyl Tap is going to be hopping all day. First up is X-Posure Presents: A Damn Good Day Party. Host Leanne Merritt’s show, long a staple of community radio station WXNA, will spotlight Rose Hotel, John Condit, Marco With Love and more from noon to 6 p.m.
- Mike Mannix, erstwhile Nashvillian and founder of outstanding indie label Centripetal Force, will be back in town to participate in a panel discussion called “Ambient Country: Not as Niche as You Might Think.” Happening from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, it’s going to be a very cool event, with other panelists including Eve Maret and Hammock’s Marc Byrd, though you can only attend if you have a Silver Pass or higher to the fest. However, Mannix has also coordinated a very cool free show Saturday that will directly follow the X-Posure event at 7 p.m. Centripetal Saturday features performances from Marissa Nadler, Michael Hix of Nashville Ambient Ensemble and Kevin Coleman.
