DIY America #3: Nashville, TN
learn about the indie scene in Nashville + we're doing a giveaway for tickets to an abortion access benefit show @ bowery ballroom
GUNK’s doing another giveaway! This time for two tickets to the Abortion Access Benefit show at Bowery Ballroom, organized by our friends at Ground Control Touring. All proceeds go to Noise For Now, a non profit connecting artists to/funding grassroots orgs for reproductive justice.
The show is on January 25th, and artists performing include Augustus Muller (of Boy Harsher) (DJ), Cherry Glazerr, Dazegxd, GIFT, Guerilla Toss, Julia² (DJ), Kassie Krut (DJ), Meg Elsier, Model/Actriz (DJ), Sex Week, and Taraneh.
To enter to win tickets, plz like this post and comment «Noise for Now»!!
alright, some admin:
the new cameron winter album is on repeat. do any promoters want to send me to the concert in March. aha jk.. unless?
our friend Joe is updating a google maps of where you can find gunk in the city!!! check it out. join our distro team to get gunk in your neighborhood. thegunkyard@gmail.com
wanna send us a city for the DIY America series?? same email.
we’re also accepting features for upcoming issues.
DIY AMERICA #3: NASHVILLE, TN
by Malcolm Moutenot
Welcome to music city. These days, it’s a lot of hawk tuah, pedal taverns, and party buses… Entire buildings erected in honor of Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean. You would be forgiven if you thought nashville had fully bowed to the pop country machine. But thank goodness for GUNK and d.i.y. America because I’m here to show you why nashville has (and has been having) one of the best music scenes in the country.
The heritage may be country and western, but Nashville really is a city for all music. Lucinda Williams lives right around the corner from me and I live right around the corner from the Berklee grad uploading Protools tutorials to tiktok. Jack White plays a last minute set at the American Legion while his label, Third Man Records, hosts whichever indie darling is passing through—be it Buck Meek or Julia Jacklin or André 3000—at their intimate venue, The Blue Room. Every night is writer’s night and your waiter might dish their bandcamp if you ask. Nary a lifted Toyota 4runner drives by without dolly parton’s face on either the bumper or the airbrushed Dolly license plate. Or both.
My point has less to do with clout and more to do with density, the sheer volume of music being played and heard in this city. If you like the band and go to the show you’re liable to see the big names (was Kacey Musgraves making eyes at me at Soft Junk? [more on that place later]) the small names (Nashville’s lifeblood d.i.y. acts), and the no names (me). Nashville has long boasted a strong d.i.y. scene with 2000s acts like JEFF the Brotherhood, Be Your Own Pet, and Diarrhea Planet. Guitar virtuoso William Tyler, who grew up here, seems equally at home on the big stage and doing a residency at the dive. More recently our city has witnessed and celebrated local projects like Alicia Bognanno’s punk vehicle Bully, Sophie Allison of Soccer Mommy, and the inimitable Snõõper. And way before all that Lucy’s established a diy blueprint that other venues like Drkmttr keep alive and well today. There is a genealogy here, with healthy branches and new sprigs and lots and lots of fruit.
On the ground, an incredible community of artists shares bills, makes great music, and has a blast. Shane Perry and The Medium are never not shredding somewhere, Brennan Wedl is crafting some of the best songs today, Jess Awh and Bats are still riding the wave of their enchanting album “Good Game Baby”. Delaney Esper (of Son of the Challenger) can silence a room with just a guitar and a synth, while Styrofoam Winos might play a joyful set in their J.J.’s aprons. And if Melaina Kol is playing, whether in a basement or at a venue, you should go. I will.
So, come on down. Stick around. Do go see Broadway if you’re into the Spectacle. Whatever you do, connect with the great folks in this list who are the true reason Nashville is music city.
VENUES
a quick geography lesson: Nashville is divided into east and west. Most people say “west nashville” and simply “east”, which can sound contrived. Saying “the east side” is acceptable. The Cumberland River is a physical and psychic barrier bisecting the city and we use a series of mostly parallel bridges to get from one side to the other (or the highway). Traffic can be bad sometimes.
West Nashville is home to the hub of commerce and educational institutions (Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, TSU, various corporations) and affluent neighborhoods. East Nashville is the (more recently gentrified) “hipper” part of the city, with the coffee shops and bakeries and you know the drill. on balance, this list is fairly distributed across the city. There are plenty of couches to surf, hotels to book and far too many AirBnBs.
BIG DOGS
1111 Dickerson pike (EAST)
show frequency: ~ 3 shows per week
cap: ~75
how to book: https://drkmttr-collective.webflow.io/booking OR DrkmttrCollective@gmail.com
know before you go: nobody does d.i.y. like Drkmttr. it’s all ages, the sound is good, and their broader programming and support network for the arts is inspiring. shows i’ve seen: Sour Widows, Lomelda, Hotline TNT, Greg Mendez in February. not super close to the more happening parts of east nashville, but who cares—an institution.
919 Gallatin Ave, #14 (EAST)
show frequency: sporadic… maybe once a week when they’re in a good rhythm. More in the summer.
cap: ~75
how to book: softjunkusa@gmail.com
know before you go: my favorite venue in the city. a multi-purpose event space… workshops, screenings, flea markets. the shows are the highlight. a garage door opens onto a loading dock for folks to hang outside and smoke and catch a band playing in profile. a common place for an album release party, for nashvillians to celebrate local heroes and welcome out-of-town friends. soft junk has hosted acts like Dan Reeder, Jenny Lewis and Snõõper. not uncommon for them to have a live feed of the show piped through vintage tvs and for the whole thing to get recorded on VHS.
2219 Elliston Place (WEST)
show frequency: 3-5 nights a week
cap: ~150
how to book: endbruce@yahoo.com // (615) 321-4457
know before you go: Nashville royalty in west Nashville. it’s a super fun, small club but you gotta email them far in advance. Bruce Fitzpatrick has been booking shows since the 80s and still tending the bar!
Shows I’ve caught here: Flyte, Laura Elliott. Bands who’ve played at the End: Yo La Tengo, REM, Fugazi, Silver Jews. Everyone!
The OG Basement (WEST)
1604 8th Ave S Ste 330
show frequency: ~5 night a week
cap: ~125
how to book: gil@thebasementnashville.com
know before you go: another venue steeped in Nashville lore. so named because of its subterranean location beneath another nashville institution: Grimey's New & Preloved Music. Grimey’s has since moved to East Nashville, but the Basement remains, booking great, smaller acts while The Basement East puts on the big shows. They still do a New Faces Night on Tuesday. Recently I’ve seen Wild Pink share a bill with Nashville heroes Styrofoam Winos. And in 2008, Metallica played a secret show for like 120 people there. Which is so fucking rad.
Cobra (EAST)
2511 Gallatin Ave
show frequency: ~3 nights
cap: ~100
how to book: booking@cobranashville.com (venue asks you include links to music and your preferred dates)
know before you go: punk/hardcore venue in East Nashville with a traditional black-box venue. super fun and tapped into the diy scene.
ART GALLERIES THAT LET YOU SHRED
Random Sample (WEST)
407 48th Ave N.(But moving [nearby] soon!)
show frequency: sporadic, but accommodating. mostly meeting the demand of local artists who want to play a small set among friends
cap: 20-30
how to book: randomsamplebooking@gmail.com
know before you go: small art gallery/multipurpose DIY Space with great community support. a favorite gathering place among local musicians and artists
Zeitgeist (WEST)
516 Hagan St #100
show frequency: infrequent
cap: ?
how to book: anna@zeitgeist-art.com
know before you go: a long-time gallery that recently started booking shows, so slightly uncharted territory regarding their booking frequency but it’s a great space in the bustling Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood tapped into the hardcore/noise scene.
misc
vinyl tap (EAST)
2038 Greenwood Ave
show frequency: 3-5 nights a week
cap: ~ 50
how to book: caroline@vinyltapnashville.com or https://www.vinyltapnashville.com/contact
know before you go: great record store in East Nashville with a small stage and a bar. located at one of the most bustling intersections in the area, the staff is great and it’s a common spot for local bands who like to play out.
arcane workshop (WEST)
113 E Old Hickory Blvd, Madison, TN
show frequency: infrequent
cap: 50
how to book: jukebox.booking.ent@gmail.com
know before you go: The back of this Magic The Gathering game shop hosts punk and metal acts that seldom appear elsewhere.
joelton hardware (JOELTON!)
5538 Clarksville Pike, Joelton, TN 37080
show frequency: ~3 shows a week
cap: not sure!
how to book: contact page
know before you go: super diy to the moon. an actual hardware/feed store in nearby Joelton, TN that hosts everything from a community jam night to proper rock shows like Nashville legends Thelma and the Sleeze. and they do small engine repairs.
FUN / CHILL / CURSED BARS
Betty’s Grill (WEST)
407 49th Ave N
show frequency: a couple shows a week
cap: ~30-50
how to book: bettyoliver58@yahoo.com
know before you go: Iconic (maybe a little) cursed dive bar commonly booked by folks on the local scene.
The Underdog (EAST)
3208 Gallatin Pike
show frequency: ~3-5 nights a week
cap: ?
how to book: bookingtheunderdog@gmail.com
know before you go: less iconic dive bar but still a chill place to catch a show. It’s in a great location in East Nashville right by the American Legion.
Springwater (WEST)
115 27th Ave N
show frequency: 5 nights a week
cap: ~50
how to book: bookthespring@gmail.com (include preferred dates in subject line)
know before you go: long-standing live-music bar abutting Nashville’s famous Centennial Park (where nb: we have a to-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon). a classic spot on the west side of town with a renowned open mice night on Wednesdays.
rosie’s twin kegs (WEST)
413 W. Thompson Lane
show frequency: infrequent
cap: ~30-50
how to book: tiatwinkegs@gmail.com
know before you go: yet another classic dive with occasional live music in West Nashville
the 5 spot (EAST)
1006 Forest Ave
show frequency: ~5 nights a week, with two bills per night: a 6pm bill and a 9pm
cap: ~200
how to book: booking@the5spot.club (I recommend checking out their booking info page before reaching out… they’ve got their… “preferences”)
know before you go: institutional club with diverse programming in one of the most vibrant nightlife hubs in East Nashville: 5 Points.
fran’s (EAST)
2504 B Dickerson Pike
show frequency: sporadic
cap: ~50
how to book: not sure to tell you the truth… I’d try DM’ing them and let me know how it goes!
know before you go: a classic dive for karaoke, pool, and smaller shows. super fun, super down to earth.
the villager tavern (WEST)
1719 21st Ave South
show frequency: sporadic
cap: ~30
how to book: DM
know before you go: are you down to play in front of a bunch of dartboards? the villager is a long-time bar on the edge of Vanderbilt’s campus and around the corner from a great independent movie theater, the Belcourt. they have a dog bowl you can drink out of on your birthday, which is featured in a lot of hinge profiles.
brown’s (WEST)
show frequency: sporadic
cap: ~30
how to book: bltuck@gmail.com
know before you go: another great dive up the street from Villager. almost 100 years old. usually a spot booked by locals who want to play a stripped down set, but William Tyler had a residency here for a month and it was fucking great.
dee’s country cocktail lounge (EAST)
102 E Palestine Ave. Madison, TN
show frequency: ~5 nights a week, two bills per night.
cap: ~100
how to book: booking@deeslounge.com
know before you go: a really fun, buzzy bar that commonly books Americana-adjacent acts. a good ole *authentic* nashville experience
LISTENING ROOMS
eighth room (WEST)
2106 8th Ave S
show frequency: not sure!
cap: 150
how to book: joe@eighthroom.com
know before you go: a more polished, intimate listening room.
bowery vault (EAST)
2905C Gallatin Pike 2nd Level Suite C
show frequency: ~5 nights a week
cap: 50
how to book: booking page
know before you go: woman-owned venue booking stripped-down shows next to a great dive, Mickey's
the east room (EAST)
2412 Gallatin Ave
show frequency: ~3 shows a week
cap: ~75
how to book: booking@theeastroomnashville.com
know before you go: a stepping-stone venue for local acts, booking a pretty wide range of bands and comedians. there’s a balcony!
PEOPLE’S ACTUAL HOMES
disclaimer: I’ve been to some, but not all of these venues. They all follow the “DM for address” format. if you’re interested in playing at one of these venues, I recommend doing independent research and connecting with them on Instagram. Good luck! Maybe see you there.
cheekily named after the our most iconic music venue. this is the spot for a house show. I saw 22° Halo (one of my favorites) share a bill with Chicago-based Mia Joy and two Nashville heavy hitters: Melaina Kol and Total Wife. they’re doing god’s work at Ryman 2.
A popular and long-running house venue that hosts an annual two-day music festival/showcase. Even our local paper wrote about it.
house venue out in the kountry (in nearby Kingston Springs)
homies with whom you can share a bill:
Make Yourself at Home indie/noise rock
Fresh Air 4 indie
The Company Car indie/twangy/rock
Massie 99 hardrocking trio
Screen Star punk/synth
Celltower heavier indie/art rock
joiner indie rock
Son of the Challenger indie/synthy
Navel Gazer indie
Brennan Wedl indie/americana/rock
Budge shoegaze-y/power pop
Baby Wave freaky ass warped indie art rock (so good)
Rig B slowcore
Melaina Kol hard-to-pin-down indie art rock (live at Ryman 2)
Finger Foods self-described “bread rock”
Full Mood lush synth-pop
Pressure Heaven heavy synth pop
Heaven Honey neat, kind of spooky indie
Abby Johnson indie-folk with a retro vibe
Will Orchard indie-folk
Stunt Girl hardcore/indie duo
Belt indie
Iven indie-folk
zook psychedelic-folk-indie-rock
styrofoam winos folk rock. incredibly kind people.
total wife including them in the freaky ass warped inide art rock a la: celltower, baby wave, and
meg elsier great indie rocker, whose recent album spittake is killer.
charlie hill twang-forward indie project—i see this guy everywhere and he’s super nice.
Shane Perry front man of The Medium, occasionally playing solo shows. one of the sweetest guys I know.
bats: jess is great and her music is great and she helped me with this list and did I say she’s great?
photographers:
anna warner
instagram: @anna_warner_
email: annawarnerart@gmail.com
caleb lanier
instagram:@calepsie
email: 1800hermit4hire@gmail.com
resources/misc:
need to re-up on some merch tee shirts or posters or totes or teatowels?
A saturday/sunday/monday community space in the city’s greatest DIY venue! As I mentioned, Drkmttr does a lot of programming (see below). I don’t know much about the social club, but if you connect with the venue in any capacity, I’m sure they’d tell you more about it.
booking group with a focus in the punk/emo space that organizes a monthly DIY meetup at Drkmttr. I would definitely recommend reaching out to Nathan for more info at hello@lostteethbooking.com
Nashville DIY Collective
Nashville DIY collective discord
another hardcore/punk/metal booking outfit
local independent arts collective that helps put on experimental/avant garde art events (including music) in the Nashville area.
places to eat/chill:
EAST NASHVILLE
dino’s iconic dive, common post-show burger/beer spot for folks playing at the blue room and the like
duke’s a spiritual cousin to Dino’s, another dive with good sandwiches
cinco bombproof mexican chain with big frosty beers and margaritas
lipstick lounge iconic LGBTQ bar with karaoke
schulman’s kind of one of the more happening bars in East Nashville these days… enclosed back corridor makes it feel like they allow indoor smoking. darts inside. on fridays between 4-5pm you can get a 40oz miller high life for $4
sabell’s warm, small neighborhood spot dishing mediterranean fare and drinks
portland brew east great coffee shop in the hood
weak coffee coffee shop in a drum shop? what more could you touring diy bands want.
all or nothing wood-fired bagels in the parking lot of the drum shop. f
osa coffee: walk-up coffee counter with some of the best beans in town
barista parlor: bougier coffee shop with locations all around town.
spicy boy’s: Justen Cheney’s bar sells incredibly delicious cajun food and great drinks.
mas tacos: across the street from Spicy Boy’s. long-time taco shop with really good tortilla soup.
5 points pizza: tasty pizza by the slice in the bustling 5 points neighborhood.
wilburn tavern: pool table, cheap drinks. close to some fancier restaurants like Folk and Xiao Bao.
redheaded stranger: southwestern spot serving good burritos and tacos right around the corner from Wilburn. make their own tortillas. beware of the line.
turnip truck: local, organic grocery store with a nice hotbar and juice bar. spacious upstairs seating if you need to take a breather.
grimey’s new & preloved music: iconic record store. great selection. friendly and knowledgeable staff. owner Michael Grimes has undeniably shaped the Nashville music scene during his lifetime.
Shelby park: 300 acre park abutting the cumberland river where I walk my sweet angel dog, Laila, every day. good for a picnic or a walk if you need to touch some grass.
WEST SIDE
Brown’s: great burger. apparently they do breakfast now and it’s really good?
Bongo: long-time coffee shop near Belmont University.
Fido: same folks as Bongo Java. In Hillsboro Village, where the Villager is.
Woodlands: craving vegetarian indian food? this is the best spot in town.
Headquarters: cozy, neighborhood coffee spot for locals right near Random Sample and Betty’s.
Korea House: great Korean with generous banchan.
Wendell Smith’s: legendary liquor store with an incredible breakfast/lunch situation. if you go, you’ll experience a Nashville tradition: the meat-and-three. hand-written menus with really good vegetable sides.
primitive coffee: no-frills coffee shop right next to Phonoluxe. Grab some coffee and go record shopping.
phonoluxe: great, long-running record store.
turnip truck: west-side branch of the organic grocer.
produce place: small, local grocery store with lots of good snacks.
mckay’s: used bookstore and record store with a vast collection and great prices.
Sevier Park: small, charming park abutting the tourist hotspot (7th circle of hell) known as 12th South.
Tempo: great bean and cheese tacos, great coffee. incredibly friendly staff. and their logo is a metronome.
thanks to Jess Awh of Bats for helping meeeeee. thanks to Eli Motycka for editing. thanks patrick for his arcane workshop wisdom.
xx
Ceci and Hannah
 | A guest post by
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winners are: @MTunnell and @Nate (silly n goofy) <333
Damn, I live here and I need to bookmark this for reference