There’s nothing that warms the soul on a cold November night quite like some hot licks from Ben Bridwell’s geet. Except perhaps some hot licks from Basia Bulat’s uke. Here’s what’s happening tonight in Atlanta.
American Babies @ The Loft
Also Appearing: Lightnin’ Ray & the Mystics
Since 2007, American Babies has been the mouthpiece for Philadelphia based musician Tom Hamilton. After spending the early 2000s building a national fan base fronting the electro-rock band Brothers Past, releasing two critically acclaimed albums, and averaging 150 shows a year, a change was in order. “Musically, I wanted to get back to the basics” he explains, “Get the song right, first. Then worry about the live show and how the music opens up from there.” This is a live show that’s sure to be funky.
Doors at 7pm. Tickets are $12. Online and phone sales end at 4pm.
Basia Bulat @ Eddie’s Attic
Also Appearing: Foreign Fields
Since the age of three, Basia has been sitting on piano stools, trying to hammer things out. It started with her piano-teacher mum, but along the way Basia’s picked up guitar, autoharp, banjo, ukelele, sax and flute. In high-school her instrument was the upright bass which made her the lone girl among “eight-foot-tall guys, goofing off with the tubas.” There’s a sense of play that still suffuses her music, jostling under the songs of regret and love, want and joy. When her brother began playing drums with punk bands, Basia would be there with her demerara voice, joining happily in the jam. When she left for college, musicians began to drop by her downtown apartment. Many nights were spent with these classically-trained friends, laughing and singing, and together they made a glad, bright noise. Tonight she gladly returns to playing solo with special guests Foreign Fields. Go hear how far she’s come.
Doors at 6:30pm. Tickets are $12. Online and phone sales end at 5pm.
Bernhoft @ Smith’s Olde Bar
Bernhoft offers a take on pop music that’s equal parts stylish and strikingly thoughtful. One of his main goals with his music and his shows is to get people to dance and let go and smile and be happy, but to also get them thinking at the same time. So while Solidarity Breaks serves up both breezy pop gems and huge-hearted ballads, the album maintains a mellowed-out consciousness that instantly sets it apart from the rest of the pop landscape. It addresses everything from politics to relationships. Undeniably helpful in delivering that message is Bernhoft’s voice, a sweetly soulful instrument that frequently finds him hailed as one of the most gifted vocalists in his Norwegian homeland.
Doors at 8pm. Tickets are $20. Online and phone sales end at 2pm.
Birdsmell @ The Earl
Join Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses as he embarks on his first ever solo trek this fall. Touring under his moniker Birdsmell, Ben offered this message to fans about the tour: “Hey everybody! I’m psyched to announce my first ever solo tour thing. Touring as Birdsmell is something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile now, and I’m looking forward to playing some new songs you haven’t heard, and reworking some ones you have. I haven’t quite figured out exactly what I’ll be playing, or how I’ll be playing it, but I’m guessing it’ll be hilarious. And sad. And awkward at times. Hope to see you there!”
Doors at 8:30pm. Tickets are $20. Ticket sales end at 6pm.
Small Black @ The Drunken Unicorn
Also Appearing: Eternal Summers
After working the festival circuit for a few years, Small Black is ready to put on their own shows. Escape the chill outside and go chill with this four-man band and their guest Eternal Summers for an evening of warm, sunny vibes tonight at the Drunken Unicorn.
Doors at 9pm. Tickets are $10. Online and phone sales end at 4pm.
