On Saturday, February 22nd, Nashville and Atlanta met at 529 in East Atlanta Village to celebrate the release of Slow Parade’s latest album, Hi-Fi LowLife.
Led by Hannah Zale and Carly Gibson, Atlanta’s own The Pussywillows were a bolt of lightning to begin the evening. With Zale bouncing around the stage bringing the big theatrics that matched the arena-sized rock ‘n’ roll, The Pussywillows more than warmed up the early crowd that was packing in the back room of 529.
The second band to take the stage was Nashville-based The Minks. By this point the room was on fire and ready to boogie to the band’s bluesy psych rock. Led by Nikki Barber, The Minks released their debut album Light & Sweet in September via Café Rooster Records. Atlanta got a full dose of one of Nashville’s hottest rock ‘n’ roll bands on this Saturday night with a fiery set from The Minks that rang through venue.
Slow Parade took the stage next. If you are one who believes that Nashville is just country music, well then you may believe that Slow Parade is the Nashville band on this lineup. Nope. Besides we all know that the birthplace of country music (at least Country’s First Hit anyways) was in Atlanta right? Of course, Slow Parade is much more than country music. The Cosmic Americana collective from right here in Atlanta is led by songwriter Matthew Pendrick. This packed crowd at 529 was there to celebrate Slow Parade’s just released sophomore album Hi-Fi LowLife.
The album itself is a big statement for Slow Parade that sticks to the band’s foundation steeped in the different aspect of roots music, while not letting the traditions of the genre hold them back. Built around Pendrick’s pensive songwriting, these songs get huge with the band adding spaced out jams throughout. Live, Slow Parade sang from the walls of 529 and kept the good spirits going throughout the crowd. The band was obviously in good spirits, living in the moment on stage as the crowd was totally engulfed in songs like “Waiting on the Smoke to Clear” and “Let It Bleed”, the magnum opus of the album that we premiered last year.
Slow Parade blew away the 529 crowd. As if that wasn’t enough though, there was still one more band coming up for the late night set. Nordista Freeze is actually another Nashville-based band that is definitely not country music. Not at all, but this is definitely another example of the great indie rock that exists in the Music City. Of course, Nordista Freeze is certainly it’s own thing, made obvious via the live set. With a penchant for Beach Boys style harmonies, Laurel Canyon is strong with this one. Then you throw in psychedelic influences including everyone from Pink Floyd to Ariel Pink, and a live show that never stops with big crowd inducing sing alongs, and you’ve got Nordista Freeze who may be Nashville’s own Weirdo Pop Icon. With two full length albums already out into the world and a just released new single, “Dolphin“, see Nordista Freeze live and you’ll see why he is set to conquer more than just the Music City. But don’t let these words convince you, the photos tell a better story.
Through and through, this was one stellar Saturday night that showed two different, but intertwined music meccas, what each other was all about. Hip Hop and Country may be what Atlanta and Nashville are known for, but the underground rock scenes are still driving forces within these two major Southern cities.
Check out photos from the show by Mike Gerry below:
THE PUSSYWILLOWS
THE MINKS
SLOW PARADE
NORDISTA FREEZE
SLOW PARADE ONLINE:
