Live Show - The Civil Wars with the Kopecky Family Band and Mikky Ekko

One of the things I love about Nashville is the city's ability to foster the development of a wide array talent and collaboration. You can walk into a venue knowing only the headlining band, and yet be completely blown away by the opening acts. I can't say that I've ever walked out of a venue in Music City thinking, "Man, those first few bands were a complete waste of my time." Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're there. I guess I've just been lucky enough to have missed them so far.

Recently I had the opportunity to take a trip to Nashville and catch a packed out show at the Basement featuring Mikky Ekko, the Kopecky Family Band, and the Civil Wars. Every act had a killer performance, and I would definitely see any one of these amazing artists again.

Mikky Ekko
Twitter - @mikkyekko
MySpace - Mikky Ekko


When I think Mikky Ekko, one word comes to mind - vocals. Before this show, my only exposure to Ekko had been the Ten Out of Tenn (TOT), Volume 3 tour. Of course his vocals shined then, but I could not fully appreciate the range and precision of this man's vocal ability until I caught his full set at the Basement. Sometimes you listen to an album or a song and assume the vocals have been severely tweaked to produce the final sound. While this may often be the case, I can assure you it's not for Ekko. Throughout his performance I was left wondering, "How on earth does this man not lose his voice after every song, and never mind the entire set?" Apparently he's just that good. His set flowed well, something I greatly appreciate in watching live music. Nothing drives me crazier than long breaks between songs without much happening. Friendly banter and occasional stories are all well and good, but let's not forget what the audience has paid to see - the musical performances. Watching Ekko is like taking an incredible journey with him - this man clearly goes to another place while on stage. I had no idea Ekko was the opening act when I walked into the Basement that night, but I am quite thankful he started the night off with a bang.


Listen to These Tracks Now: "It's Only You," "Sedated," "Crystal Helmet"

FREE MUSIC ALERT: Ekko has several tracks posted on the amazing Brite Revolution website. All downloads are DRM-free and ready for you to download, so there's really no reason not to surf on over to their website. Look for a more in-depth review of this service in the future.

The Kopecky Family Band
Twitter - @KopeckyFamily
MySpace - Kopecky Family Band

While only four of the seven total band members were present for the show I attended at the Basement, the Kopecky Family Band was a pleasant discovery. The vocals of each member work to complement each other well and create fantastic harmonies. Kelsey Joy's vocals hit me as a mix of Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles - warm and inviting with a bit of an edge. Gabe's vocals also have a warm and smooth quality to them that hug the melodies presented in each song. The strings were a nice touch and showed excellent musicianship. As a whole, the group performed incredibly well; you can tell these guys have been together for a while (about 2 years now).

Listen to These Tracks Now: "Trainwreck,""Gun," "Disaster" (will be on new album due out May 1)

FREE MUSIC ALERT: The Kopecky Family Band has been kind enough to offer quite a bit of their old music for free online. Visit their MySpace page listed above for a link to two free EPs as well as a track from their upcoming album.


The Civil Wars
Twitter - @thecivilwars , @joywilliams , @johnpaulwhite
MySpace - The Civil Wars

The show at the Basement was my second live experience with the group known as The Civil Wars, which consists of the incredibly talented individual artists Joy Williams and John Paul White. Joy, originally from California and who now resides in Nashville, first came to my attention through the Brite Revolution website and then later with the TOT Volume 3 tour. Her vocals have captivated me from the beginning, and John Paul (from Birmingham, AL) just might be her perfect vocal match. Never before in my life have I heard two people's voices work together the way Joy and John Paul's do.

From the beginning of the set with "Tip of My Tongue," the duo's vocals were spot-on, and they were only getting warmed up. This show was an inviting place for them - full of friends, family, and devoted fans. It also proved to be the perfect place to try out some new songs before heading back into the studio. I am incredibly excited for the full length album they are currently working on and cannot wait for its release date.

These two share a characteristic with the Kopecky Family band - they are obviously comfortable on stage and with each other. Although the duo has not been together long (1 year), the way they work together is magical to behold. Not only is the musicianship incredible, but the stage banter might as well be a comedy show. I had thought when I first saw them back in Knoxville that they were just having a silly, informal night, but I was pleased to see this was the norm for their shows. Joy seems to get the giggles at least once per show, which could be annoying for anyone else, but she plays it off so well and is so full of joy (no pun intended) and life, that it is truly a treat to behold. Throw in a few '80s covers, done in true Civil Wars style, and you have the makings for an entertaining and special night. I will definitely make every effort to see these two whenever they come anywhere near.

Listen to These Tracks Now: "Poison and Wine," "From This Valley," "Barton Hollow" (last two will be released on full-length album, but a quick YouTube search is worth your time) 

FREE MUSIC ALERT: This duo shines so brilliantly with their live performances that one of the best things they could have ever done for publicity was to offer up some tracks for free - which they've done (50,000+ downloads to date!). Check out their MySpace page for a link to download some tracks from a show the Civil Wars did in Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA. Of course, I'm sure getting "Poison and Wine" on Grey's Anatomy didn't hurt either... Joy's solo work is also showcased on the Brite Revolution website, so feel free to pick up some of her tracks as well. 


This review concerns the show that took place at the Basement in Nashville, TN, on March 26, 2010. 
www.thebasementnashville.com