EVENTS
Singer and songwriter Matt Keating isn't necessarily breaking any molds with his folk/rock style, but he isn't slipping into the cracks of obscurity either. In fact, the New York-based Keating helped create the modern folk/rock phenomenon.
Getting his start in the early 1990s, Keating became somewhat a pioneer for the now over-populated genre. His folk/country/rock style has been seen as innovative, and his influences in the genre remain to this day. His songs tell stories. Honest stories. Some are encouraging. Some are humorous. Regardless, the tunes are always honest. Keating's weathered voice sometimes hints at a pinch of punk influence, and the music is certainly a mix of blues, country and folk-rock that serves Keating well in his ongoing journey of simple, honest, fun and inspiring music.
Keating will perform at The Village Tavern, 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Friday night. Chris Masterson of Son Volt will also perform. Tickets are $5 at the door or at village-tavern.com. For information, call 884-6311.
The Huspa Concept
The Huspa Concept's sprawling disconnection from any sort of visible song structure almost seems accidental at first.
But the Charleston-based jazz/psychedelic/art-rock group has an underlying stability in its songs that guides the experimental inconsistencies away from the comparisons of a rambling jam band and towards a very intelligent sound that is both thought provoking and entertaining.
The band will appear at The Village Tavern, 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., tonight with Jerkagram. Tickets are $5 at the door or online. For more information, visit village-tavern.com or call 884-6311.
Holy Ghost Tent Revival
For fans of The Avett Brothers, Holy Ghost Tent Revival remind us all that music is supposed to be fun.
The Greensboro, N.C., six-piece play a fantastically entertaining mixture of dirty jazz, roots country/bluegrass, big band and rock that can only be described as explosively intoxicating. The kind of "explosive" that one of those people shot from a cannon perhaps feels. Yes, that kind of funny and yet powerful explosion. Utilizing layered harmonies, gang vocals, superb musicianship and all the necessary trimmings and fixings, the band will certainly revive the musical spirit within all that dare to witness it.
Holy Ghost Tent Revival will perform at The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy., Saturday night. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. Call 571-4343 or visit charlestonpourhouse.com for more information.
Mouse Fire
Mouse Fire has accomplished something amazing. The Florida trio has somehow managed to create an "indie/rock" sound that sounds unlike any other indie/rock band.
In the ocean that is the indie scene, buoyancy is not only difficult, it is something of biblical proportions. Like Noah's Ark surviving a great flood.
Mouse Fire has taken elements of New Wave, '80s pop, indie and punk/rock to make a sound that is just as suited in a retro dance club as it is in a smoky, hipster bar.
The band's debut Wooden Teeth emerged last year and received rave reviews by almost every critic that heard it. Mouse Fire went from anonymity to being on the top list of up and coming indie artists around the country in a matter of "play" button clicks. Mouse Fire is currently on tour but has already started work on a new album, due out by next year.
Mouse Fire will perform with Jack of Knives at 10 p.m. Friday at the Tin Roof, 1117 Magnolia Rd. Tickets available at the door. Call 571-0775 or visit myspace.com/westashleytinroof for more information.
