AmericanaFest: Keeping the Fun Going!

by Ty Ellenbogen

We had such a blast kicking off AmericanaFest last night at the Eighth Room! We got to hear so many of our talented artists, and the energy was incredible. It’s always a special experience when so many incredible songwriters share the same stage— truly a reminder of how moving and powerful music can be.

Coming up this Saturday (9/23), we have our day party at Humphrey’s Street, featuring a brand new lineup of exciting artists! The fun begins at 12pm and you’ll get to hear from: 

Helena Hallberg

Charlie Argo

Rachel McIntyre Smith

Katie Callahan

Katie Boeck

Carli Brill

Remi Goode

Alright Alright

We’ve even compiled a playlist of all the artists’ music for you to stream while you wait. Check it out here:

And here’s the best news: the event is FREE and open to the public! Don’t miss out this opportunity to see these artists live. 

See you there!

Staff Picks: Most Anticipated Summer Concerts

By Lauren Campbell

The flowers bloom, the sun shines, and summer concert dates are being sent out to fans.

Here at the OM office, music consumes our profession and pastime—and nothing is better than summer concerts. Here are our most anticipated shows:

Erin - Musicians Corner at Centennial Park from May to June

Musicians Corner is a summer stable during the spring/summer months in Nashville. Through May and June, Musicians Corner rallies the Nashville community around good music, food, and community—and free admission!

Maddy - Taylor Swift at Nissan Stadium on May 5

Swift famously combines setlists from all ten of her albums into one show—or rather, three sold-out stadium shows (that’s nearly 210,000 people in one weekend). Even if you got stuck in the queue or spent a whole paycheck on a ticket, it’s basically ten concerts in one, plus a stellar opening show from Gracie Abrams or Phoebe Bridgers…so all’s well that ends well.

Merk - Ed Sheeran at Nissan Stadium on July 22

Speaking of selling out stadiums…Ed Sheeran will be touring around the US this summer. Sheeran used to open for Swift, and is now one of the most successful singer/songwriters in his own right. The “+-=÷x” tour seems to be his take on the “eras” tour. For the past decade, Sheeran has been releasing albums named after mathematical symbols, and his - album seems to be the finally.

Grace - Sabrina Carpenter at the Ryman Auditorium on May 2

Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album emails i can’t send has got fans raving about her newfound bravado on the pop charts. Our favorites are “because I liked a boy” and “nonsense,” naturally.

Maddie - The Chicks at Bridgestone Arena on July 27

Thirteen-time Grammy award winners the Chicks have been around since the 90s, and they are back for an arena tour in Nashville. I mean, “Wide Open Spaces” has been a playlist staple on every burnt CD (or, now, Spotify account) since it came out in 1998. Now, the iconic track can be heard live at the Chicks tour from June to August.

Lauren - Vance Joy at Ryman Auditorium on September 1

Admittedly, not quite a true ‘summer’ concert, but I’ve been kicking myself for a solid year after missing Vance Joy’s pre-album release show of In Our Own Sweet Time at Ryman for the summer 2022 concert circuit. I’ve been playing “Missing Piece” and “Don’t Fade” on repeat ever since.

Jill Andrews "The Parthenon Sessions" Review

By Luke McMahon

For over one hundred years, the Parthenon has stood proudly in Centennial Park as one of Nashville's most popular attractions. One hundred years means this building has witnessed millions of little moments. It has been a place for nervous first dates or the silent walk of a couple that has been together for 50 years, a place for locals and tourists alike to come and gaze at the impossibly green grass and walk through the extraordinary building. From all kinds of gatherings, breakups, and proposals, the Parthenon has arguably seen it all. But I can only imagine how this old building must have felt when it was swelled by the musical stylings of Olivia Management's very own Jill Andrews in her recently debuted "Parthenon sessions."

Presented by the Centennial Park Conservancy and containing 5 of Jill's original tunes, the Parthenon sessions offered the perfect environment for Andrews' unforgettable artistry, "tailored to the unique 5-second reverb of the building's 42-foot tall ceilings." If there is a "right way" to enjoy Jill Andrews' music, this is that way. Accompanied and surrounded by a variety of string players throughout each song makes the experience not only sonically beautiful but visually stunning. Seeing the exposed instruments that culminate to produce such a unique raw sound, paired with Andrews’ soulful voice and thoughtful lyrics makes for a memorable performance.

One performance, in particular, stood out to me as it captured so perfectly the magic that makes Jill, well, Jill. Performing her song "Sorry Now," from her 2020 Album, Thirties, accompanied by a quartet of string instruments, Andrews drifted through the sound system on my TV, allowing it to feel as though my living room ceiling was 42 feet high. It is a special thing to witness a musician in such a stripped environment, it is even more special to see them absolutely crush it. Andrews doesn’t need much to shine.

The Parthenon sessions are a masterful way to showcase artists and the most authentic parts of their talent. Do yourself a favor and check it out. You can stream Jill's Session via YouTube or wherever you like to get your tunes!

Be sure to see Jill Andrews on tour this fall! Grab your tickets here!

Rethinking Routine

by Mackenzie Fey

If you’ve been following along in the last couple of blog posts, you might’ve seen me fish out some tips for working at home and making yourself a pro at this. These tips included starting your days with intentionality, spacing things out mentally and physically, and the importance of taking breaks. All of these things emphasize keeping things as normally as possible within the confines of an abnormal time. There’s nothing wrong with this! For people like me, I need to maintain that mindset to continue being productive and get the responsibilities I have taken care of. But this came to a realization that during these abnormal times, it’s okay to have things be just that. Abnormal.

Don’t get me wrong! There is so much value in routine! Right now, however, times are evolving and changing. Nothing is how it was a year ago. I mean, not even a month ago! What’s the harm in evolving your own routine? Doing things a little differently and reminding yourself it’s okay to be imperfect and skip out on getting into normal people clothes on Tuesday morning and just staying in your pajamas. It’s actually kinda fun! This can even look like finally picking up that brush and paints you got forever ago and never actually used it. It could be listening to an artist or genre you haven’t taken the time to listen to during your work hours (see below!). Go ahead and eat cereal and a donut for dinner. Try a new tv show on a Monday night at 11pm. Now’s the time!

Having a hard time deciding what your new non-routine could look like? I can help with that:

Today, Ruthie Collins released her sophomore album Cold Comfort featuring singles like “Dang Dallas” and “Bad Woman”. It has everything you’d want in an album: truth, heartbreak, enchanting melodies, storytelling, incredible production, and a song that can relate to any one of us. Check it out at this link here and give it a listen! Try it out, you won’t regret it.

To further break up the “normal”, tune in tonight at 7pm central to hear the new album live from Ruthie’s couch in New York! Join us on her YouTube channel tonight at YouTube.com/RuthieCollinsMusic.

Top 5 Indie Venues in Nashville

By Jackie Minton

As a new Nashville native, many of my friends ask me where they can hear good live music. Now if you’re looking for a night of classic country covers, Broadway is your best bet. But off Music Row, where do the locals go to get their music fill? Now that you are here, search no further. I have compiled a list of the best independent music venues in the Nashville and I am ready to get you listening like a local. 

1. The Basement East

Located at 917 Woodland St., The Basement East has been home to a number of budding and established acts. Noted for hosting quirky shows such as singer-songwriter Charlie Worsham’s annual John Mayerathon and world-renowned acts such as Avi Kapplan, former member of the Pentatonix, a bad night at Basement East is slim to none. Last time I went to a show here, I turned around to see Leon Bridges listening in the midst of the crowd behind me. If that isn’t enough of a seal of approval— I don’t know what is. 

Derek Webb plays to an attentive crowd at The Basement East. Photo by Maggie Adams

2. Mercy Lounge

This cozy venue features acts from across the board of the independent music. This upstairs brick hall is surprisingly cozy when filled with strangers. The packed atmosphere is balanced by sweeping, silent fans hung above the crowd— making for a notably pleasing (and less sweaty) listening experience. May be TMI, but you’ll thank me later! Performers range from pop-rock to folk-americana, but the air is always filled with an excitement from the crowd. Pictured below, Nashville-based artist Jill Andrews performs as a part of the city’s annual Americana Fest. Jill is set to return to Mercy Lounge on April 2nd (4/2/20) to celebrate the release of her upcoming album Thirties. This is an anticipated night you won’t want to miss! (Get your tickets here!)

Jill Andrews performs for Nashville’s annual Americana Fest on Mercy’s Stage. Photo by Erin Anderson.

3. 3rd & Lindsley

The slogan of this warehouse is “Good music. Good food. Good friends.” Fittingly, 3rd & Lindsley hosts both artists and songwriters, featuring a breadth of the music local and traveling through music city. Ranging from a table-and-chairs listening room experience to a standing-room-only concert hall, this indie venue is versatile and compatible with all kinds of audiences. Shown below the folk-rock duo Smooth Hound Smith steals the stage of this prominent Nashville venue. 

Americana-Rock Band Smooth Hound Smith takes the stage at 3rd & Lindsley. Photo by Maggie Adams.

4. The 5 Spot

On the East side of Nashville, The 5 Spot occupies the cozy and cool corner of the city. They feature everything from throwback dance parties reminiscent of the 70s and rising country acts, such as Ruthie Collins. Their unexpected mix of shows blend well into the host of bars and restaurants popping all over East Nashville. This 21 & up club is noted for their relaxed vibes and spunky entertainment!

Ruthie Collins pulls her audience close during this intimate show at The 5 Spot. Photo by Madeline Heiskell.

5. The Bluebird Cafe

Known best for spotlighting artists like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift early in their careers, the Bluebird Cafe is often filled with listeners from all over the world. Even still, this landmark is a resting place for some of Nashville’s local jewels. It may be last in this list, but it is certainly not least! The venue’s popularity has only garnered with their common feature on the previous hit show Nashville and the late release of the documentary film, Bluebird. Nestled between Whole Foods and a Tuesday Morning, this whole in the wall is not one you want to miss. Pictured below the Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith performs at this neighborhood icon.

Indie Americana duo, Smooth Hound Smith performs below the neon bluebird. Photo by Madeline Heiskell.

Finding New Music

by Steven Metrejean

Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like the amount of music that’s being released, on an almost daily basis, is making it harder and harder to keep track of your favorite artists. On the opposite side of that coin, it makes discovering and falling in love with new music easier than ever before. Nothing can quite compare to the exhilaration of finding a new song or artist that just speaks to your soul in a new way or that gets you up and dancing or crying like you haven’t in a long time. Interning at an artist management company like Olivia Management, new music comes through our doors consistently—it’s incredible. I recognize that not everyone has this opportunity. This begs the question - what are the most effective and easiest ways to find new music today?

Social Media

Social media: the thing we love to hate and hate to love. But as far as using it as a platform for discovering new music, I find that it is often a great way to explore new music. Whether it’s through searching hashtags or even going through follow lists of artists that you already follow, it’s a good way to expose yourself to all different kinds of artists. Not only seeing what my friends post on their stories, I find that my social media advertisements are really good at targeting me with artists that I might like. We could talk about how the internet uses all of our data to tailor ads for each of us individually, but to be honest, I am not all that upset when I see an ad for a new album or music video from an artist that is spot on with my tastes. The most recent example of this was when I discovered a British artist named Mabel after seeing an Instagram ad for one of her music videos. That song was catchy, and I downloaded it immediately when I heard it for the first time!

Concerts

Some people like to gripe about opening acts at shows. They’ll complain about how they didn’t pay to see this brand-new artist with only one EP out, and that they’re just grinning and bearing it until the headliner hits the stage. But I like to see openers. Oftentimes their music is similar to the artist’s music that I paid to see. Having an opening spot on a big headlining tour is an amazing opportunity for exposure to a huge audience that a new artist would not normally have a chance to perform for. Who doesn’t want to give back to an opener who spends half their set talking about how grateful they are just to be there?

Friends & Family

Some of my favorite conversations with friends and family have turned into hours-long rants and arguments about who’s favorite artist is more under-appreciated and underrated than who’s. We talk about how one genre of music is deeper and more emotional than another, or we just have fun talking about the latest bops that we’ve been dancing in our cars at stoplights to. Never underestimate the power of a friend suggesting you listen to an artist or song they think that you’ll like. If they know you well enough, they only have the best experience for your ears at heart. And I find it’s one of the best ways to show someone that you truly care about them!