The Warm Up with Tristen

We’ve been a huge fan of Tristen since we saw her play Bonnaroo last year, and so we were thrilled when we heard she was playing in Memphis at The Hi-tone with the Memphis Dawls and La Guerre.

We spent the afternoon recording songs and touring the Stax Museum of American Soul. Then we sent the band off  to have dinner at the Bar-B-Q Shop while we put the show together (that’s where we send all the bands that have a craving for Memphis barbecue!). And while we would love to sit here and write about how amazing a songwriter and performer she is, we’re gonna let you listen to the show and decide for yourself. Afterall, we have to get to a show. Tristen goes on at 10:30 – Hope to see you there!

Tristen is about to embark on a 3 week tour – see her in a town near you and look for her new album, Cave, in the fall!

With her warm, guileless vocals and earnest, evocative songwriting, Tristen has emerged as a truly individual talent, bridging genres and emotions to create a distinctive sound all her own. The Nashville-based songstress’ American Myth debut, Charlatans At The Garden Gate, is an ambitious and impassioned collection of finely honed modern pop, rich with exquisite arrangements and a remarkably intuitive lyrical approach. Weaving classic country, traditional rock ‘n’ roll, and reflective singer/songwriter balladry, songs such as the elegiac “Baby Drugs” and the spectral folk-tinged “Battle of the Gods” display an exceptional new artist opening herself to the world through heartfelt melodies and glorious hooks.

The Warm Up with William Beckett

We’ve been rushing around all afternoon, because William Beckett is playing an early show at The Hi-Tone and we don’t want to miss it. He just released a new EP in April, called Walk the Talk, that we’ve had on repeat the past several days, and now having seen him perform live in Studio C, we’re pretty sure the show is going to fantastic.

After dragging him and his posse through the Stax Museum of American Soul music like we were on some kind of speed date, who do we run into back at Ardent but Don Nix?

So, of course we hung out for a little bit to check out the new Mark Massey album he’s producing. When Don Nix tells you to have a seat on the couch and listen to the playback – you do it! And before we headed over to record, he treated us to one of his classic John Fry stories. We need to remember to write these moments down…

Anyway, take a listen to the show where we talk about why he decided to do the new EP without a band and what it’s like to be a tall, white rock star in Japan (he’s headed there for the 7th time in just a few days) Plus,  Beckett plays a brand new song called, “Great Night.” We’ll see you at the Hi-tone!

William Beckett is a singer/songwriter from Chicago. You can follow him on Tumblr.

The Warm Up with Beth Bombara

We had a great time hanging out with Beth Bombara and her band, which included husband Kit and brother-in-law JJ and regular touring partner Karl Eggers, this afternoon. We went to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (RIP Skipp Pitts), grabbed a sandwich at Kwik Check (Memphis’ worst kept secret), and then kicked it old school in Studio B at Ardent (setting up around Jody Stephens‘ drum set, which you’ll see in the video –  since he has been practicing non-stop for his upcoming show in London). We were a little crowded, but when you take a listen you’ll hear that the entire set still came out sounding awesome!

The band drove in from St. Louis to spend the day soaking  up some Memphis soul before heading west to tour for the next few weeks. We think they might make a few fans along the way…

So, take a listen to the podcast – we kick things off with three stripped down songs and then we chat with Beth and her band about what national monuments they plan on visiting on this tour, the idea of recording in ghost towns, and of course, when she’ll start work on her new record. Tonight Bombara will join forces with The Memphis Dawls at The Buccaneer to play one of those shows that we’re sure people will be saying they were at, even if they weren’t. See you there?

Read the Bio:

Having independently released two successful EPs and, most recently, a full length album on vinyl, Beth Bombara is now more wanderer than “wonderer”. A Grand Rapids, MI native and current St. Louis resident, Beth has developed her signature sound over the past decade, drawing inspiration from not only her favorite rock, blues, and folk musicians but also from the places she’s lived in and toured through over the years, first as a member of Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers and then as a solo artist.

Beth has steadfastly grown into her identity as a strong musician first and foremost, loath to be categorized as another delicate female singer-songwriter. Beth’s versatility in live performances and multi-instrumental chops make her much more than just another “girl with a guitar”.

[Read more...]

5 Questions With The Bright Light Social Hour

We hung out with The Bright Light Social Hour this week during their stop in Memphis to play The Hi-tone. We hooked them up with a tour of Ardent and a very special tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music with Ardent owner John Fry as their personal tour guide.

After the tours, we sat them down in our lobby to answer some questions from Beats Antique, Death on Two Wheels, the now defunct Jamie Randolph and the Dark Horse and Memphis’ own Wuvbirds. We had fun, hope they did too!

[Read more...]

The Warm Up with Kids These Days

We were really excited to welcome young up-and-comers Kids These Days to Ardent Studios this afternoon. The 7 piece band met while still in high school and have been making music together now for close to two years.

KTP, as they call themselves, blend soul, funk and hip hop to make smooth melodies that make you want to sway along to the rhythms – but they’re keeping their options open when it comes to defining the genre of music they play. Influenced by everything from jazz to indie rock like The Pixies, they are definitely ardently trying to defy definition and make their own way through the mass musical landscape.

Take a listen to our podcast to hear some laid back versions of their songs – and then go see them at Minglewood Hall tonight to hear the uptempo versions!

[Read more...]

Locals Only: Dirk Kitterlin Listens to Rind Stars

I’m a verified Memphis Music lover, so when I got the call to pen this piece about my favorite local band, jolts of excitement started tickling my brain. The beautiful thing about this assignment is in a town like Memphis it’s hard to go wrong. Music is a labor of love in this city, which is exactly why I’ve chosen rock & rollers, Rind Stars. Their work is evident in both their recorded output and their live shows.

I was first introduced to this band when I met their lead singer Matt Timberlake while we were both employed at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Upon listening to their first record, Sounds of Fire and Light, I was intrigued with this band. It was a raw mix of true alternative rock and power pop that was immediately accessible but also grew on you with repeat listens. Standout tracks like “Estupid Country Song,” “Hemmingway,” and “The Tick” seem to be their jumping off point as they evolved to the more mature sound that appears on their follow-up, The Not So Great Depression. On this album there is a healthy mix of psychedelia, Americana, and straight-ahead rock that displays a musical eclecticism reminiscent of Beck, Elvis Costello, and even fellow-locals, Snowglobe. Vocal harmonies, layered keyboards, percussion, and horn arrangements are present on each song, but never get in the way of the clever lyrics and infectious grooves. As soon as you hear tunes like “I Love You,” “Hey Mama,” and “Your Turn to Drive,” you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

[Read more...]

Brass Bed Records The Warm Up at Ardent Studios


Brass Bed members Jonny Campos, Peter DeHart, Christiaan Mader, and Andrew Toups stopped by Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tn this afternoon to record some tunes for our podcast and take a tour of The Stax Museum of American Soul Music

We had a great time hanging out this afternoon with the band, who hails from Lafayette, LA. The band wears their power pop tendencies on their shoulders, but we are definitely not complaining. We have fallen in  love with their music, which is all shimmering indie rock and heart-wrenching melodies,  and we’re thrilled that they are hardcore Big Star fans! They are playing at Young Avenue Deli tonight with The Poison Control Center!

Check out our podcast to hear some outstanding live tunes! Feel free to download The Warm Up at Ardent Studios with Brass Bed podcast! It’s a free Memphis music download from us to you!

Bolstering their traditional drums-guitar-bass lineup with a dizzying array of effects, percussion, pedal steel, stacks of keyboards and synthesizers, Brass Bed mutates the familiar sounds of pop music into outlandish and often unexpected shapes. Taking as much influence from The Beatles and The Kinks as The Flaming Lips and Elephant 6, their songs channel the soul of 60′s and 70′s rock through modern indie psychedelia.

Brass Bed spent 2008 aggressively touring in support of Midnight Matinee, and after a year of enthralling both noisy dive bars and festival crowds at CMJ, The Voodoo Music Experience, and Festival International, Brass Bed has earned a reputation as one of the South’s loudest and most dynamic indie bands.

The Warm Up is a music podcast recorded at Ardent Studios. We are thrilled to offer this podcast recorded live in Memphis, Tn as a free music download. You can also subscribe to this podcast via Itunes. We keep the music download for this podcast free by generous support from our sponsors. Please visit their sites and purchase their products in order to keep this podcast ad-free.

Dignan and The Wealthy West Record The Warm Up at Ardent Studios

Dignan is a band out of Denton, TX, a college town in the Dallas-Fort worth area, known for its active music life and hosting The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo and the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival . The band crafts simple melodies with reserved vocals coupled with a surprising shyness in their live performances.  We were thrilled to spend the afternoon with band members Andy Pena, Devin Garcia, and Charlie Vela and their good friend, Brandon Kinder of The Wealthy West, as we showed them around Memphis and The Stax Museum of American Soul.

Kinder’s moonlights with his indie folk solo project The Wealthy West when he is not touring and recording with his other band,  Austin-based band The Rocketboys, and has grown a solid fan base over his many years of playing live and mastering his acoustic guitar. His vocals have been praised for their ”anthemic, expansive, luminous sound,” but with this new project Kinder takes a quieter approach. His subtle lyricism pulls the listener in and Kinder can be mesmerizing to see live.  

Check out our podcast to hear some outstanding live tunes from the band! Then download the The Warm Up at Ardent Studios with  Dignan and The Wealthy West  podcast! It’s a free Memphis music download from us to you!  Both bands are in town playing The Farevellar Music Festival in Memphis.

Dignan tour dates and concert schedule for 2012. Find upcoming Dignan tour dates or use Eventful Demand to get your city on the 2012 Dignan tour schedule.


Brandon Kinder is The Wealthy West. He is also the lead singer for The Rocketboys. Stay tuned to The Wealthy West’s FB event page to catch when they post tour dates near you.

The Warm Up is a music podcast recorded at Ardent Studios. We are thrilled to offer this podcast recorded live in Memphis, Tn as a free music download. You can also subscribe to this podcast via Itunes. We keep the music download for this podcast free by generous support from our sponsors. Please visit their sites and purchase their products in order to keep this podcast ad-free. 

The Ardent Sessions with Canasta

How can you walk around the streets of Memphis and not write a soul song? It’s almost as if the oxygen there has been permanently bonded to sharp horn stabs floating in the air. As Canasta made our way down I-40 and crossed the Arkansas-Tennessee border, it was as if the ghosts of soul past and present jumped in the car and started humming in our ears.

Our good friend Rachel Hurley (aka Rachelandthecity) had set up an in-studio performance/webcast at Ardent Studios, as well as a show at the Hi-Tone for the evening. We hadn’t played Memphis before, and weren’t sure exactly what to expect. The strong musical history of Memphis was definitely well known by the band, so we were excited to see famous landmarks. But it didn’t truly speak to us till we walked through the hallways of Ardent Studios. Hanging on the walls were gold records by the like of Al Green, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the MGs , and The Bar-Kays.

[Read more...]

The Ardent Sessions with Big Smith

Last year my band Big Smith had the amazing experience of meeting John Fry, Rachel Hurley, and the gang at Ardent Studios. We loved seeing our buddy Pete Mathews nestled in his array of monitors and consoles, learning about the amazing success of the Soulsville Charter School, and being moved and inspired by our tour of the Stax museum, as well as the work and legacy of Ardent. I’ve written about this once in a lifetime experience at Ardent elsewhere in more depth.

Of the old Boston Garden, it was often said that when opposing teams played there, they not only played the Boston teams; they also had to play “the ghosts” living in the rafters: the specter of past Boston teams: their legend and their victories. At Ardent, it might be said that when you play there, you not only get to play with your band, you get to play with the ghosts. The legacy of great music is everywhere apparent at Ardent, from the gold and platinum records hanging on the walls, to the album covers and photographs, to the equipment. Holy mackerel, the equipment! A 2-inch tape machine is a great, lovely beastie under any circumstance, but when it has played a role in producing legendary music…well, these things ought to be preserved as monuments—preferably working monuments on which my bandmates and I get to record.

[Read more...]