|
Event
Sam Lewis with Adam Chaffins
Like many before him, Sam Lewis came to Nashville to make music. But unlike the majority, Lewis managed to hop on one of the most successful tours that country music has seen as of late. He's collaborated with everyone from John Prine and Kacey Musgraves to The Wood Brothers. Chris Stapleton dubbed him "a modern Townes Van Zandt". And while he's often labeled with some form of the word 'soulful' (some have even compared his voice to molasses), Lewis' style meets at a juncture of many different genres. There's something about Sam Lewis that is indescribably different -- and with his newest project, he's discovered what most musicians spend lifetimes working for -- the place where feel-good music meets vital social commentary.
When Lewis decided to make the move from Knoxville to Nashville in summer 2009, he was still working full-time at Walmart (a gig that lasted nearly a decade). In his off-time, he began playing smaller local venues including the 5 Spot, where he met fel- low singer-songwriter Matt Urmy. After forming a friendship, Urmy offered to help Lewis "We went to his basement, I laid down some songs, we pieced a band together and made a record in a couple days at Eastwood Studios." That record would become Lewis's first official release and self-titled debut that featured Nashville greats Kenny Vaughan, Reggie Bradley Smith, Dave Jacques, and Derek Mixon. And with Lewis' sole intention of moving to be a musician that 'records it and tours it' - he did just that - traveling from Nashville to New York via train to play shows, then spending a month in England.
By late 2014, Lewis had turned 30, established himself with the Nashville music scene, and signed with the boutique Georgia label, Brash Records. With the help of Brash and producer Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers, Lewis released his second full- length, Waiting on You, in April 2015. The sophomore was critically acclaimed and once again featured Kenny Vaughan, in addition to Darrell Scott, Gabe Dixon, the McCrary Sisters, and Willie Nelson's legendary harmonica player, Mickey Raphael. While No De- pression compared Lewis' soulful style with the likes of Al Green and Van Morrison, Craig Havighurst (Music City Roots) coined Waiting on You as "Americana with a groovy twist".
Lewis' forthcoming record Loversity is set to be released on May 4, 2018. The album is composed of 14 tracks that Lewis has spent over a year and a half writing and playing for others. Since Waiting on You, his classic style remains present yet matured, with a more re- fined worldview, "These newer songs have been harder to write, but extremely necessary given the current climate I find the world in." Recorded at Southern Ground Studios with engineer and co-producer Brandon Bell, the album spans from upbeat songs like the title track "Loversity" to the darker "One in the Same," an electric guitar heavy ballad with a dri- ving force reminiscent of the Black Keys' Brothers. While most songs are originals, the record includes "Accidental Harmony", a lullaby that fellow Nashville songwriter John Mann wrote for his first born child, and "Natural Disaster", a Loudon Wainwright song that Lewis felt drawn to.
The trail of musical heritage that runs through Kentucky is so rich its impossible place a foot without landing on some thread of it. Raised in Louisa KY, Adam Chaffins grew up amidst the culture of Country Music Highway US. 23.
Beginning with a foundation in 90's country and bluegrass, Adam received a scholarship singing classical music in college although soon to electric and upright bass, ultimately receiving a degree in jazz performance. Moving to Nashville in 2010 , he fast became an in-demand bassist and vocalist, touring with Rounder Records The Deadly Gentlemen and a stint with NC trad bluegrass band Town Mountain. In the studio hes gained the attention of producers like Buddy Miller and Dave Brainard, and as a writer he won a SESAC award in 2013 for a co-write with GRAMMY winning group The Infamous Stringdusters.
Some Things Wont Last, Adam Chaffins Debut release coming fall 2018, is the fruit of all these years touring, melding, and craft honing. Opening with fuzzed out guitar and splashy drums, Chaffins decisive, soul inflected vocal soon rises as the driving force of this record. The country and bluegrass of his career still feature, and perhaps through that STWL takes on another, darker luster. You were crying in the kitchen with you head between your knees / I stood there in silence like a storm before the breeze he sings in Take It All Back, upright bass and tremolo guitar etching their way through a meandering progression toward the chorus.
Working with Ethan Ballinger (Lee Ann Womack, Aubrie Sellers, Andrew Combs) and Brandon Bell at Nashvilles Southern Ground Studios, STWL has ornamentation found more in pop and rock cliques. The deep swagger of I Might Be Wrong brings to mind Alabama Shakes; fuzz electric bass cozying up to synth bass while Chaffins vocal riffs above. Bringing it back home, East KY legend Keith Whitley gets a nod with a cover and reharmonisation of Im Over You.
Some Things Wont Last brings together such a wide range of influences its simultaneously familiar yet far away. The soul tinge of his voice is like Stapleton with more cuss. Progressions are drawn out like heavy conversations. We all have these conversations, here Adam puts his to rest.
ATWOOD'S IS A MIX OF SEATING AND STANDING ROOM. PURCHASING A TICKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE SEATING.
21+ / Pos. I.D. Req.
Final Sale, No Refunds/Exchanges
|
|
 |
LocationAtwood's Tavern (View)
877 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 21 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
|
Contact
|
