Notable non-holiday shows from this week’s Music Board listings (the odd stretch between Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve)
The Occasional Milkshake @ The Windjammer, Sat. Jan. 3
with special guests | $10
“The Occasional Milkshake is what happens when Hootie and the Blowfish, the Blue Dogs, and Cravin’ Melon all take a break,” says Hootie guitarist Mark Bryan (pictured). He and Blue Dogs bassist/singer Hank Futch regularly collaborate with drummer Gary Greene, (who plays drums Cravin’ Melon and percussion with the Hootie), playing annual oyster roasts, benefit shows, local outdoor festivals, and club dates. The Milkshake’s country-fried style covers a lot of musical ground — from country and bluegrass to guitar-driven power-pop. —T. Ballard Lesemann
Joel T. Hamilton, Michael Trent & Timbre @ The Village Tavern
Sat. Jan. 3 | $6
Local singer/guitarist Joel T. Hamilton (of The Working Title) recently released a self-produced solo disc titled Officina (it’s a raw and beautiful piece of work). He shares the stage with singer/guitarist Michael Trent (of Shovels & Rope, The Films) and Nashville-based singer/songwriter/harpist Timbre Cierpke (pictured). Performing simply under the moniker “Timbre,” Cierpke plucks and strums a highly unique and unusual style of music. Playing a full-sized classical harp, she sings original tunes and beautifully reworked renditions of Celtic, folk, and popular songs. She describes her style as “an ethereal mix of Romantic, Classical, and modern minimalism … If Radiohead and Sigur Ros had a baby and it played a harp, it might sound a little like this when it grew up.” She recently contributed music and performances to a variety of stage productions, music festivals, and film soundtracks. Her new collection is titled Winter Comes to Wake You. —T. Ballard Lesemann (photo by Jenna Maurice
Jack Williams @ Gage Hall, Sun. Jan, 4
Sun. Jan. 4 | $15, $12 (adv.)
Veteran acoustic singer/songwriter and guitarist Jack Williams joins local fave Carroll Brown for a special show at the cozy Gage Hall (adjacent to the Unitarian Church at 4 Archdale St.) on Sun. Jan. 4. “I’m a singer/songwriter of the South,” says Williams. “It’s not hard to define my own style; it’s impossible. It’s not naval-gazing music. I don’t write about broken relationships and deep psychological problems. A lot of my music is very much more upbeat and fun, as opposed to the music of some of my New England compatriots, who tend to be more intellectual and introspective. Mine is very outgoing and rhythmic … and I play a lot more guitar than I need to.” Now based in Arkansas, Williams, 65, regularly visited Charleston over the years for songwriter showcases and small concerts at various venues from the original Myskyn’s to the recent Oceansong Café. “I’ll be doing the same thing I do about 150 nights a year,” says the songwriter of his set. “I’ve been playing Charleston since the ’70s. I will sing my songs and tell my stories. It’s a very intimate setting.” Williams’ latest album Don’t Let Go is a “tribute” album of various renditions. “It’s a collection that features a lot of music from heroes, artists, writers, and styles that really influenced my music — from the days when I was a jazz trumpet player to when I was a classic lutenist and a rock ’n’ roll, blues, and folk player,” he says. Show time is 7 p.m. Contact Joe Innella at (843) 452-5453 or innella108@comcast.net for advance tickets. —T. Ballard Lesemann (photo by Frank Serior)
Love Best of Charleston?
Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.