BLUES ROCK | Jarekus Singleton
Wed. Sept. 23
9:45 p.m.
$10
The Pour House
Rising up from the same Deep South dirt that brought Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker into this world, blues rocker Jarekus Singleton proudly displays his Mississippi roots in a soulful blend of blues, rock, and R&B. Singleton weaves clear, direct stories with his words in a confident, narrative style, heavy-laden with emotion. The inclusion of pop-culture references, ’60s soul, and just a hint of rap-like lyrical patterns allows Singleton to turn his brand of blues into something powerful and relevant. Rocking his skeletal guitar, Singleton and his band venture through love, humor, and hope in last year’s release, Refuse to Lose. Songs like “Blame Game” add unexpected and well-placed satire to the disc’s more heavily toned counterparts. Singleton hints at a new release sometime in the near future. “The albums that I have out right now are only a small percent of what I have to say,” he says. “I’d like to keep coming out with more social commentary.” —Kaleb Eisele WEDNESDAY
PUNK | The Parasites
w/ Hot Charlie and Glowgoyle
Wed. Sept. 23
9 p.m.
$7
Tin Roof
Emerging in the late ’80s alongside pop-punk bands like Green Day and Bad Religion, the Parasites have continued touring everywhere from the U.S. to Europe to Japan. Formed in New Jersey, the Parasites have released 10 albums along with numerous compilations, EPs, and vinyl singles and played with thousands of notable bands. Now on their East Bound and Down Tour, singer, guitarist, and founder Dave Parasite says they’ll be bringing a new set of live music along with some new recordings. “There are two new CDs,” he says. “One is a Parasites Tribute album with 28 bands on it, including the Queers and Less Than Jake.” Several eras will be represented at the Charleston show as local punk bands Hot Charlie, founded in 1999, and new act Glowgoyle share the stage with the Parasites on Wednesday. —Kaleb Eisele WEDNESDAY
BLUEGRASS SOUL | The Lowhills
w/ Jordan Igoe and Livy Conner
Sat. Sept. 26
9:30 p.m.
$8/adv., $10/door
The Pour House
Johns Island Americana-roots band the Lowhills make easy-going, clever, and, at times, hilarious music that mixes jazz, classic country, bluegrass, swing, and R&B. Mandolinist-songwriter Lauren Bevins and her Norah Jones-like vocals head up the trio along with her husband Matt Cahill on stand-up bass and the band’s lifelong friend Joe Marlow, primary songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist. Marlow and Matt grew up playing music together in Nashville, later forming rock band the Tips, who opened for big-name acts like Foreigner. As for the latest venture, fans of Carole King, Fleetwod Mac, Hank Williams, Roberta Flack, and, of course, Norah Jones would feel at home with the sounds of the Lowhills. Lately, the band has been writing new material together for the first time. “One of the songs we will be playing at the Pour House show is one I wrote and took to Joe, who made it amazing,” Lauren says. The band plans to take all of their new stuff and hit the studio in the near future. —Kelly Rae Smith SATURDAY
SOUTHERN SOUL | The Lone Bellow
w/ Hugh Masterson and HoneySmoke
Thurs. Sept. 24
8 p.m.
$18.50-$25
Charleston Music Hall
If Zach Williams wasn’t a musician, he would be a park ranger. “I’ve always wondered what on earth goes on with those guys way out in the wilderness,” says the Lone Bellow vocalist. Perhaps “To the Woods” off new disc Then Came the Morning is an ode to his unfulfilled park ranger dream. Released early this year, the album oozes sultry Southern soul in a blend of soft folk acoustics and heavy, grungy country rock. “I feel like this album had a lot to do with the power of collaboration as a band and the reflection of the good and bad that can happen,” says Williams. This bleak realism allows for some exceptional moments both lyrically and sonically in Then Came the Morning. Since 2013’s hit “Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold,” the band has risen to contemporary country fame, but the reward arrives not in accolades but rather in experiences and interactions. “For us, it all boils down to hearing what the songs mean to individuals and having the opportunity to sing them,” Williams says. “It’s that handshake between a person playing music and a person listening that helps create different outcomes every night.” —Kalyn Oyer THURSDAY
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