TRIP-HOP | Quis KingSoul
w/ Sunrhé, SirAbstraxxx
Thurs. Sep. 21
8 p.m.
$5
The Royal American
Quis KingSoul’s latest EP, Godis, is bright in every sense of the word. The production pops, the lyrics are clever, and KingSoul is clearly having a lot of fun with the material. His smile is almost audible when rhyming on “Giiirl.” The song’s sunny hook sees KingSoul rapping lyrics like, “All I got is love for you (love for you)/ It’s electric, baby (It’s shocking)/ You’re my Pikachu.” A lot of the album is about “appreciation of the woman, just appreciation of love,” and “playing with the concept of God being a woman,” says KingSoul. The beats on Godis are laidback, with lavish instrumentation, and are even a little orchestral on “So Gone.” The smart wordplay on the same tune makes it hard not to go for repeat listens. “And maybe don’t beat it in your head and then call you Dr. Dre/ No pun intended, this life given ain’t Eazy-E and tends to be colder than ice cubes.” According to KingSoul, the lyrics and puns are all centered around “speaking the realisms of life, but in a fun way and not being so serious,” he says. Oh, and album closer “King Kai” references Dragon Ball Z, which is an automatic win. Quis KingSoul’s appearance at the Royal American will be part of Ill Vibe the Tribe’s continuing Art Binge series, and will be the final Charleston performance for soul singer Sunrhé before she moves to Atlanta. —Heath Ellison THURSDAY
PSYCHOBILLY | Unknown Hinson
w/ Whiskey Diablo
Fri. Sept. 22
9 p.m.
$20
Pour House
Consider, if you will, these split musical personalities: Stuart Baker, a kind, humble music teacher from Albemarle, N.C. and a devastatingly talented guitarist who can conjure Hendrix and Dick Dale from his six-string simultaneously. Now consider his alter-ego, the B-movie hillbilly vampire in taped-on sideburns and plastic fangs named Unknown Hinson. Hinson is easily the better-known half of the duo, delighting fans of kitsch with his horror-show makeup and his over-the-top psychobilly sound, which features songs like “Fish Camp Woman” and “Don’t Bite the Lips That Kiss You.” But as effective as that larger-than-life persona has become (and it’s earned him a slew of sold-out shows, a voiceover gig as Early Culyer on Adult Swim’s Squidbillies, and a fiercely devoted cult following), it’s Baker’s musical mastery that really makes what he does effective. Without his dazzling ability on guitar (his version of Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” is flat-out stunning) and a knack for catchy hooks, Unknown Hinson would be a shallow novelty. With them, he’s a guaranteed good time every time. —Vincent Harris FRIDAY
BENEFIT | Carolina Youth Action Project Fundraiser Concert
Sat. Sept. 23
1 p.m.
$10
Pour House (Deck Stage)
Formerly known as Girls Rock Charleston, the Carolina Youth Action Project is a nonprofit organization that benefits and supports girls and transgender youth in Charleston. As CYAP organizer Ren Trueblood describes it, the organization uses “popular education styles such as music to teach about social justice and build power amongst girls and trans youth in South Carolina.” She says, “We’re in a really exciting moment right now.” That’s why CYAP is throwing a CYAP benefit concert this weekend, fittingly during Charleston Pride. The fundraiser was organized by Eva Leach, a student at Academic Magnet High School who approached the CYAP about hosting a benefit. Leach will also perform with her brother as Nathan & Eva, an acoustic-folk duo who has garnered a following through its popular YouTube covers and original songs. Playing at the Pour House alongside Nathan & Eva will be Charleston’s Lindsay Holler, who blends indie and country influences, and local singer-songwriter veteran Bill Carson. You’ll also find CYAP merch for sale as well food from El Bohio, the PoHo’s resident food truck. All proceeds will benefit the Carolina Youth Action Project. “We want to build a city and a community of those who are impacted by racism, poverty, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and all other forms of oppression in the South,” says Trueblood. “South Carolina is still one of the leading states in violence against women and domestic abuse, and we want to change it.” —Alex Peeples SATURDAY
HIP-HOP | Deep Cuts from the Commodore
Benny Starr
w/ DJ D Dubb, Sista Misses, Stella Rae
Wed. Sept. 27
7 p.m.
$7, $5/with college ID
The Commodore
Hip-hop artist Benny Starr is set to perform his first ever show at the Commodore next Wednesday, an occasion for a couple of reasons. One, the Commodore won the best hip-hop category in this year’s Best Of Charleston awards, even though it is historically and currently an R&B-funk venue. Mind you, as you can clearly see, hip-hop is certainly welcome at the Meeting Street venue, which was, in its former life, A Touch of Class and an important part of the R&B, funk, and jazz circuit of its heyday. That’s why Starr wants to convey his message from that very stage. “I want to perform and present in this venue in particular because of its historical importance, which is especially relevant right now,” he says. “We are experiencing an era where our generation is coming of age as it pertains to culture, equality, and expression. So I want this show to be an ode to great black musicians who have played in this venue in years past, and I also want it to be an affirmation of dope, young, black musicians and creatives who are doing their thing, moving art and culture forward in and around Charleston.” Joining Starr will be DJ D Dubb on the ones and twos. Sista Misses of IllVibeTheTribe will present a DJ set, and you can also expect an opening performance by New Galaxy’s Stella Rae. VP (Vaughn Postema) from Z93 JAMZ will host. As for Starr, he promises to take listeners on a journey through his catalog with deep cuts and more. Don’t sleep on this one. —Kelly Rae Smith WEDNESDAY
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