December 3, 2006
Eric Brace Talks About “The Other Side: Music From East Nashville”
One evening while stopping by my favorite meeting place in East Nashville, The Family Wash, I overheard an interview being taped for NPR about the East Nashville music scene. There was talk of a new compilation being released that showcased some of the best and brightest from the 37206 zip code. Family Wash owner and music guru Jamie Rubin verified this information, and added that his own project, Circus Dog Serenade had made it onto the upcoming two-disk compilation.
Out of town engagements kept me from attending the packed the CD release parties, but fortunately I was able to get my hands on a copy. The CD is truly impressive, and confirms all the hype about East Nashville being a major epicenter of musical talent. “The Other Side: Music from East Nashville” walks the walk after so much talk from regional and national press about East Nashville’s Music scene.
The compilation was produced and directed by Eric Brace, frontman for one of Nashville’s finest acts, Last Train Home. Eric recently talked with us about his latest brainchild and his Record Label, Red Beet Records: (more…)


Pilates has made a big splash in the fitness world over the past few years, and Nashville is no exception. Not just for elite models and dancers, Pilates has become what its creator Joseph Pilates had always wanted it to be - exercise for every body. Several studios and well-trained instructors are available throughout Nashville, and we caught up with one of the best.
Behind and beyond the curtain: Nashville producer Loney Hutchins talks with Ernie Gray about the role of Nashville in modern culture, the collapse of Tower Records, his Cleft Music label, and how bad radio causes school shootings.
Richie Kirkpatrick is pacing back and forth on the concrete floor of the ‘charming’ porch area of The Springwater Supper Club, his thin hand lifting a cigarette to just below his handlebar mustache. Kirkpatrick is dressed in a dapper black suit, dark silk shirt and red tie this evening - appropriately maniacal attire for the foreboding Springwater on a cold and rainy October night.
“Heaven’s Coast” is a series of photographic images that capture connections to the ocean and the coast. The show, with the title inspired by a memoir by Mark Doty, tells a story about the unique ways in which we experience our coastal landscapes. Using a photojournalistic style to document different activities and moments, the images are then transferred to large stretched canvases to alter the scale of the work. The transfer process is imperfect, resulting in images that look slightly distressed and aged.
If you like the feelgood 70’s philly-esque sound of Josh Rouse, you will undoubtedly dig the latest release by Nashville’s Curt Perkins, titled Get Something Started. Several friends recommend that I check out Curt live, and I have to admit, it was a phenomenal show. The music has a great vibe: Part R&B, part rock, all right. The record is even better, with outstanding production and solid song craft.
The one and only Reeves Gabrels has been appearing every Sunday down at the Family Wash with “Loud Night,” backed by a revolving group of fantastic musicians from East Nashville and beyond. Gabrels is considered one of the most revolutionary guitarists working today, having worked with Bowie, Tin Machine, Public Enemy and many others.