Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:
KELLEY MCRAE – Friday, Oct. 29 | 11pm at The Living Room
With a solid background in travel and heartbreak, Kelley Mcrae writes songs that connect with the listener on the most human of levels. Her strong, clear voice delivers the words of someone who understands the source of some of our more primal emotions. They’re not all sad songs, but they are sung sadly, and that tends to make them register more deeply as you listen. $7 // 154 Ludlow Street
A SUNNY DAY IN GLASGOW – Saturday, October 30 | 10:30pm at The Mercury Lounge
The atmospheric pop of Philadelphia’s A Sunny Day in Glasgow, certainly sounds European enough, and the fact that their two founding members spent several years in the UK is apparent. Their synth-and-samples sound is full and pumping, and their catchy female vocals hark back to some of the Cranberries’ simpler, less abrasive efforts. $10 advance, $12 door // 217 E. Houston Street
BEN ALLISON – Sunday, October 31 | 7:30pm at Kush
Bassist Ben Allison has spent over a decade recording and performing with some of the most gifted jazz musicians in the world. One reason for this is that he himself is one of them. Recognized as a massive talent on the double bass, and a central networking figure in the NY jazz scene, Allison is an incredibly prolific composer and collaborator. He has put together yet another outstanding ensemble for his Halloween night performance at Kush, which includes both Brandon Seabrook and Steve Cardenas contributing their guitar skills, and Rudy Royston on drums. $10 // 191 Chrystie Street
Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co., as well as the power punk outfit Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side.
