Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:
GIVERS – Saturday, Nov. 6 | 7:30pm at Mercury Lounge
Givers (avoiding the urge to say THE Givers) come all the way from Louisiana, and they have a lot to give indeed. I’m a sucker for groups with two lead vocalists, and their constant switching between guy and gal vocals definitely hooked me. Thankfully, that’s not the extent of their uniqueness. The arrangements they create are definitely soundscapes. There’s a lot going on in each song, and the single string, island-style guitar riff, most recently popularized by groups like Kings of Leon, suits them well. If their Mercury performance is as energetic as their recordings, this should be a great show to catch. $10 // 217 East Houston Street
LAND OF TALK – Saturday, Nov. 6 | 8pm at The Bowery Ballroom
Land of Talk is the creation of Montreal’s Elizabeth Powell. As a trio, with a solidly capable backing of bass and drums, Land of Talk offers a steady stream of satisfyingly upbeat anti-folk pop. Powell has an engaging voice that melds nicely with her strummy chords and the occasional surprise turn in her arrangements. $15 // 6 Delancey Street
SILVIA GORDON – Sunday, Nov. 7 | 9pm at NUBLU
Silvia Gordon, writer and vocalist of Brooklyn’s electronic/club group KUDU, returns to the Lower East Side as part of the annual Nublu Jazz Festival. Along with Jason Bloom, Scofield collaborator/guitarist Avi Bortnick, and a whole swarm of other musical wizards, Gordon and the Sunday edition of this 3 week-long festival will definitely get you buzzing. $15 // 62 Avenue C
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.
