Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:
RICHARD BUCKNER – Friday, 12/03 | 7:30PM at The Mercury Lounge
Richard Buckner doesn’t mess around with stage theatrics, vocal flourishes, or blazing fast guitar runs. He is a songwriter – a very good one, and that is clearly where he’s chosen to sink all his talents. He consistently turns out poetic works in up-tempo or ballad formats, sings them with gritty authority or tender mellowness, and then leaves any fancy-pants axe-wielding to one of the highly capable supporting musicians that join him on stage from time to time. $12 advance, $15 door //217 E. Houston Street.
JEFF TWEEDY – Saturday. 12/4 | 9PM at The Bowery Ballroom
Those that don’t know Jeff Tweedy should go to this show. Those who do know Jeff Tweedy WILL go to this show. The brains, the voice, and the overall driving force behind the highly revered alt-country band Wilco, Tweedy has stayed vital and prolifically creative throughout his many years as a recording artist. Arguably, with his best years still ahead of him, he’s taking some time to tour on his own again, playing Bowery Ballroom on Saturday. Chicago’s Autumn Defense will start off the night; with their grassy 3-part harmonies laying over banjo, guitar, and a Hammond B-3, they’re a great compliment to Tweedy’s style. $45 // 6 Delancey Street.
NINI & BEN – Sunday, 12/5 | 8PM at The Living Room
In the simplest terms, Nini & Ben are a young, good-looking, talented, folk duo, but of course, it has to be said, they are so much more than that. If you ever hear a new band, and you feel that although they certainly fit within a genre, there’s something fresh or different about them that you can’t quite put your finger on, it’s usually because they’re being honest in what they’re doing. They’re not putting on, or trying to play a part, they’re just doing what comes naturally. That’s the case with Nini & Ben. Ben’s writing, and the supporting musicality of bassist Derek McWilliams, drummer Jake Cohen, guitarist Johnny Duke and pedal steelist Tommy Bohlen is spot on. And Nini’s voice is sublime. FREE // 154 Ludlow 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.
