Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side for this weekend:
MATT SINGER – Fri. Apr 15 І 10PM at The Living Room
Matt Singer hits the Living Room this Friday with a fresh style of songwriting that packs in conversational lyrics about public restroom smells, foregoing alcohol at parties, and finding post break-up comfort in the spirit of John Madden. Equally refreshing, he manages to pair his comedic musical anecdotes with an unexpected mix of Folk, Klezmer and Calypso, with the help of a solid backing band of skilled jazz musicians. FREE//154 Ludlow St.
JOE PUG – Sat, Apr 16 І 10:30PM at the Mercury Lounge
Chicago’s Joe Pug can certainly be considered a keeper of the flame, as he follows faithfully in the stripped-down tradition of confessional songwriters like Townes Van Zant and John Prine. After finding himself slogging through an unsatisfying existence as a North Carolina student, Pug impulsively packed up and drove to Chicago, where he found his salvation in music and carpentry work. After years of playing open mics and giving away CDs to anyone who would take them, he’s holding his own among music’s heavyweights, having shared the stage with the likes of Steve Earle, M. Ward, and Josh Ritter. $12 Advance, $14 Door//217 E. Houston St.
THE PARKINGTON SISTERS– Sun, Apr 10 І 7PM at Rockwood Music Hall
Ariel, Sarah, Nora, Rose, and Lydia are Massachusetts’ Parkington Sisters. Born with fierce musical genes, Lydia plays cello, Rose guitar and piano, Ariel, Sarah and Nora play violin and viola, though you can even find a banjo thrown in there from time to time. Following separate musical paths for years, it wasn’t till 2005 that the sisters found themselves drawn back towards each other, eventually busking together on the streets of Provincetown, and soon after, stages across the country. In addition to their lush string arrangements, the sisters sing an array of dynamic, textured folk songs, with the ability to pull off ultra-tight vocal harmonies that could send that Carpenters running for the hills. FREE// 196 Allen St.
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.
