Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side for this weekend:
GOODNIGHT, TEXAS – Fri Dec. 2 | 10pm at the Living Room
Alt-country trio Goodnight, Texas are not from Texas. Their hometowns include San Francisco and Chapel Hill, N.C., and the nearly forgotten ghost town of Goodnight, Texas, sits smack in the middle. The three-piece pays homage to the romance of the past through their work, as much as through their name, with compositions that rattle with Jalopy rhythms, sway with weeping willow harmonies, and connect with lyrics of leaving and grieving. FREE//154 Ludlow St.
Laura Dunn & the Ghosts of Xmas Past – Sat Dec. 3 | 7:30pm at Ella Lounge
Billed as a “Winter Creepy Folk Cabaret,” banjo-plucking Oregon transplant Laura Dunn gathers an assembly of musicians and performance artists to explore the more eerie side of Christmas. Dunn provides haunting renditions of her own original compositions with the occasional/surprising pop cover, while performers interpret lyrics and interact with the audience. $5//9 Ave. A
RICHARD JULIAN– Sun Dec. 4 | 10pm at the Rockwood Music Hall
Songwriter, producer, guitarist and regular musical Renaissance man Richard Julian returns to New York City from a continued stretch in New Orleans, where he now spends much of his time. Julian has been busy touring in support of his recent album “Girls Need Attention,” and is now poised for a January release of the latest recording from The Little Willies, a roots/country side project with Norah Jones, Jim Campilongo, Lee Alexander and Dan Rieser. Julian’s set will be bookended by equally talented friends Rosita Kess and Grammy winner Jesse Harris. 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.
Richard is great!