After weeks of preparation and keeping invitations in heavy rotation, Ernie Halter, The Paranormals, and Kristen Cothron came together on the 12th & Porter stage to put on a solid rock show under the Deli Nashville banner (figuratively. We did not print a banner.)

Filling the void of initial opener Josh Foster, Kristen Cothron took the stage with only her guitar and gave no hint of being asked to join the lineup just hours before the show. It's difficult to avoid the word "sultry" when defining Kristen's sound-- which is a pleasant change of pace for Nashville's girl-with-a-guitar game. In a scene saturated with sticky-sweet lyrics about girls who can't live without a boyfriend, it's comforting to hear a woman sing lyrics that deal with topics a little edgier than being ignored by her high school crush.

We introduced you to The Paranormals back in August and have yet to take their EP off rotation. The three-piece have built a solid rock show around roughly seven songs that manage to fuse the infectious catchiness of pop music with the sweaty rawness of classic rock. The three members dominate their corners of the stage without overpowering the music or each other, suggesting experience and compatibility that exceed their two years together as a band.

Nashville newcomer Ernie Halter rounded out the show, kicking off his set with one of his newest tunes, "In July." Using his live set to showcase his sheer talent and undeniable affability, he shared with the crowd what it's like to have a song covered by Justin Bieber and his enthusiasm for the overwhelming response to his 52 Songs Club. After having covered Ernie Halter's career for five years and from one coast to the other, I can assure you that Nashville has struck gold with this recent addition to the local music scene.

If you missed the show, then there's no way to soften the blow of telling you that you missed out. But you can catch Kristen Cothron with her band, The Darkside, at Douglas Corner Cafe on November 9th.
The Paranormals will play the Red Rooster on October 26th.
Ernie Halter will be at 3rd and Lindsley on November 17th. — Brianne Turner

Just a friendly reminder to pencil Sharpie us in for our show down at 12th and Porter on October 15th. We're showcasing Ernie Halter, The Paranormals, and Josh Foster, and we would love to say hello to all of you in person.

The event is exactly one week away so rally your friends and get your tickets now! It starts early and is super cheap, so come down and drink or dance off your Monday. This show will make you feel much better about going back to work on Tuesday.

It may be a school night, but clear your schedule and save the date. On Monday, October 15th The Deli Nashville will head to 12th and Porter for a night of booze and music. With an incredible lineup featuring Josh Foster, The Paranormals, and Ernie Halter, this show may be the best excuse to shirk on your weekday responsibilities and shake off your Monday.

The whole thing will kick off at 8 pm and is an 18+ event. It will cost you just $5, and once you're inside, we encourage you all to come say hello.

For more information and to invite all of your friends, you can visit our Facebook event page.

Last week, three childhood friends from Alabama released their first official collection of songs to the the public. Available on the typical digital platforms (Amazon, iTunes, Spotify), American Spirit, the new EP from The Paranormals, is anything but mundane and may be one of the most exciting debuts Nashville has seen this summer.

"All three of us were raised in the Birmingham area. I think we probably all met in the sixth grade, if I remember correctly," says guitarist Jarrod Randall. Like most musicians, Randall, lead singer David Sutton, and bassist Heath Hendricks played the customary game of musical chairs with other bands before reuniting and forming The Paranormals. "It's definitely not a rare case by any means, but growing up where we did and being into the same stuff, that's made what we have today so great. Heath was the best man in my wedding. David is my brother-in-law." And their tight-knit nature translates seamlessly to their sound. While many musicians flirt with the thin line between "talented" and "overdeveloped," each member of The Paranormals carries their weight in a skillful and unique way without falling victim to sounding too polished.

In a surprise Phil Collins/Don Henley-esque twist, the lead singer of The Paranormals also spends all of his time behind the drums, which can bring a rare and tricky element to live shows. "It was challenging at first-- you have to figure out how to write with that in mind. But now it just happens. Some shows, I'll turn around and [Sutton] is sweating like a pig and I just smile, thinking, 'Man you are doing all the work here.' It's a challenge to make sure the energy translates when your front man is behind the kit. But we wouldn't have it any other way," says Randall.

American Spirit was recorded over the course of one weekend, and the EP's title track was finished live and in just one take. In keeping with the band's family-friendly vibe, Rick Sutton, David's father, made a trip to the studio to play slide guitar for the song. "I'm glad that [song] is on there because it shows kind of a basis for the vibe that all our songs come out of," adds Randall. With less than 30 hours to record the EP, the time crunch played a definitive role in the result of American Spirit. Working with just a small window of time, the band had no chance to over-think or elaborate. The result is immaculate. "Being a three-piece, we didn't want the recording to sound like a five-piece."

When asked about his band, Randall says, "Our band is the real us, you know? Like, how long we've known each other and being family. Nothing is pieced together or forced. And we've had great support from our friends, but we've tried to avoid Kickstarter, etc. on purpose for this EP. Because we wanted it to really just come from us. Then whether someone digs it or not lies solely on if they dig it, no other motive or obligation."

Between defining their sound and recording songs in one take, The Paranormals make creating great music look easy. Sweaty Southern rock has rarely sounded so thoughtful, and in their two years together as a band, The Paranormals have carved out a niche most musicians spend their entire careers trying to create.

The official release party for American Spirit will take place at The End on August 25th. Lulu Mae, Gnarly Charlies, and Cory Taylor Cox round out the bill. We will see you there. -- Brianne Turner