The pandemic has forced folks to get creative, and as a result we benefit from things like free virtual music. Charleston Gaillard Center usually hosts in-person concerts and live music events all through the year. As a result of COVID, however, they had to switch things up. The result: Lowcountry Listens, their offering of free virtual music on Wednesday evenings. They showcase local, emerging artists whose talent is through the roof. The effort was so successful, they did a second round of Lowcountry Listens. And since that went so well, they are officially kicking off a third set.
Free Virtual Music all September!
Lowcountry Listens, Take 3 kicks off this Wednesday evening and will go on for the next five weeks. Concerts stream live each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. The first four are sponsored by First National Bank, and the last by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. As a special bonus, they’re streaming a free compilation video of their last five artists. Listen in to performances by Admiral Radio, Noah Jones, Swhitey + Emily Curtis, Marcus Amaker & Quentin E. Baxter, and Chaquis Maliq of The EccentroSoul 1 Woman Band. Check it out on Facebook or on YouTube.
Lowcountry Listens Lineup
Here’s what’s on tap for the next five weeks, with their descriptions of artists who will be performing. It's free virtual music, although if you like what you hear, they provide links to a virtual tip jar for each artist. I know they would appreciate it.
Little Bird | September 2
Born and raised in Annapolis, MD, Indie R&B/Soul outfit, Little Bird, now hails from Charleston, SC. They are currently touring their 2018 release, Familiar, which reflects the sonic alchemy of a broad range of musical influences, such as legendary artists, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu, along with revered modern acts, Hiatus Kaiyote, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and Nick Hakim. With the release of Familiar, Little Bird has received acclaim in the Holy City, being voted the 2018 Charleston City Paper “RnB/Soul Band of the Year.”
The High Divers | September 9
Formed in 2014, The High Divers hit the ground running playing shows regionally around South Carolina, recording their debut album, “Riverlust”, and building a fan base that quickly fell in love with their raucous live shows. The follow up album, Chicora, was released to much critical acclaim and found itself seated on many “Best Of” lists. Perhaps the band’s most well known work was 2019’s “Ride With You” EP produced by Jason Isbell guitarist, Sadler Vaden, who is credited with “Getting the band out of its comfort zone, and into some close to the vest songwriting”, according to bassist and singer, Kevin Early.
Nathan and Eva | September 16
Local sibling duo Nathan & Eva got their start performing covers online to their thriving YouTube fanbase before jumping into live performing in the Charleston area in 2016. Since then, they've released their self-titled EP in 2018 and are currently finishing up their first full-length album. When not performing, Eva is an Arts Management student at the College of Charleston, and Nathan is a local videographer. They are excited to bring their unique folk pop sound to the Gaillard stage.
Sideshow Americans | September 23
Sideshow Americans is a four-piece Americana Rock ’n Roll band from Johns Island, SC. Years ago, Sideshow was four musicians trying to make a living playing music in Charleston, SC running into each other at late night parties and playing music together until morning. The sound and spirit of the group remains squarely where it began – in the raucous, late-night joy of picking up the closest instrument to you and singing songs with your friends. Eventually they formed a band. After performing together live throughout 2015, Sideshow Americans recorded and released a house-show video for the song “Brokenhearted.” Later that year, the band released their debut EP Streetlights . With the title track composed by bassist Whitt Algar, the album was the band’s brief but honest five-song introduction. Additionally comprised of songs written by guitarist Ryan Bonner, Streetlights is steeped in Southeastern string band tradition, delivered in four-part harmony with multi-instrumentalist Cory Jarrett and more recent addition, guitarist Malin Wagnon.
Charlton Singleton and Contemporary Flow, September 30
A native of Awendaw, SC, Charlton Singleton began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano. He would then go on to study the organ, violin, cello, and the trumpet throughout elementary, middle and high school. In 1994, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from South Carolina State University. Since that time, he has taught music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He's also an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston. As a performer, Charlton leads his own ensembles that vary in size and style. He helped found a new ensemble called Ranky Tanky. The group is a quintet that interprets the sounds of Gullah from the Southeast Coast of the United States. In 2017 Ranky Tanky reached the top of the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon Contemporary Jazz charts with their self-titled debut recording. In 2019 they accomplished the same feat with the release of their sophomore effort, “Good Time." It recently won the 2020 Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Music Album”. So check out great free virtual music all month long, from the comfort of your own home or Charleston beach house. And if you’re not in one but would like to be, just give us a call at Exclusive Properties and we’ll put you in the perfect one. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger