Sweet Spirit, Nic Armstrong And The Thieves (Jennifer)

photo by Steven Michael Ruud

In my personal life, I’ve been a bit distracted this month with getting ready to move to another apartment. If I’m not completely exhausted this weekend, I still hope to catch some live music.  Even if you feel like you’re dragging your feet, you can’t help but feel energized and maybe inspired at a Sweet Spirit show. Their sound ranges from rock to punk to country to doowop to Motown and they seamlessly bring those styles together for a loud and fun show. Fronted by the “wonder twins” of the Austin music scene, Sabrina Ellis and Andrew Cashen (who are also bandmates in A Giant Dog), I’m blown away by their strong performances and songwriting talent. This sextet is one of the tightest bands around. They’re just so damn good. Their debut EP is tentatively scheduled for a springtime release so you’ll need to catch a live set of theirs to get your Sweet Spirit fix in the meantime. They have a show at The ABGB this Saturday with The Ghost Wolves. It’s a free show but don’t forget to put a little something in the tip jar. Get there early; parking can be challenging to find at this popular spot.

—

Nic Armstrong And The Thieves are another favorite of mine who are also playing a show the same night. They’ll be at a new venue, Indian Roller, with Jesse Vain and The Happy Hour Holiness Movement. I’ve been a admirer of Nic’s songs for almost a decade and I remain an enthusiastic fan to this day. The Pocketless Shirt EP is the most recent release. British Invasion and Britpop inspiration (Nic is the real deal from Nottingham, England) infused with 21st century vim and vigor. It’s a musical shot of whiskey in your cup of tea. Free show – Nic Armstrong at 10pm, Jesse Vain at 11pm.