From the moment I stepped out into the street I could hear the sound of music reverberating, followed by joyful screams that echoed a voice of style and remembrance for something that has far too long been forgotten. A venue of freedom and artistic convergence is what lies at 128 1/2 Church St. in downtown Murfreesboro. It is a place to come alive and to let yourself go.
I am speaking of the Grand Palace, and what happens above this lonely street in what looks like an early ’90s refuge for troubled souls and aimless drifters, is something many spend their nights just not knowing about.
It is Saturday night, Jan. 21, of the 21st century and I am entering the doors of a mysterious Mecca to rub elbows with some like-minded souls.
The Grand Palace was started in late 2005 and soon became the hot spot for some of the best local and out-of town indie-rock bands. Truly for the underground artist, Grand Palace is there for the unknowns to help promote their talent and put some well-deserved people into the spotlight. Also included in the building is a screen-printing studio, which has produced some of the best print media designs for some very satisfied locals talents, and a recording studio.
Tonight is a celebration for the release of a new The Features’ 7-inch, and Matthew Pelham and Parrish Yaw (half of the Features) performed an acoustic set of some of their old and new material. Also on the bill is the dark and mysterious Finnish singer, The Mattoid, with a new side project consisting of Ville Kiviniemi (Mattoid himself) on lead vocals and guitar, Lauren Brown on vocals, Ben Martin on drums, William Tyler on lead guitar and Lonnie Hutchins on bass. The Mattoid brings us a set that is like listening to aggressive pop-polka while watching and laughing fearlessly as the Boogeyman dances in your closet. Eerie yet wonderfully fun, I am not let down when a friend nudges me prior to the show to say, “These guys will blow your f!@#$^g mind.”
And last but not least, Theory 8 recording artists Apollo Up (Jay Phillips on guitar and vocals, Jereme Frey on drums and Mike Shepard on bass) top off the night promoting their new album Chariots of Fire with a great set and a sound I would like to call explosive, bouncing rock. It is rock ’n’ roll wearing a veil of creativity that mourns for the death of mainstream auditory jargon and the crowd is very glad to mourn along with them. As always, at Grand Palace, great music is to be heard.
As I observe the ever-increasing number of people filling the room, and the many hanging through windowsills and in and around doorways, I begin to wonder what it is about Grand Palace that brings in a crowd such as this?
It happens because it is needed. Far too long we have had to put up with crowded bars and wretched venues with bad sound, bad crowds and bad management. And the fact that we have put up with it so long is what makes the Grand Palace that much more enjoyable. It is always a grand time at the Grand Palace and hopefully will remain that for a long time.
Check out Grand Palace Records at:
grandpalace.us for upcoming shows and the many great services they provide.
Mattoid:
cleftmusic.net/mattoid.html
Apollo Up:
apolloup.com
The Features:
thefeatures.com
