The Minks Kick Off Another Big Weekend of Upstate Music

The Minks

Every week I look at the upcoming music calendar and, most times at least, I scratch my head over what might be the biggest and most popular show of the weekend. Other times I take one glance at the calendar and recognize a familiar name and declare that to be the show of the weekend. It is most satisfying, however, when I sit down to listen to someone new and find myself completely blown away.

Ladies and gentleman, allow me to talk about The Minks for a moment.

I honestly did not know what to expect when I saw “Nashville’s ‘psychedelic-bloos’” band in The Minks bio but, upon the first notes of their latest single “Lavender” I honestly do not care how they describe themselves. It took a couple tracks before I got to “J. Walker Blues” and remembered that I had dabbled in The Minks catalog before but, somehow, falling in love at second sight listen is way underrated.

Nikki Barber (The Minks)

Led by Nikki Barber, The Minks sound like old time rock & roll, blues, and country were all thrown into a blender which ultimately collapsed under the pressure of it all until it was ultimately harnessed by Barber herself. The aforementioned “Lavender” is barroom sultry at its best while “J. Walker Blues” dark lyrics and wailing guitars is everything I have ever loved about the blues. Hell, it is the perfect example of why they call it “the blues” in the first place. Then, even as I type this, the track “I Want You” opens up with guitar riffs and a tempo that would be right at home on my favorite Reverend Horton Heat rockabilly record... right up until Barber’s voice makes it abundantly clear who is in charge here.

If what I am listening to on Spotify (again, as I type this), this is going to be a barnburner of a show. The energy and attitude of The Minks’ recorded material begs for a live stage and I am willing to bet at least a minimally necessary organ or limb that they are going to crush The Radio Room stage tonight. Throw in local favorite of mine Aubrey Key and Reality Something into the mix and this is a big night of music to look forward to.

In other news – because I would be remiss to ever overlook the other news – The Radio Room, Swanson’s Warehouse, and Inchoate Art Gallery are all bringing some shows worth talking about to town this weekend…

Town Mountain

The Radio Room has Town Mountain on stage Friday night and while I do not know if I would rather hear them on the next season of Yellowstone or see them headline Albino Skunk Music Fest, I suppose The Radio Room stage is a pretty fitting in-between for now. Local indie grungers Mean Sweetie put the local scene on the forefront when they headline things on Saturday evening to round out yet another expectedly great weekend at the Radio Room.

Over at Swanson’s Warehouse, the Parlor Pinks Events continues to shake things up on the local scene with an eclectic mix of shows to look forward to. Saturday is a mixed bill band/DJ event with their Dark Nouveau series which showcases a four-act combo of goth-inspired bands and “dark dance” DJs to really brighten up your Saturday night. Sunday, Clemson’s Comma Sutra, who most recently won the Best EP category at the Upstate Music Awards in April, will lead a night of indie rock to close out your weekend.

Finally, Inchoate Art Gallery continues to blaze their own trails with art, music, and events and Saturday night is no different. Wolfgang Wallace, John Balantine, Antitypical, and Ven Perp will all take a turn in the gallery/bar just a few steps off of Pendleton St. in the Village of West Greenville.