Damon Johnson may not be green to the music scene, but his debut solo album -- Memoirs of an Uprising -- reintroduces him to the world as a versatile alt-rock performer who can switch between tender and tremendous on a dime. After leaving his previous band Black Star Riders after a soul search, Johnson recorded his solo debut, calling the material on it "the most honest music I've ever made." Johnson has experience working with artists such as Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, and John Waite, and that influence along with his previous guitar work with Black Star Riders shines on the new record. You might also hear hints of U2 and Chris Cornell if you listen close enough. Johnson will perform at The Basement East on May 8th to support Memoirs of an Uprising; The Winery Dogs will also take the stage that night. Check out the video for "Shivering Shivering", the first single from the record, below. - Will Sisskind

Brother Maven -- made up of Nashville expats Daniel, JP, Joel, and Scottie -- blend soul, country, and Southern rock into a groove worthy of your ears. Their debut single "Bring It On Back" dropped earlier this month, and the band have already wowed audiences around the city in their wild live performances. You yourself can see Brother Maven rip up the stage on May 5th at The 5 Spot, along with fellow soulful musician Doran Danoff and genre blender David DeVaul. For a taste of what you'll hear at The 5 Spot, take a listen to "Bring It On Back" below. - Will Sisskind

When it comes to catchy pop hooks in the Music City, Tristen Gaspadarek (who goes by her first name) stands among the best in the game. In recent years, she's toured with the Mountain Goats and Robyn Hitchcock, and she's played as a member of Jenny Lewis's band. Her last album Sneaker Waves dropped in 2017, but now, after spending some quality time in the studio, Tristen will release two new tracks -- "Dream Within a Dream" and its B-side "Red Lava" -- on May 10. Tristen will take some time in the beginning of May to tour the Midwest in support of the new indie pop jams, but she'll return to Nashville on May 17th to play Grimey's New and Preloved Music. Hype yourself up with a listen of Tristen's track "Got Some" below. - Will Sisskind

For the pleasant coming warmth of spring comes a song born from pain: Erin Rae's "Bad Mind" came out last year on her album Putting On Airs, but it gets new life as the music video for the track has just dropped. It shows Rae singing in a field of blossoming branches and flowers, showing growth even as Rae stands in wistful poses and walks with her eyes downcast. The song itself concerns Rae's relationship fears and her coming to terms with what caused them, including memories of an Alabama court ruling her aunt to be an "unfit mother" because she was gay. The video's mixture of pensiveness -- Erin -- and perseverance -- how the flowers bloom every year -- show that through grief, there can be growth. Rae will take her songs on the road this spring and summer; she'll make a hometown stop in Nashville at Musicians Corner on May 25th. Catch her then; for now, watch the video for "Bad Mind" below. - Will Sisskind

Maybe you have wanted to hear Great Peacock's Americana stylings live, but don't like the idea of leaving the comfort of your own home. With the advent of streaming services, you can make your dream a reality. Great Peacock will perform live on April 28th on DittyTV, available on TiVo, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, or any other major streaming service. The performance follows a recent string of shows supporting the Infamous Stringdusters, and will kick off a series of tour dates throughout May and June to support Yonder Mountain String Band. If you miss the performance on DittyTV, select songs from the show will appear in the channel's archives on YouTube. And if you want to listen to Great Peacock's unconventional and atmospheric Americana now, take a listen to "Oh Deep Water" from 2018's Gran Pavo Real below. - Will Sisskind