Image via Complex Original
Soul, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, and garage rock—Memphis, Tenn., is brimming with music, and it’s been that way for as long as anyone here can remember. Both Sun Studios and Stax Records are here. Elvis’ Graceland is here. Isaac Hayes could be seen cruising around town in the Shaftmobile (until it was impounded during his descent into bankruptcy). Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf built careers here, as did native musical pioneers Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and Big Star.
In the ’90s, hip-hop artists like Three 6 Mafia and their predecessors, 8Ball & MJG, were making music that was almost unheard of outside of certain parts of the South but would later go on to influence an entire generation of hip-hop artists like Young Dolph, Yo Gotti, and Don Trip. And that’s not to mention the dance known as jookin’ or the rap subgenre of Crunk that both hail from Memphis.
All that is to say is that there’s a lot happening here if you step just beyond the Beale Street dives, the touristy blues haunts, and the watering holes frequented by foreigners. Artists, record shops, labels, entrepreneurs, and hustlers are all quietly and tirelessly helping to shape Memphis’ music scene. It’s one that somehow doesn’t ever quite get the credit it deserves, but leads to more than a handful of hidden gems. With a hearty shout-out to Madison at Goner Records (also a member of rad local band NOTS) for her awesome insight, let’s take a look at what’s going on in the Memphis music scene today.
Ex-Cult
First off, let’s dive right in with one of the bands highlighted in Budweiser’s Made in America Memphis doc that perfectly showcases what the Memphis punk scene is all about. Ex-Cult (formerly Sex Cult, which only further improves their name choice) might have the most buzz out of all the other bands from Memphis at the moment. Their aggressive kitchen-sink sound falls somewhere between proto-punk and hardcore—with hazy psych-rock tangents thrown in for good measure. As is the case with many Memphis musicians, this quintet is actively engaged in its local scene, sharing projects with other Memphis bands and releasing music, including the raucous recent release Midnight Passenger, on the local institution of a label Goner Records. Which brings us to…
Goner Records
Goner Records (2152 Young Ave.)—a spin-off of the area's other historic one-stop indie record shop, Shangri-La—has developed somewhat of a glowing mythical ethos around itself. What began as a record label by two local musicians Eric Friedl and Zac Ives quickly grew into a brick-and-mortar record store, event organizer, and all-around scene sculptor. The label specializes in garage rock and punk rock from local shredders like Oblivians and Reatards, and national and international acts like Ty Segall, Guitar Wolf, and the King Khan & BBQ Show. Goner’s record store is definitely notable for its comprehensive punk selection, but as any record store in Memphis should, it also carries plenty of soul, blues, and country. Since 2004, it's also hosted Goner Fest, an annual music festival that showcases local bands.
Shangri-La Records
If there’s one shop that gives Goner Records a run for its money, it’s the one that birthed Goner from its very own iconic, musically omnivorous loins. We’re talking about Shangri-La Records (1916 Madison Ave.)—a local landmark we’d argue is up there alongside Stax in terms of its influence on Memphis music. These guys have been around for over 25 years and have always had local and international favorites stocked. Everything from local bands (which are always given prominent shine) to obscure country records, soul staples, electronica, and hip-hop can be found in its the bins. Its affiliate—Shangri-La Projects—also puts out a killer underground guide to the city that is highly recommended.
Royal Studios
To have a local music scene, the music’s gotta get made somewhere, and one of the places that’s been doing it longer than almost anyone in the world is Royal Studios (1320 Willie Mitchell Blvd.). Originally the official studio of legendary Hi Records, countless notable soul, R&B, and rockabilly artists have made the magic happen here including Al Green, Ann Peebles, Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, as well as contemporary artists like John Mayer, Cody ChesnuTT, and Anthony Hamilton. The original in-house producer Willie Mitchell—and for all intents and purposes creative captain of the ship—has passed the torch on to his son, Boo, who now brings in big names like Bruno Mars and Snoop Dogg.
Young Dolph
It has taken a criminally long time for Memphis to get the credit it deserves among the hip-hop cognoscenti, considering artists like 8Ball & MJG and Three 6 Mafia were kings of Memphis hip-hop by ’96. Today, a more acceptable level of respect is given to this drum-machine-heavy (sample-light) brand of Southern hip-hop. With that increased respect and attention comes more exposure to outside styles. Just take one look at Young Dolph, who might just be the hottest rapper in Memphis right now. His laid-back, unhurried flow is totally Memphis (maybe even a little West Coast), but his beats have moved toward a minor-key, call-and-response banger that seems to be populating a lot of the national underground hip-hop scene at the moment. Young Dolph caught our attention before, and his most recent mixtape, High Class Street Music 4 (American Gangster), which features DJ Squeeky, Drumma Boy, Gucci Mane, and Trae Tha Truth, is not to be missed.
Cities Aviv
On the other end of the Memphis hip-hop spectrum is the genre-blurring Gavin May (née Cities Aviv). Coming from a hardcore punk background, Cities Aviv never really lost that sharp bite to his voice, even if his production may sample anything from Deftones to Steely Dan. He’s been compared to Death Grips and RZA, while stating a strong influence from local hip-hop legends like Three 6. Check out his release from earlier this year, Come to Life, to get an idea of exactly what Memphis underground hip-hop looks like in 2K14.
Electraphonic Recording
Originally built as the studio of music supervisor Scott Bowmar for the film Hustle & Flow, Electraphonic Recording (777 S. Main St.) quickly turned into a permanent recording studio dedicated to Memphis music of all styles. Specializing on keeping Memphis soul alive, Electraphonic has recorded local soul trio the City Champs, Cyndi Lauper, and Memphis favorites like the late Jay Reatard and Jack Oblivian. They’ve also worked with Fat Possum Records, DJ Shadow, David Banner, and Al Kapone.
NOTS
Another local band garnering much national attention is NOTS. This all-female group shreds out old-school punk in its purest, most raw form. Due to release its debut LP in November, the band features the ex-Ex-Cult bassist Natalie Hoffman on guitar, as well as local musicians Charlotte Watson of the Manateees on drums, Madison Farmer of Goner Records fame on bass, and Alexandra Eastburn on synth.