Knoxville520.com

We Knoxville music lovers are a lucky bunch.

On any given night, one can find damn near any genre of music being played live in unique environments. This Saturday, for instance, there will be jazz in Bearden, hip hop on Gay St., bluegrass in North Knoxville and African world music on Market Square. I've lived many different places, and little Knoxville holds its own against any major city, as far as musical diversity goes! There are many venues in our fair city that are working hard to keep it that way.

One of the best places to consistantly hear local and visiting cutting-edge performers is the Pilot Light on Jackson Avenue in the Old City. One such group will be holding court on their stage this weekend - the brooding and theatrical Murder By Death.

This Indiana band is somewhat new on the scene, but already they've racked up quite a list of credentials that include playing the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival and opening for The Pogues. Their eclectic sound is earning them favor among those who desire a little intelligence mixed with their melodies.

Murder By Death incorporates dark themes, long piano lines and wild cello solos into their always entertaining and melodramatic shows. Currently on a mega US tour to promote their latest release, In Bocca al Lupo, which was called "flawless, tragic and beautiful, audacious and ballsy from start to finish", by Outburn Magazine. The album features saloon songs, pirate anthems and haunting instrumental solos that will give you the willies. (Speaking of solos, on their first record, Like The Exorcist, But More Breakdancing, Murder By Death wowed listeners with an 8-minute instrumental solo that they claim was recorded entirely in darkness.)

Appearing with Murder By Death is Sam Lowry, who's voice and songwriting been compared to that of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. Enough said.

Don't miss your chance to see these up-and-coming musicians in then intimacy of the Pilot Light this Saturday at 9pm. Click here for more info.

Watch the video for "Brother" by Murder By Death.