Music City Madness, Dee’s Lounge & Everything Local | Vendors, musicians & community came together to create a space filled with harmony

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Music City Madness, led by Dylan Schlesinger, created a spectacular event at Dee’s Lounge on Sunday, May 3^rd.  Music City Madness is a monthly (and sometimes bi-monthly) pop-up collaboration of local vendors, makers, artists, musicians and more who come together to create an unforgettable experience.  This month’s event was hosted by Dee’s Lounge in Madison, Tennessee. Owner, Amy Dee says of her place, “I couldn’t find a classic country venue around Nashville when I moved here, so I opened one”.  Since 2016 it has grown to so much more than just a hub for country music, as the venue host all types of genres with just three simple rules: Pay Your Tab, Don’t Be an Asshole and You Must be 21 to Enter. It remains a classic “dive-bar” with lovely locals and a fantastic staff that want to make your experience a great one.  The decor is straight out of the 1970’s (think Urban Cowboy) and you feel like you’vefound a second home when you walk through the doors.  Not only is there a space to play music inside with nice sound quality, but there is a space out back with a large stage and plenty of seating and room for dancing on those sunny days.  This was one of those days. 

Music City Madness started their run of happenings in March, and they will run until September. The curation team touts that “this is a celebration of punk, country, rock, metal and everything in between”. Dylan told us that the aim is to “bring together local musicians, small businesses, and artists for a concert experience that’s more than just a show — it’s a space to connect.”  For this particular gathering MCM had tarot card readings, coffee, cake, books, vintage tees and a massage table on site.  Pair all that with Dee’s kick-ass cocktails and beers on tap, then throw in all the talented bands on top of that and you have a custom-made party that has a little bit of everything. The line-up was absolutely fire (do the kids still say that?) too.  The bill housed Elijah Cortez, Strawberry Cartel, Simon Thoroughman and Matt Long. 

I am sorry to say that I missed Elijah’s set, but I can speak from a previous experience in seeing him perform that the dude totally slaps (they definitely still say that, right?). Elijah brings a vigorous dynamic to his audience while playing an array of different instruments.  It’s classic rock but with an amalgamation of new pop sounds that work in harmony.  His music stimulates the audience in an electrifying way.   

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Strawberry Cartel was the delight that I put my ear to and gazed upon when I entered the backyard of Dee’s.  While I cannot confirm that the groups title comes from an illegal fruit smuggling operation underneath the Canadian border, I’m pretty sure I am close on their namesake’s origin story.  The group could easily be described as simply an indie-rock band, but there is certainly more depth to them than that moniker allows.  With catchy hooks and poppy riffs, the ensemble lends a bit of psychedelia into their repertoire as well.  I was pleased to read that one of their influences is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard who I have seen more than once.  

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Simon Thoroughman and his band followed Strawberry Cartel and brought that country sensibility to the show.  The more than capable players dug deep into their skillset and delighted all the patrons who were in attendance.  Simon was joined by Michael Castleberry on guitar, Luke Rathe on drums and Christian Lee on bass.  I don’t know how long these fellas have been playing together, but they jammed like they had been doing it forever.  A tight band with deep grooves and soulful vocals from Simon that oozed honesty. Simon also plays in a country rock band called Scioto Breeze that is a great band to catch live. 

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Matt Long was on stage to close out this wonderful event on a perfect day.  Hats off again to Dylan for wrangling all the cats and making this so. Matt brought friend and collaborator Steve Schultz up with him. Steve describes himself via his Instagram as “low rent Billy Joel” which sounds pretty great, and he was. Matt is a singer/songwriter with quite the pedigree in music education and a long list of original songs.  With his acoustic guitar and Steve on the keys, the two sparked in the spotlight, playing with and off each other with succinct unity. There was a light that was separate from the glowing sun that was shown on them. They played with passion and culminated our music experience with inspiration. 

Be sure to follow Music City Madness on their journey with more upcoming shows on June 27^th, June 28^th, July 19^th, August 16^th and September 26th. Also, venture outside your comfort zone and explore more independent venues.  If you are in Nashville and you know about The Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry then you should know about Dee’s too. “Dee’s is my favorite watering hole… You can order whatever you want, but I’m just gonna give you tequila.” – Margo Price, musician/guest bartender 

Special shoutout to the newest MCM SERIES SPONSOR: TABOOST Social Agency 

MCM  SERIES VENDORS INCLUDE: 

Mountain Mobile Massages

Wood’s Wedding Services 

Tarot Readings by Ali 

Live Painting by Olasubomi | DraftsbyOlasubomi

Whisky Kitty 

Clarksville Bookshop

Hong Meow Collective 

Dutch Lorton 

Posh Nix

Coffin Candles 

Live Painting by SQISH | StreetQualityMurals

Live Painting by VALORTWO

Tennessee Henna And Body Arts

Tarot Readings by Taya Schwarz | Mirror Mirror Intuitive Wellness

Sleepy Hollow Sounds

Doola’s Fresh Prints 

Sun & Luna Coffee

Tarot Readings by Storm Olakemi

**Special shoutout to Videographer Max Blachman @MaxMeetsMusicCity **

FUTURE SHOW DATES: 

Saturday June 27th, 3-6 PM @ Dee’s Lounge

Line up: 

• The Sea Monks
• Meghan Pulles 
• Photoyouth 
• EVA LAVANTE 

• VENDORS: 
• Flash Tattoos by Kat McCoy Guidera (including FANTASY BOOK INSPIRED options)
• Whisky Kitty  (printed patches, shirts, hats, totes, art prints,  bandanas, & more
• Hong Meow Collective (backpacks, keychains, clothes, candles, & more)
• Face Ceramics from UGGO STUDIO
• Live Painting by: SQISH | StreetQualityMurals
• Live Painting by: VALORTWO
• LINK: https://partiful.com/e/tPWIJhiqjA9cJhlt8yHB

Sunday June 28th 2-5 PM @ The East Room 

• LINEUP: 
• Tripsitter 
• Rachel Rose & The Thorns 
• LENAX
• Altalune 

• VENDORS: 
• Printed 3D products by Sleepy Hollow Studios 
• Tarot Readings by Taya 
• LINK: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/day-show-music-city-madness-the-east-room-tickets/14878213 

Sunday July 19th 6-10 PM @ The Cobra (aka Dylan’s Bday Concert)

• LINEUP:
• Caryn Dixon 
• Charley T 
• The Band Ana
• Kelsey Blackstone 

• VENDORS: 
• Tarot Readings by Storm Olakemi
• 3d Printed Goods by Sleepy Hollow Sounds
• LINK: https://partiful.com/e/A85uemLjcZ5uPmXe7Pog 

Saturday August 15th 7-11:20 PM @ The Cobra 

• LINEUP:
• Valkyrie’s Fire: 
• Hayloft
• Catchfire 
• Edge of Broken 
• Waking April 

• VENDORS: 
• Tarot Readings by Storm 
• LINK: https://partiful.com/e/lRjfqRh5wnHsNolMZwcu

Saturday, Sept 26th 2-5 PM @ The East Room (ROCK/METAL MATINEE SHOW) 

• LINEUP: 
• Dead Alive 
• LENAX
• Big Decision 
• Kay Azna & The Weapons of Mass Destruction 

• LINK: https://partiful.com/e/KiFRhFIBtQHJYxR13Eti?c=ntqIpbIM