Nov 15: The Matchcoats, The Heavy Hearts, Chris K Davidson, Early Americans at Black Market

On November 15, four acts bring an assortment of acoustic folk and electric rock to Black Market Bar & Grill in Five Points.

First up are The Matchcoats, a traditional folk duo with male/female harmony. Gabriel Akins’ delta blues-inspired guitar echoes classics like Mississippi John Hurt while Sarah Akins’ voice is the perfect complement to his deeper registers. The two have one of the most true-to-roots styles around. Their pleasant melodies and charming stories over alternating bass are a fine example of the our folk scene’s songwriting.

Fresh out of the recording studio, The Heavy Hearts are a fitting transition from old-time folk to today’s Americana-infused rock. The duo sits right in the middle with saccharine vocals and clever instrumentation. Singer Lauren-Michael Sellers’ voice has incredible range and a uniquely smooth quality reminiscent of Regina Spektor. Guitarist Zac Baldwin is a disciplined accompaniment player whose melodies complement each song while never overstepping it.     

Chris K. Davidson and company bring a full band to the stage, expanding on Davidson’s acoustic singer/songwriter approach with modern reverb and crowd vocals. The band delivers down-to-earth narratives that are instantly relatable and can inspire a moment or two of introspection. They have a library of upbeat, optimistic numbers as well, cataloged in last year’s The Thrill of Hope.  

The four-piece Early Americans wrap things up with a blend of electric accents, rock percussion, and enough acoustic presence to fit right in with the night’s program. EA floats somewhere between indie rock and folk, combining traits from two of Birmingham’s most active scenes. Electric guitars offer both clean chiming notes and overdriven power chords. Thematically, the group bears a resemblance to the songwriters making rounds over the mountain and in a few exposed-brick venues downtown. 

The show starts at 9 p.m., November 15. With a $5 cover.

Black Market (Five Points) is located at 2011 Highland Ave. South. Birmingham, AL 35205,