Beloved, eclectic indie and art pop artist and Nashville transplant Mitski has a new album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, set to arrive on Feb. 27, which she has previewed so far with two fantastic singles, “Where’s My Phone?” and “I’ll Change for You.” In support, the conceptual, one-of-a-kind songwriter has also been announcing shows around the globe, most part of residences at fairly intimate spaces, which seems to be her preferred way to bring her captivating, immersive live show to life (check out our review of her incredible Ryman residency in 2024).
But, before kicking off that run next month in New York, following the album’s release, Mitski has just announced a surprise, last minute performance right here in her adopted hometown, this Sunday, Feb. 8 at The Basement East– her smallest Music City show in seven years. In an effort to try to keep tickets in the hands of local fans, they can only be purchased in-person at Grimey’s on Saturday, Feb. 7 beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets include a pre-order of the new album, along with GA entry to the all ages show at The Basement East, which features support from Bleary, and are limited to two per person. With a capacity of 575, there will, certainly, be more demand than available tickets, so you’re encouraged to line up early. Much like Record Store Day, the shop has posted instructions, directing fans where to line up and how the line will move:
Born in Japan to an American father and Japanese mother- dual identities which have long informed her personal and artistic ethos- the beloved indie, art pop, and folk rock artist spent her youth moving from country to country around the world due to her father’s job at the U.S. State Department, ultimately settling in New York for college to study music. During her time in school, Mitski self-released her first two albums, Lush and Retired from Sad, New Career in Business, setting an early foundation for the genre-bending, deeply personal, and layered pop sound she’d come to perfect. By 2014’s Bury Me at Makeout Creek she had begun attracting more buzz and inked an independent record deal, flexing even more adventurous and subversive influences, but it was subsequent two records Puberty 2 and Be the Cowboy, released in 2016 and 2018 through buzzy label Dead Oceans, that truly made Mitski an indie darling, critically beloved new musical fixture, and amassed a fervent following and ubiquitous acclaim.
A whirlwind of attention, touring, opening spots for major acts like Pixies and Lorde would follow, and, in part due to the attention, qualms with the capitalistic nature of the industry itself and the tendency of passionate fanbases to get a little carried away with hero worship, Mitski briefly considered stepping away from music entirely, even announcing this intention in 2019, before rescinding that decision. Instead, she ultimately left social media, moved here to Nashville (where, as far as we can tell, she’s remained ever since), and took a well-earned break, before ultimately returning in 2022 with her first LP in four years, the synth-infused Laurel Hell, largely written during the pandemic lockdowns. As great as that record was, its swift followup, 2023’s This Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, proved to be an even more impressive, intimate, folky, and focused work- perhaps’s Mitski’s best album to date- largely recorded at Nashville’s Bomb Shelter studio, and the first wholly conceived since her move to Music City.
It wasn’t so long ago that Mitski was playing more intimate Nashville venues like The End, The High Watt, and The Basement, but more recently she’s been headlining The Ryman, and surprised fans at a listening event for her last LP at The Belcourt in 2023. Though, certainly, another, larger Nashville show or residency might yet be announced, a return to an intimate space like The Basement East- even for an artist known for favoring smaller spaces- is a rare and incredible way to experience Mitski live, and those lucky enough to score a ticket are in for a magical night. Check out new tracks “Where’s My Phone?” and “I’ll Change for You” below, and stream Nothing’s About to Happen to Me on Feb. 27!
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