When California-based Diamond Carter relocated to Nashville, he brought not just his six-piece band but also a commitment to continually play what felt right, exploring new styles of music and not limiting himself to any one genre. With influences as diverse as the Grateful Dead, the Louvin Brothers and Lou Reed, it’s easy to see why Carter wouldn’t want to box himself in. His music runs the gamut from acoustic pop to funk and back again.
In addition to the standard guitar, bass and drums line up, the band’s first incarnation in Nashville featured a sax player and three back up singers, providing an almost church-like feel to the band’s live shows, despite the fact that they were often singing about decidedly un-gospel like subject matter.
Now, sans backup singers, Carter and the band continue to tackle dark subjects, often times in the catchiest of songs. Their new single, “Evil is a Young Man’s Game,” which has already been picked up by local radio and is available for free download via the band’s Facebook, is about sadomasochism.
With such wide influences, so many different styles already mastered and under their belts, and so many short, catchy songs, the band always keeps you guessing about what’s next, but they never disappoint. Their next show will be October 10th, at Nashville’s 12th & Porter, where they’re playing a monthly residency with Sexx and The Gills.
-Meagan Lawson
