Local musicians in Dallas have it tough. We don't have a cultivated, nationally-renowned music scene like Austin or Seattle, but there is plenty of great talent in the metroplex that is looking for a place to shine. Red Bull Sound Select is a sort of corporate incubator for local "on the rise musicians," and has been able to bring some really incredible acts to the stage, like A.Dd+ and last month's Blackstone Rangers.
This month's lineup is no exception. Curated in conjunction with Central Track, tonight's installment features Quaker City Night Hawks, Somebody's Darling, and Goodnight Ned performing at Three Links. If you like supporting local music while hanging out at one of the best bars in town, you should probably get your ass to Deep Ellum tonight.
Fresh off an appearance at Fort Worth Music Fest, Quarter City Night Hawks' catchy blend of rock, Texas boogie, and blues is an excellent soundtrack to consuming copious amounts of whiskey while wearing a borrowed cowboy hat. This is what bluesy rock is supposed to sound like. If these guys sound familiar, it's probably because you heard their track "Cold Blues" on an episode of Sons of Anarchy.
Somebody's Darling has been a fixture of the local Dallas music scene since their first album was released in 2009. If you don't know who they are, you've been missing out for years. Expect a high-energy set, even when they're playing the more down-tempo tunes thanks to frontwoman Amber Ferris' soulful vocals and guitarist David Ponder's nuanced and intense playing. Maybe if we're lucky, Somebody's Darling will play a few songs from the album they're planning to release later this year.
Opener Goodnight Ned accurately describes their always harmonic, sometimes gritty sound as "keyboard fueled and guitar-driven." The last time a group of bearded dudes was harmonizing this well together, they were singing "Elvira." Goodnight Ned has been sharpening their chops at gigs all over the metroplex, including Homegrown Fest, and they're definitely ready for prime-time.
Reserve your spot at tonight's Red Bull Sound Select show to get tickets for $3, or forget and end up paying $7 at the door. If that isn't enough, there will apparently be opportunities between each set to win a sweet-ass Sound Select arm wrestling championship belt.
QUAKER CITY NIGHT HAWKS play with Somebody's Darling and Goodnight Ned at 8 p.m., tonight, Thursday, May 22, at Three Links, 2704 Elm St.
