Nashville Preview: The Non-Commissioned Officers

The Non-Commissioned Officers:

Who the hell are they? Well, there's not much to go on other than the fact that they formed out of proximity to a song score that two brothers were co-composing for a local indie film. Collaborations ensued, and in 2004, Jordan and Eric Lehning (the brothers) decided to take it to the next level, hence forth becoming The Non Comissioned Officers. Enlisting the help of a myriad of local scenesters, The Officers are an eclectic mix of musical talents. Members of this group, including guitarist Buddy Hughen, also make up the rising Nashville act Eureka Gold, who are working on a new LP that is, by all accounts, quite stellar.

You won't hear much about The Non-Commissioned Officers for some time, we reckon. They are rooted deep in Nashville's indie underground, but will soon peek their heads out briefly to release a debut EP titled, Make Out With Violence.' (Make Mine) coming out on Sept. 28. Sorry to say, but this is a Myspace-only listening session as of now. Musical references include: Brian Eno, Metric and the electro-brit pop genre.

STARK DEBUT VIDEO: TRISTEN "Matchstick Murder"

Tristen: "Matchstick Murder" from Tristen on Vimeo.

[mp3] Tristen: "Eager For Your Love"

We here at Stark are delighted to bring you "Matchstick Murder" the debut video from amazing Nashville songwriter Tristen. You know her from her impressive NY debut at our Northside showcase and from our plentiful posts on her in the past. Jeff Wyatt Wilson filmed and directed this video as part of a feature on Tristen that will run in the September issue of American Songwriter magazine. Yet, Tristen conceived the storyline as well as all of the costumes and color coordination. Also featured in the video, are fellow Nashvillians cellist/guitarist Larissa Maestro, drummer Patrick Rodgers from the band And The Relatives, guitarist Buddy Hughen from the band Eureka Gold, and bassist Eric Lehning. "Matchstick Murder" will be a featured track on Tristen's upcoming debut LP Charlatans at the Garden Gate, which is being recorded now in Nashville for release later this year. See Tristen on the cover of the Nashville Scene with fellow Stark favorites Those Darlins and Caitlin Rose.