We’re thrilled to announce the return of BEER:30 to Grimey’s with a special Listening Party celebrating archival release of The Features’ The Mahaffey Sessions 1999! Nashville’s own YK Records is set to put out their 100th release on Thursday, January 12th, a previously unreleased full-length album by The Features. We had the pleasure of seeing The Features many times over the years, including in-store performances at Grimey’s, and saw many of these songs performed throughout the years. We’re stoked to now have those songs available for our listening pleasure on a swanky black vinyl LP featuring a handsome jacket designed by artist / musician Sam Smith, and we’re even more excited to listen to the album in the shop with all of you while we crack some cold brews (21+ only w/ valid IDs), courtesy of the good people at Tennessee Brew Works. All tips collected during BEER:30 go to support Headcount, a non-partisan, non-profit voter registration organization. In addition to drinking some cold ones, while spinning The Mahaffey Sessions 1999, we’ll also be giving away a test-pressing of the vinyl along with a Grimey’s gift certificate. This is a free & all ages affair, though you must be present to win.
In 1999, The Features recorded a full-length album with producer Matt Mahaffey (Self) but the album never saw the light of day. The band’s label was dissolving (Spongebath) and digital distribution was still in its infancy. The band regrouped, eventually signed to Universal Records, toured with Kings of Leon and found a good bit of independent success. But the lost album was never heard... until now!
The recordings were sourced from the original ADAT tapes at Matt Mahaffey's studio and remastered by John Baldwin at Infrasonic Sound. Brand new artwork was created by renowned artist Sam Smith; based onthe band's real equipment. Tho previously unreleased, the ten songs on The Mahaffey Sessions 1999 live somewhere in the heart of all Features fans. Anyone that saw the band play live during this era knew these songs inside and out. Audiences screamed along to Matt Pelham’s refrain in “Exorcising Demons”, danced wildly to the questioning chorus of “Serious” and swooned deeply to the magical refrain of “331⁄3”. Some of these tracks showed up as b-sides or on compilations over the years but the formal recordings have never been brought together until now. The Mahaffey Sessions 1999 captures a special moment in The Features history that bridges the gap between their debut and The Beginning. Twenty-three years after its inception, fans can finally enjoy these tracks any time.