Chloe Kimes
Jalopy Theatre315 Columbia Street, New York 11231
Chloe Kimes plays Jalopy Theatre on November 14. The Nashville-based independent artist and songwriter brings a solo bill centered on her direct, difficult-to-shake storytelling and distinctive vocal delivery. The date comes in the run around her sophomore album, Daredevil, a collection written through years of near-constant travel and concerned with the lessons, doubts, discipline, and fears of life as an independent touring musician.
Raised on the lakeshores of western Michigan, Kimes started writing songs before age ten, worked the Michigan live circuit as a teenager, and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. She studied songwriting at Middle Tennessee State University and remains a weekly DJ at 89.5 WMOT Roots Radio. Her 2022 self-titled debut was followed by “Coors Light,” her viral song about beer, band life, and finding contentment in small things; it also helped earn her an Album of the Year Jammie Award from WYCE Michigan Public Radio. A full-time independent musician since 2021, she has toured with Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Lola Kirke, and Brent Cobb, and opened for Jelly Roll in Nashville. The listing describes her songs as carrying “grit, warmth,” vivid imagery, and a bare-all approach to complicated parts of life.
Jalopy Theatre offers a unique evening centered on folk and traditional music in a space that feels like a blend of a vintage music hall and a community gathering spot. The venue holds around 100 people, with seating that invites close-up listening, allowing you to catch every nuance of the acoustic performances. The walls reflect its roots in handmade and analog traditions, creating a setting where the music’s authenticity is palpable. Adjacent to the theatre, the Jalopy Tavern serves drinks late into the night, often with live music of its own, extending the experience beyond the main show. Shows are ticketed and often feature multiple sets, fostering a night where the music and the crowd’s focus are intertwined, making it a place to truly immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of roots music.