The Growlers in Nashville

About The Growlers

The Growlers are an Orange County indie rock band that emerged in the late 2000s with a sound that blends surf rock languor with garage rock grit. Built around Brooks Nielsen's deadpan vocals, they've developed a reputation for moody, hypnotic tracks that feel both detached and deeply felt. Their earlier work carried a stoned, coastal vibe—think lazy afternoons that suddenly snap into focus. Songs like 'City Club' showcased their ability to construct simple melodies that burrow into your head, while tracks like 'Artificial Light' demonstrated darker, more introspective leanings. The band has evolved beyond their initial Beach Goth aesthetic while maintaining the core appeal: songs that sound effortless but aren't, lyrics that reveal themselves slowly, and a general refusal to seem like they're trying too hard.

Their shows move at their own pace—no false energy, just a steady, almost hypnotic pull. Crowds tend to sway rather than thrash. Nielsen's delivery stays cool and measured even in intimate venues, which somehow makes songs hit harder. They're the band you watch rather than the band that demands your participation.

Known for City Club, Sunshine, Artificial Light, Floating, The One That Got Away

The Growlers in Nashville News

• BRONCHO Book 'Double Vanity' 10th Anniversary North American Tour Exclaim! · Feb 2, 2026
• Weekly distractions: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ semi finals, ‘Wicked’ says goodbye ‘For Good’ and the CMA Awards lit up Nashville MTSU Sidelines · Nov 24, 2025
• The Growlers Tickets, Concerts & 2026 Tour Dates Event Tickets Center · Jun 26, 2018
• The Growlers announce "Beach Goth" tour BrooklynVegan · Jun 19, 2018
• The Growlers’ Psycho Beach Party The Santa Barbara Independent · Dec 12, 2013

Live Music in Nashville

Nashville's indie rock scene has quietly developed depth beyond the country machine. Venues like The 5 Spot and Exit/In have hosted plenty of psych and garage acts, attracting musicians who want the infrastructure of a music city without its genre gatekeeping. The Growlers fit that space—experimental enough to appeal to Nashville's growing underground, comfortable enough not to alienate the broader crowd.

Nashville road trip to see The Growlers?

Stay in East Nashville, where the old theaters and independent venues give the area real character without the Broadway chaos. Dinner at Attaboy or The Stillery—places with actual craft to their food. Spend a day exploring The Ryman Auditorium if you haven't; it's impossible to ignore the gravity of that room. Walk through the honky-tonks on Broadway if you want context for what Shepherd's blues means in this particular music town. The Parthenon is worth an hour if you need something completely different from the music scene.