Give It Up For Guitar Shops (and The Cities They Live In)! : Eastside Music Supply
Emily Elhaj
Photos by Mathewson Imaging Co.
Opening its doors in 2014, Eastside Music Supply has become a local favorite. With an envious boutique pedal selection and full-service shop, Eastside fills a void in East Nashville. Not to be pigeonholed, synths, pro audio gear, and amps can also be found among the walls…and walls of pedals.
The shop’s sterling reputation has been vouched for via online reviews but also by living, breathing musicians. I asked around. They aren’t stuffy about their guitars and effects and encourage shoppers to try out gear. In fact, they’re just as excited about them as you are. Being open late (till 9pm Monday - Thursday, 10pm Friday and Saturday, and 6pm Sunday) is also a remedy for the post-soundcheck, gear malfunction blues. Though, earlier this year, EMS was burgled by a man who smuggled out an instrument by putting it in his pants. To quote Josh Breslow of WKNR who reported about the theft, “How do you fit a guitar down your pants?”
We talked with owner and guitarist Blair White about the shop’s humble beginnings and its ascent to a premier shop for new and used gear. White notes, initially, “We only had enough money to buy ten boxes of strings, about thirty pedals, and a couple guitars off of Craigslist!” Now, loads of working musicians and collectors find Eastside Music Supply to be a comfortable place to try and buy their next piece of inspiration.
Emily Elhaj: Can you share a little history about Eastside Music Supply?
Blair White: Eastside Music Supply was spawned by one too many trips across the river (in brutal traffic), just to buy some small gear necessities. Aside from the lack of stores providing what we needed on our side of the river, NO ONE in town was carrying weird effects, guitars, and amps. We knew we weren't the only ones that wanted to get our hands on some obscure gear and we didn't like playing the gear roulette by purchasing gear online without playing it first.
So, we set out to create a space where people could plug in and demo gear from smaller, under the radar companies and help bring awareness to all of the options that musicians had to choose from!
EE: In a city with so many wonderful music shops, how does yours differ?
BW: I'm a native, so I grew up shopping in the Nashville music stores. Every shop does something really well but this city was seriously lacking variety. We specialize in effects, and obscure "you won't find that anywhere else" type of gear. Those kinds of things were not available when we opened our doors. I'd say that's what sets us apart.
EE: Would you say your shop is pedal-focused?
BW: Pedals have always been an obsession so, naturally, that is our bread and butter. However, we pride ourselves in our curated selection of guitars, amps, and synthesizers as well. We also have some of the best luthiers and repair techs in the freaking country that work here and we do a lot of custom builds, repairs, and restorations.
EE: What’s one fact everyone should know about the store?
BW: We started with a dream and no money. We tried to get investors but very few saw our vision being successful. We didn't have a big capital bank account supporting us. When we started we actually had to fill the shop with our own gear to make it look like we had inventory. The majority of the guitars and amps weren't even "for sale" haha. Looking back, that must've been odd for customers. "Yes, you can play that Jazzmaster… oh, no, it's not for sale."
EE: Most interesting instrument currently in the shop?
BW: Right now, it would have to be a Univox Bicentennial. It's a Strat-style guitar that was made in Japan for America's Bicentennial celebration (1976). The body has a hand carved eagle that covers most of the top and it's loaded with three Univox humbuckers. It's super wild and you can see it on our Reverb shop!
EE: Favorite instrument you’ve ever sold?
BW: We had a one-of-a-kind Custom Shop Les Paul R8 that had a beautiful cream colored top. I still regret not snagging that one for myself.
EE: Favorite 'trying out a guitar' song?
BW:: I have a habit of riffing on my own songs because I'm familiar with them and know how I'd like to hear them in my head. But I'll still usually play “Rhinoceros” by The Smashing Pumpkins.
EE: Some Nashville musicians/bands that frequent the shop and keep it going?
BW: TONS. This shop lives and dies by our local scene. Local regulars range from the Kings of Leon and Kacey Musgraves crew to Charlie Whitten, Derek Hoke and everyone in between. Good Buddy, Becca Mancari, Pat Sweeney, Margo Price, Lacquer, Devon Gilfillian, TWEN, All Them Witches, Liz Cooper and the Stampede, Microwave Mountain, Bleary, and so on... I could literally spend hours answering this question. Our local scene is incredible.
EE: It seems like you’ve had a relationship with EarthQuaker Devices for awhile. When did Eastside start carrying the pedals?
BW: EarthQuaker was one of the first brands that we carried when we opened the doors. I sent an email to Julie six years ago and she saw our vision and came along for the ride. They've gone out of their way to help us a lot. They helped us to host events at the shop when we were just getting started, sent us a big 'ole demo board to keep in the shop, and sent us new pedals to add to the demo board. They're seriously the best. Watching EQD grow has been fulfilling. They most certainly deserve it. Jamie and Julie are fucking angels in this industry.
EE: What’s on your board at the moment?
BW: This will definitely change before this interview is published. I have a bad problem with destroying and rebuilding my rig on a weekly basis. Right now it looks like this: Montreal Assembly Your and You're, '85 Rat, Montreal Assembly Positive, Spaceman Voyager, Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl, Spaceman Explorer, Endangered Audio Research AD4096, EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye, Empress Echosystem, and an Empress Reverb. Not a lot of EQD at the moment but the Spatial Delivery, Data Corrupter, and Rainbow Machine all make appearances!
EE: Any tried and true combinations to share?
BW: Greer Lightspeed with a Strymon Deco. That's a drive combo I always come back to. The Tape Saturation side of the Deco makes everything sound better and my ears are still honeymooning with the Lightspeed.
What you must see in Nashville!
EE: What’s the first thing someone visiting Nashville should eat?
BW: Hot Chicken, is this a trick question?
EE: Favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Nashville?
BW: Redheaded Stranger, Mitchell's Deli, and El Jaliciense.
EE: Best local beer?
BW: Little Harpeth Strawberry Gose or Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA
EE: Favorite bar?
BW: Dive - Mickey's. Fancy - Urban Cowboy or Pearl Diver
EE: Favorite music venue?
BW: The 5 Spot, DRKMTTR, and Ascend Amphitheater.
EE: What should bands know about your city’s audiences?
BW: It's very hit or miss. This town can kinda suck to play in sometimes. Everyone here is a musician which makes it hard for people to get excited about seeing live music. While there is a great community of people that support the scene, there are also literally hundreds of shows, seven days a week, all within a ten mile radius. This town chews up musicians and spits em out. So be tough!
EE: What touristy (or non-touristy) thing is a must-do?
BW: Go to a Predators game! Even if you hate sports, it's a lot of fun. If it's not hockey season, the Frist Art Museum always has really cool exhibits and The Opryland Hotel is rad. It has a crazy cool waterpark.
EE: Favorite Nashville lingo?
BW: Does "y'all" count?
Visit Eastside Music Supply:
2915 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN 37216
1-615-647-7715
From New Orleans and currently based in Los Angeles, Emily Elhaj is a writer, photographer, and has performed and recorded with Angel Olsen, The Raincoats, Implodes, Sofia Bolt, Anna St. Louis, Vagabon, Hand Habits, and Jess Cornelius. She plays guitar and bass and is generously endorsed by Hofner, Fender, EarthQuaker Devices, & Original Fuzz. Emily runs the label Love Lion which began in 2010 and currently moderates an ongoing collection of conversations with creatives called the Love Lion Interview Series.
