When we heard Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, Darren King, and Cory Hale Williams were doing a clinic and show at Nelson Drum Shop, we couldn’t contain our excitement. As huge Mutemath fans, getting tickets was a no-brainer. This wasn’t just any drum clinic. This was going to be special.
Day One: The Perfect Start
We hit the road in the afternoon, making our first stop at Hunter’s Station on Nashville’s East side. This food hall is exactly what you want when everyone’s hungry but can’t agree on what to eat. With spots like Vui’s Kitchen, Everbowl, and Music City Gyros, there are plenty of options. We landed on Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop, and let me tell you – if you’re craving that perfect nostalgic greasy burger, this is your spot.
Darren King and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas at Nelson Drum Shop
We arrived at Nelson Drum Shop way early (because, of course we did) and immediately fell into conversations with other fans and friends. The energy was high. Night one focused on the rhythmic foundation between drums and bass, with Darren and Roy demonstrating how these two instruments work in harmony to create the backbone of their songs.
The coolest part? Roy, who’s become a friend since we connected at a Sucre and Darren show, slipped out before the clinic to say hey. He’s just one of those genuinely great people with an awesome family. When the doors finally opened, it felt like a family reunion. Lots of hugs and smiles before finding our seats.
Front and center for the clinic, we had no idea we were about to witness them playing parts of Mutemath songs right in front of us. The vintage drums in the shop would rattle along as they played, creating this perfect synchronization between the drum patterns and bass lines. The Q&A was fantastic, the conversations were flowing, and the music was unreal.
Day Two: Making the Most of Nashville
After crashing at the Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville North Skyline (pro tip: great budget option away from the downtown chaos), we kicked off day two with brunch at Biscuit Love. If you know about the Bonuts and East Nasty, you know what’s up. Yes, it’s a tourist spot, but sometimes the hype is real.
Nature Break and Evening Show
We balanced out all that food with a peaceful walk at Radnor Lake State Park, followed by a healthier dinner choice at Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe in Brentwood. Then it was back to Nelson Drum Shop for the main event – watching Darren King, Cory Hale Williams, and Roy absolutely kill it on stage.
Before heading home, we made one last stop at Bongo Java East for road trip fuel. (Side note: their bathrooms are surprisingly cool!)
This Nashville trip was everything we hoped for and more. It’s amazing how music can bring people together like this, creating these perfect little moments of community and connection. We’re already looking forward to our next Nashville adventure. From exploring the vibrant streets filled with live performances to sampling the delicious local cuisine, every moment was unforgettable. The Nashville Eras Tour highlights were a particular favorite, showcasing the rich tapestry of musical history that permeates the city. We can’t wait to dive deeper into the sounds and stories that make Nashville so special on our next visit.
