The Blind Mule, at 57 N. Claiborne St. in downtown Mobile, carried one of the longest lineups of the 2016 SouthSounds Music Festival. Its attic stage and downstairs dining room, plus an outdoor patio, have made it a downtown favorite for years – not only as a bar but for a kitchen that regulars praise.
A weekend of regional and local acts
Friday’s bill ran from Paper Bison and Creature Camp through The Hallers and Bantam Foxes. Saturday anchored with Shadow Giant, Ten Foot Beast, Emerald Heavy, Face on Mars, and Mobile’s own Black Titan. Sunday featured a singer-songwriter event with Heath Underwood, Eric Erdman, Gregg Fells, Josh Ewing, J.W. Teller, and Lance Howell.
We spoke with several of the bands about why independent rooms matter. Austin, Texas, power-trio Ten Foot Beast – still hunting for a vocalist to match its intensity – recalled the Mule’s hospitality and its shrimp and grits. Mobile’s Black Titan, built from a punk and progressive-metal background, was set to anchor Saturday night and preview material from its first LP. The Hallers described an indie-rock blend of guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals.
Why the Mule matters
Drummer Brian Dunbar summed up the sentiment: independent local venues are the lifeblood of Mobile’s music scene, and the Blind Mule plays a major role. Without such businesses, he said, there is simply no place for local music in the city.