HBO saved Jace Everett’s career, and he is in no way shy about admitting that.

“My career was out on cinderblocks in the front yard when [True Blood] happened,” Everett, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, said.

Everett’s song “Bad Things” carries the opening credits of the HBO hit show that stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer.

For Everett, “True Blood” has done more than give him airtime.

 “It gave me confidence,” he said. That confidence began before the show even aired, influencing his 2009 album “Red Revelations.”

“We knew that “True Blood” was going to happen, so [with “Red Revelations”] we did that swampy sound,” Everett said. “I love that kind of music.”

It’s important to note Everett’s love for the music he is able to create today. He hasn’t always had that luxury.

In 2006, Everett released a self-titled debut album — including the “Bad Things” track — under the Epic Records label.

Touring mostly in Europe, Nashville singer-songwriter Jace Everett is excited to bring his music to Athens. Photo Courtesy Jace Everett

“I’m not a country star,” he said. “It was weird to be presented to country-western audiences. I failed miserably but it gave me the freedom to unabashedly pursue [what I want].”

That freedom has influenced not just his genre of choice but also the audiences for which Everett plays today.

“I try to keep it as pure as possible,” he said. “I write for me … or a project or a film thing, I don’t write for an audience per se.”

Everett’s stop in Athens tonight is significant beyond being his first show in the Classic City: he doesn’t play to American audiences that often.

“People think you travel and get to see the world, but there isn’t a whole lot of sightseeing. Usually you see the band, the venue and the bus,” Everett said. “I don’t really tour the U.S. Mostly I do so in Europe, Scandinavia.”

Even with a lack of U.S. tour dates, Everett likes to perform.

“I enjoy having a good show,” he said. “Performing and writing go hand in hand — I wouldn’t be comfortable just putting out albums and not performing.”

Everett is adamant, though, that he holds no bad feelings for fans who come only to hear “Bad Things.”

“The album was a huge hit in Europe, ‘Bad Things’ was up to No. 9 in Norway — certified gold,” Everett said. “So yeah, when you’re doing three to four radio interviews, a print interview and then television at night — playing ‘Bad Things’ at all of them — it can be a bit tedious, but I don’t resent that hit [song].”

Still, Everett is grateful.

“Better to be a one-hit wonder than a no-hit wonder,” he said.

JACE EVERETT

Where: The Melting Point

When: Tonight, doors open at 8:30

Price: $7 in advance, $10 day of show