Recorded over an intense three-week stretch this summer in Grand Rapids, Mich., to coincide with Cooper’s teaching duties at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the arrangements are constructed lightly, giving plenty of room for her delicate melodies and overdubbed harmonies to shine through.
The Fritz releases a new album with social issues in mind
Earlier this year, the dance-rock group took some rare time off from performing to record a new album, titled Natural Mind, which it celebrates with a hometown show on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Asheville Music Hall.
Xero God goes spaghetti Western in a new release
If Musashi Xero and Panther God are the stars of Xero God, the guest artists they bring to the project are heavy-hitting character actors. Guitarist Jared Hooker, better known as Tin Foil Hat, and DJ Marley Carroll helped flesh out the record with atmospheric melodies and scratching work.
Stephen Evans and the True Grits revisit the past with a new EP
Reflecting on his development between when he first wrote the songs on Under the Bridge and now, Stephen Evans says the years have mellowed his approach. “Fame isn’t really the goal. We just want to keep making better and better records and having fun with it,” he explains.
Open Streets Asheville: Shape Your City
The streets of downtown Asheville were free of cars on Sept. 17 — but that doesn’t mean they were quiet. Open Streets Asheville returned for its second year, filling the roadways with people and activities, including art, dance, sports and music.
Floating Action debuts a new album
The Friday, Sept. 8 show at The Mothlight was originally a favor to Spaceface, a band led by Seth Kauffman’s friend Jake Ingalls of The Flaming Lips, though Ingalls later had to cancel.
Durand Jones & The Indications bring DIY energy to old-school soul
Over the past year, that unique sound has led Durand Jones & The Indications to tour the country and perform gigs at festivals including South by Southwest and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. The group now brings its funky grooves to The Mothlight on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Small bites: Noble Kava celebrates new location
In its seventh year, Noble Kava launches a new location on Biltmore Avenue. Also, the WNC Battle of the Burger returns, Atlanta barbecue comes to Buxton Hall, Sovereign Remedies hosts Bad Hombres Taco Pop Up and Shuck N Brew Oyster Bar opens in Fletcher.
Asheville Percussion Festival creates community around rhythm
Many of the festival’s participants come from places where the arts may be overshadowed by political controversy. This year’s lineup includes the Turkish multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek and his son Murat Tekbilek, the Iranian percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand and the Lebanese drummer Yousif Sheronick with his wife, violist Kathryn Lockwood.
New film explores the multicultural roots of traditional music and dance
The film’s world premiere is set for Thursday, June 22, at Blue Ridge Community College. Subsequent screenings will take place at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, June 29, and at White Horse Black Mountain on Friday, June 30.
Peace Garden partners with local theater for a community rejuvenation project
On Saturday, June 3, Hood Huggers will celebrate a new partnership with Voices United (a youth theater program that teaches young people to write, produce and perform in their own musicals) and Asheville Creative Arts (a local children’s theater company) by producing Ancestors in the Garden, a music and art event at the Peace Garden.
RBTS WIN and Spaceman Jones collaborate on a timely EP
Drawing from the approach of classic hip-hop producers such as Pete Rock, Diamond D and Large Professor, Worsham’s beats resonated with Bristol’s attitude toward rapping.
Q+A with LEAF’s Legends of Africa
The three “Legends of Africa” artists Mountain Xpress spoke with from this spring’s festival all drew on the participatory atmosphere during their weekend performances.
Open mic at Catawba Brewing Co. celebrates local songwriting
To celebrate the open mic and jam session’s third anniversary, organizer Jon Edwards is returning Musicians in the Round to its roots: Every Monday in May is devoted to songs written within 60 miles of Asheville.
The 44th LEAF features ‘Legends of Africa’
The program that emerged from Pickering’s trip, LEAF International Rwanda, is now sending four of its performers to LEAF. The young Rwandans will join over 400 other artists at the festival’s 44th edition, which takes over Camp Rockmont from Thursday, May 11, to Sunday, May 14.
In photos: Kishi Bashi and Tall Tall Trees at The Grey Eagle
It was a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere throughout the night with no shortage of dancing, clapping and smiles during both Kishi Bashi and a great opening performance by Tall Tall Trees.
Los Lonely Boys bring their ‘Revelation’ tour to Asheville
Often and unfairly pigeonholed as a Mexican-American rock band, Los Lonely Boys draw from many styles of music to create their original songs. The band comes to plays Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville on Wednesday, March 8.
Smart bets: Valerie June
Australian duo Oh Pep! opens June’s show at The Orange Peel on Monday, March 6.
Smart bets: Sweet Megg & The Wayfarers
Old-time jazz fans can catch performances at The Crow & Quill on Sunday, March 5 or at The BLOCK Off Biltmore on Monday, March 6.
Smart bets: Kettle Black
The band opens for Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats at Pisgah Brewing Co. on Friday, March 3.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays two nights at Diana Wortham Theatre
The South African a cappella group reflects on 30 years of international acclaim and U.S. touring.