SoundTrack web extra: Mended Heart Compilation

Say you’ve been wanting to describe the local music scene to someone who doesn’t live in Asheville. Or you want a local mix for your next porch party (take heart, those days are coming soon). Or you just wanted to a good deed and contribute to a charity. Local indie-label Mended Heart Records, has you covered on all counts with its Band Together Compilation 2011: “A compilation CD, featuring 14 rising bands, is recorded for charity each year.”

A little bit about the project, which was released on Valentine’s Day of this year: “This project began almost a year ago when Matt [Williams, founder of Mended Heart Records] played with Greensboro’s Holy Ghost Tent Revival on the Lincoln Theater stage during Band Together‘s 2010 Main Event,” says publicist Chris Tutino. “He was so moved and excited by Band Together and had already committed to produce a CD for charity, that it just made sense for us to approach Band Together as our charity partner.”

Band Together is located in the Triangle, but this compilation is well-represented by Asheville-based artists. The album kicks off with pop-punch of The Archrivals’ “Rock Show” followed by the moody, static-y “Dangerous Ship A Wave” by Williams’ band The Ocean. Track three slows down with Moses Atwood‘s lush “Garden of Eden.” Holy Ghost Tent Revival (who have been known to share stages with Asheville’s Now You See Them, whose “The Turtle Song” is also on the track list) contributed the soulful slow dance “Young Black Hair.” Vertigo Jazz Project picks the pace back up with their frenetic “Control Grid.” Uncle Mountain‘s “Borderline” launches with falsetto peals before easing into the polished folky pop they do so well. “Scapegoat,” by Josh Blake’s Jukebox (Blake is pictured, recording, above) is a darker, heavier sound but it’s infinitely cool with skank beats, bluesy guitar and layered harmonies. Brushfire Stankgrass also has blues notes (mixed with bluegrass) on “Panthertown,” which melds with the trippy psychadelia of The Mantras’ “So Long.” If Aaron Woody Wood seems an odd choice among the more indie-type bands on this 14-song collection, his spooky, slow-burning “Put It Outcha Head” certainly holds its own. From rootsy blues to hip-hop is a bit of a stretch, but that’s how the album winds up. Wood passes the baton to Agent 23 and Marley Carroll (with other guests) on the clean, jazz-tinged “Ain’t Comin’ Down.”

According to Mended Heart, “The project features exclusive tracks from each artist that can’t be found anywhere else! Songs may be unreleased fan-favorites, alternate versions of tunes, or selections that show another side of the artist’s creativity.” Proceeds benefit Band Together NC and Alliance Medical Ministry

Buy the album here for $9.99.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

5 thoughts on “SoundTrack web extra: Mended Heart Compilation

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.