In my twice-monthly blog 30 Days Out, I’ll spotlight upcoming music shows and events of note. While the most well-known venues in town (The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, and whatever they’re calling the Civic Center) consistently book popular and worthwhile acts, I’ll shine a light into some less well-lit corners, where some equally fascinating artists schedule performances. I’ll do my best to give ample advance notice so that you can adjust your budget and calendar in a way that lets you get you to the show.
This issue takes a quick look at two locally-based acts and two nationally-touring ones. What these disparate acts have in common is a love of mixing genres; each has a style that keeps a simple label — say, jam-band, Americana, indie, etc. — from describing what they do.
Artist: The Alarm Clock Conspiracy (pictured, above)
Venue: The LAB
Date: Friday, Jan. 17, 9:30 p.m.
Door: $6
A few years back, a friend invited me out to Black Mountain one evening to check out the debut of a new, hard-to-classify band featuring an ex-member of MarsupiaL. While their unique mix of country-rock, progressive and powerpop made for some fascinating originals, they won me over completely with a heartfelt, note-perfect cover of Big Star‘s “The Ballad of El Goodo.” Their 2012 self-titled album was filled with winning originals. Though they often do semi-acoustic gigs as well, the electric configuration is the one to see and hear. This night at LAB, they’re sharing the bill with East Coat Dirt.
Artist: Delta Moon
Venue: Highland Brewing Co.
Date: Friday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m.
Door: FREE
Fronting this semi-acoustic blues outfit is Tom Gray, who — in what now seems like a previous life — led, sang and plays synthesizers(!) in The Brains, an Atlanta-based early ‘80s new wave group that cut the original version of “Money Changes Everything,” later a hit for Cyndi Lauper. None of which has any discernible sonic connection to Delta Moon, an aggregation that’s equal parts swampy Delta blues and swaggering Appalachian twang. The husky-voiced Gray was named Blues Songwriter of the Year for 2008 by the American Roots Music Association. With seven albums to their credit, Delta Moon are a big international draw; catch them at Highland for one of their last Stateside gigs prior to their heading out on an extensive European tour.
Artist: Willie Sugarcapps
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Friday, Jan. 31, 9 p.m.
Door: $10 advance
The word “supergroup” is oft-abused. But this five-piece featuring well-known names (Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough, Anthony and Savana Lee Crawford of Sugarcane Jane and Corky Hughes) deserves the sobriquet. A favorite on No Depression‘s readers’ poll, the group rose out of an informal weekly music gathering in deepest Alabama. The collective’s self-titled debut was released in fall 2012; they describe their music as “deep southern Gulf Coast country blues, folk rock, stomp-n-roll.”
Artist: Everyone Orchestra
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Thursday, Feb. 6, 10 p.m.
Door: $15 advance
Speaking of supergroups, Everyone Orchestra earns the title as well. Leeds, England-based The New Mastersounds’ ace guitarist Eddie Roberts is merely one of many stellar instrumentalists who will be onstage this go-round with the EO. Conducted by Matt Butler, Everyone Orchestra combine the jam aesthetic with the power and versatility of a large group; unlike a typical orchestra, spontaneity and surprise are hallmarks of this group. EO is never the same twice: big names float in and out, and do their thing alongside painters., dancers, jugglers and who-knows-what-else. Expect the unexpected. This night includes a set from DJ Logic as well.
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Very cool blog concept! I’m excited to check out all of these bands and hopefully catch some of them live. I’ve already got the Spotify playlist started!
I’d like to see the Xpress do something like this for all arts, and not just music which it seems to spend an inordinate amount of focus, and copy covering.