The Suspect: Mosier Brothers
The band describes its music as “cosmic Americana” mixed with bluegrass-laced roots rock. Brothers Jeff and Johnny along with fiddler David Blackmon were founding members of Blueground Undergrass. Even though BU had a sizeable and dedicated following, Jeff Mosier felt the need for a change. The Mosier Brothers is quieter; the band plays acoustic instruments with a “kinder, gentler drum role” but still playful. “Bluegrass was the disco music of the moonshiners,” says Jeff.
Can Be Found: MoDaddy’s, Friday, Jan. 7
RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): Yonder Mountain String Band, Acoustic Syndicate.
You Should Go If: This is the year when you’re finally going to invent your own line dance; you’re optimistic about 2011 because you’re this close to having indoor plumbing in your Marshall log cabin; you celebrated the New Year by forcing family members to listen to your banjo renditions of Johnny Cash’s greatest hits; a healthier 2011 for you means eating pork products only once a day.
The Suspect: Abbey Road LIVE
This Beatles tribute band specializes in the Fab Four’s studio years, giving fans a chance to hear what the music may have sounded like live (The Beatles stopped touring in 1966). ARL’s home base is Athens, Ga., and they pride themselves on bringing to life the complexity and exuberance of the Beatles’ music, rather than mimicking the group’s look or instruments.
Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Saturday, Jan. 8.
RIYD: The Beatles
You Should Go If: This is the year when you’re finally going to make 20-something-year-old son get his own apartment; you’re optimistic about 2011 because your 20-something-year-old son won’t be sucking your already limited resources completely dry; you celebrated the New Year by having all your son’s friends over for a pizza party; a healthier 2011 for you means not letting anyone (especially your 20-something-year-old son) make you feel guilty for taking care of you (and maybe some yoga).
The Suspect: Soulgrass Rebellion
Front man Oso Rey moved to Asheville from California with an impressive resume: He’s played with Sublime, Leftover Salmon and No Doubt. He began collaborating with Silas Durocher (of Laura Reed & Deep Pocket) and the rest of the band came together as a result of the Lexington Avenue Living Room Series, a weekly singer/songwriter showcase at BoBo Gallery. Their shows have a party-like atmosphere and are all about “…making people dance, feeling good.”
Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Saturday, Jan. 8
RIYD: Ray LaMontagne, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.
You Should Go If: This is the year when you’re finally going to grow decent dreadlocks; you’re optimistic about 2011 because you have to be — that’s just how you roll; you celebrated the New Year by throwing a clothing-optional dance party with a bonfire in your West Asheville backyard; a healthier 2011 for you means only Dumpster diving in restaurants that serve local vegan food.
The Suspect: Chuck Brodsky
Asheville resident Chuck Brodsky is often compared to Greg Brown, John Prine, Bob Dylan and even Mark Twain. He is best known for his songs about sports (he’s performed three times at the National Baseball Hall of Fame) but many of his songs have a political bent; his website contains a heading called “truths” with about 30 political links, including one to George Bush’s résumé. And just when you’re least expecting it, he might even throw in a love song or two.
Can Be Found: Unitarian Universalist Mountain Spirit Coffee House, Sunday, Jan. 9
RIYD: Greg Brown, Slaid Cleaves.
You Should Go If: This is the year when you’re finally going to stop being so argumentative about everything; you’re optimistic about 2011 because … okay, define optimism; you celebrated the New Year by … okay, you didn’t. You’re actually going to start celebrating the Chinese New Year — isn’t that where all this is going? A healthier 2011 for you means religiously following whatever the absurd government-issued food charts dictate, of course, until they change it all again next year.
— Becky Upham co-hosts the weekly music show, “Your Mom’s Idea,” with Lark Rowe every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. on MAIN-FM.
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