Twice monthly, my blog 30 Days Out spotlights upcoming music shows and events of note, shining a light into some less well-lit corners, where some fascinating artists schedule performances. I do my best to give ample advance notice so that you can adjust your budget and calendar in a way that lets you get to the show.
The theme for this edition of 30 Days Out is simple: value for your hard-earned entertainment dollar. Two of the shows are free (and include multiple acts on the bill), and the other two are quite reasonably priced.
Artist: Tim Lee 3
Venue: The Altamont Brewing Co.
Date: Saturday, May 21, 9 p.m.
Door: $5
Tim Lee was a key member of ’80s alternarock underground darlings The Windbreakers. These days he shares the spotlight with his missus (Susan Bauer Lee) and drummer Chris Bratta. Lee’s old group’s twangy take on power pop is built upon in his trio: Susan takes many lead vocals, giving the band an original sound reminiscent of Jason & the Scorchers crossed with X, but decidedly upping the hooks-and-melody quotient to Plimsouls level. Their most recent album is 2015’s 33 1/3, and it’s filled with tunes that are alternately ear candy, filled with dusty grandeur and breathtaking. And if all that isn’t enough, Tim Lee 3 isn’t even the headliner; that honor goes to local fixture Laura Blackley.
Artist: Marcus King Band
Venue: Mountain Sports Festival
Date: Friday, May 27, 7:30 p.m.
Door: free
Not long ago, I sat down for an in-depth interview with Asheville’s favorite son, Warren Haynes. When we got around to discussing his upcoming projects, the one about which he seemed most excited was producing a follow-up to Soul Insight, the 2015 debut from teenage guitarist Marcus King. Released on Haynes’ Evil Teen label, Soul Insight shows a preternaturally mature guitarist, songwriter and vocalist with a bright future ahead of him. Blues rock with emphasis on the heavy, King’s music is full of memorable riffage and guitar heroics. Go see him before he hits the really big time. Also on the bill for this free show is Asheville’s Get Right Band whose music was a highlight of the recent Music Video Asheville awards program.
Artist: Reed Turchi & the Caterwauls
Venue: The Altamont Theatre
Date: Thursday, June 2, 8 p.m.
Door: $10 advance / $12 day of show
Reed Turchi grew up in Swannanoa, and eventually worked his way into a spot as one of the prime movers at legendary Memphis recording studio, Ardent. Ardent was the place where ZZ Top and Big Star cut some of their most memorable material. Turchi led a self-named project for several years, releasing some highly regarded albums. But his current musical configuration — fronting a band he calls The Caterwauls — has yielded an even better result: Speaking in Shadows, an album that had its release party back here in Reed’s hometown. Turchi’s schedule doesn’t allow him frequent trips back to Western North Carolina, so this is a relatively rare opportunity to see and hear him, and give him some hometown support. The evening’s music also includes sets from Nive & the Deer Children and Chris Milam.
Artist: Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons
Venue: RiverMusic
Date: Friday, June 10, 6:45 p.m.
Door: free
Though he’s been making records for quite some years now, it’s Jerry Joseph‘s more recent activities that are most intriguing. The singer/songwriter/vocalist signed up as a volunteer to teach at a co-ed(!) rock school in Kabul, Afghanistan. So his longtime earnest and heartfelt rocking-out approach now has added muscle thanks to his recent life experiences. The album By the Time Your Rocket Gets to Mars was produced by Widepsread Panic‘s Dave Schools, but it’s no jam band wankfest. The songs are tightly constructed and richly woven. The second of three performers on this night’s RiverMusic concert event, Joseph shares the bill with Asheville favorite Randall Bramblett (on first at 5:30 p.m.) and Bloodkin at 8:15 p.m.
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