Twice monthly, my 30 Days Out column 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.
Live and local shows featuring Americana, indie rock, boundary-pushing electronic music and raw rock ‘n’ roll are highlighted in this roundup.
Artist: Sirens of South Austin
Venue: Isis Music Hall
Date: Sunday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $15
Individually, BettySoo, Grace Pettis and Rebecca Loebe each won the prestigious New Folk award at the long-running Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. And while each has her own full-time career (BettySoo is a member of wonderful retro trio Charlie Faye and the Fayettes as well), the three women have decided to team up for a tour that highlights their combined chemistry. The tour presents material from each musician’s solo career as well as previewing songs from the trio’s upcoming EP Waterline, under the band name Nobody’s Girl.
Artist: Crank County Daredevils
Venue: Sly Grog Lounge
Date: Thursday, April 12, 9 p.m.
Door: $5
For some, rock ‘n’ roll only succeeds when at its sleaziest; slick and polished rocking simply doesn’t move them. And for such connoisseurs of the elemental, there is — and has long been — Crank County Daredevils. Starting in 2003 and continuing to today (save for a six-year break), this noisy quartet has churned out music that tears away the sheen and polish, leaving it in a bloody heap on the stage. Well, figuratively, at least. And while they’ve aged right along with rest of us, the Daredevils continue to live up to the title of their 2004 debut, Kings of Sleaze. And yes, singer Scotty P does look a bit like Ted Nugent. Gunpowder Gray opens.
Artist: Surfer Blood
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Friday, April 27, 9 p.m.
Door: $12 advance / $15 day of show
Florida indie-rock group Surfer Blood released its first album, Astro Coast, in 2010, though guitarist John Paul Pitts and drummer Tyler Schwarz had already been playing together under another name for a few years. Some early recognition at CMJ (and from Pitchfork reviewers) buoyed the band and raised its profile. The band’s fourth album, Snowdonia, was released early last year. More recently, Surfer Blood released an album of songs originally performed by other artists as varied as Mudhoney, Cream and Chad & Jeremy; Covers features cover artwork in homage to Fleetwood Mac’s idiosyncratic Tusk. The current tour is in support of both albums. Winter opens.
Artist: Electro-music Asheville
Venue: White Horse Black Mountain
Date: Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, 2-11:30 p.m.
Door: $15 for one day / $25 for both days
Originally known as Mountain Skies, the annual Electro-music Asheville Festival began in 2012, held at Asheville’s Masonic Temple. The event brought together two dozen musical acts, all committed to the creation of music that ventured far outside the commercial norm. Beginning in 2016, the two-day festival moved to White Horse Black Mountain, expanding its scope and reach. Visual artists are now a key component of the event, which features ambient, space-rock and a wide array of other styles performed by local, regional and international musicians.
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