It started with a group of dedicated volunteers with a massive amount of radio skills, talent and tech savvy betwixt them. Add to that a generous lease of studio space from the owners of Izzy's coffeeshop in West Asheville. Mix with a heaping of organizational know-how and an eager willingness to collaborate with radio folks around the country working on similar projects, and Voila! it's Asheville Free Media.
The new AshevilleFM Internet radio station celebrates its official beginning on Saturday, Sept. 12. The station goes live at noon that day. Come to the open house from 2 to 7 p.m. at 373 Haywood Road, behind Izzy's West Asheville spot. Take a tour, see the space, find out what's happening. The open house event also features live music and DJs.
At 9 p.m., the launch party starts at the Grey Eagle. Featuring tropical-pop outfit of impossible catchiness Floating Action, scorching prog-jazz trio Ahleuchatistas, the sweet-and-old-time sounds of the Space Heaters and the unshakable melodies of Pilgrim. It's a lineup as disparate as the programming AshevilleFM plans to offer.
The AshevilleFM group has already simulcast live from the Transfigurations festival, as well as its own SoundClash benefit show at the Orange Peel. Now they're off to create programming reflective of this crazy community we live in, and reflecting its values of grassroots organizing, creating connections and supporting the local economy of ideas.
Learn more at www.ashevillefm.org.
Also, speaking of Pilgrim: That minimalist act, often consisting of the poet-in-a-former-life Jaye Bartell and Ahleuchatistas' Shane Perlowin (he of supreme jazz guitar talent), sometimes with the addition of the obsequious Michael Libramento (also of Floating Action, among other bands), will be performing often in September. We suggest you catch a show if you like: Tripping into vivid imagery created by lyrical prowess, hypnotic guitar interplay and a soft focus and quiet concentration absent from much contemporary music.
Along with the Asheville FM launch, Pilgrim opens for Vic Chestnutt on Sept. 10 at the Grey Eagle, plays at BoBo Gallery on Sept. 15 and at Broadway's (opening with Ventricles for Kingsbury Manx) on Sept. 19. More at www.myspace.com/pilgrimsongs.
Got random and useful news for Spork? E-mail ae@mountainx.com.
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