We start off this week’s Listening Party with the UNCA-based a cappella group All Girl Staff. Formed in 2001, AGS has grown from a quartet to a 14-member group performing several times each year. Like many college a cappella groups before them, AGS has tried to make the style more accessible by covering pop and hip-hop songs. We suggest starting with AGS’ cover of the Indigo Girls’ “Galileo.”
Next up is local “acoustic punk” group Hope and Anchor. This quiet and introspective trio has earned a somewhat surprising repuation in the East Coast punk and indie circuit, perhaps in part due to having their recent album The Wait and Wonder released by D.C.-based hardcore label Exotic Fever Records. We suggest starting your H&A experience with the song “the night is.”
Finally, we have rockers Hey Neighbor! (also profiled in this week’s Xpress. If you’ve been following the Asheville rock scene for a few years, you’ll likely notice that the group is composed of a number of familiar faces, including Josh Carpenter (The Nein, The Makeout Room, The Victuals, On the Take, The Bite and literally dozens of other noteworthy groups) and David Wayne Gay (Freakwater, Unholy Trio, Gone Wrongs, Reigning Sound). We suggest starting with the song “Drive Me Away.”
Now, it’s your turn. Tell us your thoughts by posting them into the comment fields below.
— Steve Shanafelt, A&E editor
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