Hard to believe it’s only seven weeks until Asheville’s largest street festival of the summer. But as the dates (Friday-Sunday, July 29-31) draw nearer, more bands are announcing their plans to play Bele Chere‘s many stages. To read about more Bele Chere bands, go here.
• Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit is led by Greenhill, Ala.-based singer/songwriter Jason Isbell, who joined the Drive By Truckers in 2001. After an amicable parting in 2007, he struck out on his own. The 400 Unit takes its moniker, reportedly, from “the former colloquial name of the psychiatric ward of Florence, Alabama’s Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.”
• According to the band’s own website, Hoots & Hellmouth (from Philadelphia), blends “the twisted roots of American music in a fierce and fiery alchemy.” They also claim to love touring, and have done so with the likes of Dr. Dog, Langhorne Slim and Grace Potter.
• Local band Floating Action is the creative genius of singer/songwriter/producer Seth Kauffman, who hand-crafts each song with an array of unusual instrumnets and lo-fi recording techniques. On Floating Action’s latest album, Desert Etiquette, Kauffman performed ever part (except for one pedal steel recording). The band’s live lineup includes Brian Landrum, Michael Libramento and Joshua Carpenter.
• According to press, the self-titled (and most recent) album by Carencro, La.-based Marc Broussard has “Strong currents of R&B, sanctified church and the many other flavors of his Louisiana bayou home.” Broussard learned music from his father, guitarist Ted Brousaard, and gained critical acclaim with his 2002 debut, Momentary Setback.
• Nashville, Tenn.‘s Deep Fried 5 says their goal is “is to bring back the retro sounds of 60’s soul and 70’s funk, while incorporating a fusion of high energy grooves and climactic jams to keep your heart pumpin & body movin’!” Their debut is Saturday Night Funk/Sunday Morning Soul.
• While The Apache Relay may sound more like a sporting event than a band, the four-piece from Nashville, Tenn. is, indeed, an indie-roots outfit. Paste called their 2009 inaugural album, 1988, an “auspicious debut.” The band is calling its sophomore effort, American Nomad, “a modern and young roots-rock collection produced by Nielson Hubbard.”
• Big Gigantic likes to keep it general: On its Facebook page the band lists its location as “Earth,” it’s genre as “electronic” and its influences as “People, Places, Things.” The band is producer/saxophonist Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salkan from Colorado — visit their website for free downloads.
• Local absurdist-Gypsy-folk-funk-punk collective Sirius.B puts on an action-packed and highly-energetic stage show, performing Gypsy-roots chestnuts like “Bella Ciao” and unique originals like “Monkey Robot Soldier.” The band features a stellar lineup of classically and self-trained musicians drawing from an eclectic range of backgrounds and influences.
• Local teen band Skinny Legs & All have been playing rock and r&b since its performers were in middle school. Lead singer Jesse Barry appeared on a recent season of American Idol, but, lucky for Asheville, came home to grace area stages again. Check out the band’s website for song samples and new videos.
Great additions!
I agree except for Skinny Legs … can’t stand the yelling the girl singer does!
I am excited about the rest of the Bele Chere lineup!
@dpewen – I’ve noticed a lot of singers yelling into the mic lately. I chalk it up either to inexperience or unawareness of the fact that microphones are really sensitive and will amplify the singer’s voice! Either way it’s really annoying and takes away from whatever vocal talent the singer may blessed with.
I agree with you … and do not think Skinny has much talent.
This line-up is already much better than last year. Do they have a new group lining up the acts this year?
much better choices than the downtown after 5 crew. Jason isbell is great! Skinny legs could have been left off. oh well, downtown after 5 takes some notes.
This is hands down the WORST line-up in the history of Bele Chere. Even Bele Chere has bowed to catering to the new bohemian freak population that has invaded Asheville over the last few years. This will be the first Bele Chere that I’ve missed since its inception…the beach will be a much nicer place to be than downtown Asheville for these three hot days in July!
My only observation about Bele Chere is that the announcement of the entire line up has not happened yet. With 7 weeks until the festival itself, it would appear that Bele Chere is cutting it a bit close this year with line up info. Carry on.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines- here we go again.
“My friends’ band is on the line up”= Bele Chere rocks
“My friends’ band is not on the line up”= Bele Chere sucks-
People, Bele Chere is the reason we built mountains and forests around WNC (to go play in for the weekend). It’s also the reason we start pre-emptive wars in the Middle East (so we can fill up our cars with “our” gas to get outta town if we don’t like the line up).
Hey kids- Bele Chere has officially posted the line up online on the official website- you wanted trite and vapid pop music- you got it. No more complaining.