Rollicking r&b, funky jams, homegrown rock and a book talk from a prominent North Carolina singer-songwriter/rocker: that’s just some of what’s on offer musically in Asheville over the next 30 days.
Acoustic Asheville: Swamp Rabbit Railroad
Based out of Greenville, S.C., the duo released a spiritual folk album last year and are currently working on a new record of original material.
Samara Jade plays an album release show at The Mothlight
Until recently, the musician performed under the monicker Searra Jade. “Samara” is the botanical name for the seed pods from maple trees, “The ones that fall like little helicopters,” she says. “I’m trying to learn to surrender and flow with the wind and the rivers, and it felt super resonant.”
Album review: ‘Leave No Trace: Live in St. Louis,’ by Tashi Dorji and Tyler Damon
Dorji and Damon use the contrasts between loud and quiet, harsh and soft, abrasive and soothing. But because their work is untethered from concepts such as meter, the fast/slow dynamic employed by progressive rock artists is not part of the duo’s exploration.
Free local summer festival takes on global issues
“We believe that building healthy communities requires education, but that to sustain and uplift those healthy communities you need to ensure education is fun, authentic and organic,” says Morgan Markowitz, Xpand Fest’s operations director.
Smart Bets: LGBTQ Pride concert with Tret Fure, Heather Mae and Crys Matthews
Isis Music Hall celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month with sets from three talented East Coast singer-songwriters on June 13.
Smart Bets: Charles Latham
The Durham-based antifolk troubadour plays a full band show at the Burger Bar on June 9.
Smart Bets: Toney Rocks
The Las Vegas singer-songwriter plays French Broad River Brewery on June 7.
Acoustic Asheville: Leon III
Singer Andy Stepanian and guitarist Mason Brent also perform as part of Wrinkle Neck Mules.
Marshall’s Mermaid Parade and Festival continues to grow in its 11th year
The event began unofficially over a decade ago, during Marshall’s French Broad Friday, when a few enthusiastic participants dressed up like mermaids for the festivities. They were a hit.
KP the Great opens for Big Boi at Salvage Station
The musical renaissance man discusses the perks of living in Atlanta, working with Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar and his 30-year friendship with Big Boi.
Smart Bets: María Chávez
The Brooklyn-based abstract turntablist, sound artist and DJ presents a solo turntable performance and workshop June 5 at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center.
David Wilcox releases ‘The View from the Edge’
“Subtle aspects of your personality are brought out by different locations,” David Wilcox says. “For me, there’s something about this land: the friendliness of these mountains. There is something about my psyche that just sort of feels at home in these hills.”
Video premiere: “Up On a Mountain (Well, Well, Well)” by Heather Taylor
Taylor will celebrate the video release with a performance at Asheville Music Hall on Thursday, May 31.
Smart Bets: Justin Townes Earle
The Nashville singer-songwriter plays solo acoustic versions of songs from his latest album on June 1 at The Grey Eagle.
Album review: ‘Little Things’ by Hearts Gone South
The title track brings together sly humor and an understanding of the hard truths of modern life for a memorable number that recalls Kirsty MacColl’s forays into country and western.
Acoustic Asheville: Queen Bee & the Honeylovers
The quintet is headed by singer Whitney Moore and includes members from other local groups, such as Sirius B, The Low Down Sires, Drayton and the Dreamboats, and Hot Point Trio.
AVL Beer Week 2018: The Odditorium celebrates five years with new events and concoctions
“We always say, ‘It takes a village to run this place,’” says Amy Marshall, who owns the West Asheville venue with her partner, Tamy Kuper.
Musashi Xero teams up with RBTS WIN’s Mother Hood for a new hip-hop EP
According to Tyler Jackson, the album is not only conceptual in a lyrical sense, it explores his idea of “the other side” in a musical sense as well.
Smart Bets: The Stump Mutts
The Asheville rockers play a benefit show for Everytown for Gun Safety on May 27 at Salvage Station.
Smart Bets: Corey Flood
The Philadelphia dark-pop quartet plays Fleetwood’s on May 25.