This week’s edition is dominated by local entertainers: musicians, comedians, filmmakers and more. As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-cost weekend events.
Help Asheville Darkroom shed light on local photographers
The Odditorium will host a massive benefit to help the Asheville Darkroom continue its mission.
Smart Bets: Kyle Sorenson and Horse Ghost
Local roots rockers Kyle Sorenson and Horse Ghost is kind of a trio (Sorenson on vocals and guitar, David Erickson on bass and Chris Henry on drums) that sometimes includes a number of other members. But the central vision is Sorenson's and "follows a workingman’s ideology that is just as comfortable around a campfire as […]
DIG this
The return of DIG (Downtown Independent Groove) Festival is not so much a reoccurrence as a comeback. The local music fest was first produced in 2009 with a focus on area Americana and roots bands. It was envisioned as a summer counterpart to the Pop Asheville festival, which at the time happened in January. But, […]
Homeward bound
The return of DIG (Downtown Independent Groove) Festival is not so much a reoccurrence as a comeback. The local music fest was first produced in 2009. The two-day extravaganza takes place the week college students return. It returns Thursday and Friday night. Thirty-six acts (plus one jam session) will fill five stages (The Orange Peel, Emerald Lounge, The LAB, Asheville Music Hall and One Stop). Folk-roots outfit Old North State is one of the bands who will perform.
Long way back
In early July, the Facebook page of local indie-rock band The Enemy Lovers suddenly lit up with the message, “Hello! It has been a while.” It was the first post in more than a year and a half from the group led by songwriting team and brothers Tim and Steven Scroggs. Soon after, the Lovers […]
Nothing new under the sun?
With the growth of digital media, issues of copyright have plagued the music industry for well over a decade. Looking beyond popular controversial examples like Napster, it’s been a contentious topic even before file sharing. Decades ago, for example, the hip-hop community embraced sampling, dividing their source artists and music audiences into two camps: those […]
Smart Bets: Del the Funky Homosapien
If you're a fan of alternative hip-hop, you know who Del the Funky Homosapien is. In addition to his two decade career and many solo albums, Del has collaborated with El-P and Dan the Automator, contributed songs to the popular Tony Hawk video game series, and provided the raps on "Clint Eastwood," the seminal hit […]
Calendar highlights: Leicester studio tour, Dirty Dancing Fest and Float for a Cause
Clubland features: Dark Star Orchestra, Subarus and Box Chevys, The Coathangers
Fanatical Dead: Dark Star Orchestra is the undisputed king of Grateful Dead tributes, basing their own shows on actual Dead set lists and taking the experience to an unprecedented level of detail. The band begins a two-night stand at Pisgah Brewing Company's outdoor stage on Friday, Aug. 16. Photo by Bob Minkin Mountain beats: Emerald […]
Sound Check: Andrew Scotchie of The River Rats
Andrew Scotchie of local band River Rats plays “Tired Soul” and talks about the evolution of his band, their recent “Barnaroo Bootleg” release (which will be available at the Friday DIG Fest show on the Asheville Music Hall stage) and Scotchie’s DIG Fest picks.
ASG are all grown up
Wilmington’s heavy rockers will flaunt a matured sound at the Orange Peel, opening for heavyweights Mastodon and U.S. Christmas.
Wow now
The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s new member exhibition, “It’s the Wow Factor!” is on display through Sunday, Sept. 8.
Kishi Bashi revisited
We’re still thinking about the incredible Bele Chere set by multi-instrumentalist K. Ishibashi and his band. Here’s a video of his song “Intro/Pathos, Pathos.”
Smart bets web extra: Even the Animals
The local roots-rock outfit is set to play Pisgah Brewing, with Alarm Clock Conspiracy on Thursday, Aug. 15.
10 questions with Holly Williams
The singer-songwriter / lifestyle blogger / boutique owner (and grand-daughter of Hank) is currently on tour in support of this year’s acclaimed release, “The Highway.” She’ll play an early and fully-seated show at The Grey Eagle on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Craft group coming to downtown Asheville
The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design has bought the Lark Books building on Broadway Street. What will the move mean for the local arts scene? (Photo by Max Cooper)
Smart bets web extra: Knives & Daggers with Heaven
The local post-rock/shoegaze quintet and the psychedelic/new wave trio from New York play The Lab on Saturday, Aug. 17. Meghanz also shares the stage. Photo by Maly Por .
Harvest Records celebrates nine-year anniversary with huge sale
“This time nine years ago, Matt and I (and a bunch of close friends) were scrambling to try to open a record store that we didn’t actually know how to run, in a neighborhood that no one really cared about,” begins a Facebook post by Harvest Records co-owner Mark Capon.
It takes two
Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist of Band of Heathens play a special show as a duo at The Altamont Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 17.
CalCast: Aug. 9-11
Enjoy music and circus arts at RiverFest, see a social justice film or go for a hike this weekend. Podcast presented by Ms. Amandi, host of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio.