The local electronic funk/rock band will introduce Asheville to its new album “Bootstraps” at Asheville Music Hall on Friday, April 12. Jahman Brahman also performs.
From Antarctica to Asheville
Experience the world’s most remote continent at an Antarctica travelogue presentation on Sunday, April 7 at Asheville Wild Birds Unlimited.
Five Questions with Chris Simmons
***UPDATE: THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** The Alabama-based guitarist is a former member of Leon Russell’s band and a tour de force as a solo act. He’ll play Emerald Lounge on Saturday, April 13. (The Chuck Beattie Band and Big Gene & Danny Lee’s Loud Pack also perform.) In advance of that show, Simmons talks about putting down roots, surprise musical faves (Foo Fighters and Bee Gees!) and how to beat the pre-show jitters. Photo courtesy of the musician.
Welcome home Nikki Talley
The local singer-songwriter-turned-full-time-touring-performer (with her husband Jason Sharp), returns for a series of shows in and around Asheville. The first one is on April 11 at The Odditorium.
Sound Check: Kenny Roby
The N.C.-based singer-songwriter visited Mountain Xpress on the day his new album, Memories & Birds, released. Click through for the video interview and exclusive performance.
CalCast: April 5-7
Hear the Sahara Peace Choir, sample Highland Brewing Company beer and make an AIDS Memorial Quilt square this weekend. Podcast hosted by Kim Roney.
“There’s a little bit of Asheville in every pint”
In true Feral Chihuahuas style, the local sketch-comedy troupe (in collaboration with exploreasheville.com) manages to both roast and pay tribute to Asheville’s “Beer City” accolade in this not-to-be-missed music video.
This weekend on a shoestring
With the first downtown art walk of the season comes a host of openings and art related events. But, as always, Xpress also brings you low-cost music, community benefits, outdoor celebrations and more.
SoundTrack web extra: Apache Relay
The Nashville-based indie rockers returned to Asheville last week for a near-magical show. Photo from the band’s Facebook page.
College application
It was at a Black Mountain College celebration at Lenoir-Rhyne University where poet and musician Ted Pope met the writer Michael Rumaker. “He gave one of the most energetic readings,” Pope remembers. “I liked him right away.” Rumaker, now 81, graduated from the short-lived but monumentally influential Black Mountain College in 1955, a mere two […]
More than a picker
William Tyler is a guitarist. He’s a guitarist so skilled and adaptable that his mastery of the instrument can’t help but define him. The evidence of the 34-year-old’s talent abounds in records released during his long history as a tasteful but distinctive sideman — check out his perfectly elegant fills on Lambchop’s Live at XX […]
State of the arts
The Ice House has been gone for a few weeks now, leaving behind only a smokestack and a dirt lot. The building had been a hub for transients, neighbors in the River Arts District said, and demanded a swift demolition of the unsecured building after a man was murdered there in October. Asheville City Council […]
Smart Bets: Black Angels
Austin, Texas-based psych-rockers Black Angels have been recognized by style magazines like Esquire and NYLON. But "Don't Play With Guns," the new single form the band's new album, Indigo Meadow, is less concerned with fashion and all about fuzzy guitars, agro drumming and a '60s garage rock-meets-futuristic no man's land sonic bombast. They play The […]
Smart Bets: Do Tell Festival
Who doesn't love a good story? "Storytelling is not just for kids," says press for the Do Tell Festival. "This is intelligent entertainment for all ages, by some of the region's best performers." Listen to tall tales from Ronnie Pepper, Gwenda Ledbetter, Mark Twain portrayer Marvin Cole and others. Saturday, April 6 (showcase of storytellers […]
Smart Bets: Trio Solisti
During a decade as Trio Solisti, the group (violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach and pianist Jon Klibonoff) has earned the accolade of "the most exciting piano trio in America" (so says The New Yorker). They've played The Kennedy Center and The Lincoln Center; they're the founding ensemble of annual chamber music event Telluride […]
Smart Bets: Ouroboros Boys
New(ish) local band Ouroboros Boys (made up of former members of Ahleuchatistas and Blind Boy Chocolate & The Milk Sheiks) calls itself "weird surf." The group explains, "We are an instrumental outfit and influenced by a range of bands from Man or Astroman and Wipers to Western sounding stuff like Calexico and the Plugz." They […]
Calendar highlights: Nia dance fundraiser, WCU’s production of The Medium and comedian Joe DeR
Clubland features: Phutureprimitive, Erin McKeown and MamaRoux
Smart Bets web extra: Luxury Spirit with Worldline and Comet West
The local indie-rock lineup plays the back room at the Lab on Friday, April 5.
Five Questions with Angela Perley
Americana-rock outfit Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons play the Altamont Brewing Company on Friday, April 5. In advance of that show, Perley talks about songwriting, thrift shopping and her love affair with the musical saw.
High kicks with the Rockettes and WCU
12 Rockette alumnae will team up with Western Carolina University students for a salute to Rockette history.