February is shaping up to be a very literary month, what with all the readings. And book signings. And book clubs. And author birthdays.
Snow day
Granpappy in the wilds of Lexington Ave. Photos by Jonathan Welch.
This weekend on a shoestring
This week’s roundup covers the bargain-priced shows around town (and farther afield) as well as turning up some under-the-radar offerings.
Q&A with Adam Baker of Annuals
Xpress recently spoke to Adam Baker (front man of Raleigh’s Annuals) about the direction of his band, the group’s latest album, their hectic touring schedule and the importance of percussion.
Welcome to A&E
For all this world-at-the-keystrokes opportunity, how often do we truly go somewhere foreign? Not physically, just moving the mind from its sometimes small, selfish place—how often do we give over to the meditation of listening? Wise, sweet, cunning: The poet Taha Muhammad Ali is pictured in the center shot. From left to right, visiting poets […]
Next we were movin’ on
Asheville is a town of steel-drum jam jazz, dirty-tonk and “Appalachian chamber music.” (Try searching those ones on iTunes.) In fact, Asheville has embraced its eclecticism to the point of eschewing anything smacking of Top 40. Duking it out for Asheville audiences: Indie pop diva and stephaniesid frontwoman Stephanie Morgan and alt-country roots-rocker Brian McGee […]
Moonshine and mountain duels
Listening to Tom Godleski’s Fresh Preserves is kind of like being invited to browse a friend’s weathered photo album or watch his old home movies. It’s the same intimacy but without the obligation—Godleski’s ballads, spun from the tales told to him by family members, are actually interesting. Grampy and Granny were tough: Above, Buncombe Turnpike […]
Green thumb
Usually it’s the main band that makes it big while the side projects soldier on in the wings, an outlet for more out-there inclinations. Usually a band with multiple leaders either implodes (Fleetwood Mac) or splits (Uncle Tupelo into Son Volt/Wilco). Usually once a band manages any sort of national recognition it’s too busy being […]
Edgy Mama
When my kids told me they were writing letters to President Obama during the week of the inauguration, I was intrigued. I don’t know if it’s just Asheville or this time in history, but it seems that the youngest of us have been more focused on this election and its outcome than on any other […]
SoundTrack
How many artists, besides the late Johnny Cash, open with a prison song? Roots and blues musician Woody Pines probably found himself in an exclusive club when he started off a recent Orange Peel set with the song “99 Years.” The thing about Pines (whose band borrows its front man’s stage name) is that he’s […]
Run don’t walk to the Howlies this afternoon
“Fans of sweet, harmonizing, destructo garage TAKE NOTE!” say the folks at Static Age Records. The Atlanta-based band (and recent POPAsheville alums) will make an in-store appearance at Static Age on Lexington Avenue before bringing their mighty fine rock ‘n roll to the New French Bar tonight.
End of the day on Haywood St., part 2
Waverly says she purchased her entire outfit from thrift shops. Photo by Julie Tracy.
Edgy Mama preview
Here’s a video sneak preview of this week’s Edgy Mama column.
Phish tickets error explained
Demand had never been so high for an Asheville Civic Center show, said Sherman Bass, the venue’s executive director. Staff had put a hold on tickets through the computer system, live operator phone system and through sales at Ticketmaster outlets (such as record stores). But because they didn’t also restrict sales through Ticketmaster’s automated system, the tickets still sold out.
End of the day on Haywood St., part 1
Terra, who bought everything she’s wearing from thrift shops except her shoes, which came from Tops for Shoes. Photo by Julie Tracy.
Sad day for some Asheville Phish fans
Tickets for Phish’s June 9 show sold out in what seemed like seconds; despite the Civic Center’s 400-seat allotment. An error in the system released the tickets before Asheville fans could buy them, said the Civic Center’s executive director.
PopAsheville’s fans
Seen around PopAsheville, Jan. 15-19, 2009 Photos by Jonathan Welch. For more PopAsheville images, click here.
Book Report: The Life of the Skies
Bestselling author Jonathan Rosen comes to Asheville to discuss his atypical birding book.
Winter brights
Kevin and Phillip, both in bright colors on a warm January day. Of his eye-popping footwear Phillip says, “Everyone likes them. I don’t know why.”
First in line for Phish tickets
Undaunted by wind and cold, a small crowd of Phish faithful camped outside the Asheville Civic Center Wednesday, waiting for tickets to go on sale Friday morning.
This weekend on a shoestring
Indie-duo Osaka Pearl launches a CD, Christian rockers raise money for a local mission, metal takes over the Boiler Room and satirical songsters The Surrogate Squad play a show in their car.