The following questions were culled from vintage Teen Beat interviews, circa mid-1980s. Xpress poses them to local music stars.
Q&A with Grace Potter of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
This Vermont-based rock band, playing this year’s Christmas Jam, is no longer under the radar.
Book Report: The Complete Book of Retro Crafts
Suzie Millions find thew perfect balance between crafty know-how and kitschy sentimentality in her new book.
Book Report: News for writers and readers
Travel mugs, poetry contests … there’s more to the literary world than books alone.
Listening Party: Millie Palmer, PAN and Talk Show Hosts
Here’s the idea: Each week, we pick three local musical acts, link to a site where you can listen to their songs for free, then ask you to spend a few moments of your time to tell us what you think about them. Some may be great, others may be middling or awful — that’s for you to decide — all we ask is that you listen with an open mind.
‘Tis the season for Jam
Warren Haynes lives in New York City. Although he’s certainly not a typical New Yorker—his Southern drawl and mountain-bred charm are dead giveaways—it does seem a little odd that we only get to see this hometown hero perform locally a mere once a year. Founder of the feast: Warren Haynes has been bringing famous and […]
Redneck love-in
In today’s turbulent musical landscape, staying power is a rare thing. Bands come and go with the changing of the seasons, riding the wave of whatever musical trend is deemed marketable by the purveyors of pop culture. Others, however, manage to last just a little bit longer. Liquored up and lacquered down: Southern Culture on […]
A marriage of ideas
Change may be inevitable, but to many artists a change in style or materials is something seen as dangerous—something to face with fear and dread. For an outsider, however, the opportunity to watch serious artists move with confidence from one period of their work to another is always interesting. Details from “Fruit of the Vine” […]
Holiday jeer
“I love the holidays,” says local comedian Tom Chalmers. “But I also fear them.” This year, his anxiety could have something to do with his workload. The actor is performing in two back-to-back holiday-themed one-man plays. Just as his self-written Harm for the Holidays wraps up at North Carolina Stage Company, Chalmers jumps into the […]
Top drawer: fashion news and views
Downtown Asheville-based 68 Lexi (68 N. Lexington Ave., 251-1170) is one clever little boutique. Stocked with trendy-yet-comfy junior and women’s wear, the shop manages to dress fashionistas in stylish apparel (the majority of which is manufactured in the United States) for discount-outlet prices. As in, most dresses run under $40; bags, tees and jewelry will […]
Edgy Mama: Surviving the holidays
“Finally, I’ve figured out a few saner, safer ways of surviving the holidays other than pouring myself down a beer bottle.” Xpress parenting columnist Anne Fittten Glenn takes a little stress out of the season.
Stars come out in Asheville
The Asheville Film Festival proved to be quite an event this year, and Xpress was in the thick of it. Now we’re happy to present glimpses from this year’s awards gala.
Album reviews: Nevada, Angi West and Ahleuchatistas
One reviewer’s take on Nevada’s The Sunlight and the Sound, Angi West’s Orange Thread in a Blue Sea and Ahleuchatistas’ Even In the Midst
Theater Review: Romance
This weekend at the BeBe Theatre, Zealot Productions presents Romance, a comedy by David Mamet and a hilarious antidote to traditional holiday theater.
Book Report: What’s on your holiday wish list?
Buying books for gifts? Consider your tried-and-true favorites this year.
Keith Urban and the WCU drumline … go figure
This country star is teaming up with an area college marching band.
Listening Party: Ahleuchatistas, Tyler Ramsey and divineMAGgees
Here’s the idea: Each week, we pick three local musical acts, link to a site where you can listen to their songs for free, then ask you to spend a few moments of your time to tell us what you think about them. Some may be great, others may be middling or awful — that’s for you to decide — all we ask is that you listen with an open mind.
Good at being bad
Ozzy Osbourne used to kill puppies before his concerts. Alice Cooper passed around a goblet for audience members to spit into, and then drank from the overflowing cup. Marilyn Manson routinely shot dwarves in the head while reading verses from noted Satanist Anton LaVey’s books. These are some of the legends that surround these notorious […]
More fun than a purple dinosaur
Something happened in the ‘70s with kids’ entertainment. Namely: Free to Be … You and Me, the star-powered sing-along record and TV special that clued children in to daring truths—it’s OK to cry, the princess doesn’t have to marry the prince if she doesn’t want to, and boys can play with dolls. Most of Generation […]
Global punks
World music in the 1960s and ‘70s basically revolved around anti-establishment heads and academic mavericks producing LPs full of raw and rare field recordings for Smithsonian Folkways, Ocora, Nonesuch Explorer and a handful of other pioneering labels dedicated to sonic and cultural exploration of long-isolated lands. Party like a Bedouin: A still from the Sublime […]
Breaking the band
Question: How many drummers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: None, they’ve got a machine to do it now. And the beat goes on: Drummer Martin Atkins has worked with the likes of Ministry, Killing Joke and Public Image Ltd., but these days, he’s mostly interested in helping bands make the […]