North Carolina native Seth Walker splits his time between New Orleans and Nashville, and while influences from both musically rich cities can be heard on his new album, Are You Open?, the tracks also feature a noticeable dose of Cuban inspiration. In prepping his 10th studio record, the blues guitarist/vocalist spent time in Havana, and sounds from the trip abroad played a decisive role in the songs’ melodies and rhythms. “For a lot of these tracks, the grooves were born first, and the lyrics came after,” Walker says. “That was a new way of writing for me, and it’s a big reason this album has a different flavor.” Produced by drummer Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, Are You Open? figures to be the spotlight of Walker’s Isis Music Hall set on Saturday, March 16, at 9 p.m. $15 advance/$20 day of show. isisasheville.com. Photo by Alysse Gafkjen
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