Though he clearly has an array of instruments at his disposal, often as not on ‘self-titled lp,’ Andrew Larson adopts a less-is-more approach.
Author: Bill Kopp
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Justin Ray releases a pair of big band EPs
“I wanted to make swinging big band music, but I didn’t want it to be a ’20s/’30s tribute,” Ray says. “This is a style that can be vibrant and communicative now.”
Album review: ‘Brassterpiece Theatre’ by Empire Strikes Brass
‘Brassterpiece Theatre’ is a fully realized effort that demonstrates the facility of this powerful musical outfit.
Life Like Water celebrates its first full-length release
The globe-spanning vibe of ‘I Am Listening’ will be captured at the Grey Eagle album release show with the help of guest musicians River Guerguerian (percussion) and flautist Scott Sheerin.
Russ Wilson hosts annual Christmas show and releases career retrospective album
“We’ve got a few new arrangements that we’re bringing in, but we’re going to play all the old favorites,” Wilson says. “Wendy [Jones] has a big band arrangement of ‘White Christmas.’ And last year we started doing ‘Silent Night.’”
Kat Williams and Richard Shulman present a holiday concert
Shulman notes that a perennial favorite at the holiday shows is James Brown’s “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.”
EP review: ‘Christmas on a Greyhound Bus’ by Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters
The five-song collection is primarily a gift to the band’s existing fans, but will likely be a treat for new listeners, as well.
Hit Dogs celebrate release of their second album
New album ‘Without Further Ado’ demonstrates that Hit Dogs can elicit laughs while maintaining a serious commitment to serving up melodic, rocking tunes.
Album review: ‘III’ by Bask
Taken as a whole, Bask’s ‘III’ can be thought of as heavy music for listeners who might not even like the style.
Album review: ‘True False’ by Negativland
‘True False’ deftly combines sardonic humor with its concern over weighty topics.
Free Planet Radio explores modern jazz on its fifth album
Free Planet Radio’s latest album still carries forth the sounds and textures that won the trio its dedicated following.
Album review: ‘White Moon’ by Abraham Jam
The song titles on White Moon telegraph the demeanor of the album: “Song of Peace,” “Rhythm of Surrender,” “Child’s Prayer.” A spoken-word introduction to the subtly funky “Drink Deeply” quotes from the Persian poet and mystic Rumi.
Low Cut Connie and Big Freedia team up for a musical hybrid tour
Both artists have played in Asheville multiple times in the past, and they’re excited about returning. “I love playing in Asheville because people are not afraid to get their hair messed up,” says Adam Weiner.
Bold Mama Elle premieres her one-woman show
Combining dance, speaking and singing (to pre-recorded music), the one-woman show is “designed to push the edge of personal and collective freedom,” performer Elle Swan explains.
Album review: ‘I Am Your Neighbor’ by Zoe & Cloyd
Perhaps the Asheville bluegrass duo hasn’t explicitly set out to make a politically themed album with their third album, I Am Your Neighbor. But, while it’s certainly true that this new collection of original and traditional music can be richly enjoyed simply on a musical level, there’s more going on here than fine musicianship and vocal work.
La Santa Cecilia brings Mexican sounds to fall LEAF
On a bill that includes Angelique Kidjo, The Wood Brothers, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and more than 30 other acts, La Santa Cecilia is in keeping with the festival’s stated mission of being an “intergenerational celebration of world culture.”
AIC hosts Asheville’s inaugural improv festival
Asheville-based improvisers are a key part of the festival. “You’ll get to see a lot of the talent that’s already here in Asheville,” says Clifton Hall, the dean of AIC. “I would put some of our shows up against any other great show that you might see. There’s great improv here.”
Album review: ‘Hottest in the City, Vol. 1’ by DJ Audio
Accordion isn’t an instrument one would expect to find on a hip-hop mixtape. And in all likelihood, it’s a sampled version of the squeezebox. But whatever its source, that musical texture adds a left-field quality to what’s essentially a rapid-fire AutoTuned rap piece with more conventional singing on the chorus.
The Marcus King Band hosts its third festival at Pisgah Brewing Co.
Music fans in the region took to Marcus King from the very beginning. “Honestly, it was the first market to to embrace us before we were an act that went national or international,” he says. “This was before our own actual hometown embraced us.”
The Midnight Hour brings its sophisticated hip-hop to Asheville
“We’re looking back at that time of black excellence and giving it a new light for today with our music and our brand,” says multi-instrumentalist Adrian Younge.
Album review: ‘Sudden Swoon’ by Young Mister
Steven Fiore created his latest album, ‘Sudden Swoon,’ in his home studio (he calls it The Study). His process of crafting the album involved recording demos for 20 songs, sharing them with his Facebook followers and inviting them to vote for their favorites.