Ultimately, Franti chooses to lend his name and support to efforts backed by passion: “At the end of the day, it’s just [about] finding people who are passionate about the same things that I am, and who are doing things that have local and immediate impact.”
The Asheville-based shoegaze/electronic band’s fourth collection displays ample charms.
According to cultural historian Joe Horowitz, “You’re not going to be able to attend the event without asking yourself what it has to do with the present moment.”
The record is a cohesive collection that bears the distinctive musical fingerprints of its creator.
Music booker Jeff Whitworth says that he often hears positive comments. “People will tell me, ‘Thank you for hosting metal shows at The Grey Eagle,’ or, ‘I’m glad somebody’s booking real hip hop shows.’”
Each group celebrates its new music with a live show at The Grey Eagle: Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters on Friday, June 21; and The Moon and You play Sunday, June 23.
Superb local musicians give touring artists some healthy competition, and the out-of-town acts both bring something new to the local music conversation.
“What makes Lesley’s music so interesting is that it perfectly straddles the lines between North Carolina Piedmont blues and country music,” Dom Flemons says.
Caleb Johnson doesn’t get to spend a lot of time in Asheville these days, but keeps up with the local music scene as best as he can. “And for the most part, the musicians I use out on the road are Asheville-based,” he says.
Two internationally-famous touring artists (one in rock and pop, the other a towering figure in reggae) and two intriguing regional acts are among the highlights of the next 30 days in Asheville’s live music offerings.
Thompson describes her work as a maltster as “the perfect blend of cerebral and physical.”
Using what Colvin calls a “farm-to-can approach,” the company sources organic roots and fruits to make its “nonsoda soda.”
“A vast majority of the breweries in the United States are far too small to afford a senior financial officer,” says Gaiziunas. “It was clearly proven a deficiency within the industry.”
“Most of the time, brewers know what they want,” says Gomez. “But many other times, they ask, ‘I’m trying to brew this beer. What can I do?’”
The band — which includes local musicians Zack Page (Kristofferson’s former bass teacher) and guitarist Aaron “Woody” Wood — recently played its first high-profile gig at this year’s MerleFest.
The group self-identifies as “chaos funk,” and while that somewhat whimsical description suggests just the sort of aural train wreck that scares off some potential listeners, what the group does draws from the melodic side of improvisation.
Hip-hop, blues, experimental/improvisational and jazz-pop: there’s something for nearly all musical tastes in this roundup.
These common initiatives have benefits for both the breweries and the nonprofits.
Gales singles out Asheville bassist Cody Wright — with whom he has toured extensively — for special praise: “He’s an amazing player, and I think he’s going to go very far.”
Taylor Moses has just completed an Australian tour in support of the EP, co-billed with American-born (but Australia-based) folk artist Mimi Gilbert.
Gold Light & Snakemusk will perform on Friday, May 10, at Harvest Records and Static Age Records.