Jar-e is known for writing infectious, soulful pop songs that bring crowds to their feet and inspire unadulterated dance parties. But the Asheville-based singer and multi-instrumentalist is leaving behind the Latin influence and carefree lyricism of his previous effort, Chicas Malas, to explore the darker side of his art. Blood of the Summer is still […]

The jangly urgency in the opening notes of The Taking or the Leaving says it all. This is a new Brian McGee: louder, faster and better than ever. “I really wanted to make a record that was going to take a step forward sound-wise, and I wanted things to get a little louder,” he says […]

“Basically,” says Andy Herod, “I write songs. I don’t necessarily write records.” He’s referring the release of Cullowhee Songs, the first in a series of EPs from the Electric Owls. After striking a deal with his label to take over physical merchandise (they will continue to handle digital distribution and promotion) in exchange for the […]

Villages’ sprawling ambient landscapes are haunting and otherworldly, the kind of thing you’d expect to hear in a sci-fi thriller. But they come from a surprisingly natural place. “I like to walk around alone a lot and capture found sounds,” says the project’s mastermind Ross Gentry. “I lived right on Riverside [Drive, in the River […]

There’s no shortage of festivals in and around Asheville. Between high-profile events like Bele Chere, LAAFF, Goombay and LEAF, it seems like the region’s music and art has more than enough opportunities to gather and celebrate their creative pursuits. But those summer staples tend to host bigger names, with some of Asheville’s most interesting and […]

For two decades, Les Claypool has been one of the music industry’s most predictably unpredictable artists. Best known for his singular bass style as the frontman for alternative-funk-freak-rockers Primus, Claypool has remained astonishingly prolific. His list of projects includes performances alongside artists such as Trey Anastasio and Buckethead. He’s written, produced and starred in a […]

Long Time Between Drinks — Mark Appleford’s second solo outing — isn’t paving new ground or pushing any boundaries, but for fans of gritty blues, the frequent downtown performer has crafted a heartfelt full-length that should be more than adequate to satisfy an appetite for roadhouse-worthy rock n’ roll.

When Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s wife and three-year-old daughter left for a two-week vacation, he decided to write a kids’ book and surprise them with it when they returned. Skidoo didn’t realize it then, but that loving gesture would prove to be a turning point in his career. Five years later, the longtime GFE member, […]