That the John McEuen and Sons show is billed as a Mother's Day concert sounds funny at first, but really, why not? Take mom out to see Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member/multi-instrumentalist McEuen — the guy has a lot of celebrate. He and sons Jonathan and Nathan (two of McEuen's seven kids) recently recorded […]

This coming weekend marks the beginning of the second decade for the Weaverville Art Safari, a gallery crawl and driving tour in one. This season, 41 artists open their studios to demonstrate and sell works ranging from jewelry and blown glass, to furniture and fiber art. See hollow log birdhouses by Howard Atwood, functional baskets […]

World-touring electronic musicians and local artists perform side by side at the Mountain Skies electro-music festival, which spans two days of performances accompanied by live video, demonstration and workshops. The lineup includes (among others) Egyptronica duo Machine Eat Man, found objects experimental artist Joo Won Park (pictured), Kevin Kissinger on theremin and local artist Chris […]

Fanaticon will not return to Asheville this year, but never fear, Geek Out is here. The two-day event, a "celebration of comics, gaming, art, costuming, film and animation" leaps into action to fill the void. Friday, May 11 is a preview day, with a kickoff party at ZaPow!, a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture […]

Luther Dickinson (guitarist for The North Mississippi Allstars and The Black Crowes) is a busy guy. He hosts "Guitar Xpress" on MagRack, he was named a "guitar god" by Rolling Stone, he tours with two bands plus sits in with others (John Hiatt, The South Memphis String Band) and still has time for a side […]

Guitarist Pierre Bensusan was born in French Algeria and grew up in Paris. Bensusan taught himself guitar at age 11 and, while still a teen, recordde his debut album, Près de Paris. According to his press release, "His name became synonymous with contemporary acoustic guitar genius, long before the terms New Age, New Acoustic Music […]

Frontman Josh Ricchio describes his songwriting style as "catchiness incarnate," which is a pretty good summation of Brooklyn-based trio Freak Owls. The tracks on the band's new six-song EP, Orchestrates, range from jangly, dance-y pop to softer, moodier orchestral numbers. Lyrics are cinematic, vocals are layered and sweeping, instruments are textural, delicate and sonically intriguing. […]

The theme of this spring's Lake Eden Arts Festival is "celebrating the blues" and the lineup includes blues great Taj Mahal, Afrobeat heir Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. Local acts are Town Mountain, Zansa, Carey Fridley & Down South, Big Nasty Band and others. Plus, there's a […]

Local Americana outfit (really, more country than alt-county) The Honeycutters return with sophomore album, When Bitter Met Sweet. The band is helmed by singer-songwriter Amanda Platt and guitarist Peter James. Expect more of what made the Honeycutters' debut, Irene, so great: Solid, straightforward musicianship, grounded-yet-touching songwriting, shades of longing and familiarity, mournful pedal steel and […]

It may be hard to believe, but local newgrass band Acoustic Syndicate is about to hit a major milestone: its 20th anniversary. In a way, the band goes back even further than that since Bryon (vocals, banjo, guitar) and Fitz (vocals, percussion) McMurry are cousins and Steve McMurry (vocals, guitar, mandolin) is a cousin. According […]