WNC's music driven economy is less obvious than its thriving food scene and largely untapped by corporate finance. But musicians, industry professionals and music-related businesses are coming together to build this region on rock 'n' roll (among many other sounds).
arts
Sound investment: WNC’s burgeoning music industry
While the local music scene might be hard to typify, it’s easy to point to: Musicians, venues, festivals and street performers compose the visible face of a vibrant arts culture.…Becoming reality: Building a community-centered music scene
Recording studios tend to focus on a single thing: crafting great albums. Echo Mountain does that well, with Grammy-winning projects by the likes of the Steep Canyon Rangers and the…Sounds like money: New projects seek to increase local music tourism
Asheville may never be able to swipe the “Music City” moniker from a certain similarly named titan of sound in Tennessee, but several new initiatives aim to boost this area’s…Safe and sound: GearTrack helps recover stolen instruments
Every musician’s worst nightmare is to lose a favorite instrument, and it happens all the time. Thieves can and will nick anything from a lone guitar to an entire trailer…Instrument of construction: Two local manufacturers talk inspiration, sales and famous fans
Moog Music leads all local instrument builders in name recognition, and for good reason. With a legacy that dates back to Robert Moog’s first theremins in 1954 and first modular…Room to grow: Booking shows in Asheville’s varied venues
by Jordan Lawrence With a newly renovated arena complex in the U.S. Cellular Center and a number of theaters and rock clubs strewn throughout the city, Asheville books what would…Laying down the tracks: Local recording studios offer top-tier quality
Time was, musicians had to rely on outfits in places like Nashville or New York to mix and master their albums. These days, though, Asheville and environs boast a broad…Smart bets: Jim Lauderdale
Although country singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is as tied to Nashville as to the colorful, embroidered suits he wears, he’s actually a North Carolina native. The son of a minister and…One-man banjo: Tall Tall Trees puts a new spin on an old instrument
When you think of the banjo, you might think of Earl Scruggs or Uncle Dave Macon, or even Steve Martin. You probably don’t think of loop pedals or bowing, or…State of the Arts: Asheville Area Arts Council’s recharged direction
The Asheville Area Arts Council is moving: Friday, Aug. 1, marks opening day for the 62-year-old nonprofit organization in suites 144 and 143-A of the Grove Arcade. The new location…Smart bets: The Royal Noise
Drawing on influences from the great funk masters Herbie Hancock and Parliament Funkadelic, as well as contemporary bands like Umphrey’s McGee and Lotus, Philadelphia-based funk band The Royal Noise is…Smart bets: Quilts as Inspiration
There was a time when quilts served as one of the few pieces of artwork in Appalachian homes, and they truly were works of art. “The hallmarks of great art…Smart bets: Ali Douglass
There is something comfortingly familiar about Ali Douglass’ whimsical illustrations and paintings. It might be the eye-pleasing color combinations, charming characters and quirky cityscapes and scenes — or it might…food
Rainbow Table: Kids in the kitchen
True confessions: When I get home from a busy day and it’s time to get dinner on the table, sometimes the last thing I want is “help” in the kitchen…Urban Café: Tiny space, big flavors
An imaginative and affordable breakfast and lunch spot opened downtown early this month on the ground floor of the BB&T building on Pack Square. Situated in the tiny venue previously…Beer Scout: Catawba to open satellite brewery in South Slope
If you get up every morning and drive an hour to work, you have a good idea what it’s been like to work in sales or deliveries for Catawba Brewing.…Small bites: Pirate cocktail fundraiser
A pirate-cocktail fundraiser, Asheville gets its own French Quarter and the James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner Series makes a stop in WNC.living
Yoga for one and all: Lifestyle coaching aims for root causes
When I first walk into his office, Abbas Rakhshani offers me a warm, generous hug. “Hugging communicates and transfers energy,” he says. I immediately feel comforted by his calm, compassionate…news
What can you do to tackle local water issues?
What can you do to tackle local water issues? The Water Sustainability Initiative of Western North Carolina is hosting a July 31 forum to explore solutions, big and small.opinion
Minimum Wage Data
Retooling
Promotion of Roman Polanski film appalling
Talk about offending readers. After reading the Movies section, I was appalled that you promote a movie [“Venus in Fur,” July23, Xpress] directed by a sex criminal, Roman Polanski. No…Gorges State Park ranger’s disrespect is ‘sickening’
When I read Joe Stelpflug’s letter [“Beer Tourists, Beware of Gorges State Park,” July 16, Xpress], I was not at all surprised by the pompous attitude possessed by the Gorges…Robert Woolley’s commentary defends racial profiling
(Robert) Woolley’s article [“Profiles in Suspicion,” July 16, Xpress], in which he claims, “A book’s cover does tell you something,” defends racial profiling with the erroneous argument that minorities commit…Movie reviews are contradictory
OK guys, I get it. I’ve been reading your reviews for a long time now, and I completely understand why you’d like a movie such as Life Itself over a…Commentary a disgusting, racist rant
Robert Woolley’s commentary (“Profiles in suspicion, ” July 19, Xpress) is a disgusting, racist rant from someone whose worldview is clearly very deeply steeped in white supremacy — a fact…