Buskers, however innately transient, also boast a collective permanence in downtown Asheville. During his solo set, singer and guitarist Jason Brazzel paired his sturdy rasp with peppy strums, covers with originals.
Funk-pop collective EMEFE plays Pisgah Brewing Co., May 6
New York-based eight-piece funk-pop outfit EMEFE is not exactly new to Asheville. From shows at Asheville Music Hall to kicking off last year’s RiverMusic series, the band has made the round of local stages. EMEFE returns to Pisgah Brewing Co. on Wednesday, May 6, just a day after releasing a new self-titled full-length album.
Sound check: Mikey Wax
Singer-songwriter Mikey Wax recently performed at The Altamont Theatre. His songs have aired on TV shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “Switched at Birth,” and he’s known for playing house parties.
State of the Arts: Cairn Desk releases book albums
As downloading and digital streaming continue to consume the music industry, more and more artists and boutique producers are embracing that transition by turning to alternative means of preserving the physicality of the album, from vinyl records to cassette tapes. Now books are getting into the mix.
Acoustic Asheville: The Bottle Rockets
Famed alt-country band The Bottle Rockets stopped by Asheville for a recent tour stop at The Grey Eagle. Ahead of the show and using a locally manufactured guitar, lead singer Brian Henneman performed two songs for Acoustic Asheville.
“Warm Enemy” video from former Ashevillean Christopher Paul Stelling
New York-based singer-songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling, who used to live in Asheville, has seen his music career take off. His new album, Labor Against Waste, will be available on June 16.
Acoustic Asheville: The Broadcast
Asheville’s own The Broadcast will bring its brand of infectious rock ‘n’ roll to The Grey Eagle on Saturday, April 11. Ahead of the show, they performed three songs exclusively for Acoustic Asheville. “Dodge the Arrow” “Sirens” “Every Step”
Acoustic Asheville: The Sun Cans
The Sun Cans stopped by the Asheville Area Arts Council for the latest Acoustic Asheville videos. They’ll be at The Orange Peel on Friday, April 3, as well as at One Stop on Saturday, April 11. “Wildflower” “Everyday She’s Waiting”
Acoustic Asheville: The Vespers
The Vespers were recently at the Altamont Theatre to play their blend of roots/bluegrass/folk music. Ahead of the show, they played two songs exclusively for Xpress. “Signs” “Brothers and Sisters”
Acoustic Asheville: Sean Watkins
Singer-songwriter Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek recently performed a solo set at The Grey Eagle. Ahead of the show, he performed two songs exclusively for Mountain Xpress and Acoustic Asheville. “Since the Day I was Born” “21st of May”
Has busking season returned to Asheville?
As temperatures climbed into the low 70s on Tuesday, March 4, a steady stream of buskers and passersby took to the streets of downtown in appreciation of the day’s allusion to spring.
Cullowhee teen wins national film competition
Cullowhee teen Anne Wade took on the complex issue of censorship in schools and won first place in the National Coalition Against Censorship’s 11th annual Youth Free Expression Project Film Contest.
Web Bites with Gina Smith: Aphrodisiac tea with Marc Williams
Asheville ethnobiologist, herbalist and educator Marc Williams recently joined Xpress in the test kitchen at Selina Naturally in Arden to discuss herbal teas and ways certain herbs can help us nurture love in our lives.
Acoustic Asheville: Caroline Rose
Singer-Songwriter Caroline Rose recently opened up for Shovels & Rope at The Orange Peel. Xpress was able to capture two songs — including a brand new song called “Goodbye May” — exclusively for Acoustic Asheville before the show. Here, Rose is accompanied by Brett Lanier on lap steel. Goodbye May American Religious
Orbit DVD celebrates its birthday with free “Everything is Terrible” show, Feb. 27
There are really strange things on YouTube. You try find Kanye’s latest rant and before you know it, you’ve lost half a day down the rabbit hole of fashion shows, cartoon horses, Kid ‘N Play videos and “Alf” reruns. In a way, that’s the premise for Everything is Terrible!, “the internet sensation video collective responsible […]
Sound Check: Woody Pines
Roots musician Woody Pines used to live in Asheville. If you don’t recognize the titles of his ragtime-meets-country-meets-jazz albums (Counting Alligators, You Gotta Roll and Rabbit’s Motel), you’d probably recognize Pines and his group from their countless performances on Asheville’s streets and stages. But not too long ago, the musician packed up and moved to […]
American Express and local video production company spotlight Buchi Kombucha
Local filmmakers from Transmedia Productions partnered with a local writer and American Express to produce a “transmedia” project spotlighting local business Buchi Kombucha.
Odyssey middle schoolers produce music video
Odyssey Community School’s students have been doing a lot more than traditional reading, writing and arithmetic lessons. The institution’s middle schoolers recently spent two weeks of their semester devoting all of their time and energy into creating a collaborative music video. The song, “Soaring on Strings,” and video were written, performed and edited by the […]
Acoustic Asheville: Glen Phillips
Toad the Wet Sprocket lead singer Glen Phillips recently performed at New Mountain. In advance of the show, he performed two songs for Xpress. He also accompanied his opening act, Natalia Zukerman, on a third song. “All I Want” “The Song is Still Here” “Come Thief”
Local hip-hop artists featured on “For the Love of Music” promo video
The video by Just So Ya Know Productions previews the Valentine’s Day For the Love of Music event that will be held at New Mountain.
Sound Check: Pearl and the Beard
Video: Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price and Jeremy Styles discuss Pearl and the Beard’s new ablum, side projects, and how their approach to touring has evolved.