“The world needs more funk, and these guys are leading the revival,” says a press release for Colorado-based prog collective The Motet. While that statement may be up for debate, for those hoping to up their funk intake, this seven-piece outfit offers a well-honed blend of Afrobeat, disco, electronic and soul, all based in the […]
While most of Asheville and the surrounding area is aware of the soulful chill-wave awesomeness that is RBTS WIN’s 2013 release, Palm Sunday. But sometimes new levels of understanding come from seeing (or, in this case, hearing) a thing from different perspectives. Enter Palm Sunday: The Remixes, including an especially spine-tingling version of the single, […]
Electronic music producers Daniel Merrill and Michael Folk describe their joint sound as “emotionally charged future music that rides on hypnotic breakbeats, deep infectious basslines, dubby soundscapes and glitchy experimentation.” Performing as Aligning Minds, the duo are proud to announce “WAVEFORMS 2.0” — a month of performances at Asheville Music Hall aimed at bringing “top-notch […]
By Jesse Hamm Folly Beach, S.C. is not only the official beach destination of most of Asheville, but the home of Americana roots-rockers Dangermuffin. According to the trio’s bio, their sound “encompasses ska, calypso, and even Southern rock, often within the same song.” And Relix wrote, “Just like many a funny named band before them […]
For the follow-up to their 2013 EP, Shake, the members of Asheville’s The Get Right Band knew their goals were bigger than what their checking accounts would allow. “Our vision for the record was to do something big, something bold and powerful and unique,” says guitarist/vocalist Silas Durocher. “We felt like the songs we had […]
This week’s playlist includes tracks from two new local soul releases as well as a radio-ready Country hit-in-the-making from a Weaverville-based artist. Add some indie synth-pop, reggae and ragtime to the mix for a well rounded listen. • “Red Sand” from the self-titled album by Slo_Gold, the project of keyboardist and engineer Jeff Knorr. • “Life Is […]
The Brown Bag Songwriting Competition is held every Monday for 11 weeks, starting Sept. 8. New and seasoned musicians showcase original songs in front of an audience and panel of judges, and the finale sees each round’s winner back to compete (possibly in front of a celebrity judge) for prizes and bragging rights.
Mojo Kitchen hosts a new dinner-and-music series, Universal Joint raises money for the Hominy Creek Greenway, the Asheville Food Swap gets ready to trade and Food Truck Fridays continues in North Asheville.
As rock band The Black Crowes broke up, regrouped, went on hiatus and then back on tour, guitarist Rich Robinson — who co-founded that outfit with his brother Chris and drummer Steve Gorman — has consistently continued to make and play music. His side projects included Circle Sound with Luther Dickinson, an album with his […]
As far back as Asaf Smilan can remember, the Lion of Judah has been present in his life. Growing up in Jerusalem in the 1980s and ’90s, the city’s symbol watched over him, and when he became interested in reggae music and Rastafarian culture around the turn of the century, the lion was there to […]
Even after the Fourth of July fireworks fade from view, Asheville Music Hall will keep the show going with The Visionarium — “a July filled with projection mapping, visual performances and cutting-edge musical talent,” according to a press release. The series “aims to unite light, sound, talent and passion to create true magic” for six […]
Most musicians are lucky to get props for shredding or ripping or killing it. But Nashville/Atlanta/Rochester N.Y.-based blues, rock and soul act The Slide Brothers have been dubbed “godfathers of the electric church,” “masters of the sacred steel” and “the greatest living musicians who embody the sacred steel tradition.” Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell […]
There have been complaints of a dearth of reggae music in Asheville (Letters, April 30), but Jamaican-born, London-raised and, now, Kingston-based musician Junior Marvin is about to set things right. Marvin has performed with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, contributed to The Wailers’ albums from Exodus on and co-founded The Original Wailers […]
With lines like “If God had an iPod, I’d be on his playlist” and “Ya’ll just some major haters and some math minors,” Atlanta rapper Cyhi The Prynce held his own alongside Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz and RZA on “So Appalled,” one of the standout tracks off West’s 2010 album My Beautiful […]
Tapping time-management skills and Don Quixote, Los Gatos Negros releases a record
With all that local musician Jeff Santiago has going on in his life, it’s a minor miracle that his new album, Rolling Towards the Moon, exists. On Saturday, April 12, the singer/guitarist and his indie rock band Los Gatos Negros celebrate that achievement with a record-release party at Asheville Music Hall.
Local prog-rockers Makayan release debut full-length album “Smile” at Asheville Music Hall on Friday, March 7. Photo courtesy of the band.
Rap group Tanya Morgan performs with rapper Big Pooh at Asheville Music Hall on Saturday, March 8 at 8 p.m.
The local hip hop duo will release a video for their new song, “Makeshift Spaceships,” at Asheville Music Hall on Thursday, Feb. 20. Shinobi Ninja, Lyric and Hunter Bennett also perform.
A.J. Gregson and Autumn Pittman are bringing their unique brand of Latin-food mojo to downtown Asheville. The pair – partners in both business and life—recently took over the kitchen at One Stop Deli & Bar on College Street and is making some creative changes to both the space and the menu. Photo by Carrie Eidson
This band, with a revolving cast of players, “is about creating community and friendships as much as it is about creating spectacular music.” Led by founder and conductor Matt Butler, Everyone Orchestra returns to Asheville on Thursday, Feb. 6 with a local-heavy lineup.
The two electronic acts, plus Aligning Minds, play Asheville Music Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Image by Ben Mason Photography.
