Panels discuss everything from the experience of women in media and entertainment fields to the process of turning a story into a song. Saturday night concludes with a superband made up of Ben Sollee, Big Chief Juan Pardo, Leeda “Lyric” Jones, Jaze Uries, Jacob Rodriguez and others.
The group is currently on tour for new album Petals. Ben Sollee opens the show.
The latest edition of Acoustic Asheville features a very special performance filmed at The Grey Eagle with cellist Ben Sollee and indie orchestral rock band Mother Falcon.
Sollee’s Friday, Oct. 16 show with Mother Falcon at The Grey eagle promises to be a study of refined and unbridled sonic expression. “There will be impromptu moments,” he says, along with an effort to maximize the various talents among the musicians. “It’s going to be the type of show that people don’t see very often.”
Local steel pan player Jonathan Scales recently teamed up with singer-songwriter/cellist Ben Sollee on a cover of Harry Belafonte’s “Dolly Down.” Taylor Hellhake and Emily Newton filmed the performance at The Hop West. Jordan Ellis plays percussion. Sollee also played Isis Restuarant & Music Hall last Thursday.
Classically-trained indie-rocker and political activist Ben Sollee talks bicycle love and the making of his new album in advance of his Sept. 29 performance at The Orange Peel.
Indie cellist Ben Sollee is no stranger to Asheville, so it’s not all that surprising to spot the songwriter strolling down Haywood Road, as I did Sunday afternoon. Sollee and his drummer, Jordon Ellis, were in town for a few days between shows in Atlanta and Charlottesville, Va.
Ben Sollee is not your typical pop singer. Aside from his genre-blurring songwriting — a folk-centric blend of Appalachian roots, soulful vocals and pop-friendly melodies — it’s not often you see a classically-trained cellist tapping and scraping his instrument to mimic hip-hop beats, plucking its strings like a guitar or covering Tom Waits tunes. Not to mention hauling the enormous instrument from show to show on a bicycle.
Mize first gained national attention for collaborating with fellow Kentuckians Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Ben Sollee. However, the multi-instrumentalist’s genre-hopping solo work soon caught the attention of outlets ranging from The New York Times to NPR, overshadowing her backing work and earning the songwriter a deal with Yep Roc Records. Tonight, Mize stops in Asheville for a performance downtown.
The Asheville cycling community has made some major strides over the past few years, thanks in large part to the efforts of Asheville on Bikes. Now, area riders have a new outlet for sharing stories and highlighting upcoming events with the emergence of VeloCity, a quarterly magazine dedicated exclusively to cycling in the Asheville area. Oh yeah, and I’m in it.
The singer/songwriter/cellist/cyclist/activist returns to WNC to play a special concert on Friday, Sept. 9.
Photo by Cameron Yeager.
We’re taking to the streets, forests and shops of Asheville to highlight the brightest in local music. And the best part? There’s no cover and you don’t have to leave the house!
Last Thursday Ben Sollee performed a stellar and unforgettable show at the Orange Peel. He’s currently touring in support of his new album Inclusions with his trio. Guests at the show included local musicians Casey Driessen and Jonathan Scales. Photos by Cameron Yeager.
A host of local and visiting musicians — including Ben Sollee, Jay Sanders, Casey Driessen and River Guerguerian — spent the afternoon rehearsing and recording a collaborative song at Echo Mountain as part of the HATCH Festival. Xpress was there to bring you this preview.
