“I feel like we’re ambassadors out there,” says singer and guitarist Ryan O’Keefe. “I love to say it on the microphone. The reaction is always like, ‘You’re from Asheville? I love Asheville!’”

“I feel like we’re ambassadors out there,” says singer and guitarist Ryan O’Keefe. “I love to say it on the microphone. The reaction is always like, ‘You’re from Asheville? I love Asheville!’”
The local pop-rock act is the new project of Stephen Mortensen.
Wes Tirey, a Black Mountain based musician, is taking his music overseas for the first time this coming January. He plans to use the profits from his name-your-price EP, “False Idols,” to fund his trip. Photo by Emma Master.
The former front man of Jack’s Mannequin recently released his solo debut, “The Pop Underground,” full of the kind of catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics that McMahon is known for and (as he discusses in a Q+A with Xpress) a project he feels especially proud of. McMahon plays The Orange Peel tonight at 8 p.m. Allen Stone opens. $25.
Get to know the new project by WNC-native Justin Miles. Luzius Stone’s debut album, “Electric Dream” is set to release later this spring. Xpress has a sneak-peek.
The new local experimental folk quartet (Jeff Markham on guitar and vocals, Peter Van Rijssen on bass and vocals, Will Hogancamp on guitar and Kent Spillmann on drums) is just getting started booking local shows, but they’ve already released a debut EP.
The newly formed roots-rock outfit releases its debut EP at Isis on Saturday, March 2.
Austin’s Ghost Wolves swing back through Asheville with a searing new single (and a collaboration with BP Fallon; the trio is pictured here). Check out a preview here; the show is Thursday, Sept. 27 at The Get Down.
Local country jazz/swing/rockabilly artist Woody Pines and his band pay tribute to influences like Leadbelly and Dock Bogg on their EP, “You Gotta Roll.” Pines will play a Saturday, Sept. 1 show at the Grey Eagle.
Greenville pop group Eleventyseven releases its take on country, bluegrass and Americana with EP “Attack of the Mountain Medley.” The album drops online today.
A new full-length album is in the works for early next year, but in the meantime the Nashville-by-way-of-L.A.-by-way-of-Asheville rockers have dropped limited-release Salvage Songs, Vol. 1.
The local alt-pop band is set to release EP “Quit Trying” next month. Here’s a preview.