***UPDATE: THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** The Alabama-based guitarist is a former member of Leon Russell’s band and a tour de force as a solo act. He’ll play Emerald Lounge on Saturday, April 13. (The Chuck Beattie Band and Big Gene & Danny Lee’s Loud Pack also perform.) In advance of that show, Simmons talks about putting down roots, surprise musical faves (Foo Fighters and Bee Gees!) and how to beat the pre-show jitters. Photo courtesy of the musician.
The N.C.-based singer-songwriter visited Mountain Xpress on the day his new album, Memories & Birds, released. Click through for the video interview and exclusive performance.
Americana-rock outfit Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons play the Altamont Brewing Company on Friday, April 5. In advance of that show, Perley talks about songwriting, thrift shopping and her love affair with the musical saw.
Elephant Stone, from Montreal, Canada, performs Hindi-rock (front-man Rishi Dhir blends psychedelic rock, pop songs and sitar). The band opens for the Black Angels at The Orange Peel on Friday, April 5. Here, Rishi talks about the Canadian music scene, the return of the psychedelic sound, and his dream collaboration. Photo courtesy of the band.
The Nashville-based roots-rockers spoke to Xpress about playing festivals, adding acoustic instruments and the song that best represents them. They return to Asheville on Thursday, March 28, playing The Grey Eagle. Photo by Melissa Madison Fuller.
Ukiah Morrison on life after his stint as one of Asheville’s most infamous residents. The former mostly-nude City Council candidate talks about cannabis activism, raising wolf-dogs, his military career and his hopes for the future.
The Detroit-based band leader talks about fashion, lucid dreaming and Nick Cave in advance of her band’s March 6 performance at Emerald Lounge.
In advance of Americana outfit Old 97’s Orange Peel show last week, frontman Rhett Miller talked with us about the group’s 20th anniversary, his solo work, and how his songwriting career has prepared him to become a fiction writer.
The Australian indie-psychedelic band’s front man (and mastermind) talks to Xpress about writing songs for the one person who will think it’s the greatest thing ever, and much more. Photos from the band’s website and Facebook.
Dexter Romweber started Flat Duo Jets back in the mid-80s. The Chapel Hill band influenced the likes of Neko Case and Jack White. These days, Dex performs with his percussionist sister Sara Romweber (Let’s Active). The Dex Romweber Duo plays The Grey Eagle on Friday, Dec. 28. In advance, Dex talked to Xpress about documentary films, N.C. bands, creativity and his real feelings about drum-and-guitar duos.
Psychedelic-soul artist Matthew E. White talks to Xpress about his buddies at Harvest Records, his surprise at the reaction to his debut, “Big Inner,” how he tries to serve the craft of music, and what he hopes happens on Dec. 21. White plays The Grey Eagle with The Mountain Goats on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo from One Way Richmond.
Donavon Frankenreiter talks to Xpress about being on the road, translating a two-person record to a full-band live show and discovering new opening acts. Click through for the video interview and two exclusive acoustic performances.
In advance of his Saturday, Nov. 17, performance at The Altamont Theatre (8 p.m., $15), A.J. spoke to Xpress about his 2013 album-in-the-works, the art of collaboration, the importance of place in the recording process and what to expect from his live show. Photo by Rich Cook.
Much-buzzed-about Philly rockers Low Cut Connie play The Emerald Lounge on Friday, Nov. 16. Here, they talk about an Asheville-based hero (Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound), how they weathered Hurricane Sandy and how they took Jack White’s Third Man Records by storm. Photo by Ben Morse.
Pearl and the Beard returns to Asheville this Friday, for a performance at The Grey Eagle. Here, they talk about knitting projects, fan gifts, the “lather, rinse, repeat” life of tour, and why they heart Perez Hilton.
Leftover Salmon founding member Drew Emmitt talks about everything from festivals, getting back on the road after a hiatus, their first new album in 8 years and Bonnie Raitt. Leftover Salmon plays the Orange Peel on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Watch Irish band I Draw Slow perform their bluegrass tune “Bread and Butter” on this exclusive video.
Watch the video of an exclusive performance by and interview with the British singer-songwriter.
In advance of his Sunday, Oct. 7, show at The Grey Eagle, Americana singer-songwriter Jackie Greene talked to Xpress about playing with his heroes, working on his next album, and trying to dodge the video camera.
The indie-rock trio plays The Lab, with Baby Rattlesnakes, on Thursday, Sept. 27. Here, they talk to Xpress about a new project, the importance of romance in music and the secret pipeline funneling indie rockers from Nashville to Asheville. Photo by Luca Venter
Local fiddler Rayna Gellert has performed with Uncle Earl, Abigail Washburn and Toubab Krewe; she’s recorded with Sara Watkins, Loudon Wainwright III and John Paul Jones among others. Now she’s set to drop her solo debut album, “Old Light,” with a special pre-release party (including advance copies of the CD) at the Grey Eagle on Sept. 4. Photo by Jon Estes.
