Superb local musicians give touring artists some healthy competition, and the out-of-town acts both bring something new to the local music conversation.

Superb local musicians give touring artists some healthy competition, and the out-of-town acts both bring something new to the local music conversation.
The show comes on the heels of Leigh’s debut album, Roots Alive, which was recorded in four days at Chris Rosser’s Hollow Reed Studio.
While in tour with a recent tour stop at Isis Music Hall, Smith gave a two song performance for Xpress.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ multi-instrumentalist plays a May 8 solo show at Isis.
‘Revolver’ is often thought of as the first Beatles album to make use of the recording studio as an instrument. The album’s innovative, experimental nature is evident on tracks as varied as the singalong “Yellow Submarine” and the droning, psychedelic “Tomorrow Never Knows,” a John Lennon composition.
Queen Bee and the Honeylovers aren’t completely immersed in the past; Moore’s historically based lyrics cover themes that are universal, and many are relevant to present-day Asheville.
The musician and activist plays an intimate solo set at Isis on April 25.
Two celebrated local artists (one who’s bidding farewell to Asheville, the other a globetrotting artist who’s only occasionally home) and two psychedelic bands (one a relic from the ’70s, the other a new and soul-infused exponent of the style) are spotlighted in this roundup.
Carsie Blanton makes what she describes on her Facebook page as, “music for smart, ferocious, muffin-hearted libertines.” It’s as fun as it is revolutionary.
“Not only is the music evolving,” mandolinist Ty Gilpin says, “but the subject matter of the music is also changing to reflect what’s happening in the world today.”
Country, blues, bluegrass and … prog-hop? The variety of live music available in Asheville never ceases to impress.
The North Carolina native bring his new Cuban-inspired blues songs to Isis Music Hall on March 16.
The tracks on the CD comes from the recording of a live show Regan-Blake gave at Black Mountain Center for the Arts in 2017. The stories are a mix of traditional folk tales and personal stories, and they’re suitable for all ages.
This roundup takes a look at three Asheville based acts in three very different musical styles, plus a compelling national-level musician who’s also a respected activist, theologian, author and documentary filmmaker.
The Austin, Tex.-based singer-songwriter plays the Isis Music Hall lounge on March 6.
Though he’s settled in Atlanta, Kelly looks back fondly upon his time in the Asheville music community. He started playing with The Goodies when he was 19. He says that Goodies front man Holiday Childress was a major influence on his own songwriting.
As an artist, Declan O’Rourke is stirred by the way humans move through tragedy, meeting fear with hope, meeting trauma with resilience. His 2017 album, which he’ll perform in full at Isis Music Hall, seeks to examine the impact the Iris Potato Famine had on families from that country.
“We play all over the South, and it’s just different,” Taj Mahal says. “People have manners. Folks come to dance; they come to have a nice time.”
The husband and wife traditional folk duo play Isis Music Hall on Jan. 26.
The mandolin master and his band play Isis on Jan. 13.
Asheville-based roots rockers Paul Edelman and Dave Baker play Isis Music Hall on Dec. 29.