Lenny Pettinelli

Getting unemployme­nt benefits another challenge for gig economy workers

Like most states, North Carolina was unprepared when unemployment claims skyrocketed as COVID-19 cases shut down large swaths of the state’s economy. When the crisis began, no benefits were available to those who didn’t previously work in a traditional job. That changed recently, so Xpress talked with locals who make their living in the gig economy about the experience of seeking newly available funds through the state Division of Employment Security. Spoiler alert: It hasn’t always gone smoothly.

Smart bets: V.O.V. triple-CD release party

Led by local music maven Lenny Pettinelli, Vibration of Versatility (V.O.V.) is a collaborative Asheville-based recording project that has already drawn from the talents of 70 instrumentalists. V.O.V. aims to produce albums from 12 genres in 12 months. With hip-hop, electronic, reggae and singer-songwriter genres already covered, Pettinelli is excited to release volumes 5 (jazz) […]