The roots of the two-person blues-punk band, the harrowing sound of near-catatonic depression and the rescuing grip of rock ‘n’ roll are revealed in this interview with underground rock pioneer Don Howland. Howland’s been in Asheville for more than ten years, but you might not know it.
There’s a little something for everything in this roundup, from fiction readings and Civil War reenactments to modern dance and indie-pop.
The muddy fields of Coventry, Vt. were supposed to be the final resting place for Phish, the wildly popular jam-band known for its quirky compositions and transcendent improvisations. After spending more than 20 years on the road building one of the most devoted grassroots followings in rock history, the band collapsed under the pressure of […]
Local indie-pop favorites Stephaniesid and quirk-duo Two Man Gentlemen Band (from Long Island) will perform at Bele Chere.
The Dirty Guv’nahs, The Afromotive and Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues all announce plans to play this year’s Bele Chere Festival.
Two very different venues; two sets of summertime mainstays. The Biltmore Estate and UNCA have quite the lineup for their summer concert series, from crooners to Piedmont blues.
As the weather heats up, so do the musical offerings. This weekend brings plenty of free listening ops.
There is a lot to recommend singer/songwriter Zach Blew: He plays guitar with a nimble, jazzy fluidity; he sings with the sultry ease of John Mayer (back when Mayer was earnestly "Waiting for the World to Change"). Blew also has the wherewithal to back himself with a stellar band — guitarist Tom Leiner (Kellin Watson's […]
Dar Williams and Old 97s have both announced plans to play Bele Chere.
Show support for Joel Hutcheson, owner of Static Age Records on Lexington Avenue, a bastion of local culture. He’s got to have back surgery; an all-day event Saturday dubbed Joel Fest will raise money for his medical bills. A ton of great bands are playing and there’s a bunchof awesome prizes to win in the raffle.
Here’s another roundup of budget-friendly music options. From benefits to new bands; from honky tonk to hip-hop (like Funk-Sway, pictured), there’s nothing on this list over $5 (except for one worthy show—but even it comes with a get in free option).
Humble Thumb, the fragmented version of The Brothels from Knoxville and Asheville, recently opened for Buffalo at Fred’s Speakeasy. The small crowd—surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night—finally hit its enthusiastic stride when Buffalo took the stage with a young but mature approach to old-time roots, country, and bluegrass. Buffalo at Fred’s Speakeasy. Photo by Lydia […]
The infectious indie-rock band Balsa Gliders breezes into town for a show at Mo Daddy’s. Asheville native Chuck Price is the drummer for the band, and the Friday night show features a bevy of special guests with long Asheville histories.
It’s a good weekend for budget entertainment. From the free Montford Music & Arts Festival (scroll down for more on that) to some rare and wonderful catches like Do It To Julia, there’s no lack of shows. Also, check out worthy benefits, quirky house parties, and local showcases.
Xpress is giving away two spots for the Asylum Street Spankers show Wednesday at the Grey Eagle. The eclectic roots ensemble is guaranteed to entertain, putting on a wild live show that’s part string-band, part Vaudeville and all witty fun. Want to go? Just e-mail the answer to the trivia question.
This week brings new venues (Sadie’s Seafood Pub; Cancun), benefit shows, group shows, a surprising amount of Southern rock, a notable side project, a couple DJ shows and plenty more for dirt cheap.
If you’ve not had the luck to hear The Overtakers, you’ve got a few chances this week. The Jamaican roots trio is the real deal. Check them Wednesday night at the Grey Eagle, or Thursday, Friday and Saturday at LEAF in Black Mountain.
Could you tell from the comparatively quiet opener “Sunken Treasure” that Wilco would later lead into arena-style guitar mayhem and spectacle? That’s what happened at the Thomas Wolfe Tuesday night.
Missed the Brian Jonestown Massacre show? What about the Strange Boys? A snippet of Screamin’ Jays? The guitarist puking at the end of the night? Here’s a rawk review to satisfy ‘em all.
“I definitely had this experience—we all did—of stepping through the looking glass,” guitarist/composer Shane Perlowin recalls. He’s talking about avant-garde jazz/thrash group Ahleuchatistas’ November 2008 tour through Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, France and Spain. Winning fans overseas: Ahleuchatistas guitarist Shane Perlowin practices in a German train station. The prog-rock band is one of several […]
King Khan entered the Orange Peel stage wearing a white suit, his trademark military-music-man hat, a gold cape, a voodoo bone necklace and carrying some kind of soul shaman stick.
