The Suspect: Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade NBC New York says, “They pull off that tightrope musical trick that is modern vintage without being twee or derivative.” Tess’ voice has been compared to Zooey Deschanel and Madeleine Peyroux, and she plays a mean 1940s archtop guitar; her backing band includes guitar, upright bass […]

The Suspect: Blind Pilot This indie band from Portland did a West Coast bicycle tour in 2008, even carting their own instruments on bike trailers.They’ve opened for Gomez, the Hold Steady and the Decemberists, and last September released their second studio album, We Are the Tide. Can Be Found, The Grey Eagle, Wednesday, Feb. 22. […]

The Suspect: Marc Broussard Son of Boogie Kings guitarist Ted Broussard, this singer-songwriter released his first album 10 years ago when he had just turned 20. He plays bayou-flavored blue-eyed soul, opening for DMB, Willie Nelson and Maroon 5. He released his fifth album last summer entitled Marc Broussard. Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, […]

The Suspect: Wanda Jackson The Queen of Rockabilly got her start in 1958 with a rousing, gravelly voiced version of “Let’s Have a Party,” a song that her ex-boyfriend, Elvis Presley, had already released. Now more than 50 years later, she’s joined forces with former White Stripe Jack White, who produced and arranged her latest […]

The Suspect: Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition Jimbo Mathus spent the early part of his career as the ringleader of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. These days he’s gone country, and solo. He released his debut, Confederate Buddha, last spring. The late Memphis producer Jim Dickinson called him “the singing voice of Huck Finn,” according […]

The Suspect: BoomBox DJs, songwriters, multi-instrumentalists … mix it all together and you end up with the freeform electronica duo, BoomBox.  Each show is a new adventure; the band doesn’t create a set list prior to shows, but instead chooses the music based on the atmosphere and crowd. If the show is a dud, you […]

The Suspect: Charley Pride Pride was one of the most successful crossover country artists in the aughts, winning the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and scoring a Grammy in ’72. His biggest hits include “Help Me Make it Through the Night” and “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.’” Can Be Found: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, […]

The Suspect: Norma Jean This Christian metal-core band formerly known as Luti-Kriss has been playing together since 1997, though the band’s only original remaining member is guitarist, Chris Day. They’ve played Ozzfest and the Mayhem Festival, and they recently headlined the Explosions II Tour with After the Burial and For Fallen Dreams. Can Be Found: […]

Carolina Chocolate Drops Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Orange Peel. Show starts at 8 p.m. Frazey Ford, of the Be Good Tanyas, opens. The Pitch: Sons of Ralph teams up with the Fugees. The Buzz: Recipe for Carolina Chocolate Drops: Mix together equal parts old-time music, grad school hipster and major musical talent. Add heaping […]

The Suspect: moe. The band started with a chance meeting and a conversation about Tom and Jerry cartoons at the University of Buffalo. Live, guitarists Chuck Garvey and Al Schnier exchange solos over the bass and drums as the band improvises what Schnier calls “a musical conversation.” Last year, when moe. celebrated its 20th anniversary, […]

Country performers are like snowflakes … well, not exactly, but I reckon there’s a mighty big difference between Hank Williams and Sugarland. This week four great country performers are playing in WNC. Who should you check out? Take this simple quiz to find out. 1. The sticker on your truck tells the world: a) What […]

1. Why did The Milk Carton Kids decide to make their live album, Retrospect, available as a free download? a. Mercury was in retrograde. b. Their focus group suggested a price of .09 and they rounded down. c. They believe in “try before you buy.” d. It was actually an accident by their (ex) publicist. […]

1. The reason the band Chicago's former lead singer Peter Cetera always sings with his jaw clenched: a. He's self-conscious about his very tiny teeth. b. He finds awfully hard to say he's sorry. c. He had to have his jaw wired shut for a while, and he got used to singing that way. d. […]

1. Eddie Money recently experienced a career uptick when he: a. Was offered the role of chimp patriarch in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. b. Received a shout out from Lady Gaga for his “music prowess.” c. Revealed that, though it was mostly natural, he did occasionally use Sun-In to enhance his hair’s […]

The Suspect: Mates of State This California husband/wife, organ/drums duo just released Mountaintops in early September. Pitchfork calls the album’s first single, “Palomino,” “celestial pop with a chorus as big as the sky,” and praises the band’s songwriting and seamless harmonizing. Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Monday, October 3 at 9.p.m. RIYD: Belle and […]

How Can I Sing Like A Girl? Shelia Simone, that’s how. Simone has luxurious long blond hair and the body of Miss Piggy, if Miss Piggy had had access to a trainer. Both of my therapists agree that she’s a harmless and emotionally healthy outlet for my feminine energy. Bonus! She’s also the best way […]

The Suspect: Xiu Xiu This California experimental art-rock outfit has been challenging and entertaining audiences for almost 10 years. Fronted by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, the band’s most recent video (which featured band member Angela Seo vomiting on Stewart) made quite a splatter on the Internet. Can Be Found: Grey Eagle on Friday, Sept. 9 at […]

The Suspect: Chubby Checker Born Ernest Evans, the nickname Chubby Checker was originally suggested by Dick Clark’s wife. He began recording in 1960, and he topped the charts with a string of dance hits, the most famous being “The Twist.” He’s dabbled in folk, disco and was even featured on a Run DMC rap song, […]