The Suspect: Tapes ‘n Tapes This indie band formed at Carleton College in Minnesota 2003; in 2005 Pitchfork gave their debut album, The Loon, an 8.3 rating (out of 10), “Best New Music” tag and cites the band’s clear influences as “Pavement, Wire, Beach Boys and Pixies.” Each of the four members of Tapes ‘n […]
The Suspect: Larry Keel and Natural Bridge Keel grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and there began his love and deep appreciation for mountain music culture. After a seven-month stint as a bluegrass musician at Tokyo Disneyland, Keel returned to the states and took up playing on the East Coast festival circuit. […]
The Suspect: Taylor Moore Taylor Moore has found a mentor and admirer in Edwin McCain (Moore has opened for McCain at the Orange Peel.) McCain says, “I want to see myself in him … but I could never play electric guitar like Taylor. I have promised myself not to hover over him like a big […]
The Suspect: Against Me! The band arrives in Asheville on the first week of a three-month nationwide tour. Tom Gabel started the group in 1997 in Gainesville, Fla., but the band didn’t find its following until the 2002 release of its first full-length album, Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. Spin named the band’s 2007 […]
The Suspect: Col. Bruce Hampton He’s been making music for nearly 50 years, and according to Winston Elder’s blog dedicated to Col. Bruce, his music is a blend of, “one-part Frank Zappa, two-parts Charlie Christian, one-part John Lee Hooker and two-parts Captain Beefheart…” Given that all those musicians are no longer with us (Don Van […]
The Suspect: Mosier Brothers The band describes its music as “cosmic Americana” mixed with bluegrass-laced roots rock. Brothers Jeff and Johnny along with fiddler David Blackmon were founding members of Blueground Undergrass. Even though BU had a sizeable and dedicated following, Jeff Mosier felt the need for a change. The Mosier Brothers is quieter; the […]
If you… Were regularly mistaken for a boy until you were 11, Campaigned to be president of the Math Club in high school, Couldn’t decide who was cooler, Karen or Richard Carpenter, Consider caring for curly hair a legitimate hobby… Then you, too, could write The Profiler! I feel so fortunate to live in this […]
The Suspect: Holy Ghost Tent Revival Indyweek.com says the band’s debut album So Long I Screamed has “…the mischievous air of a Mark Twain yarn.” Hailing from Greensboro, this band lists “lollygagging” as its main interest, but members don’t waste any time in bringing audiences out to the dance floor with their toe-tapping blend of […]
The Suspect: Carolina Chocolate Drops It all started at the Black Banjo Gathering; three young musicians committed to weekly jam sessions at the Mebane, N.C. home of old-time fiddler Joe Thompson. Five years later, the band is truly an international success, having just spent most of November touring (and selling out shows) in Europe. They […]
The Suspect: The Misfits The Misfits original lineup began playing together in the late ‘70s, and they were one of the first bands in the horror-punk genre. Now, 30 years and a dozen or so lineup changes later, they still haven’t lost their focus. As frontman Jerry Only says, “We plan to continue as always […]
The Suspect: Sam Quinn and the Japan Ten This band is the new project of former everybodyfields frontman Sam Quinn. According to Quinn, he has, “…somehow culled the talents of some of the region’s most talented musicians to play my whiney, three minute, tales of self-loathing and dismay.” Earlier this summer, the Americana singer/songwriter released […]
The Suspect: Space Capone Frontman Aaron Winters has been praised by many incredible comparisons: his falsetto to Barry Gibb’s, his full-on singing voice to Michael McDonald. His band was called, “Kool and the Gang meets Rob Halford,” and, according to Wacbiz magazine, he’s bringing ‘70s soul back to his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. Sound too […]
The Suspect: The Dandy Warhols Even though the band has never had a hit single, they are sure to play many fan-favorites on their North American tour; it’s in support of their recently released collection, The Dandy Warhols: The Capitol Years 1995-2007. Since forming in Portland in the early ‘90s, they’ve been building a cult […]
The Suspect: Ra Ra Riot This group includes a violinist and a cellist; the resulting sound is part indie pop, part chamber orchestra. Founding members of this young band met while attending college in Syracuse, N.Y. Their recently released second CD, The Orchard, contains tracks mixed by Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend members; […]
Wondering what to expect at Moogfest? Let the Profiler help. The Moogmom She’s hip, she’s happening, she’ll be happy if just one person would ask to see her I.D. Possible Problem: She usually falls asleep before Top Chef is over. Problem Solved: Her son’s Adderall and the ability to drink four Diet Cokes at one […]
The Suspect: Perpetual Groove These Georgia natives have been making music together since 1997, playing their style of improvisational jam-band rock. The group has been reinvigorated by the addition of keyboardist John Hruby, and they’ve recently released two new studio CDs, the full length Heal, and the EP Honey Cuts. Can Be Found: The Orange […]
The Suspect: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Released earlier this summer, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals is actually the fourth studio album for the band. This self-titled release represents the first real push for commercial and international success; previously the band had been earning its reputation by heavy touring and appearing at lots of festivals […]
The Suspect: Dirty Dozen Brass Band Thanks in part to the success of the New Orleans Saints and the new HBO show, Treme, there has been a renewed appreciation for marching band style brass music. The DDB, along with Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint, joined the Dave Matthews Band live on NBC for the NFL […]
The Suspect: Keller Williams and the Keels This trio is a collaboration of the husband-and-wife duo Larry and Jenny Keel, along with Keller Williams. This spring they released their second CD together, Thief, which contains their bluegrass-influenced covers of songs originally recorded by Amy Winehouse, the Butthole Surfers, Marcy Playground and many others. Can Be […]
The Suspect: Jimmy Eat World Formed in Arizona in the early 90s by childhood friends Jim Adkins and Zach Lind, Jimmy Eat World was originally more of a punk-rock band. The sound has gradually morphed into indie emo. The band’s seventh album, Invented, is due out the end of the month and marks its third […]
The Suspect: Krista Detor Among her many influences, this singer/songwriter lists caffeine, alcohol, good news, bad news and weather reports. Seems to work … her writing has been compared to the likes of Leonard Cohen, Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell. Her 2006 release Mudshow received raves on both sides of the Atlantic, and it reached […]
