One of the premier exponents of present-day Zappa music is Asheville’s own Project/Object. The group — named after Zappa’s label for his entire body of work, held together by what he called “conceptual continuity” — was founded in 1991 by guitarist André Cholmondeley. The group played a rare local date last weekend.
Semi-local alt-rock outfit Treadmill Trackstar released its latest album earlier this year. The concept project pairs a song collection with a text script. Both can be downloaded for free.
Despite what its name might suggest, Chvrches’ Saturday, Nov. 29 show was neither quiet nor mired in reverence. Not that the audience at the sold-out show was expecting hymns, but from the opening notes of “We Sink” (a song far more buoyant that submerging), Chvrches provided its own dancey brand of ecclesiastical experience. Photos by Rich Orris.
Tina Collins and Quetzal Jordan make a great case for whimsy and animal aliases. The duo’s opening set at The Altamont Theatre last weekend was folky, rootsy, warm and unexpected.
The five-piece iteration of the band took to the stage shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday night and opened with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” It’s a song often reserved for the end of the night. But in this case, it set forth the evening’s familial tone as front man Rawlings lead the newest lineup of his ever-evolving Machine through a two-and-a-half-hour old-time music marathon. Photo from the band’s Facebook page.
Writer/director Nathan Ives’ romantic comedy, “It’s Not You, It’s Me,” attempts to fill us in on the machinations behind the baffling decisions our loved ones make. The indie-film, by a former Asheville resident, was screened at Carolina Cinemas on Tuesday.
The experimental indie-folk outfit, led by Flora Wolpert Checknoff, supported Hurray for the Riff Raff at The Grey Eagle on Friday. It was an opening set that made arriving early well worth the effort.
An uninitiated listener checked out Widespread Panic’s Saturday show in Asheville. Here’s the verdict. Photos by Anthony Dorion.
The local noise-rock trio holds an album release party at The Odditorium on Friday, Nov. 8.
Recently formed bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition (led by singer-songwriter Ty Gilpin) holds an album release party at The Bywater on Friday, Nov. 8.
New songs, old favorites, singalongs and wardrobe changes. It all happened at the filled-to-capacity show on Wednesday.
The vocalist, who came in second place on “American Idol” in 2010, brought the entire crowd to their feet in a rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” that my mother (who saw Joplin) described as, “Janis reincarnate!”
Local indie-rock outfit Comet West holds a release party for new EP, “Weaker Things” on Friday, Oct. 18 at The Mill Room.
Kings of Prussia headlined a mixed-metal showcase at the Emerald Lounge. Band photo by Nicholas King.
Celebrating the release of her new six-song EP, “Get Bothered,” local singer-songwriter Easterly took to the Lexington Avenue Brewery stage on Saturday night. Photo by Julia Ritchey.
Relive Saturday’s stunning concert at the U.S. Cellular Center. The 12-member Icelandic band performed a gorgeous and transformative 100-minute set. Photos by Yeager St. John.
American Gonzos hold a record release show for their new album on Saturday, Oct. 5 at The Lab.
Queens of the Stone Age exercise the will to boogie at the U.S. Cellular Center. Photos by Daniel Coston.
Alligator Indian releases a new EP that’s at once gorgeous and weird. They’ll hold a release party at Apothecary on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Asheville’s Steep Canyon Rangers release their new album today. The band is on a Grammy-winning streak, so this new record could add to their collection of awards.
In case you missed the April release of Jon Reid’s latest album, here’s a chance to get acquainted with it. The seven chillingly beautiful tracks show the formerly local singer-songwriter honing his considerable skills.
