The Mike Dillon Band will open for Fishbone at The Grey Eagle on Wednesday, Feb. 20. In advance of that show, Dillon spoke to Xpress about his most recent album “Urn,” about constant touring, living in two states, and writing “crazy music for crazy people.” Photo from royalpotatofamily.com.
Local indie-pop artist Darwin Deez releases his new album, “Songs for Imaginative People,” today.
The indie-folk group from Virginia, led by musician/songwriter Ben Hardesty, plays Asheville’s Altamont Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 16. The show is advance of the band’s full-length album release, but they’ll be playing new songs and an array of unique instruments (harpaphone, melodica, Bolivian goat toenails) along with their trademark rootsy-mystical catalog.
The local pop-punk band signs with indie-label Little Heart Records and gears up for the release of its EP, “Late Nights and Long Drives.” The album drops on Feb. 19 with a party at the Boiler Room on Friday, Feb. 15.
The xx headlined a stunning and soulful show at The Orange Peel on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Moogfest alum Austra opened. Photos by Margaret Hester.
The Canadian dream-pop duo played a short but beautiful show at the Orange Peel last weekend. Photo by Last.fm.
The 20-track double-album by local chant and world music group Shantavaani is a collection of ancient and modern spiritual songs and writings from Asian, paired with contemporary folk originals.
The local rockers played a stunning show at The Lab last weekend. Fronted by Penelope Zing, the band references some of the best of ‘80s and ‘90s regional rock, while bringing wholly original songs to the stage.
Tess Brunet (drummer for Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Generationals and others) brings her solo project (she now sings and plays guitar), Au Ras Au Ras, to Asheville. The band plays Apothecary on Saturday, Jan. 19. Here, she talks to Xpress about plans, risks and therapeutic songwriting.
Click through for a video of local band The Hermit Kings performing at The Lab last weekend.
The No One Faction is the solo project of Asheville-born/Atlanta-based engineer/musician Jaron Pearlman. LP “The Echo And Narcissus” boasts a roster of musical guest stars, including Stephanie Morgan, Amy Ray, Old North State and Jonathan Pearlman,
The Nashville-based alt-rock outfit returns to Asheville on Saturday, Jan. 5. They’ll play a 9 p.m. show at Emerald Lounge with fellow Tennessee bands A Great Disaster and Matt Sanders Band.
We recap some of our favorite local album releases from the past year. Catch up on music you may have missed, and let us know what some of your favorite albums (from this list or otherwise) were.
Local experimental band Moue (Andrew Larson of Telecine and Lauren Carol Brown of Knives and Daggers) releases its debut album — a collection of Christmas songs. Hint: Chances are you’ll want to download this one.
Dexter Romweber started Flat Duo Jets back in the mid-80s. The Chapel Hill band influenced the likes of Neko Case and Jack White. These days, Dex performs with his percussionist sister Sara Romweber (Let’s Active). The Dex Romweber Duo plays The Grey Eagle on Friday, Dec. 28. In advance, Dex talked to Xpress about documentary films, N.C. bands, creativity and his real feelings about drum-and-guitar duos.
Singer-songwriter and mandolin player Ty Gilpin, of High Windy, releases his solo effort — with a little help from over a dozen of Asheville’s best roots musicians. (Listen for contributions from members of The Steep Canyon Rangers, Balsam Range, The Honeycutters and The Dixie Bee-liners among others.)
WNC-based singer-songwriter Angela Faye Martin releases her new album today. The gorgeously haunted 11-song collection features tributes to late musicians Mark Linkous and Vic Chesnutt, and contributions from Linkous’ brother Matt.
Psychedelic-soul artist Matthew E. White talks to Xpress about his buddies at Harvest Records, his surprise at the reaction to his debut, “Big Inner,” how he tries to serve the craft of music, and what he hopes happens on Dec. 21. White plays The Grey Eagle with The Mountain Goats on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo from One Way Richmond.
Two local singer-songwriters teamed up for a gorgeously-realized collection of cover songs, “Bring It On Home.” The album releases today.
Donavon Frankenreiter talks to Xpress about being on the road, translating a two-person record to a full-band live show and discovering new opening acts. Click through for the video interview and two exclusive acoustic performances.
In advance of The Hermit Kings’ Friday night album release show (Grey Eagle, 9 p.m., $5, Alarm Clock Conspiracy and Deep Chatham open) we give a listen to the band’s new collection of songs. The record whispers and screams, tiptoes and stomps, waltzes and slam dances. That’s a good thing.
