Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
– WITH SPECIAL GUEST SUNNY WAR- ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYSARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERSNorth Carolina’s Sarah Shook sings with a conviction and hard honesty sorely lacking in much of today’s Americana landscape. Always passionate, at times profane, Sarah stalks/walks the line between vulnerable and menacing, their voice strong and uneasy, country classic but with contemporary, earthy tension. You can hear in their voice what they’ve seen; world weary, lessons learned—or not—but always defiant. They level-steady mean what they say. Writing with a blunt urgency—so refreshing these days it’s almost startling—Sarah’s lyrics are in turn smart, funny, mean, and above all, uncompromising. The Disarmers hit all the sweet spots from Nashville’s Lower Broad to Bakersfield and take Sarah’s unflinching tales out for some late-night kicks. At times, it’s as simple and muscular as Luther Perkins’ boom-chicka-boom, or as downtown as Johnny Thunders. The Disarmers keep in the pocket, tight and tough.The Disarmers line-up is currently Jack Foster on drums, Blake Tallent on guitar, Andrew Lambie on bass, and Nick Larimore on pedal steel.SUNNY WARSunny War has crafted a set of songs that draw on a range of ideas and styles as though she’s marshalling all her forces to get her ideas across: ecstatic gospel, dusty country blues, thoughtful folk, rip-roaring rock and roll, even avant-garde studio experiments. She melds them together into a powerful statement of survival revealing a probing songwriter who indulges no comforting platitudes and a highly innovative guitarist who deploys spidery riffs throughout every song. “I feel like there are two sides of me” says the Nashville-based singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso. “One of them is very self-destructive and the other is trying to work with that other half to keep things balanced.” That’s the central conflict on her upcoming fourth album, the eclectic and innovative Anarchist Gospel, which documents a time when it looked like the self-destructive side might win out. “Everybody is a beast just trying their hardest to be good. That’s what it is to be human. You’re not really good or bad. You’re just trying to stay in the middle of those two things all the time and you’re probably doing a shitty job of it. That’s okay because we’re all just monsters.”
Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters Holiday Spectacular III
– ALL AGES- PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW- SEATED AND STANDING ROOM ONLY TICKETS AVAILABLE AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERSSalvation Army Santas, hard liquor, new classics and some old country standbys make up the Honeycutters’ Holiday Spectacular. After the 2019 release of their EP, “Christmas on a Greyhound Bus,” Amanda Anne Platt and her band took to the road bringing with them a holiday show that is both irreverent and heartwarming. The spectacular is back for 2022, with some new tunes in tow from their latest studio album, “The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea.” The music of Asheville, North Carolina based outfit Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters is nuanced, bringing insight and wit to the stories Platt tells through songwriting. Lyrically driven, the band’s country roots music often inspires introspection, whether it be about life on the road, heartache or hope. There is an empathetic and charming wit ingrained in Platt’s songwriting. She has a knack for accessing a deep well of emotion and applying it to her story-telling, whether she is writing from her own experiences or immersing herself into the melody of emotions in another person’s life. Performing along with Platt, The Honeycutters are Matt Smith (pedal steel and electric guitars), Kevin Williams (keys), Rick Cooper (bass/vocals), and Evan Martin (drums/vocals).
Snake Oil Medicine Show at The Outpost
– ALL AGES- THE OUTPOST (521 AMBOY RD)- FREE / $10 SUGGESTED DONATION AT DOORSNAKE OIL MEDICINE SHOW From Asheville, North Carolina, Snake Oil Medicine Show is a dedicated group of artists and musicians who love and respect tradition in acoustic music, but who also share an even stronger passion to shape its future. Snake Oil’s goal is to convey positive energy and ideals to their audiences through music and art. Fantasies become three-dimensional, technicolor props and mysteriously gargantuan puppets at festivals and larger shows. Improvisation rules as guest musicians, rappers, freestylers, artists, puppeteers, dancers and jugglers often grace the stage. Snake Oil Medicine Show features some of the hottest talents around, no two performances are ever the same! Snake Oil was founded by Guitarist and guru songwriter George Pond in 1993, whose witty, Dr. Suess-like lyrics explore everything from the golden rule to quantum physics. This sheriff now plays the electric as well as upright Bass and is considering attending Clown College where he will use the power of Humor to promote World Peace Through Music and Art! The group has been playing across the globe for 3 decades as Psychedelic Bluegrass-Rock Pioneers! “The Snake Oil Medicine Show has no boundaries. More than a band, the group is a caravan, whose shows include live art and sounds that veer from Jazz to Bluegrass to Swing to purely original instrumental. Even if the group doesn’t accomplish its lofty goal of World Peace, Snake Oil Medicine Show carries with it a sense of abandon, from music to art, that says to audiences that free expression can be embraced, that breaking out of social structures can be liberating and fun. Musically, Snake Oil Medicine Show defies every convention, practicing ‘Creative Anarchy’. Songs are guaranteed to splash all over the musical spectrum. A bluegrass, hillbilly, stomp-your-feet undercurrent bobs throughout, an always dynamic interplay of strings, ragtime bop, a frenzied rhythmic dialogue, oozing experimental jazz and all those extra sounds – the drums, the whistles, the horns, the spoons and an occasional blast upon the sea-shell conch – added in for oomph!” – Brita Brundage, Fairfield County Weekly, Stamford, CT.
Victoria Victoria featuring Charlie Hunter
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEVICTORIA VICTORIA featuring CHARLIE HUNTERVictoria Victoria’s new album, “To The Wayside,” was released on Sept. 9, 2022—completing a beautifully fresh and alluring musical masterpiece that’s been in the making since 2020. Each of the album’s nine songs is a gem, mined through a magical collaboration between Victoria Victoria front woman Tori Elliott, producer/engineer Stephen Lee Price, Jr., and virtuoso guitarist, Charlie Hunter, who plays guitar and bass on all of the tracks. Elliott, who brings an innate effervescence and joyfulness to her live performances, brings equally insightful lyrics and contagious melodies to this album, as she explores and dissects issues surrounding modern female identity. “Songwriting helps me untangle what’s going on emotionally,” said the Winston Salem, N.C.-based singer-songwriter. “It almost feels like doing a puzzle.” “By the time that I got in the studio with Charlie, it just felt like an arrival, musically,” she said. “It felt like my voice was sitting where I always wanted it to be sitting.” Hunter says Elliott’s music draws in people of all ages and walks of life with intriguing narratives, songwriting, singing and instrumentation. “Tori’s work is remarkable because it accomplishes the feat of being accessible but really honest and authentic at the same time, which is rare,” Hunter said. “I just loved being a part of her process.” Victoria Victoria will tour in January 2023 with Tori Elliot on lead vocals, Charlie Hunter on Hybrid guitar, drums, and two back up singers. RAHM SQUADRahm Squad is the heart-and-brain child of Asheville-based guitarist/songwriter/producer Rahm Mandelkorn. His music combines elements of indie-rock, soul-jazz and world-music to create heartfelt original music that always aims to groove. The Squad is a rotating caste of the region’s best players. Rahm studied music in India, Spain, Berklee college online and with many of his favorite guitarists. He developed his craft through years of gigging with different bands, including funk/jazz trio The Digs and touring the country with Claude Coleman Jr’s (WEEN) band Amandla. Rahm has been fortunate enough to share the stage with many of his musical heroes including Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Oteil and Kofi Burbrigde, The New Mastersounds, Marcus King, members of Snarky Puppy, Lettuce and many more.
The Greybirds & Friends: Album Release Show
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLETHE GREYBIRDS The Greybirds are a band from Asheville, NC. What started as a songwriting partnership began to take on different forms: duo to five-piece, acoustic and/or electric, but the songs are the core of everything. The band formed in early 2022 after escaping to the mountains from big cities such as New York, Seattle & Atlanta. The sound is comprised of Wurlitzer, Upright Bass, two guitars, drums, and two lead harmony vocals. There are fingerprints of Rock & Roll, the common language of Folk, instrumentation of Early American Roots music, with a focus on vibe, dynamics, and lyricism. “In a time when the world seems so troubled, this music & dynamic sound help level out what’s going on… There’s times when singers get together and the blend of voices is hauntingly transforming. Think Mandolin Orange, think Emmylou meets Gram, Johnny meets June, George meets Tammy, and so on.” — David Boughner of Roadmaster Stage Presents, Black Mountain, NCfeaturing some of AVL’s finest: Ashley Heath, Jenny Bradley (Moon Water Duo), A. Lee Edwards, Gabe Epstein (Songs from the Road Band), Kevin Smith (Planefolk), Wilbur Lane, & Matthew Smith (Honeycutters)
Buddhagraph Spaceship at The Outpost
– ALL AGES- THE OUTPOST (521 AMBOY RD)- FREE / $10 SUGGESTED DONATION AT DOORBUDDHAGRAPH SPACESHIP Buddhagraph Spaceship is an American rock band from Asheville, NC with roots stretching from the old time to the far side and all foundations between. Creating a bridge between acoustic and electronic improvisation, they blend elements of Funk, Jam, Folk, Bluegrass, Gypsy, Jazz, Americana, Progressive Rock, Reggae, and much more to achieve their eclectic sound. With a passion for creativity and the motivation to push boundaries, the band functions upon a musical paradigm for the furthering of artistic expression. Buddhagraph Spaceship was created in the spring of 2014, and has since been an active influence on the East Coast music scene.
Tenth Mountain Division
– WITH JOKER’S TRADE- ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTENTH MOUNTAIN DIVISION Born in the fertile mountains of Colorado, Tenth Mountain Division is continuing the musical legacy set down by their forefathers. Tenth Mountain Division is a Denver-based outfit by way of the Colorado Rockies. The group consists of six members—Andrew Cooney (Bass/Guitar), Campbell Thomas (Piano/Percussion/Keys), Tyler Gwynn (Drums), MJ Ouimette (Guitars), Winston Heuga (Mandolin)—who found unity through their love of music and natural surroundings. While Gwynn holds down the heartbeat of their sound on drums, the rest of the crew pitches in on vocals in addition to their menagerie of instrumentation. TMD has heavily toured throughout their home state, offering reverberation and acclaim felt throughout the country. This helped nab performances at Summer Camp Music Festival, and support roles for acts like Leftover Salmon. Like those that came before them, Tenth Mountain Division is pushing the sound found in the mountains into bold, new directions with their exploratory take on Americana. Their style dips freely in the well of all their diverse influences, including but not limited to classic Southern Rock, the Progressive Bluegrass that was born in their backyard in Colorado, the adventurous spirit of sixties Psychedelic Blues, and straight ahead driving Rock ‘n’ Roll. Much like their CO predecessors, String Cheese Incident, and Yonder Mountain String Band, they defy simple categorization. Instead, they reference their musical history with their high-energy shows as they blaze new musical paths every night. As they do so, they have become the new voice of the Colorado music scene, taking their Ski-party sound around the country and making every show feel like a night in the Rockies. On June 18th, Tenth Mountain Division will debut it’s latest album, Butte La Rose with a sold out album release party at Colorado’s historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Through 2021, expect this boisterous crew to continue trailblazing its energy and sound throughout the country.JOKER’S TRADERISING UP AND OUT OF THE MYSTICAL HEART OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS IN ASHEVILLE, NC’S VERY OWN, JOKER’S TRADE. MEMBERS OF JT WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY HAPPENSTANCE. SOME CALL IT CHANCE, OTHERS MAY CALL IT LUCK, BUT WHICHEVER IT MAY BE, A DEEP MUSICAL CONNECTION AND BROTHERHOOD WAS FATED. EACH MEMBER ORIGINATESFROM A DIFFERENT MUSICAL BACKGROUND WHICH CONVERGES INTO A POWERFUL AND SOULFUL BLEND OF PSYCHEDELIC ROCK, FUNK, AND BLUES THAT IS OFTENTIMES HARD TO DEFINE. ALAS, EACH AND EVERY TIME JOKER’S TRADE TAKES THE STAGE IT COALESCES INTO A RAUCOUS, YET SPIRITUAL, MUSICAL EXPERIENCE THAT BENDS GENRES, ALTERS MINDS AND SETS ALL IN ATTENDANCE ON A WHIMSICAL JOURNEY INTO THE IMPROVISATIONAL UNKNOWN.
Drip A Silver at The Outpost
– ALL AGES- THE OUTPOST (521 AMBOY RD)- FREE / $10 SUGGESTED DONATION AT DOORDRIP A SILVER Jerry enthusiasts, Drip A Silver, render the catalog from a place of merry reverence. Tunes from all..
Bill Kirchen and His Silent Knights: Honky Tonk Holiday Show
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOWBILL KIRCHEN Forget the “Nutcracker” and “Handel’s Messiah.” For a real taste of seasonal cheer, nothing says joy to the world like Bill Kirchen singing “Daddy’s Drinkin’ Up Our Christmas!” Bill Kirchen and his Silent Knights will make a stop on their annual Honky Tonk Holiday Tour at the Grey Eagle in Asheville on Monday 12/12. Featured is a sleigh-full of rarely heard holiday numbers from the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and honky tonk bags: “Silent Surfin’ Night,” “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas,” “Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy” and more. But be ye not afraid, there’ll be so much more than holiday songs of questionable taste; you can count on a truckload of dieselbilly classics, rockers, and country weepers to take the edge off the holiday fuss. So mark your calendars and check ’em twice – Santa Claus is back in town! Bill Kirchen is touring with Jack Saunders on bass and Rick Richards on drums. Guitar Player Magazine dubbed Bill Kirchen the “Titan of the Telecaster.” Rolling Stone said he’s “an American treasure” and “one of our best.” No matter what you call him, Kirchen is a founding father of the Americana movement, now at the peak of his impressive career. Kirchen was originally known as co-founder and lead guitarist of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, one of the first and only rock-n-roll bands to infuse their honky-tonk sound with pure, blood-and-guts country roots and western swing. It was Kirchen’s scorching guitar licks that helped define their sound and drove their hit, “Hot Rod Lincoln,” into the Top Ten in 1972, a song that eventually took on a post-Cody life of its own. Today, Kirchen’s extended version of “Hot Rod Lincoln” is his universally loved signature masterpiece, a pumped-up joyride through the last 60 years of guitar-god history, described as “epic” by Rolling Stone. In 2001, Kirchen received a Grammy nomination for his instrumental “Poultry in Motion.” The following year he was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association Hall of Fame, neatly sandwiched between John Phillip Sousa and Dave Grohl. Kirchen has recorded and/or played guitar live with a who’s who of Americana and Roots Rock ‘N’ Roll, among them Gene Vincent, Link Wray, Bo Diddley, Hazel Dickens, Doug Sahm, Hoyt Axton, Emmylou Harris, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, and Nick Lowe. Bill is pretty sure that he is the only person to have, in a single year, stood on stage and played with both Ralph Stanley and Elvis Costello.
PATIO SHOW: Awen Family Band
– ALL AGES- PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEDAWEN FAMILY BAND Awen Family Band is a nationally touring world boogie collective founded by song-writer and coddie-wompler Tim Husk (formerly of Freeway Revival) in 2019 and has performed at numerous venues and festivals around the country featuring members of Toubab Krewe, Big Something, Dr. Bacon, The Kind Thieves, TUB, Reliably Bad, Self Help, Firewater Tent Revival, The Moon Unit, Mellow Swells, Custard Pie, Wigeon, FRUTE, Alo Ver, Boom Unit Brass Band, Rolling Dynamite, The Fundamentals, and many other acts. Every Awen Family Band show is a never before seen collaboration between musicians from other touring acts who understand that we are just moving the music and message from one plane to another “we don’t create the lesson, only move the message” (Song-Kiwi Beach). Blending roots music from around the globe such as Zydeco, Bluegrass, Afrobeat, Wassalou (West Africa), Old Time, Swing and Psychedelic Boogie topped with lyrics spreading the message for all who seek to hear. From our table to yours, we invite you to join us in celebrating music, life and each other! ~Building Community, Expanding Circles and Spreading Love~
