Nefesh Mountain: “Beacons” Album Release Show
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE NEFESH MOUNTAIN The latest album from Nefesh Mountain, Beacons emerged from a bold and wholehearted attempt to transform the world around them. Soon after wrapping up a whirlwind tour booked with the mission of spreading their newfound message of radical love, co-founders Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg immersed themselves in the feverish writing of songs that turned their frustrations and fears into irrepressible hope, all while reaching far beyond their bluegrass roots and forging a fiercely joyful sound unbound by genre convention. By the time they’d completed that process of musical alchemy, the New York-based husband-and-wife duo had profoundly refined the band’s vision and voice and arrived at the unfettered radiance of Beacons: an epic double album affirming Nefesh Mountain as a singular musical force—one whose deeply impassioned songwriting awakens us to new ways of navigating an endlessly troubled world. Self-produced and mainly recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, Beacons expands on the soulful intentionality Nefesh Mountain has brought to their music since forming a decade ago. “We live in such strange and divided times, and while we wanted this album to be a full-on celebration of American music, one of our main goals was to bring love, hope, and positivity into a world that sorely needs it,” says Lindberg. “In the end we made a choice: instead of getting angry, we just made music.” Although much of the album stemmed from their rumination on the political landscape (political polarization and division throughout the U.S., the Israel–Hamas War, and Russo-Ukrainian Wars), its spirit of purposeful optimism is made all the more potent by Nefesh Mountain’s willingness to speak about their most intimate struggles and triumphs, including the birth of their now-three-year-old “miracle baby” Willow, and Zasloff ’s journey with sobriety. “This is definitely the most revealing and personal album we’ve ever made, which was a big leap for us,” says Zasloff. “At some point it became obvious that if we’re going to really open our hearts, we need to talk about things we’ve never shared before, with the hope that it will end up helping others.” The result: a selection of lived-in and truly revelatory songs, each providing a beacon-like transmission of uplift and light. The follow-up to Songs for the Sparrows—a 2021 LP praised by Rolling Stone as a “master class in string music”—Nefesh Mountain’s fourth full-length effort, encompasses two distinct discs, the first of which blurs the lines between Americana, blues, country, and psych-folk, offering up an electrified sound created with the help of their longtime live band and guest musicians like pedal-steel guitarist Greg Leisz (Beck, Joni Mitchell, Ray LaMontagne, Willie Nelson). Meanwhile, the second disc to Beacons finds the duo working again with legendary roots musicians Jerry Douglas (on Dobro), Sam Bush (mandolin), Rob McCoury (banjo), Cody Kilby (guitar), Mark Schatz (bass), and Stuart Duncan (fiddle), and serving up an all-acoustic lineup of songs spotlighting their boundary-pushing form of bluegrass. “Bluegrass has an energy that’s so intense and invigorating, and for this album we wanted to take that even further,” says Zasloff.
Jolly La La La ft Pleasure Chest + Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights
– ALL AGES – STANDING ROOM ONLY – GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATION CONTEST – OYSTERS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Holiday hangs + oyster roast with your favorite Asheville bands — Pleasure Chest (9pm) + Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights (7pm)! Bring in your finest gingerbread house decorated to the nines for our not-so-serious contest with prizes and more! FREE entry to gingerbread house competitors. PLEASURE CHEST Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll from Asheville, NC. BRODY HUNT & THE SILENT KNIGHTS An Asheville-area honky-tonk band playing classic holiday tunes!
The 40, 20, 10s + Reverend Finster: A Benefit Show for Big Pillow Brewing
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE 40, 20, 10s NEON (out October ‘24) is the latest album by The 40,20,10s. Recorded over six days with producer Kevin Moloney ( U2, Sinéad O’Connor) in the historic studios at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, North Carolina. This is the third recorded project by the band and we are proud to share these new tunes with you. REVEREND FINSTER Reverend Finster is an all acoustic tribute to the music of R.E.M. We feature songs mostly from the earlier albums from the 80s and IRS years.
Tyler Ramsey
ALL AGESPARTIALLY SEATED SHOW (please note SEATED vs SRO at checkout) TYLER RAMSEY Tyler Ramsey is an introspective singer-songwriter and unique fingerstyle guitar player who has built a rich catalog rooted in folk and melodic indie rock. Ramsey refined his sound while living in the western mountainous region of North Carolina, where he studied local styles of folk and drew inspiration from country-blues musicians who used to travel through the area. He has released highlights like 2008’s “A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea” and 2011’s “The Valley Wind”, all while being the lead guitarist and songwriter of Band of Horses for 10 years. Since striking back out on his own, he put out the rustic-toned “For The Morning” in 2019 and his latest album, “New Lost Ages,” in February 2024, which was captured in Seattle, Washington, by storied producer Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty). The 10-song LP is an ongoing sonic quest — meticulously wandering across the musical landscape, this undulating tone of indie and folk stylings. The new album is about peeling back the layers of oneself, to locate and open up the dusty boxes of your past from the back of the closet of your mind. It’s memories and mistakes, lessons and lifelines bringing the present moment into focus — the future bright with possibility and purpose, so long as you never forget the road to the here and now. Everything Ramsey has absorbed in his travels — onstage and on the road — is continually channeled through the lens of his words, unique tunings and guitar chords. It’s a whirlwind of sound and scope, all radiating from one human being with guitar in-hand, a silent room of curious souls awaiting the next number of beauty and grace conjured by Ramsey with such ease. SPENCER THOMAS Spencer Thomas cut his teeth as a drummer, singer and songwriter for country rockers Young Valley in his hometown of Jackson, MS before striking out on his own and recording the 10-song LP “Hangin’ Tough” in 2019. Alongside his songwriting partners Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster (Water Liars, Marie/ Lepanto) and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel-Nut Zippers), he toured tirelessly throughout the United States sharing these songs and emerging as a frontman. The halt of the pandemic lockdown forced a reflection for Spencer that ultimately led him from his familiar backdrop of Jackson to Athens, Georgia. When he moved to the small yet lauded music town in August 2020, both the Georgia heat and the pandemic were still in full swing. In what was a time of intense isolation for many, Spencer saw the move as a personal test, and experienced a redefining of self which he distilled into the musical language he so deftly communicated. He would record a demo of a song, and in the evening walk the streets of Athens’ Normaltown neighborhood, listening intently to what he had created. The resulting album, “The Joke of Life” (out now via Strolling Bones) , was recorded over the last three years with the help of a veritable “who’s who” of the Athens music scene and beyond, including members of My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, Reptar, Heffner and Futurebirds, for which he served as the band’s keyboard player from 2020-2024.
Low Water Bridge Band
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY LOW WATER BRIDGE BAND There’s a sound the Shenandoah River makes as it rumbles over old stones in the shallows. It sings songs the way they used to be – plain and honest. No frills, buckle that belt before you head to the hills and hollers. It’s there under a Virginia moon that you’ll find the Low Water Bridge Band. Forged by firelight picking, the band’s romping, stomping, country-grass Americana ain’t for the faint of heart. Since their founding in 2020, they’ve gone from barnstorming the Shenandoah Valley to festival stages along the East Coast. Venues from the Carolinas to Kentucky and, yes, Nashville, Tennessee ring with their sound and are asking for more. They’re led by guitarist and lead singer Logan Moore’s searing melodies. The precision thump of brothers Alex and Riley Kerns’ bass and drums and their pitch-perfect vocal harmonies fill out the sound. Justin Carver’s pedal steel and banjo swirl through songs like smoke from the campfire. And it’s all brought together with the crunch and crackle of James “Chainsaw” Montgomery’s electric guitar riffs. From the first time you see them, your boots will be worn from kicking up dust. By the time a second chorus comes around you’ll be hooting and hollering their memorable originals alongside their die-hard fans. You’ll join a crowd who travels far and wide, bringing the party to your town. If you’re a fan of good music done right, be sure to keep a lookout for this fast-rising outfit from Clarke County, Virginia. Chances are, they’ll be blowing through your way one of these days soon. You can check out the latest Low Water Bridge Band news, information, and merchandise at www.lwbbmusic.com. And give them a like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, and Tik-Tok. Their music is also available everywhere you stream or download your favorite music. JARED STOUT BAND An electrifying alt-country band with musical styles that are as diverse as the Appalachian landscape they call home. Runner-ups for the coveted “On-The-Rise” award at FloydFest 22, The Jared Stout Band has quickly solidified their presence in the national music scene. The band’s dynamic sound seamlessly weaves Appalachian rhythms with Blues and Rock undertones, creating a tapestry of emotion and energy that resonates with audiences of all ages and musical tastes. Jared Stout’s songwriting is soulful and relatable, with an authenticity that draws listeners in and guides them through a journey of life’s ups and downs. From the moment the Jared Stout Band steps onto the stage, this remarkably talented, emotionally charged set of musicians commands attention with a unique sound and an unparalleled, captivating intensity that leaves a lasting impression and forever fuses the shared experience into our hearts.
Kindred Valley w/ Malachi Fletcher
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY KINDRED VALLEY Kindred Valley is a band toeing the line between Americana, Indie Folk, and Folk Rock. Hailing from West Virginia they combine their appalachian culture and roots with personal stories and experiences to create sounds and lyrics that grip the listener and bring them into the artists’ inner worlds. MALACHI FLETCHER
Nora Brown
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE NORA BROWN Nora Brown was introduced to traditional music by chance as a six year old. What her parents assumed would be standard ukulele lessons were an inconspicuous window to the world of old-time music. From his tiny studio apartment in Brooklyn, the late Shlomo Pestcoe, a historian and old-time musician taught Nora old time tunes on the ukulele and through his continued instruction other traditional instruments– the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo. Nora now plays traditional Appalachian music with a focus on banjo playing from Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. Along with mentors in the northeast like the late John Cohen she also has traveled and learned directly from master musicians including Alice Gerrard, George Gibson and the late Lee Sexton. She toured across the US, Europe, and Japan, playing renowned festivals including the Newport Folk Festival, Roskilde Festival, and the Trans-Pecos Festival of Love in Marfa, Texas. She has performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk twice, TED Salon, WNYC’s Dolly Parton’s America and an official showcase at the 2022 Americana Fest in Nashville. Nora has been interviewed on NPR’s Weekend Edition, WBUR Here and Now and she’s been included on NPR’s All Songs Considered. Since 2019 she has released four albums on Brooklyn’s own Jalopy Records Label. All records have charted on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts during the first week of release. The New Yorker called her most recent solo record Long Time To Be Gone – “A disarming collectionof traditional laments and exquisite banjo instrumentals”. Fretboard Journal called her record Sidetrack My Engine – “Some of the most interesting and haunting traditional music we’ve heard… impossibly talented” She has won numerous banjo and folk song competitions at various fiddlers conventions including the Clifftop Appalachian String Band Music Festival and The Grayson County Old- time and Bluegrass Fiddlers Convention. WYNDHAM BAIRD Originally from the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Wyndham Baird has traveled around the United States busking and playing shows. Since he settled in Brooklyn, NY he has become an integral part of the new folk music scene in the city. Producer Eli Smith calls him a “A rare musician and first class folk singer. He imbues the old songs with all the emotive power to which they are due.
EARLY SHOW: Tommy Prine
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE 6PM DOORS / 6:30PM SHOW **EARLY SHOW** TOMMY PRINE Tommy Prine’s debut album This Far South (June 2023) was not only a long-awaited introduction but a testimony to Prine’s 20s and the loss, love, and growth that has defined them. Co-produced by a close friend and kindred musical spirit, Ruston Kelly, and beloved Nashville engineer and producer, Gena Johnson, the album is rich and dynamic from cathartic jams to nostalgic storytelling. Celebrating the album’s first year, Tommy is releasing a deluxe version of the record on June 21, 2024 – featuring reimagined versions, a special guest and a brand new song. “Releasing my debut album changed so much in my life. The only things that stayed the same were my family, my pets, and my friends. Everything else changed drastically. I’ve had a few moments that felt like the point of no return, releasing the album being one of them. Not in a scary way, just in a way that there is no taking back art that you put out into the world. Once it has affected one other person, it has already begun its own life and will in turn change the creator’s life.” Prine is currently crisscrossing the country headlining shows with his band and appearing at festivals including Green River, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, and Bourbon & Beyond. This past year, Prine opened for Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers, was named one of Amazon Music’s 2023 Breakthrough Artists to Watch and wrapped up the year by making his Grand Ole Opry debut. Tommy learned to play guitar by watching his father, mimicking the ways his fingers moved, he inadvertently developed his own singular style. Prine sonically brings together a colorful patchwork of musical influences spanning Gillian Welch, Outkast, Bon Iver, the Strokes and more. Lyrically, Tommy explores existential questions and emotional experiences in his music. CONRAD MOORE Conrad Moore is a North Georgia native singer-songwriter who captures the soul of the working southern man. His songs have roots in folk storytelling which nod to the ups and downs of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. All washed in hints of booze, half-truths, and motel rooms. His lyrics personify Mother Nature and her dance with Appalachia. The human condition and blue-collar woes are often his muses. Although his songs have no shortage of heartbreak and day to day strife. The modern state of music would call Conrad’s sound Americana. But when asked to describe it himself in a recent interview this was his response. “I call it country, but we all know why that gets confusing nowadays. I’m okay with Americana as long as the definition is clear. It’s like Petroliana. You know when you see that old Shell sign in a guy’s shop somewhere it speaks a thousand words. You imagine its history and its place in the American oil industry. Americana is much the same to me. It’s music that is without a doubt, uniquely American. I think Southern Folk would honestly describe my sound quite well. It’s an audible representation of how and where I was raised.”
Jeffrey Martin
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OR PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE JEFFREY MARTIN On a small corner lot in southeast Portland, Oregon, Jeffrey Martin holed up through the winter recording his quietly potent new album Thank God We Left The Garden. Long nights bled into mornings in the tiny shack he built in the backyard, eight feet by ten feet. What began as demos meant for a later visit to a proper studio became the album itself, spare and intimate and true. Recorded live and alone around two microphones, Jeffrey often held his breath to wait for the low diesel hum of a truck to pass one block over on the busy thoroughfare. During the coldest nights, he timed recording between the clicks of the oil coil heater cycling on and off. Martin’s fourth full length album, Thank God We Left The Garden comes out on Portland’s beloved Fluff and Gravy Records Nov __. He produced and engineered it himself, recalling, “There was a magic quality to the sounds I was getting in the shack with these two cheap microphones, some lucky recipe of time and place that allowed my voice and the way I play guitar and the shape of these new songs to come together with the kind of honesty I was craving.” BOB SUMNER Talking about traditional music—country, Americana, folk—gets a little sticky for Bob Sumner. His problem isn’t with the music itself, of course; one spin through his forthcoming sophomore album will assure you that the Canadian singer-songwriter can appreciate the finer points of steel guitar, fiddle, and strong storytelling. Rather, Sumner takes issue with the idea that the only way to honor the genre’s greats is to play music exactly the way they did. On Some Place to Rest Easy, you’ll hear countrypolitan strings alongside ambient sensibilities; tasteful synth tracks followed seamlessly by numbers with dobro and steel guitar. The result is an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrienne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it. THOMAS KOZAK Thomas Kozak is a singer-songwriter based in Asheville, NC. With a focus on lyricism and structure that stretches convention, he looks to bend an ear beyond the expected. His blend of intricate picking patterns and soft, dark vocals has led his music to be described as meditative and intimate. A poet as well, Kozak places considerable emphasis on his lyrics, which move beyond the classic narrative progression. Kozak’s latest EP, “Our Lady of Embers” (2024), plays with the concept of divine intercession and the desire to construct externalizations of interior struggles in order to face them more clearly. All six songs were engineered by Mike Johnson (of Slowpacker) at Citizen Studios and Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville. Kozak’s next project is set to be released in the late spring of 2025.
Squirrel Nut Zippers Present Back O’ Town
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS The Squirrel Nut Zippers Jazz from the Back ‘O Town show is an intriguing look at the birth of Jazz, focused on the prodigious musical neighborhood of New Orleans called Back ‘O Town. The Squirrel Nut Zippers present a delightful view into a magical era of the late 19th century through the Roaring 20s in New Orleans’ Back O’ Town neighborhood. Performing reverent yet exciting renditions of such seminal NOLA classics as Jelly Roll Morton’s “Animule Ball,” Louis Armstrong’s “Back O’ Town Blues,” the Zippers also perform favorites from their own catalog adapted and arranged to more closely echo the sounds of 1920s New Orleans. Throughout the show, the band offers humorous, insightful musings on both the musical history of one of America’s most fascinating cities and the stories and inspirations behind many of the Zippers’ most beloved songs. Performed in era appropriate attire, but not so much a period piece as a living peek-behind-the-curtain of inspiration and celebration. The Platinum selling group has sold over three million albums to-date, with their watershed album, Hot (1996), making them a household name. Recorded in the heat of New Orleans, fueled by a smoldering mix of booze and a youthful hunger to unlock the secrets of old-world jazz, this pivotal release was just the beginning for the band. Since then, SNZ has unveiled such hits as Beasts Of Burgundy (2018), which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart, and Christmas Caravan (1998), which went on to sell a quarter of a million copies and reach #12 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart. Their most recent record Lost Songs of Doc Souchon debuted in late 2020. It featured 10 tracks – a combination of newly-penned Zippers songs, along with a few tunes from past times – and has received acclaim from fans and critics alike.
