Read Southall Band
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYREAD SOUTHALL BANDA very isolating 2020 needed shifts in musical direction to get to a place where new music, let alone the Read Southall Band’s crowning achievement could even exist. Their third studio album, For the Birds, is ambitious and captures vigorous, rock ‘n’ roll energy with elements of country and southern rock. From classic to contemporary rock, these are songs that could appeal to the disparate fanbases of Gary Stewart, Joe Walsh, Rival Sons, or Chris Cornell.American Songwriter called For The Birds, “Exploratory… Traversing through uncharted sonic territory” and Raised Rowdy proclaims, “There is a ton of excitement building around Read Southall Band at the moment.” Riff Magazine notes, “Read Southall Band combines the heavy guitars of the late- and post-grunge era with southern rock vocals and a country music sensibility to create a sound outside the expectations of any of those genres by themselves.”“I don’t think we would be a band without this album,” says frontman Southall. “I think for a while we were just focused on touring, getting out there and we didn’t take care of the music as needed. In a way, we needed that year off the road. We made an album and just worked. We refocused and decided this is what we want to be doing.”Southall and his bandmates understand that the album’s long gestation and their sonic shifts may take some adjustment for fans. But that excited uncertainty is reflected in the new album’s title. “We came up with For the Birds because it’s been so long and we were worried that nobody’s waiting for us,” says Southall. “So maybe this record is ‘for the birds.’ If you like it, you like it. It is what it is. For us, it’s six individuals making tunes.”GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Whether it be on the banks of the Mississippi River or deep in the heart of the English countryside, rock ‘n’ roll lives, breathes, and burns on the outskirts. Hailing from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Georgia Thunderbolts rise up with a scorching signature style steeped in soulful southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock. Released October of 2021, the quintets full-length debut for Mascot Records ‘Can We Get A Witness’ conjures a tried-and-true spirit through a fresh fire. With a wide swath of inspirations, ranging from southern gospel and Hank Williams to Neil Young, Little Feat, Ozzy Osbourne and Lynyryd Skynyrd, the band cut their teeth performing with everyone from Black Stone Cherry and The Kentucky Headhunters to Blackberry Smoke. Shortly after, they hit the iconic Barrick Recording Studio in Glasgow, KY to record with producer Richard Young. The resulting EP comprises undeniable anthems steeped in anthemic riffs, wild harmonica, and pulse-pounding drums.
Thelma and The Sleaze
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHELMA AND THE SLEAZEThelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The group is the brainchild of lead vocalist and guitar player Lauren “LG” Gilbert and features an evolving cast of A-team players to back her up for an unforgettable live experience.LG is the embodiment of hustle. As the driving force behind Thelma and The Sleaze, she is the songwriter, the visionary, the take-no-shit-from-anyone front woman that is single handedly keeping rock and roll alive. Thelma and The Sleaze has been touring the US for years building a legion of fans, affectionally called her creepers. The growing social media presence, the hit podcast, the features with Yamaha Guitars are really all the result of her incredible songwriting, visceral guitar playing, and the guts to deliver on her vision of what Rock and Roll should be.LG has also launched two successful seasons of their Podcast “Queen of Shit Mountain”. Each episode features legendary musicians such as Tanya Tucker, Brittany Howard, Juliana Hatfield, Kate Pierson, Lori Barber, Patty Schemel, Mary Ramirez and Margo Price.DIAMOND AND THE CUTTERS Diamond and the Cutters erupted from the underbelly of Asheville’s music scene, fusing multiple genres into a pressurized concoction for the sharpest of ears to dissect. The four facets of this sonic gem are Travis Lundsford (of Sister Ivy, Magenta Sunshine and TakeOut) on bass, Jeff Caldwell on lead guitar, Micah Thomas (of Brushfire Stankgrass and Fresh Locals) on drums and vocals, and Jessica Korn (of the Daydream Creatures) on rhythm guitar and vocals. Diamond and Cutters are set to sparkle, bringing doomkountryschmaltzrock from core to crust of the musical strata.MONSOONMonsoon is a two-piece indie rock band from Athens, Georgia who weave together unorthodox styles to create music that dips between the conscious and subconscious. “Ghost Party” is now available on all streaming services.
Razor Braids
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYRAZOR BRAIDSRazor Braids is a Brooklyn-based, queer, all-female/non-binary rock band that combines a heavy punk energy with an indie rock vulnerability culminating in frenetic live shows and a dynamic sound anchored in a 90s alternative ethos. With each scream and snare hit, the band have honed a sound that is a testament to the redemptive power and catharsis of community. Their new album ‘I Could Cry Right Now If You Wanted Me To’ is out now.TAN UNIVERSETan Universe is 3-piece rock band from Asheville, NC, who have branded their sound as “Surfedelic Garage-Punk.” What started as a solo project of singer-songwriter Daniel O’Grady quickly turned collaborative, and has stayed that way since. The current power-trio lineup consists of O’Grady on guitar and vocals, Jack Ryan on bass, and Lawson Alderson on Drums.LAVENDER BLUE ….is the performing and songwriting alias of guitarist and producer Kayla Zuskin. She wrote, recorded and produced her most recent EP Slow Down which was released in January of 2022. Her music is best described as lullaby punk. Located in Asheville, NC, Lavender Blue is also a music teacher, an engineer/producer, and multi-instrumentalist. PAPER PILLS
I See Hawks in L.A. featuring Alex Meixner
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEI SEE HAWKS IN L.A.I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. are Southern California’s leading Americana/folk rock band, with ten critically acclaimed releases and consistently high Americana radio charting. Countless miles and bars and festivals from the Mojave desert to the Carolinas to UK and Europe have earned an enduring global following. “We thrive in the margins,” say the Hawks. They’ve emerged from pan isolation with a stronger live show than ever, with a busy 2022 including a headliner slot at fall’s Kerrville Folk Festival. Their latest release “On Our Way” has perhaps the best reviews of the band’s career:“Glorious.” — Nigel Williamson, UNCUT”The quartet is all breathing as one, and the clear night sky full of stars is the limit. Listen and hear not only what has come before, but what is also right around the next bend. See the Hawks.” — Bill Bentley, Americana HighwaysFormed in 1999 by Rob Waller and brothers Paul and Anthony Lacques during a philosophical discussion and rock throwing session on an East Mojave desert trek, I See Hawks In L.A. first gathered on the front porch in Echo Park, Los Angeles, drank whiskey and wrote their first batch of songs. They sought advice from local country rock guru David Jackson (John Denver, Dillard & Clark, Emmylou Harris). Jackson promptly joined the Hawks for their first recording, featuring legendary fiddler Brantley Kearns (Dwight Yoakam, Dave Alvin). The CD established the Hawks signature sound: dense three part harmonies, innovative telecaster and steel, and also unadorned all acoustic songs, musing on mortality, whales, and the geography of preapocalyptic L.A.ALEX MEIXNER (sitting in with I See Hawks in L.A.)Alex Meixner is a nationally acclaimed musician, performer, bandleader, educator and a leading advocate of polka music. Formally trained in classical, jazz and ethnic music, Alex has cross-pollinated his versatile playing styles through pop music, funk, jazz and polka. He is an active ambassador for polka music, revitalizing interest coast to coast resulting in sold out shows, renewed cultural interest, and growing mainstream acceptance. For Alex, it’s more than playing energetic shows; it is a mission to provide a much needed positive experience that pulls communities together to celebrate history, culture and genuinely good times.THE HAWTTHORNS An Americana band whose sun-kissed songwriting, versatile guitar work, and lush vocal harmonies evoke the California coastline as much as the Bible Belt countryside, the HawtThorns are rooted in the collaborative chemistry of husband-and-wife duo KP and Johnny Hawthorn. Both have had celebrated solo careers and were members of LA based touring bands. That chemistry reaches a new peak with Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars, which marks the band’s second collection of hook-driven country-rock and amplified Americana. Recorded in both L.A. and Nashville, it nods to both sides of the group’s geographic and musical roots.
SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYSPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE Ever since SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE released their self-titled debut in 2014, they’ve developed a reputation for being your favorite band’s favorite band. Theirs is the music of immersion, of confrontation, the kind that makes a listener stop and wonder, “How are they even doing that?” And as the years wear on, that sense of bafflement has made room for SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE to quietly but steadily ascend, with their most recent album, 2018’s Hypnic Jerks, leaving them poised on the precipice of wider recognition. On April 9th, 2021 SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE released their fourth album and Saddle Creek debut, ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH. The album signals new chapters for the band on multiple fronts, being the first to feature their new three-piece lineup, as well as the first to be entirely self-recorded and produced. Guitarist/vocalist Zack Schwartz and bassist/vocalist Rivka Ravede are now joined by new member Corey Wichlin, a multi-instrumentalist who relocated from Chicago to the band’s home territory of Philadelphia last year. In the spring of 2020, the trio began to write their new album at a distance by emailing files back and forth. “The process of making this album was basically the exact opposite of our experience creating Hypnic Jerks,” Schwartz explains. “We had to record that in seven days, because that was the studio time we had, whereas ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH was made over the course of three, four months.” An abundance of time wasn’t the only difference. Recording remotely offered the band an incentive to experiment with new possibilities for their sound, resulting in an album that is unlike any SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE has released before. Once the band finished recording and mixing the album digitally, they mastered it to tape, lending the collection a textured, dimensional quality. “We knew we wanted to use some new instrumental elements on this album,” Wichlin says. “We’re not going fully electronic,” Schwartz adds, “But guitar, bass, drums just get kind of monotonous.” If there’s a song on ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH that best encapsulates what SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE is all about, it’s “THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN’T DO,” a track that illuminates the growth that this band has undergone since their foundation to now. The song wrestles between the sublime and the monstrous as Ravede’s feather-light vocals are overtaken by Schwartz’s strained howl, underscored by shattering live drums that recall the band’s scrappy origins. “This song draws on some of the sonic aesthetic of SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE’s old records and aligns those sounds with the electronic instrumentation we’ve been exploring,” Wichlin says. ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH isn’t a metamorphosis, it’s simply the newest iteration of a longstanding project. “There’s a line in the Bee Gees documentary that I think applies to us. I’ll paraphrase: ‘We may not have always connected, but we always stuck around,’” Ravede says. Schwartz jumps in, “SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE: we’re still here.”TOMBSTONE POETRYTombstone Poetry hails from Asheville, NC – playing tunes that are sometimes shoegaze, sometimes noise rock, and sometimes folk. With influences ranging from Townes Van Zandt to Pavement, the 5-piece presents an eclectic set filled with “tear-in-my beer” anthems and noise rock chaos.
Master Musicians of Africa: A LEAF Global Arts Benefit Featuring Adama Dembele and Chinobay
– ALL AGES (kids 12 and under FREE)- PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LEAF GLOBAL ARTS This is a very special show with two master musicians from Africa – Adama Dembele from the Ivory Coast, and Chinobay of Uganda – who have made WNC their home, and who are deeply connected with LEAF Global Art’s mission of connecting cultures and creating community through music, arts education and experiences, to cultivate curiosity, preserve cultures and promote global understanding. This year-end benefit show, which will also feature other talented local musicians from the Asheville area, is all about supporting this powerful work, and connecting our local and global communities as we celebrate the closing of one year, and the beginning of a new journey around the sun. Learn more about these amazing musicians below, and visit theleaf.org/give to hear more about the work that you’re helping to support by buying a ticket to this event, and becoming a LEAF Member. Chinobay is Uganda’s leading international world musician. He is a singer/songwriter, creative arts producer, educator, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist whose work has been described as “some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today.” For more than 15 years, he has captivated audiences with his soothing rhythms and powerful world-roots-dance melodies that emanate from the diversity of the many traditional instruments he customized to develop his unique sound. His educational and outreach programs are the gateway into Africa through which he introduces Africa’s culture, arts, history and lifestyle rarely covered by mainstream media to global audiences most especially those in schools and colleges. Adama Dembele is a master djembéfola (djembe player) from Ivory Coast, West Africa and tailor of West African clothing, and for 12+ years Adama is a leading Master Teaching Artists with LEAF Global Arts! Adama come from a family of musicians for 33 generations, and has toured several continents with various major acts such Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita & many others. Adama has created and played in several drum and dance companies such as Yelemba d’Abidjan, Ensemble Koteba, Congoba and many more. You can play drums with Adama most Saturdays 12-2at his Yala! at LEAF Global Arts downtown Asheville. “When I share my culture, I am representing all of my family of drummers, storytellers and culture keepers in Ivory Coast and Mali. I am grateful to have a place to share my culture with so many great people. This means everything to me and the future.” – Adama
The JLloyd MashUp Presents: A Tribute to Paul Simon
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTHE JLLOYD MASHUP PRESENTS: A TRIBUTE TO PAUL SIMONOn Wednesday, January 31st, The JLloyd MashUp is paying tribute to Paul Simon with a full orchestration of his songs from various points in his career. Ben Falcon will be leading the Vocals along with Debrissa McKinney and Pam Jones. This 12 piece band consists of some of Asheville’s top musicians in the scene boasting a full rhythm section, horn section and vocal choir! Daniel Shearin (of River Whyless) starts the night off performing a solo/acoustic set of some classic Paul Simon songs.The full band for the night consists of:Ben Falcon – Vocals(The Lumpy Heads)Debrissa McKinney – Vocals(Empire Strikes Brass)Pam Jones – Vocals(Dirty Logic)Jonathan Lloyd – Vocals/Trombone(The JLloyd MashUp)Vic Stafford – Drums(Toubab Krewe/Donna The Buffalo)Duane Simpson – Guitar(Dirty Logic/Pimps of Pompe)Jonathan Pearlman – Guitar(Alien Music Club)Thommy Knoles – Keys(The Fritz/Felix Pastorius)Ben Bjorlie – Bass(Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band)Tyler Housholder – Percussion(The Broadcast)Jonathan Cole – Saxophone(Dirty Logic/Electrolust)Justin Ray – Trumpet(Michael Bublé)The JLloyd MashUp explores different genres of music including Acid Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro Beat, Reggae, Break Beat, Latin and world music. Led and curated by Jonathan Lloyd (Dubconscious/Cadillac Jones), the band is made up of some of Asheville’s busiest and hardest working musicians on the scene. The group features special guests with different material every show.DANIEL SHEARINDaniel Shearin is a singer, songwriter and producer living in Asheville, NC and a member of River Whyless. Growing up on a small town near the coast of North Carolina, he moved west to the mountains and now produces music from his studio, Sleeping Dogs. He experiments with looped harmonium drones and other textures, instruments, and “found sounds” to accompany his singing and finger-style guitar.
Tredici Bacci
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTREDICI BACCINew York-based large ensembleTredici Bacci was formed by composer Simon Hanes as a vehicle to bring his unique musical vision to the stage, and to seduce the ears and minds of audiences around the country. The instrumentation of vocals, string quartet, horns, accordion and rhythm section is specifically designed to capture the musical qualities of Hanes’ initial inspiration – the music of Italian films from the 1960s-70s. From giallo to spaghetti-western, Morricone to Rota to Cipriani, Hanes has made it his duty to absorb it all, and allow it to inform his original, very personal compositions.Since its impetus, Tredici Bacci has performed in bars, galleries, warehouses, and concert halls, leaving a trail of Campari bottles, confetti, and whipped cream in their wake. Each performance is a celebration – the audience revels as the band deftly performs technically demanding and cinematic music.SHAMSongs of Shane Justice McCord expanded in collaboration with Mikey Powers, other friends & magnetic tape.YES SELMA
The Minks + Future Crib + The Medium
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTHE MINKS The Minks are Nashville’s “psychedelic-blues” band, heavy on the rock and roll. We’re talking low-down, all the way, purse-lipped, eyes-shut, head-whirling kind of groove. In 2015, on a search for creative community, Nikki Barber started the band based on the idea that “if you don’t create, you’ll combust”. Just like a rock and roll circus, you never know what you’re going to get, but you know it’ll be good. The band’s palpable sound has roots in every music fan’s top ten—from Lou to Patti to Creedence to Hank – but blends them into something totally original and current. Mixed with raw, jangly instrumentation and soulful saccharine vocals, it’s as much a throwback as it is an answer to the often overlooked underbelly of Nashville’s rock and roll scene. Look for them, on tour forever, spreading the gospel of letting your hair down and having a good time. The Minks are here. Let’s boogie. FUTURE CRIB A five-piece band of creatives based in Nashville, TN, Future Crib delivers dynamic performances that bounce between poppy make-you-wanna-dance tunes and experimental yet engaging tracks that prod at life’s shared realities. There’s a clear preference for good songs and exciting sounds over genre bounds and expectations, and this is evident on their upcoming album, Full Time Smile, set for release in September 2021. Over all, Future Crib creates music for everyone, inviting all to a fun, welcoming show where you can feel free to get down.THE MEDIUM Shane Perry, who plays guitar, sings, and writes songs for the Nashville rock band The Medium, says the group’s new album, For Horses, “is about leaving home.” As such, the record moves deftly among in-between spaces: between vintage sounds and modern ones, humor and sincerity, old stomping grounds and whatever lies down the road. “I’m having trouble adjusting to the world,” singer-bassist and songwriter Sam Silva admits on “Same Boat,” a woozy cut that encapsulates the band’s knack for channeling classic pop and psych-rock. “Nightmares, daydreams — what does it mean?” The Medium’s first album, 2019’s Get It While It’s Hot, was bright and breezy and showed how well the band — Perry, Silva, guitarist-vocalist Michael Brudi and percussionist Jared Hicks — knew their way around a pop song. For Horses is recognizably the work of the same band, but one that’s now more confident, more ambitious, and more comfortable in the studio (Jake Davis, who produced Get It While It’s Hot, returns here). Opening track “Don’t Stay Out” wastes no time signaling the shift, as a dazzling four-part a capella verse gives way to a piano-rock tune punctuated by filigrees of saxophone. Midway through the album, “Let’s Get Together” and “Space Force” form a sort of two-song suite, mirroring each others’ lyrics while showcasing the band’s stylistic breadth: lo-fi southern soul and a serrated, Motown-inspired rave-up.
An Evening With Chikomo Marimba
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYCHIKOMO MARIMBA Chikomo Marimba is a lively and extremely danceable world percussion ensemble based in Asheville, NC. They have been playing around the southeast for over a decade, and have become known for their high energy, tight arrangements, infectiously joyful grooves, and unique sound. Chikomo Marimba offers a blend of traditional tunes from Zimbabwe interspersed with African-inspired dance music, played on large hand-hewn wooden marimbas and accompanied by drum kit and percussion. Their polyrhythmic sounds and irresistible grooves get people of all ages shaking their bodies!
