OUTPOST: Flashback Fringe
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Flashback Fringe is a new Asheville, NC based Psychedelic Rock Era (1967 – 1971) tribute band created to deliver energetic, true to the sound and spirit musical performances. With a growing catalog of approximately 40 songs ranging from The Byrds to Cream to The Moody Blues to The Doors, Flashback Fringe will take your audiences back to the era that contributed incredible songs to music history.
OUTPOST: Jake Xerxes Fussell & Twain
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Jake Xerxes Fussell is a singer and guitarist based in Durham, NC. He is, according to Ann Powers of NPR, “maybe the leading interpreter of American folk music right now…” Fussell’s album Good and Green Againwas released to critical acclaim in January of 2022. The album was produced by James Elkington and featured some formidable musicians, including Casey Toll on upright bass, Libby Rodenbough on strings, Joe Westerlund on drums, Joseph Decosimo on fiddle, and others. Bonnie “Prince” Billy contributed additional vocals.“…Fussell is the rare contemporary to approach folk in its pure form, shunning self-penned compositions about bummer relationships to concentrate on material handed down from bygone, hardenedtimes.” –The New Yorker“(Fussell) is one of the great magpies of American song, collecting forgotten, tarnished gems with a folklorist’s zeal… his renditions aren’t so much cover versions as composites…” –The GuardianTwain “There is nothing remarkable about my life that is necessary to know in order to appreciate the songs,” says Matthew Davidson of Twain. He describes the project as “a modern folk-opera of indefinite length consisting of songs and images from my life, a self-caricature of the musician and writer Matthew Davidson.” “Some of the songs deal with the experience of male-ness, but it isn’t necessary to identify as male or female to understand them. A lot of the music comes out of depressive or ecstatic states, but it is not necessary to have experienced those feelings in order to appreciate the music. The offering is supposed to be a very naked voice which the listener can commune with. If it were up to me, I would share this music with people who don’t know a single fact about my self, my name, my story. I make music in order to take a break from those things, and I hope the music I make offers others a chance to take a break from their own selves, names, stories.”
OUTPOST: Palmyra
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Palmyra“Like the best folk often does, [Palmyra] balances melancholic yearning with intimate beauty, crafting a dance of lovely harmony and unadorned instrumentation.” -Under The Radar, 2023 “Their voice(s) drips with a beautiful desperation, every single word holding an earnestness you don’t find just anywhere anymore.” -The Alternative, 2023 Established in the Shenandoah Valley, Palmyra’s set explores the fusion of traditional folk string instruments, three part harmonies, and earnest songwriting. The trio captures the collective spirit of three Virginia natives, Teddy (he/him), Manoa (he/him), and Sasha (they/them), often described as a distant cousin of the progressive folk band, Punch Brothers, mixed with elements of Oliver Wood or the Avett Brothers. Palmyra’s songs are intimate and contemplative, with arrangements that allow them to create the illusion of a full, larger-than-three ensemble. The trio’s sound is a nod to Appalachia and Midwestern Americana, apparent through their stirring craftsmanship and dedication to a folk-driven, innovative experience throughout each unique live performance. Palmyra has supported Watchhouse, Mipso, and Illiterate Light on the road and had the honor to play the historic Newport Folk Festival in both 2022 and 2023, Americanafest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, and Floydfest where they were named the “On The Rise” competition winner in ’22.Time Sawyer Time Sawyer’s name reflects the pull between the past and the future. The character Tom Sawyer evokes the rural background and love of home that the band shares. Time is a muse for songwriting; it’s the thread that runs through life, bringing new experiences and giving us a sense of urgency, while still connecting us with our past. The folk-rock band has performed on the stages of some of the Southeast’s most iconic festivals, including Merlefest, Floydfest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Albino Skunk Music Festival, and Carolina in the Fall. They’ve shared bills with American Aquarium, John Craigie, Hiss Golden Messenger, Langhorne Slim, John Moreland, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Wood Brothers, Susto, and many more.
OUTPOST: Kindred Valley
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Kindred Valley is an indie folk band out of Huntington, West Virginia focused onintentional lyrics and good music. They are passionate about story telling andinfusing the character of their Appalachian home into everything they release. Theyare a young group eagerly looking forward to a long life spent with music andcrowds.Opening sets by Spruce & Hollow and Malachi Fletcher
OUTPOST: Stephen Evans & The True Grits
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Stephen Evans & The True GritsAfter many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014. The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP “Something to Bleed”. Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP “Under the Bridge.” Both records received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity. Stephen’s strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism. There’s no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics. Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘The Garden’, ‘Cherokee Hills’, ‘Shining Star’, and ‘Buzz of Bees’ are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen Evans & the True Grits are becoming a local favorite. “Buzz of Bees” is their latest album, released in December of 2022, of folk rock with some songs dipping their toes into other styles like Americana, Latin Folk, and Vaudeville. Singles from the LP, ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘Winning the Day’, and ‘Estefania’, are already receiving radioplay on local stations as well as national online radio and music podcasts. Look for Stephen Evans & the True Grits playing fun live shows all around the area to support this beautiful album.Scott Stetson’s Stink Bug Bourdon BandScott Stetson is an Asheville based singer-songwriter originally from Rochester, New York who now calls Asheville NC home. Scott’s music is deeply personal and introspective, with a focus on crafting honest songs about love, life, murder, and broken hearts. His soulful voice and guitar work blend elements of country and Americana with a modern twist, creating a sound that is both timeless and fresh. His songs are raw and authentic, with a sincerity that speaks to listeners. Now backed up by the Stink Bug Bourbon band, Scott’s songs come to life. This talented band consists of: Scott Spinner on bass, River Dave Kenny on drums, and Shaun Nicklin on pedal steel. “One sip and you’ll be hooked”
OUTPOST: The Last Revel
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINEThe Last RevelAfter a 5 year hiatus, The original trio has reunited to produce new music with a revitalized appreciation for camaraderie and creativity. Now living in three different cities across the US, these three independently talented singer-songwriters bring together the sounds of Nashville TN, Minneapolis MN, & Bozeman MT to create Front Porch Americana soundscapes that are equally original as they are timeless. Drawing influence from their salt-of-the-earth Midwest ethos the band’s songs so naturally blend the genres of Folk, Old Time String-Band, and Indie Rock to create a sound that echoes the current heartbeat of America. The Last Revel utilizes their multi-instrumental abilities to bring the full spectrum of modern Americana to life with lush arrangements of three-part vocal harmonies, acoustic and electric guitars, upright bass, fiddle, and 5-string banjo to consistently support impassioned performances of their honest and heartfelt songwriting.
OUTPOST: Lua Flora & Rockstead
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINELua FloraThe soundtrack of your favorite daydream. The Asheville, NC-based group’s sun-kissed melodies are rooted in the harmonies of Appalachia, rhythms of the West Indies, and lyricism of American folk. Releasing a collection of singles, Lua Flora has collaborated with Sons of Paradise, Richard Vagner, Victor Rice, and Karl Vincent Roth (of Satsang). With stellar reviews from publications such as Face the Current and Top Shelf Music, the outfit has established its unique yet home-like voice. RocksteadThe feeling of love. The power of unity. The essence of happiness. The strength of togetherness and positive vibrations. The highs of living life and the lows of dealing with its obstacles. All of these things encapsulate the music of Cincinnati, OH-born Rockstead, a four-piece, passion-driven rock/reggae group.StraightlinesPrepare to be electrified by the exhilarating force that is STRAIGHTLINES! Bursting onto the scene like a raging hurricane, this high-energy alt-rock n’ roll powerhouse hails from the heart of North Carolina. With their roots firmly planted in the musical hotbeds of Asheville and Greenville, STRAIGHTLINES is pushing the boundaries of alt-rock n’ roll and leaving a lasting impression wherever they go.
OUTPOST: J.M Clifford
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINEJ.M. Clifford A songwriter and music educator from Brooklyn, NY. His music draws on folk, bluegrass, and classic singer-songwriter styles from the 60s and 70s. Clifford’s debut record, On a Saturday Night, was featured on The Bluegrass Situation and received rave reviews from Bluegrass Today and Holler Country. Clifford will be performing as an official showcase artist at the IBMA conference in September 2023. He performed at the IBMA Songwriter Showcase in 2022 and has been selected as a finalist in the 2023 Rocky Mountain Songwriting Festival. Clifford’s upcoming record, slated for release in late 2023, was produced by platinum-selling artist Ron Pope and features Bronwyn Keith Hynes, Seth Taylor, and Jeff Picker. Clifford works as an NYC elementary public school teacher in Brooklyn and leads a bluegrass ensemble at The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
OUTPOST: Chloe Kimes
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINEChloe KimesNashville based singer-songwriter Chloe Kimes is actively defining the next generation of folk-singing troubadours with an old-soul sensibility for storytelling in a spirited alt-country outfit. Born and raised on the lakeshores of northern Michigan, Kimes remains unbound by genre and consistently navigates a delicate balance between poignance and charm with vocals wrung out and steadfast as any before her. Named one of NPR’s 2022 Slingshot Artists to Watch, her debut album is ambitious and strikingly live. Reviewed as “reminiscent of contemporary roots heroes like Lucinda Williams,” Kimes’ self-titled debut is a raw reflection of the artist, and with music as homegrown as its penman, Kimes and her band are not to be missed.Jackson Grimmand his band marry folk pop melodies with the lonesome sound of traditional Appalachian music. In a region with a strong music culture, it is no surprise that Grimm’s songwriting is representative of his musical birthplace: Asheville, NC. A modern string band leader, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Grimm is a talent on the rise.
Love Bubble (Record Release Show)
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLELOVE BUBBLE (RECORD RELEASE SHOW) Asheville’s favorite harmony driven Bubblegum Pop trio is at it again with their sophomore record release “Dream Big.” Expect more love, more bubble, and genius lyrics written and co-written by Hank Bones, Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz; all veterans of the Asheville music scene for decades. From storytelling to prose and poetry, each of the 14 tracks is rich in arrangement, instrumentation, melody, rhyme and rhythm. With reviews like the one from Music Street Journal which harkens: “it’s like a long lost gem of times gone by” and calls it “dreamy & psychedelic, entertaining & poignant.” Rocktimes finds it “wonderfully beautiful and colorful with a cool & groovy hippie vibe.” Sea of Tranquility says “with a name like Love Bubble, it’s no wonder they’d release a record with the theme of love coursing through its grooves. Listening to this album is like taking a time warp into the 1960’s or turning on your local AM dial and letting the pop vibes wash over you. Sunshiny tracks bursting with optimism! Put on your tie-dye and dive in!” Rootstime says “it’s warm, carefree and uplifting with brilliant, impeccable harmonies that invite you to forget your troubles and concerns of the modern day.”