30 Days Out, Dec. 2024 #1: LA LOM, The Nutcracker, ‘Together We Rise,’ RJD2
A popular multi-hyphenate aritst, an amazing new(ish) group putting a creative spin on an an established form, a benefit for WNC and a beloved holiday tradition (times four): those are among the brightest spots in Asheville live music over the coming 30 days. Here we go.
Artist: LA LOM
Venue: Eulogy
Date: Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Door: $32.51
Why all caps? Because LA LOM is an acronym for Los Angeles League of Musicians. Formed in 2018, this trio fuses multiple styles, nearly all of which have a distinctly Latin sabor. You’ll find tropicalia, surf, country, cumbia and more in LA LOM’s music, and the trip syntheslzies those forms brilliantly in a way that makes them sound as if they were created to work together. Subtlety and a strong melodic sense are highlights. I’m really looking forward to this show.
Performance: The Nutcracker
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $23
It will come as no surprise that Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker is being staged during this holiday season. What may raise an eyebrow or three is learning that here in Asheville – a city of under 100,000 souls – there are no less than four – count ‘em: four – separate productions of the ballet this December. This one is billed as “The Nutracker and the Mouse King,” and features the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre. It runs two nights, Dec. 6 and 7. Then there’s the Asheville Ballet’s production, Dec. 12-15. And then there’s a third: Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s production, running Dec 19-21. And on the night in between the second and third run – the 18th – there’s yet another Nutcracker a few blocks away at the Civic Center. That’s a lot of nuts to crack. Happy holidays!
Event: Together We Rise
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Door: $37.05
Asheville and much of the region was devastated by Helene. Death, destruction and loss of property and livelihood was widespread. We were without water for 18 days; drinkable water returned yesterday, 53 days after the flooding. It’s been soul-feeding to witness the way in which people have stepped up to help. Musicians are among those doing their part. This show will feature John Cowan, Darrell Scott, Jeff Spie and Andrea Zonn in performance, with 100% of net proceeds benefiting BeLoved Asheville, one of the organizations on the ground doing important work here. The show represents an opportunity to invest in the rebuilding of your community while taking in some great local music.
Artist: RJD2
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Monday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.
Door: $35
Maybe you call it trip hop. Perhaps you’d label it instrumental hip hop. Downtempo, chillwave? Hey, who knows? All of those labels and others can stake a claim to describing what RLD2 does. His music grabs at any number of styles – the aforementioned, funk, folk, whatever – tosses them into a sonic blender and hits the spin button. He’s prolific, with some 20 albums to his credit. A mix of canned (sorry; there must be a better word) and live sounds constitute his approach. I saw him in the ‘00s and it was an intriguing performance.
See you at the shows!
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.