30 Days Out, January 2026 #2: Mike Mattison, The Ocean Blue, Pete Yorn, Say She She
Nationally-touring artists are the focus of this edition of 30DO. Off we go!
Artist: Mike Mattison
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 p.m.
Door: $18.65
Grammy winner Mike Mattison may not be a household name – yet – but he’s a key figure in the work of some better-known names. As a longtime member of Tedeschi Trucks Band, he provided the initial creative spark that inspired that group to create its 2022 four-album opus I Am the Moon. He writes for that group as well, and co-wrote (with Trucks and Warren Hayes) “These Changes” on Haynes’ 2024 album Million Voices Whisper. Mattison is touring in support of his third solo album, Turn a Midnight Corner, out January 16. Of all things, it’s actually a blues concept album!
Artist: The Ocean Blue
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Thursday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m.
Door: $39
This Pennsylvania-based indie band debuted in 1986, signing with Sire Records and releasing three albums for the label. They placed six of their first seven singles on the Alternative Top 40, with 1989’s “Between Something and Nothing” their biggest hit. No new music has been forthcoming since 2019, but they have a deep catalog form which to draw for live shows. The current tour promises to lean into the band’s “darker and dreamier side.”
Artist: Pete Yorn
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.
Door: $56.70
Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn was a critical favorite and commercial success right out of the gate with 2001’s Musicforthemorningafter. His music is often subtle and contemplative, though 2006’s Nightcrawler rocks hard in places. I interviewed Yorn around the time of that album’s release; it was one of my first handful of interview assignments. His most recent release is 2024’s The Hard Way.
Artist: Say She She
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m.
Door: $32.84
A trio of classically-trained singers, Say She She (Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown) are most definitely not a classical act. Their music is psychedelic soul in the grand tradition. A critics’ favorite, they have musical sizzle and taste in equal measure.
See you at the show!
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.