alt-country Archive
29 Sep 2026
Hundred-word Reviews, September 2026 #2
As I’ve written many times before, there’s simply so much good music being made that it’s impossible to cover it all, much less give the coverage the music deserves. But […]
15 Sep 2026
30 Days Out, September 2026 #2: Mastodon, Son Volt, Talib Kweli, The Mother Hips
Big names all in this go-round. Support live music; it’s good for the economy and it’s good for your soul. Artist: Mastodon Venue: Asheville Yards Date: Fri, Sep. 18, 6:30 […]
14 Nov 2025
30 Days Out, Nov. 2025 #2: Asheville Jazz Orchestra, JackTown Ramblers, Artimus Pyle Band, Eilen Jewell
Three of the four acts spotlighted in this roundup of live music in the coming 30 days are local acts. Top-quality local acts, mind you. There’s big band jazz, bluegrass […]
31 Jul 2025
Album Review: Willie Nile – The Great Yellow Light
This just in: Willie Nile has released another very good album. The thing is, the NYC artist has been doing that with regularity for a very long time, rarely receiving […]
01 Jul 2025
30 Days Out, July 2025 #1: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Thelma & the Sleaze, Postmodern Jukebox
An act from the distant past, another that takes modern songs to that past, a lesbian Southern Rock band and one of the finest local-based artists WNC has to offer: […]
27 May 2025
Album Review: The Mayflies USA – Kickless Kids
North Carolina boasts a proud power pop tradition. Maybe you call it melodic rock, or jangle rock, or indie rock or college rock; take your pick and don’t throw shade […]
06 Nov 2024
Closer to ‘Live,’ Closer to Home
Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters’ new album was made the old-fashioned way In early August, Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters released their latest album, The Ones That Stay. […]
30 Jul 2024
Album Review: Rome 56 – Paradise is Free
Heartland twang, creamy vocal harmonies, shimmering powerpop jangle and Byrdsy/Petty-ish Southern lilt: all of those winning qualities make themselves known with the first minute of “The Man Behind the Man […]
14 Sep 2023
Album Review: Graham Parker and the Goldtops — Last Chance to Learn the Twist
Across his nearly 50 years as a recording history, Graham Parker has had it both ways: he’s made fiery, passionate, rocking music, and he’s delivered subtle, stripped-down solo/acoustic work. But […]
08 Aug 2023
Album Review: Chris Stamey — The Great Escape
Chris Stamey is an American musical treasure. Something of a local legend while growing up in Winston-Salem NC, he was even then recognized as someone special. With a background and […]