alt-country Archive

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

30 Days Out, May 2023 #2: Jonny Couch, Acid Mothers Temple, Sierra Ferrell, Randall Bramblett

Four nationally-touring acts are among the live music highlights in Asheville in the coming 30 days. Go see ‘em, and support local artists as well. Artist: Jonny Couch Venue: Fleetwood’s […]

Old 97’s: Turn on the TV (Part 2 of 2)

Continued from Part One… Ken Bethea says that he’s lost count of how many times he’s engaged in conversation with a stranger, only for the dialogue to unfold like this: […]