folk Archive
01 Sep 2026
30 Days Out, September 2026 #1: Carrie Morrison, Datrian Johnson, Gov’t Mule, Rising Appalachia
For the first of my two September ‘26 installments of 30 Days Out, I’m featuring an all-locals lineup. Two are well-known locally and emerging as national talents. And two are […]
15 Jul 2026
30 Days Out, July 2026 #2: Watchhouse, Kurt Vile, Andrew Thelston Band, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Three fascinating nationally-touring acts are the focus of this roundup of live music in and around Asheville. Music highlights of the coming 30 days also include a date by a […]
07 Jul 2026
Min Xiao-Fen’s ‘Boundless’ Musical Adventure
An edited version of this interview first appeared in The Tonearm. Bridging East and West in a novel way, one of the world’s foremost exponents of the Chinese pipa has […]
03 Jul 2026
Mongolian Rock: The Real Hu (Part 2 of 2)
Continued from Part One… Do you find that the Hu’s messages come through in the music even though many listeners don’t understand the words? There are so many fans who […]
02 Jul 2026
Mongolian Rock: The Real Hu (Part 1 of 2)
One of music’s most unlikely genre mashups is also one of its most fascinating and compelling. Coined “hunnu rock,” the combining of traditional folk music of Mongolia with modern hard […]
01 Jun 2026
30 Days Out, June 2026 #1: Samara Jade, Kiefer Sutherland, Robyn Hitchcock, Sunny War
Folk. Folk-punk. Dada-esque wordplay and jangle. And Americana from a Canadian-born personality best known as an actor. Those are among the highlights in live music in and around Asheville in […]
26 May 2026
¡Viva Cuba! Part One: Albita
An edited version of this feature was first published in SPIN. Albita (Rodríguez) is a Latin music superstar. Recipient of 14 Grammy or Latin Grammy nominations (with one win to […]
15 May 2026
30 Days Out, May 2025 #2: Pleasure Chest, Drivin N Cryin, Lord Huron, Wolfmother
Rock, rock, folk-rock and more rock: whether local acts or touring bands, it’s a rocking May and June here in Asheville. Go see some live music. Artist: Pleasure Chest Venue: […]
04 May 2026
Richard Thompson: Master of Studio and Stage
Richard Thompson discusses studio vs. live performance, composing vs. improvisation, and more Some musical artists are studio rats. Decades apart, the Beatles and XTC quit touring mid-career, cloistering themselves away […]
10 Feb 2026
Nora Brown: Preserving The Folk Process
One of the brightest stars in the world of bluegrass and old time music is also one of its youngest. Already a veteran performer and recording artist with three albums […]