indie Archive
28 Sep 2022
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band: Two Decades of Deep-groove Funkiness
Twenty years is a long time, especially in the life of a band. But despite lineup changes, relocation and countless road mishaps, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band is as strong as ever. The Asheville-based rock/funk ensemble celebrated its anniversary with a special show, Sep. 16 at Asheville, N.C.’s Salvage Station. The Booty Band got
25 Sep 2022
Album Review: No. 2 – First Love
First things first: this band isn’t thenewno2, Dhani Harrison’s project named after the succession of characters who portrayed the mysterious leader in The Prisoner. No, this No. 2 has been around a bit longer than Harrison’s group, so one might think of it as the “old” No. 2. But hey, they’re new to me, and
19 Sep 2022
Album Review: Eric Slick – Palisades
A former student (alongside his sister Julie Slick) at the Paul Green School of Rock Music, Eric Slick was catapulted to well-deserved fame when Adrian Belew chose him and Julie to work as his rhythm section in the Adrian Belew Power Trio in the mid- to late 2000s. From there, Eric joined Dr. Dog as
03 Sep 2022
David Wilcox: Braving the Emotional Weather
Beloved Western N.C.-based singer-songwriter David Wilcox is a prolific artist. Since releasing his debut album The Nightshift Watchman in 1987, he has made and released some 20 records. And Wilcox has toured far and wide, bringing his thoughtful, lyrically rich folk-based music to stages across the country and beyond. Save for some inevitable enforced downtime
17 Aug 2022
Album Review: Tamar Berk — The Restless Dreams of Youth
Way back in the heyday of rock and pop, artists who scored a record deal were required to churn out a new collection of songs every few months. That furious pace of output separated the wheat from the chaff; not everyone was prolific. Some were up to the task, and we remember their names today.
15 Aug 2022
30 Days Out, August 2022 #1: Eleanor Underhill, Interpol, Qwanqwa, Neko Case
One beloved local artist, two top-quality touring and the North American debut of a fascinating group from Addis Ababa: those are the highlights in live music over the coming 30 days in Asheville, North Carolina. Artist: Eleanor Underhill and Friends Venue: The Grey Eagle Date: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 5 p.m. Door: $12 As a solo
02 Aug 2022
Album Review: Donovan’s Brain – Chiêm Bao Thấy Bậu
I’ve reported on and/or reviewed the music of Donovan’s Brain on multiple occasions over the last decade or so. While I seem to have missed some of their releases, I’m on record as recommending at least three of the ones I did know about. And the latest is no exception, even though it’s remarkably different
01 Aug 2022
30 Days Out, August 2022 #1: Local Punk Showcase, Fireside Collective, Man or Astro-Man?, Thundercat
Two show showcasing local talent of of very (very) different character, some super-quirky original rock, and one of today’s hottest tickets: those are among the highlights of live music in Asheville over the next 30 days. Let’s dig in. Artists: Local Punk Showcase: Deathbots, Cloud City Caskets, Pink Eye, Busy Weather Venue: The Orange Peel
23 Jul 2022
Album Review: The Mommyheads — Genius Killer
Talk about making up for lost time. The Mommyeads’ initial run lasted from the late 1980s to nearly the end of the ‘90s; that period was followed by a decade-long hiatus. When they returned in 2008, the Brooklyn-based group embarked upon a two-track path, releasing new music alongside reissues and archival sets of their earlier
24 Jun 2022
The dB’s in Black and White (Part Four)
Continued from Part Three… The other three dB’s are even more direct on the matter. “I hate power pop,” says Gene Holder. “The dB’s were more experimental [than that]. Chris’s songs, especially, were always pretty odd, which was really cool.” Will Rigby agrees, noting that in his estimation, The dB’s had “a little more intellectual