30 Days Out, September 2020 #2: Jeff Daniels, Craggy Blues, Black Sea Beat Society, Tin Roof Echo
The infernal pandemic is still with us, but artists and venues are finding ways to present live music in a setting that’s safe for audiences. In some cases that means live streaming; in others, socially-distanced, limited-seating engagements are increasingly popping up on the calendar. This roundup of live music in Asheville over the next 30 days features one “virtual” show, and three live-in-person dates.
Artist: Jeff Daniels
Venue: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts (virtual)
Date: Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.
Door: $15
Maybe you know him from Dumb and Dumber. Maybe you enjoyed his exceptional star turn on The Newsroom. But if you didn’t know he’s also an accomplished musician and songwriter, you’re in for a treat. This date is part of his virtual tour. I interviewed Jeff Daniels about his music in 2015, and I really enjoyed the show as well.
Artist: Craggy Blues
Venue: Asheville Guitar Bar (outside deck)
Date: Saturday, Sep. 19, 7 p.m.
Door: free
The Asheville area band’s Facebook page and web site seem to make a point of not telling visitors who-all’s in the band, but from what I’ve seen and heard, they’re pretty good. Based on available evidence, I’d characterize them as blues rock more than straight-up blues, but hey, that’s okay. Two guitars, bass and drums.
Artist: Black Sea Beat Society
Venue: Isis Music Hall (outside lawn)
Date: Saturday, Sep. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Door: $14
Although this brass band project is indeed based in Western North Carolina, it’s steeped in Eastern European (Balkan, Turkish etc.) musical traditions. The band is a sort of supergroup of musicians who are well-known and revered locally (and beyond) for their other efforts. The band includes Sparrow Pants (Resonant Rogues), Ben Hovey (Evil Note Lab) and Ryan Oslance (Ahleuchatistas), among others.
Artist: Tin Roof Echo
Venue: The Grey Eagle (outside patio)
Date: Wednesday, Sep. 30, 7 p.m.
Door: $10
As I wrote in a 2018 review of the album Remember Every Moment, “Tin Roof Echo is the one-man ‘bedroom folk’ product of Joe Hooten, though the multi-instrumentalist goes to some length to keep his real name off of his work.” He’s strongly influenced by R.E.M. (in case the album title didn’t tip you off), but live onstage as a solo artist, his work reveals a unique character with influences that aren’t nearly as easily identified.
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 since 2018). The 4500-plus 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 -- more than 30 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: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.