30 Days Out, October 2020 #2: Pretty Little Goat, Natti Love Joys, Marcus King Trio, Jane Kramer
Welp … looks like we’re back to live, in-person concerts. After a fashion, that is. All of the shows spotlighted in this edition of “30 Days Out” are socially-distanced in one manner or another. One’s a drive-in show (concertgoers stay in or near their vehicle). Another is an outdoor lawn concert. Another is in a venue that’s more or less outdoors (a roof but no walls), and the remaining one is inside a large space with high ceilings and (presumably) limited capacity. Caveat emptor and enjoy the shows.
Artist: Pretty Little Goat
Venue: Isis Music Hall (lawn)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Door: $14
This Western North Carolina quartet bridges the gap between modern and old-time; that’s no easy feat, seeing how rigidly traditional the old-time (as opposed to bluegrass) fan base can be. They don’t go too far astray, however: don’t expect drums and such. I interviewed the group earlier this year for Bold Life Magazine.
Artist: Natti Love Joys
Venue: Salvage Station
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m.
Door: $5
Founders of Camp Reggae in the Tennessee hills, Natti Love Joys combine roots rock and reggae. In recognition of its influence and importance, the group has won three Atlanta Peach Drop awards.
Artist: Marcus King Trio
Venue: Smoky Mountain Event Center
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:45 p.m.
Door: $150+ per car
Still in his mid-20’s upstate South Carolina guitarist Marcus King has made a name for himself with his bluesy guitar work. King was mentored in his early days by no less a figure than Warren Haynes. While he doesn’t live in Western N.C., his musical roots are very much local. He explained that when I interviewed him in 2019. This show – -featuring the core trio of King’s band – is sponsored by Asheville Music Hall.
Artist: Jane Kramer
Venue: Highland Brewing Taproom
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
Door: free
Asheville singer-songwriter Kramer released Valley of the Bones, her third album, just over a year ago. She’s a popular fixture on local stages, and was a featured artist in this year’s Third Annual Women in Music Series at Isis Music Hall way back in the “before time” (January).
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 4000-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 is co-teaching 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: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.