30 Days Out, November 2020 #2: Samara Jade, G. Love, Amanda Anne Platt, The Krüger Brothers
We’re back to actual live shows, with restrictions. Livestream fatigue set in rather quickly, didn’t it? Turns out humans need to be together. But hey: we’ve gotta do it safely until a vaccine is ready. With that in mind, here are some highly worthwhile shows coming to Asheville in the next 30 days. Two locally-based artists, two touring acts. Bring a coat, hat, gloves and whatnot: two of these are in the great outdoors.
Artist: Samara Jade
Venue: The Grey Eagle (patio)
Date: Monday, November 16, 6 p.m.
Door: $12
I interviewed Samara for a story that’s running soon in Mountain Xpress. She’s a fascinating artist, and her latest album, Zero, is informed by a fast, a vision quest and self-imposed (pandemic-related) isolation. All those influences come together to make a deeply meditative album that’s acoustic-feeling, even though there are subtle electric elements in the mix.
Artist: G. Love
Venue: Salvage Station (outdoor stage)
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.
Door: $39.50
If the last decade or so has been about one ting musically, its been about being about more than one thing. Combining – or at least drawing from – multiple genres with the goal of creating something new has been the approach of countless artists. And one of the more successful one has and continues to be G. Love (born Garrett Dutton). With his band Special Sauce, he makes a laid-back, bluesy and r&b-flavored kind of hip-hop. Sound confusing? When you hear it, it’ll make sense. Oh, and hold the Sauce: this is a solo show.
Artist: Amanda Anne Platt
Venue: Highland Brewing (taproom)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m.
Door: free
Asheville and all of Western North Carolina boasts more than its fair share of supremely talented musicians. But Amanda Anne Platt is in a class of her own. As leader (singer, songwriter) of the Honeycutters, he has fashioned a body of work that displays her innate understanding or (and talent for creating) music in a classic country mold. No artifice; she’s the real deal. And while she’s deserved grown quite a following, I believe that still bigger thins are on the horizon for her in the post-pandemic music world. Meanwhile, local fans can see and hear her for free. Be generous when you see the tip bucket, though. Read lots more about Amanda here.
Artist: The Krüger Brothers
Venue: Isis Music Hall (main stage)
Date: Friday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m.
Door: $45 advance / $45 door
Brothers Jens and Uwe may be from Switzerland, but their understanding of traditional American music is wider and deeper than that of most natives. They chose to relocate to Western N.C. specifically because of the region’s musical culture. And since arriving here, they’ve created a massive body of work as well as an ardent fan base. Do check ‘em out. I interviewed them back in the spring, but the story (previewing a scheduled live performance) didn’t run because of the pandemic.
More soon. Because – believe it or not – it’s beginning to look a lot like … well, you know.
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.