30 Days Out, June 2021 #1: The Broadcast, Firecracker Jazz Band, Sang Sara, Floyd Philharmonic
Unless something changes drastically – and here’s hoping it doesn’t – this sentence will be the last within a “30 Days Out” to mention the pandemic and its effect on live music. With that out of the way, here’s a quick rundown of four shows in and around Asheville NC in the coming 30 days. All four are local-based acts – some new, some established – and all are worth your time. Please support local music.
Artist: The Broadcast
Venue: Salvage Station
Date: Sunday, June 13, 7 p.m.
Door: $20
The Broadcast relocated from the Big City to Asheville some years ago, and they’ve been using our fair city as a base of operations as they’ve embarked on a number of successful tours. After an extended quiet period, the band released its latest album, Lost My Sight, in July of last year. I spoke with vocalist Caitlin Krisko about it; read here. From Virginia, Erin Lunsford opens.
Artist: Firecracker Jazz Band
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Sunday, June 20, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Door: $12
One of WNC’s longest running and best-loved bands, Firecracker Jazz Band keeps the tradition of, um, trad jazz alive through their recordings and live performances. And don’t miss the award-winning guitar work of pianist Andrew Fletcher (Okay: inside joke. He does not play guitar.) The group released its latest album right as the you-know-what hit in March of last year. Read more about Return to the Twenties here.
Artist: Sang Sara
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Saturday, June 26, 8 p.m.
Door: $10
Those who don’t know better might associate Asheville with singer-songwriters, endless variations on an Americana theme, and jam bands. Truth is, there’s a lot more going on. This supremely melodic doom-metal influenced group is a case in point. Jenna Duvall’s commanding vocal presence is a thing of beauty and power; the group does primarily original material, and it’s quite good. But you simply must hear Sang Sara’s haunting cover of a spaghetti western theme, “L’Estasi Dell’oro.”
Artist: Floyd Philharmonic
Venue: Isis Music Hall
Date: Sunday, June 27, 7 p.m.
Door: $15 (see note below)
A fine Western NC-based ensemble faithfully explores the Pink Floyd catalog, focusing on the best-known and -loved material. Highly recommended, especially for the lead guitar and vocal work. NOTE: This is a dinner-table-only show. That means that while your ticket gets you a seat, attendees are also required to buy dinner – not just drinks – and that cost is not included in the admission fee. Great news for those nostalgic for the days of two-drink minimums, I suppose. I wish the best for all local venues, but let’s hope this kind of thing doesn’t catch on locally. In the meantime, don’t hold it against the band; I’m 100% confident that it’s completely beyond their control.
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.