30 Days Out, September 2021 #1: Deltaphonics, Avatar, Sylvan Esso, Connells
Things are back to normal, but it’s a new normal. Live music has indeed returned, but if you go, plan on wearing a mask, showing proof of vaccination or negative test, and exercising social distancing to the extent that it’s possible. Once you accept all that, there are some fascinating opportunities in the next 30 days here in Asheville. Highlights include Swedish metal, funky New Orleans-flavored rock, hooky indie rock and electropop. The last two are North Carolina artists, even!
Artist: Deltaphonic
Venue: Isis Music Hall
Date: Sunday, Sep. 5, 7:30 a.m.
Door: $15
Isis’ live offerings tend heavily toward singer-songwriter, Americana and similarly acoustified twang; this is a notable exception. Deltaphonic combines styles from across the musical spectrum, with soul, funk and r&b figuring into the band’s nominally rock ‘n’ roll framework. Solid harmonies and smooth melodies remind me a bit of a Mississippi Delta answer to Hootie and the Blowfish.
Artist: Avatar
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Sunday, Sep. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $27
Sure, the evil-clown makeup is over the top, but one should expect nothing less from purveyors of Scandinavian death/industrial metal. The harsh vocal approach is certainly one ingredient on Avatar’s bag of tricks, but they have others. However heavy you think they might be, they’re heavier. It’s gonna get loud; bring your earplugs. Magic Sword and Tallah open.
Artist: Sylvan Esso
Venue: Rabbit Rabbit
Date: Wednesday, Sep. 22, 7 p.m.
Door: $35
Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn are Sylvan Esso, a minimalist electronic pop due from Durham. Their glitchy pop will appeal to fans of Tune-Yards and Tennis. The music strikes me as being heavily influenced by ‘90s downtempo chillwave and EDM. At press time, the band’s web site marked this show as sold out, but tickets do seem to still be available at the link above. Samia opens.
Artist: The Connells
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Friday, Sep. 24, 8 p.m.
Door: $22
If you were into indie/college rock in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, your playlist will have included Southern bands like R.E.M., The dB’s, Let’s Active… and The Connells. The latter is the only among those still making music; their upcoming album will be the band’s first in some 20 years. “Carry My Picture,” “Something to Say” and “’74-’75” are all classics. The opening act is musical royalty: Peter Holspapple (The dB’s, R.E.M. and Continental Drifters, as well as a solo artist of note). And while it’s a separately-ticketed event, earlier in the evening at the Grey Eagle, The Rich Nelson Band will play a set. The Western NC-based band make superbly crafted melodic rock, and their latest album is something special.
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.