30 Days Out, Feb. 2024 #2: Get Right Band, Firecracker Jazz Band, Haken, Mark and Maggie O’Connor
Two acts based in Asheville, two intentionally-touring acts. A wide variety of genres. The so-called “quiet season” continues in and around Western NC.
Artist: Get Right Band
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m.
Door: $12
Psychedelic indie rock” is a fairly apt description for what this Asheville-based trio does, but in truth it barely scratches the surface of their finely textured, complex yet grooving and accessible music. Four albums in, they continue to push forward. And they’re very good live. I’ve interviewed them multiple times: here and here will get you started. Rockstead opens.
Artist: Firecracker Jazz Band
Venue: Crow & Quill
Date: Saturday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m.
Door: $10
An Asheville institution, these cats have been around seemingly forever. And than goodness: they keep a particular kind of jazz alive for current listeners. I last spoke with them in 2020; here’s that short feature.
Artist: Haken
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $35
Every so often – not as often as I’d like – I stumble across a new (new to me, anyway) artist whose music moves me, and then I discover that they have a rich back catalog to explore. That happened with Haken. Often classified as prog-metal, in their music I hear much more of the former and less of the latter, which goes some way toward explaining why they appeal to me. Hints of Gentle Giant show up, but with a heavier foundation. Their latest is a concept album!
Artist: Mark and Maggie O’Connor
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Friday, Mar. 8, 8 p.m.
Door: $42
Transcending genre, violinist/fiddler Mark O’Connor has explored Americana, classical and (as a member of Dixie Dregs!) fusion. With wife and fellow violinist Maggie he focuses on the first of those, but it’s all good.
See you at the show!
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 for several years). The more than 5000 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 -- some 40 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: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.