30 Days Out, May 2025 #2: After Ours, Takaat, David Lowery, Larkin Poe
A local act that released one of my favorite albums in recent memory, a band consisting of sidemen who play with one of the most fascinating guitarists working today, and two high-profile artists I’ve interviewed recently (one for Spin, one for my upcoming book). Those are the highlights of live music in Asheville over the next 30 days. Buckle up!
Artist: After Ours
Venue: The One Stop
Date:Wednesday, May 28, 10 p.m.
Door: name your own price
As I wrote in my 2023 review of After Ours’ superb album Music for Cats, “It’s a neat trick to make music that’s thrilling and laid back at once, but that’s precisely what Kahn and Schroeder have done with this superb album.” Contemporary jazz at its finest, and a great entry point for rock fans as well.
Artist: Takaat
Venue: Ayurprana Listening Room
Date: Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Door: $21.49
Mdou Moctar is one of the most articulate figures on today’s music landscape; that’s saying something, because the guy speaks French and Tuareg! (With the indispensable aid of a translator, I interviewed him in 2021.) He also works with top players in his band; that rhythm section is pretty stellar even without Moctar. Without him they’re known as Takaat. See and hear them in this fine audio experience space.
Artist: David Lowery
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Friday, May 30, 7 p.m.
Door: $27.06
David Lowery is the songwriter and prime mover of both Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. He also maintains a creatively fruitful solo career. I interviewed him about Camper’s New Roman Times concept album for my third book. Clever and articulate guy, he is. Anybody who can write “Take the Skinheads Bowling” and Eurotrash Girl” would have to be, right? Right. (I also interviewed Lowery waaaay back in 2011.)
Artist: Larkin Poe
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Sunday, June 1, 8 p.m.
Door: $38.77
As I explored in my Spin feature on the group, Larkin Poe’s Megan and Rebecca Lovell are darlings in the blues/Americana sphere, but they’ve gone to great lengths to make sure they’re not painted into a stylistic corner. Their latest release, Bloom, emphasizes Larkin Poe’s pan-genre approach and appeal. I’d say “see them now before they break big,” but they’ve already done that. Go anyway.
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.