Mannequin Pussy
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYMANNEQUIN PUSSYMannequin Pussy’s music feels like a resilient and galvanizing shout that demands to be heard Across four albums, the Philadelphia rock band that consists of Colins “Bear” Regisford (bass, vocals), Kaleen Reading (drums, percussion), Maxine Steen (guitar, synths), and Marisa Dabice (guitar, vocals) has made cathartic tunes about despairing times. “There’s just so much constantly going on that feels intentionally evil that trying to make something beautiful feels like a radical act ,” says Dabice. “The ethos of this band has always been to bring people together.” Their latest I Got Heaven, which is out March 1 via Epitaph Records, is the band’s most fully realized LP yet. Over 10 ambitious tracks which abruptly turn from searing punk to inviting pop, the album is deeply concerned with desire, the power in being alone, and how to live in an unfeeling and unkind world. It’s a document of a band doubling down on their unshakable bond to make something furious, thrilling, and wholly alive.Following the 2019 release of their critically acclaimed third album Patience, Mannequin Pussy returned in 2021 for their EP Perfect. They toured that release relentlessly and added guitarist Maxine Steen to the band’s official lineup. Where the band members’ personal lives were in transition with breakups, changing living situations, and periods of self-reevaluation, their time together on the road was a grounding and clarifying force. “There was so much going on in our lives that it was the perfect opportunity to recalibrate who we were as people and musicians,” says Regisford. The band changed their entire formula, choosing to write together in Los Angeles with producer John Congleton over slowly crafting tracks at home. “When I’ve written songs, it’s usually a very solitary process,” says Dabice. “So this was shedding a lot of those hermit-like qualities to do something intensively collaborative. Your best work comes when you allow other people into it.”By December 2022, the band had 17 new songs written with Congleton in Los Angeles. “Everyone felt empowered to speak up about their own ideas to make this thing the best it could possibly be,” says Regisford. New member Maxine Steen, who has made music with Dabice for years including their side project Rosie Thorne, was especially essential to the writing sessions. The album opener “I Got Heaven” initially started as one of Steen’s demos. “When she showed it to me I knew it was going to be fun because the verses have this hard-hitting and aggressive approach but the chorus allows for a really soaring melody,” says Dabice. The result is electric. Over walloping guitar riffs, Dabice defiantly yells, “And what if I’m an angel? Oh what if I’m a bore? And what if I was confident would you just hate me more?I Got Heaven is a visceral and stunning album for people who aren’t content with the status quo, made by people who challenged themselves and got out of their comfort zone. ”We’re supposed to be living in the freest era ever so what it means to be a young person in this society is the freedom to challenge these systems that have been put on to us,” says Dabice. “It makes sense to ask, what ultimately am I living for? What is it that makes me want to live?”MARGARITAS PODRIDAS
PATIO: Whitehall
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEWHITEHALLWhitehall is an indie rock four-piece from Charleston, SC. They merge a dancey demeanor with an insatiable desire for more out of life, making for an incredibly energetic and heart opening live experience. When they aren’t shotgunning La Croix, Whitehall tours the east coast.
The JLloyd MashUp: A Tribute to Paul Simon
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYJ LLOYD MASHUP PRESENTS A TRIBUTE TO PAUL SIMON On Sunday, June 16th, The JLloyd MashUp is paying tribute to Paul Simon with a full orchestration of his songs from various points in his career. Ben Falcon will be leading the Vocals along with Debrissa McKinney and Pam Jones. This 12 piece band consists of some of Asheville’s top musicians in the scene boasting a full rhythm section, horn section and vocal choir! Asheville’s JP & Peggy kick things off! The full band for the night consists of: Ben Falcon – Vocals (The Lumpy Heads) Debrissa McKinney – Vocals (Empire Strikes Brass) Pam Jones – Vocals (Dirty Logic) Jonathan Lloyd – Vocals/Trombone (The JLloyd MashUp) Vic Stafford – Drums (Toubab Krewe/Donna The Buffalo) Duane Simpson – Guitar (Dirty Logic/Pimps of Pompe) Jonathan Pearlman – Guitar (Alien Music Club) Thommy Knoles – Keys (The Fritz/Felix Pastorius) Ben Bjorlie – Bass (Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band) Tyler Housholder – Percussion (The Broadcast) Jonathan Cole – Saxophone (Dirty Logic/Electrolust) Justin Ray – Trumpet (Michael Bublé) The JLloyd MashUp explores different genres of music including Acid Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro Beat, Reggae, Break Beat, Latin and world music. Led and curated by Jonathan Lloyd (Dubconscious/Cadillac Jones), the band is made up of some of Asheville’s busiest and hardest working musicians on the scene. The group features special guests with different material every show. JP & PEGGY Peggy “Chanteuse” Ratusz & Jonathan “JP” Pearlman have been performing together for 15+ years in various configurations and productions. It’s apparent from the get-go that their musical chemistry is fluid and fun. Their playlist is a mashup of Jazz and Blues Standards, Swing, Pop, Roots, Classic Country and originals. JP’s talents as guitarist, vocalist, arranger, producer and composer have made him a sought after musician. Asheville has fallen in love with his self-produced shows via his production house Alien Music Club, paying tribute to Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and The Doors. His original show, “And Now for Something Completely Different” is scheduled to debut in 2024 and is made up of some of the best players on the scene including his son Jaron on drums. He is an avid Paul Simon fan, and has performed material by his hero since childhood. He continues to pay homage by doing his best to capture the essence of these quintessential tunes. The “ruby throated” Ratusz is a seasoned, emotive and powerful vocalist and songwriter who has won numerous awards and accolades from The Mountain Xpress, Citizen-Times and The Blues Foundation. Co-producer of many popular and consistent sell-out shows through her Women Who Made Music History LLC, she honors icons Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Emmy Lou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Rosanne Cash.
Sam Lewis w/ Elana Brody
ALL AGESSEATED SHOWLIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE (guaranteed seating in first 3 rows)SAM LEWIS Sam Lewis has collaborated with everyone from Leon Russell to The Wood Brothers. Chris Stapleton dubbed him “a modern Townes Van Zandt”. He’s often labeled with some form of the word ‘soulful’ (some comparing his voice to molasses), Lewis’ style meets at a juncture of many different genres however he’s discovered what most musicians spend lifetimes working for; the place where feel-good music meets vital social commentary. A decade worth of touring his studio efforts (mostly solo) he has captivated audiences all around the world with his songs and stories that are glued together with a unique stage banter he’s developed from performing in numerous music halls, clubs, theaters, festivals, music cruises and the occasional living room. SOLO (2020) is a solo-acoustic album featuring new songs as well as reimagining previously released songs. Recorded at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville in front of a live audience SOLO is an intimate snapshot that captures Lewis in his element and is certain to be a fan favorite for years to come. ELANA BRODY Atop the West Allegheny mountains, in the least populated county east of the Mississippi, Elana Brody grew up on a farm surrounded by untamed forests as far as the eye could see. Every season, she’d see new plants and animals appear. Rhododendrons, mountain laurel and wild orchid lady slippers. Beavers in the pond and barred owls in the spruce forests. Brody’s family kept a reverential practice of going on quiet walks where she learned to keep her eyes and ears wide open, like a tracker. She brings this kind of attunement to her music—listening for the new, noticing the earthly details and staying agile in every moment. On her forthcoming album, The Garden, Brody brings us back to her childhood homestead, with its fireside harmonies and songs to celebrate the earth’s glory. With no sonic stimulation outside of the winds and wild animals, Brody began making music early. She sang folk songs with her sisters and strung together lines of ecstatic poetry at age four. With the nearest grocery store an hour and a half away, they would listen to, memorize and re-enact musicals on the long drives over the mountains in their gold Ford Explorer. When her family moved to the small town of Staunton, Virginia, she went to the local performing arts high school where she honed her piano skills and learned to catch the wild melodies that flew through her imagination. Brody has remained a prolific songwriter with her honeyed vocals at the center of songs that bloom in a musical ecosystem full of pop, folk, cabaret and gospel sounds.
OUTPOST: The Pearl Snap Prophets and Chris McGinnis
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Jack Marion and The Pearl Snap Prophets bring a youthful-exuberance and high-country swagger to the doorsteps of modern country music. The North Carolina-based band has spent the past 6 years in honky-tonks, bars, and mountain roadhouses, collecting fodder for songs along the way. There are songs about living; written in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are straight-from-the-hip and straight-from-the heart. No bull-honky. All truth. But they are just as catchy as any songwriting-factory-formed mega hit that will ever curse your ear. “If young country-based bands like Jack Marion and The Pearl Snap Prophets keep raising the standards of what songs can be, maybe we can turn the tides.”- NC Music MagazineOpening set by Chris McGinnis
The Lemon Twigs
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTHE LEMON TWIGS Following the release of Everything Harmony, which garnered acclaim from Questlove, Iggy Pop, Anthony Fantano, The Guardian, and countless others, The Lemon Twigs—the New York City rock band fronted by brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario—have once again captured the attention of the music listening public. They are in their premature “comeback” stage, and coming back this early has its benefits; the brothers have the energy of 24- and 26- year-olds, plus the experience and songwriting chops of seasoned musicians, having recorded their first album, Do Hollywood, nearly a decade ago at ages 15 and 17. Set for release less than a year after their last album, A Dream Is All We Know is a joyous affair. As the title suggests, it’s less of a sober look at the darker side of life, and more a hopeful sojourn into the realm of dreams. The tone has shifted away from dreary melancholic ballads and moody power pop. Brian and Michael are revisiting their “1968” sound. This album feels closely related to Do Hollywood, but their songwriting and recording techniques have vastly improved over the course of five albums. The brothers combine elements of the Merseybeat sound, the California Beach Boy harmony sound, and Bubblegum to create a unique collection of pop nuggets. (They say it’s part of a new “Merseybeach” movement, sure to catch on, though that fact remains to be seen.) While the album is chock full of progressive pop ideas, it closes with an ode to early rock and roll on“Rock On (Over and Over).” “Rock On” contextualizes the band as part of a lineage of rock and roll that’s never really stopped. In every decade there have been bands that have put their own spin on the music and “push(ed) it on down to the line.” But none have done it with the attention to detail and raw talent of these brothers. For The Lemon Twigs, it took almost a decade for critics and audiences alike to present them with the major accolades they’ve earned this past year. While their initial records were appreciated for the musical proficiency they displayed, the brothers’ past few records have communicated their ideas with more clarity and emotional resonance. In other words, “It took too long to say ‘rock on.” SLIPPERS Slippers’ debut album is called So You Like Slippers?. It’s a cheeky title that feels akin to the kind of scrappy, winking power pop and garage rock that Slippers mastermind Madeline BB is both inspired by and a master of. But if there’s a nit to pick, it’s with the question mark–because there’s really no question about it: you like Slippers. The songs are short but lasting, the sound is raw but punchy, the melodies seem to be precisely calibrated to immediately stick in your brain and stay there, but it all feels fun and effortless in the way that good guitar pop should. This is some of the most downright likable music you will hear this year. So maybe you don’t even know it yet, but you like Slippers.
PATIO: Stephen Evans & the True Grits
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVESTEPHEN EVANS & THE TRUE GRITS After many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014. The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP “Something to Bleed”. Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP “Under the Bridge.” Both records received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity. Stephen’s strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism. There’s no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics. Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘The Garden’, ‘Cherokee Hills’, ‘Shining Star’, and ‘Buzz of Bees’ are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen Evans & the True Grits are becoming a local favorite. “Buzz of Bees” is their latest album, released in December of 2022, of folk rock with some songs dipping their toes into other styles like Americana, Latin Folk, and Vaudeville. Singles from the LP, ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘Winning the Day’, and ‘Estefania’, are already receiving radioplay on local stations as well as national online radio and music podcasts. Look for Stephen Evans & the True Grits playing fun live shows all around the area to support this beautiful album. “…overall, I highly recommend this album for those who enjoy folk rock, poetic lyricism, and an engaging sense of fun. The album is a journey through different stages of life, confusion, heartbreak, revelation, and acceptance.” – Alison Price of WNC Original Music Podcast
PATIO: Electric Blue Yonder
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEELECTRIC BLUE YONDERElectric Blue Yonder is a musical group like no other, featuring Beth Hataway and Johnny Veres as its core members. Their music takes the listener on a journey through space and time, blending influences from folk, rock, and ambient music into a unique sound that is both familiar and alien.Beth’s haunting vocals and Johnny’s intricate guitar work are the perfect match, creating a sonic landscape that captivates audiences and leaves them spellbound. Their music touches on themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world, conveying heartfelt emotions and genuine experiences.Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Electric Blue Yonder continued to showcase their music through virtual performances and interviews, captivating audiences with their otherworldly sounds and unique blend of space-folk. Their debut album, “B/TST Between Space and Time,” was released just two weeks before the pandemic began, but the band’s unwavering commitment to their craft enabled them to overcome adversity and continue to create and perform.Their sophomore album, “Mourning Sounds,” takes listeners on a metaphorical journey through the process of loss and grieving, highlighting the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find a way forward. The album’s message of friendship, perseverance, and radical acceptance resonates deeply, garnering critical acclaim from prestigious outlets such as American Songwriter, Americana UK, and V13.With their innovative blend of musical styles and themes, Electric Blue Yonder has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie music. Their continued growth and evolution as artists, while staying true to their unique sound and vision, is a testament to their talent and commitment to their craft.Their highly anticipated album, “MicroPARTY,” promises to be a celebration of life’s small moments, with catchy hooks and danceable beats that will have listeners grooving along in no time. The album’s production is said to be top-notch, with expertly crafted layers of synths, guitar riffs, and vocals that create a sonic landscape that is both immersive and exhilarating. Electric Blue Yonder’s music is a beacon of hope in a world that is ever more complex and uncertain, reminding listeners that the human spirit is capable of reaching for the stars. Their unique sound and commitment to their craft are sure to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.
PATIO: Blue Cactus
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEBLUE CACTUS Led by kindred spirit songwriters Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez, Blue Cactus got their start among the active honky-tonk circuit of North Carolina, developing an electrified twang that now branches out effortlessly into folk, alt-country, and psychedelic-tinged rock. Blue Cactus has supported a diverse set of artists over its eight-year history (The War & Treaty, Town Mountain, and Junior Brown, among others), Stewart’s introspective lyricism and Arnez’s skill for lush arrangements making the band potent in the studio and on stage. Praised by No Depression for their ability to paint “beautiful pictures of limitless possibility” in roots music, Blue Cactus has drawn comparisons to Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris. Their sophomore album, Stranger Again, released in 2021 on Sleepy Cat Records, nabbed enthusiastic attention from tastemakers including No Depression, American Songwriter, FLOOD Magazine, Talkhouse, and INDY Week. Following their critically acclaimed 2017 debut and a string of singles in 2020, Stranger Again saw the band taking their sound to an ambitious new plane, where country-rock and light psychedelia mingle, vocals soaring over twangy slide guitars and propulsive basslines. Between the comfort of classic country and the glamor of 70s rock, Blue Cactus resuscitate a fleeting style of honest-to-goodness country music considered valueless to a “new” country music where songwriting is officiated by financial analysts and teams of marketing plutocrats instead of woebegone troubadours. With a high lonesome twang, a Lucinda-like southern drawl, and blistering guitar techniques, Blue Cactus exercises the honky-tonk muscles to firmly bear the flag for a new generation of country music.
PATIO: Anna Kline
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEANNA KLINE“[Anna’s] voice is a marvel—powerful and expressive—with a keening, gorgeous vibrato that brings forth images of a displaced Depression-era farmer’s wife, mourning the loss of her land to the dust.” (DeSoto Magazine).Anna Kline grew up in a small town between Memphis and the Mississippi Delta. Hailing from a long line of musicians and singers, she was raised on a steady diet of hymns and folk, three-part harmonies, blues, and Memphis soul. She and husband, John Looney, formed Grits & Soul, and promptly set up a home base in Asheville. For the next five years they crisscrossed the Southeast, appearing at MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Suwannee Springfest & Suwannee’s Magnolia Fest, Countryfest in Belgium.In 2017, they moved back to John’s home state of Kentucky and kept writing, performing, and playing in the region. John went on tour with John R. Miller. Anna sang harmony and played square dances with The Local Honeys. In 2021, Anna and John formed Swift Silver and put out a self-titled album drawing on their love of Memphis soul, blues, and country.Lately Anna takes the opportunity to strike out on her own, playing solo shows, sharing songs and poetry, revealing her musical vision in a new way. Her writing is directly influenced by the redemptive strains of gospel, the drawling tremolo of rhythm and blues, and the raw twang of rural American life.“Anna Kline’s vocals perfectly compliment the lyrics that speak to her move to Kentucky, and finding her personal rhythm amongst an inspiring web of human curiosity and creative emotion.” — A VOICE IN THE MOUNTAINSAs a solo act, she keeps good company, whether opening for Graham Sharp of The Steep Canyon Rangers, collaborating onstage and off with Kentucky stalwarts The Local Honeys, and sharing songwriter rounds with Tiffany Williams—among others.Anna co-wrote “Last Mule in the Holler” with her friend, Montana Hobbs of The Local Honeys, which appeared on The Local Honey’s recent self-titled album, and songs from Swift Silver’s debut album were recently featured on ESPN’s True South Season 5 featuring Tompkinsville, Kentucky. Anna is also part of a Kentucky Roundtable discussion for Ari Wallach’s PBS series A Brief History of the Future, currently airing on PBS. She is currently working on a collaborative songwriting and album project called Thinking Like a Mountain.
