…Of Sinking Ships with Killer Antz + Dai Cheri
The Old One – Two w/ Withdrew and Kit Dean
Amy Martin, Bonnie and The Mere Mortals, and Matt Elias
Originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, Amy Martin spent the majority of her adult life in her beloved hometown. On her recently released album, “Travelin’ On”, Martin explores the breaking point between investing in a problematic, yet beloved place, and moving on to fully realize one’s self and one’s dreams. . . In 2021, Martin packed up her car and moved to Denver. . . after leaving it all behind, Martin came right back to the Shenandoah Valley for the making of “Travelin’ On” with Grammy-winning producer and musician Chance McCoy, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show. On “Travelin’ On” Martin displays compassionate confidence, born from years of developing not only a musical voice but a certain outlook on life.Bonnie & the Mere Mortals is a project that equally sounds like something you’ve never heard before and something you’ve been hearing your whole life. A genre bend that draws you in, but is as easy on the eyes as it is on the ears. A project that’s pretty sure Hank done it this way, but Robert Smith was on the money as well, and that’s no problem. A live show that is just as at home with an introspective elegy as a barn burner. An aesthetic that is just as much classic Nashville as it is glam. Blending the earnest songtelling and excitement of a 70s Era Grand Ole Opry performance with the technology and theatricality of a synthwave show, the Mere Mortals find themselves halfway between Dolly Parton and Elvira, and at home anyplace.
Brandon Tenney (full band) w/ Swansgate
Old Heavy Hands w/ TBA
Formed in 2015 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Old Heavy Hands forge a compelling brand of heartfelt southern rock informed as much by the Muscle Shoals tradition as the DIY punk rock of their youth. Their forthcoming album, Small Fires, was recorded at The Fidelitorium and Earthtones studios. With most recent single “Between You & Me” singer Larry Wayne honors the life and legacy of his grandfather. From the first chords, listeners are reminded of the bittersweet combination of love, loss, and grief. The lyrics suggest the heroes in our lives, and the values handed down through generations. Despite the grief that informs it, there’s no question the song is a rocker. This is what truly sets it apart from the pack – the intensely catchy riffs and danceable groove; it does not belong on a playlist of funereal ballads. At its core, Old Heavy Hands is about the bonds of family and the loyalty of lifelong friendships. Born from the ashes of tragedies, theirs are songs by real people for real people — inspired by true events.
The Dead Tongues (Solo) w/ Josh Moore
After five months of not picking up an instrument, The Dead Tongues’ Ryan Gustafsonwanted to get rid of everything that was tied to his identity as a musician. He eventhought about changing his name. He was getting ready to throw out old notebookspacked with years of material but, for some reason, he decided to stop and go throughthem, just to see if there was anything worth saving. And sure enough, he found someimages and lyrics, threads from former selves he didn’t want to lose. Thus was thecatalyst for Dust, his fifth and best album as The Dead Tongues.Gustafson recorded Dust in nine days, the fastest he’d ever recorded anything. It wasthe fastest he’d ever written anything, too – in the past, writing a song would takemonths, but this time he somehow felt freer, and wanted to have fun. The record wasrecorded at Sylvan Esso’s studio, Betty’s, in the woods of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.He built it out with help from a number of his musician friends – Joe Westerlund(Watchhouse, Megafaun, Califone) on drums, Andrew Marlin (Watchhouse) onmandolin, backing vocals from Alexandra Sauser-Monnig and Molly Sarlé of MountainMan, among others.Dust is meant to be listened to while taking a night drive, farflung and roving andexistential. Somewhere between the expansiveness of American jamband and thebanjo-centric folk songwriting of Gustafson’s Appalachia home. Gustafson explains thethematic throughline succinctly: “It’s this idea of uprooting and rebirth and cycles, andthe past informing the future, and the future informing the past. There is no single story.Everything is connected.”
Holler Choir + Spencer Thomas (of Futurebirds) + Rose Hotel
Led by the lyrical craftsmanship of singer, guitarist, and songwriter Clint Roberts, the distinctly Appalachian, old-time sound of Asheville’s Holler Choir combines haunting harmonies, stirring string compositions, and heart-wrenching ballads, yet hardly conforms to a stereotypical genre. Call it a confluence of old-time, Americana, and bluegrass, but, by its own exceptional design, the sound and atmosphere of Holler Choir are singular. Robert’s wordcraft and explosive vocal range is met with the dulcet clawhammer banjo plucking of long-time collaborator Helena Rose and the sturdy timekeeping of upright bassist Norbert McGettigan. With a rotating cast of gifted musicians featured on Holler Choir’s recordings and electrifying live performances, it’s no wonder they are the band to watch in 2023. The band’s inception began when recording Robert’s 2022 solo release, entitled “Mountain Air”. That fortuitous collaboration of gifted roots musicians at Asheville’s Crossroads Studios proved to be the genesis of an unmistakable new sound built on that shared experience. Produced by Grammy award-winning multi-instrumentalist, Michael Ashworth, of The Steep Canyon Rangers, the five-song EP lit the fuse and Holler Choir was well on its way to delight audiences throughout the southeast and beyond.
Deaf Andrews + Jack The Radio
Conceived in the daydreams of adolescence, Deaf Andrews has blossomed from their roots, into a unique sonic flower of indie pop rock. It is the product of five best friends from Charlotte, NC making music that means something to them. Consisting of Nick Hayes (Vocals), Mike Sherrard (guitar), Ross Schumann (bass), Andrew Kingsley (guitar) and Braedon Nelson (drums). Deaf Andrews has continued to push their personal limits of creativity and emotional tuneness. Making it a priority to capture some of the magic energy that fuels their live shows, the sound is organic, direct, and channels the essence of true rock and roll while also exploring the experimental freedom of modern indie pop. Their latest release in 2023: “Phone Line” harkens back to the youthful bliss experienced during the formative years of life. Catchy guitar layers and smooth tones are complemented with rousing lyrics that underscore feelings of love, recklessness, and comfort.North Carolina roots-rockers Jack the Radio blend rock and blues sensibility with Americana, folk, and country to create a tapestry of swampy southern-tinged sounds. The band has shared the stage with The Avett Brothers, Hall & Oates, George Thorogood, Cold War Kids, Rayland Baxter, and American Aquarium to name a few. Their music has been featured in commercial, film, and TV projects including Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire, as well as in sports programming for NASCAR, NFL, PGA, and AEW.
Lua Flora with Wild Roots Rising
Creating in a state of constant adventure, Asheville, NC-based Lua Flora has successfully unified sounds that typically don’t go together. The electrifying passion and introspective lyrics of songwriter Evan Button, meet a mesmerizing blend of Caribbean, Eastern, and American music to create a previously undefined genre; “Beach Folk.” This cultural phenomenon lends itself to easy listening from the perfect barrels of the Pacific Ocean to the hollers of Appalachia. In three quick years, the project has gone from backyard parties to national stages across the U.S. supporting Satsang, Franc Moody, Of Good Nature, and Kendall Street Company in addition to festival appearances at Front Porch Fest, Kentucky Yoga Festival, Between the Trails, and others.”The musical embodiment of Asheville’s creative spirit”-Face The Current”…easy and melodic — a light, laidback recluse from the grind.”-Top Shelf Music”Lua Flora shows folk & reggae mix.”-Grateful Web
White Toledo (album release show) with IAMDYNAMITE
White Toledo is an alt rock band hailing from North Carolina. Known for their captivating blend of new age fullness and vintage rock charm, White Toledo has carved a unique niche for themselves in the new contemporary music sceneIAMDYNAMITE is the musical duo comprised of Christopher Martin and Chris Phillips, originally from Michigan and now calling North Carolina home.
