Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield will release their tribute album to Elliott Smith March 17, but local fans can hear the record in its entirety Saturday at Lunchbox Records in Plaza-Midwood. The listening party is only one of five taking place around the country prior to the release on Concord's Ramseur Records. It takes place at 7 p.m.
One attendee at each listening party will win a signed vinyl test pressing of the album. Others who pre-order the album Saturday will receive a silkscreen poster designed by Avett.
The intimate 13-date tour for the album kicks off at McGlohon Theatre in Charlotte March 10. The tour will feature covers from Smith's catalog (my favorites from the album are Avett's "Angeles" and Mayfield's "Roman Candle"), Mayfield's originals, Avett's solo work, which has rarely or never been performed live, and surprise covers.
You can read more about the project in next Friday's CLT section. I spoke to both Avett and Mayfield recently about the pet project and how they first bonded over the deceased indie folk songwriter's work (that word "pet" is a hint, by the way).
Friday
9 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $20, www.visulite.com
The `90s riff rock giant, who regrouped in 2004, returns to
revisit its 1994 fan favorite “Betty” to mark the album’s 20th
anniversary (the tour started in Europe last fall). The band will play the
album, which was praised for its merger of heavy music with jazz and blues, in
its entirety then return for a career-spanning second set.
The versatile vocal group celebrates its 40th
anniversary, although sadly without founder Tim Hauser who died of cardiac
arrest in October. Trist Curless of the a cappella group m-pact, who covered
for Hauser in 2013 and 2014, helps commemorate its history with hits like “The
Boy From New York City” and “Route 66.”
Eric Roberson/Bilal
Friday and Saturday 8:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St.,
$29.50-$35/$65 VIP, www.amossouthend.com
The grown and sexy crowd has its choice of live music during
CIAA, but there are two chances to get in on post-game romance with prolific
R&B singer-songwriter/producer Roberson and go-to collaborator Bilal who
sings numerous hooks on others’ songs. Roberson actually attended former CIAA
school Howard University (which now competes in the MEAC conference). With Aaron Camper.
Founders Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre head up the oft-sampled
Scottish funk band behind R&B and disco hits like “Pick Up the Pieces,”
“Soul Searching,” and “Cut the Cake.” It celebrate its 43rd year
with what it’s calling its Final Funk Affair. A portion of proceeds from the
concert go toward CIAA competitor Virginia State University’s Tuition
Assistance Fund.
On his new album “HippieLovePunk” Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Cody
Canada takes the reins after sharing band leader duties with the now departed
(pun intended) Seth James on two previous albums. The sound is grittier and
bolder and marks a return to his red dirt roots. With Jason Boland & the
Stragglers.
Lights
Monday
8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $25.01, www.livenation.com
Between her 2011 breakthrough “Siberia” and her anthemic 2014
return “Little Machines,” the Canadian electro-pop singer-songwriter conquered
severe writer’s block by channeling iconic female musicians like Kate Bush and
Patti Smith in the New Mexico desert and had a daughter with husband Beau Bokan
(BlesstheFall). Both inform “Machines’” uplifting sound.
NoDa F.A.M. Rally Kick Off Party
Thursday 6 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th
St., Free, www.chopshopnoda.com
The seasonal outdoor food truck, art and music event, which takes
place each Thursday, kicks off with seasoned Charlotte Americana band the Loudermilks’
country-rock tales of heartache, acceptance, and growing maturity and
roots-grass musician Josh Daniel (the New Familiars/Mark Schimick).
The up and coming Brooklynite’s hooky alt-pop is what indie
band’s in search of a hit should strive for. It strikes up one infectious
garage rock and Brit-pop inflected track after another on its 2014 debut EP,
which serves as a precursor to summer’s upcoming full-length. With Born Cages
and the Kickback. (Warning: Profanity in chorus).
Jazmine Sullivan
Thursday 8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory
Blvd., $33.58, www.livenation.com
The award winning Philly R&B singer who charmed audiences in
2008 by threatening to “Bust Your Windows” returned last year after a self-imposed
three year hiatus where she drew inspiration for her third album “Reality Show”
by participating in the favored American pastime of watching reality television.
"Precious Memories," a historical musical about the life of early folk musician and activist Sarah Ogan Gunning, ends its run at Cornelius' Warehouse Performing Arts Center with four performances this week.
The folk music musical written by Charlotte-based musician and activist Si Kahn and starring Kentucky musician/educator Sue Massek (the Reel World String Band) begins its final four-day run tonight.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances will include talkbacks with Gunning's granddaughter Rosie Ogan Hickman, director Divina Cook, Massek, Kahn, and labor organizer/ author Phil Cohen.
"Precious Memories" is based on the life of Sarah Ogan Gunning. A mother and miner's wife during the Kentucky coal mining wars, Gunning and her family fled to New York City where she and her half-sister Aunt Molly Jackson and brother Jim Garland - both fellow musicians - befriended Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
Gunning was recorded by Alan Lomax in 1937, but her music wasn't really discovered until the `60s folk revival when she was living in Detroit with her second husband.
Recognition came later in life for Gunning, who played folk festivals and released an album "Girl of Constant Sorrow" in 1965.
Friday's Talkback is hosted by Levine Museum of the New South's staff historian Tom Hanchett who will speak with Ogan Hickman, who is flying in from Michigan to see the musical.
Host Kara Wooten, chair of the Theatre Department at Queens University, fight director, and author will discuss strong women with Cook, Ogan Hickman, and Massek Saturday.
Kahn concludes the Talkback series Sunday interviewing Cohen, whose book "The Jackson Project: War in the American Worplace," will be published by the University of Tennessee Press later this year. The book focuses on changing work conditions for Southerners in the 1930s when "Precious Memories" takes place.
Kahn will also lead a songwriting workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before Sunday's matinee at 2 p.m., which will be followed by a jam session.
Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students, and groups. For reservations call 704-619-0429 or click here.
In his new long-form music video for the track "I'm Lost," Charlotte rapper B-U-D tackles the issue of missing persons. Although he hasn't lost someone himself, he found the overwhelming number of times he encountered missing people through the news and online disturbing. He wrote the aforementioned track to draw more attention to the problem.
"You cannot watch TV without seeing breaking news of someone missing or listen to the radio without hearing about a missing person or go on the internet and see missing people on social media," B-U-D (aka Edgar Savage II) explains via email. "I felt that a song like this was needed for people to hear and to spread awareness about missing people worldwide. Some stories have a good ending and other stories are left without any evidence of what really happened."
While many faces are splashed across social media and nightly news, others are forgotten without multimedia exposure.
He hopes the video will spur viewers to act, not just monetarily but by reposting photos and stories of missing people instead of simply passing over them on Facebook or Twitter and spreading the word in other ways.
"The mini film is to not only draw more attention, but to give people the feel of how family, friends, and other loved ones really feel when someone is missing," adds Savage, whose Alvin (Midway) Person-directed video features friends as well as family members in the cast.
The track was produced by B-U-D's frequent collaborator Octo5.
B-U-D describes himself as an eccentric, eclectic performer. Born in the `80s, he has been engulfed in music since age 9. You can learn more and hear more of B-U-D's music here.
Friday
8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $12-$15, www.visulite.com
Singer-songwriter and award winning short story writer Jim White,
who recorded for David Byrne’s Luako Bop label for years, was recruited to
produce Athens, Georgia’s Packway Handle Band’s new album. When he and the band
hit it off the album became a bluegrass collaboration billed under both names.
Dark Star Orchestra
Friday
8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $31.58, www.livenation.com
In 17 years the tribute has actually played the Grateful Dead’s
music live more than the original band did in its 30 year run. It continues the
legacy of the influential jam band as four of the Dead’s surviving members have
announced its final shows commemorating the group’s 50th anniversary
in Dark Star’s hometown of Chicago.
The Latin American Association’s 6th annual Brazilian
Carnaval celebration features live music from Afro-Brazilian funk band Dende!,
Batuque de Terreiro, and Reinaldo Brahn
and dance performances by Movimentos de Samba and Brazilian Fusion. Other
activities include Samba lessons, a parade, and a performance by Capoeira
Cordao de Ouro combining martial arts, dance and music.
The female-fronted Charlotte metal band celebrates its annual
Tattermasquerade with the release of its “Carpe Noctem” EP. The EP, which
includes its version of Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” to mark the song’s 20th
anniversary, finds a homegrown version of Lacuna Coil boosted by strong vocals
and versatile guitar and rhythm sections.
Holy Komodo
Sunday
4 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
This Olympia, Washington outfit makes flirty, fun dance-pop music
with a retro feel that time travels from psychedelic `60s to Abba, and the Bee
Gees to Scissor Sisters and Fitz & the Tantrums with a taste of visual art,
humor and fashion that would be right out home on Thursday’s at Snug’s
Shiprocked.
The group of Nashville session all-stars lost singer Dawn Sears
to lung cancer in December, but charges ahead with Vince Gill, Kenny Sears,
Ranger Doug Green and others pickers that have long been heralded as a not-so-secret
society of music city’s best.
JD McPherson
Sunday
7:45 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $15-$18, www.visulite.com
The Little Richard-loving Oklahoman band leader echoes the retro
hearts of artists like Amy Winehouse and Raphael Saddiq, but puts his own
vibrant spin on rhythm & blues, rockabilly, and `60s rock n’ roll singing
soul like a man possessed on his impeccable, aptly-titled second album, “Let the Good Times Roll.”
Echosmith
Wednesday 9 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.,
$15-$18, www.visulite.com
At ages 15 to 21 the fresh faced Seirota siblings are enjoying
the success of the infectious 2014 single “The Cool Kids” and its first
headlining tour. In actuality the band - all children of L.A. composer/producer
Jeffery David - has been together for close to 8 years. Its paired with fellow
female fronted synth pop act The Colourist.
K. Michelle
Thursday 8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory
Blvd., $38.23, www.livenation.com
The “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star isn’t wasting any time
after waiting years to release her 2013 debut. Her impressive second album
“Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart” dropped in December - less than a year and a half
after her debut “Rebellious Soul - to coincide with her solo VH1 reality TV
venture “K. Michelle: My Life.” She returns as part of CIAA.
Legends of Hip Hop
Thursday 9 p.m., Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S.
College St., $25-$45, www.crowntickets.com
Legendary party starting rapper and beatboxer Doug E. Fresh
returns to head up this old school hip-hop bill featuring pioneering emcees MC
Lyte, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, and Chubb Rock as part of CIAA’s week of
entertainment. The first 1,000 ticket buyers receive free admission into the
concert’s after party.
Following last year’s critically acclaimed debut full-length, the
Charlotte folk-rock foursome celebrate the release of a six track live EP
recorded at WDVX in Knoxville’s Blue Plate Special daily lunchtime series. The
fast-rising group’s music was also used in a recent episode of the TBS sitcom “Cougar
Town.”
Wayne Krantz Trio
Friday 10 p.m., Smokey Joe's, 510 Briar Creek Rd., TBA at door, www.smokeyjoescharlotte.com
The jazz fusion guitarist is best known for his work with Steely Dan and Donald Fagen, but as a solo artist has released 10 albums. On his latest, "Good Piranha/Bad Piranha," he interprets songs by Ice Cube, MC Hammer, Pendulum, and Thom Yorke, not one, but twice each.
Rachel Kate
Friday
10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
Like a lightning rod plucked from another era, this Charleston
singer-songwriter could stop traffic with her stunning bluesy alto, bold
presence, and a dramatic antiqued sound that combines modern soul with Southern
gothic, vaudeville camp, and Depression era strength. She’s joined by the
Menders and She Returns from War.
American Aquarium
Saturday 10 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $14,
www.visulite.com
With its distinctively Southern new album “Wolves,” the Raleigh
roots-rock act captures the struggle of a band on the brink, the disconnection
of road life, and the sacrifices that come with choosing art over security.
“Wolves” echoes the working class blues of Drive-By Truckers and Ryan Adams and
is one of the best early releases of the year.
A Grammy winner and six time International Bluegrass Music Awards
guitarist of the year, this Asheville native divides his time between solo
work, Nashville session work with eclectic artists like Dolly Parton, Harry
Connick, Jr., and Taylor Swift, and legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize. If
bluegrass makes your sweetheart’s knees weak, this is the Valentine’s show for
you.
Turn back the clock to the golden age of Bad Boy Records with the
reunion of P. Diddy’s label’s biggest acts - classy, charismatic crooner and
Notorious B.I.G widow Faith Evans, Carl Thomas - the R&B singer behind the
hit “I Wish” - and girl group Total (who appeared on Biggie’s “Juicy”). Hosted
by Tone X.
If spending Valentine’s Day alone means tears in your beers, then
the honky-tonk of these two Charlotte acts will help drink you through. The Lugnuts
capture vintage country while rocking Telecaster slinger Noonan delivers his
share of twang and heartache.
Johnson Brothers' Valentine's Bash
Saturday 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
Wes and Chris Johnson's band Hardcore Lounge has been hosting this annual Valentine's Day party for 23 years and since making it a fundraiser 12 years ago have raised $6,000 for R.A.I.N. This year marks the return of Charlotte music vets Hope Nichols and Aaron Pitkin (Fetchin Bones, Sugarsmack, Snagglepuss) with their new band It's Snakes as well as the fittingly named duo Lovesucker who open the show.
Wale
Sunday
8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $33.58, www.livenation.com
With the Grammy night news that his amusingly titled new album,
“The Album About Nothing,” will be released March 31, the DC rapper heads up
the Simply Nothing Tour with Audio Push and Bizzy Crook. Wale performs an
assist on the former’s new single “Quick Fast,” which serves as a preview of
its upcoming debut album.
In 2013 the quirky and creative jazz-folk singer-songwriter
decided to combine her interest in activism and social justice with her musical
pursuits and created the musical call to arms “Manifestra.” She returns to the
Southeast touring between teaching music, activism, and hosting and blogging
for a NYC NPR station.
Having weathered illness earlier this century, the Canadian
folk-rock legend behind `70s hits and classic rock radio staples “The Wreck of
the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Sundown” returns to celebrate 50 Years on the
Carefree Highway.
The weekly NoDa Food, Art, and Music Rally kicks off March 5 outside Chop Shop (E. 35th St. behind Cabo Fish Taco) with live music from the Loudermilks, Josh Daniel and DJ Ahuf, as well as a selection of food trucks, artists, and vendors.
Each Thursday will feature different local musicians. The Business People, Brian & Megan, and DJ Smitty perform March 12. The Menders, Dylan Gilbert, and DJ Smitty play March 19. Cameron Floyd Band returns March 26 with Toronto in the Summer and DJ Smitty and Bless These Sounds Under the City finishes off the Spring schedule April 2 with Justin Cross and DJ Ahuf.
The weekly free neighborhood events were created as a way to raise awareness of local businesses, non-profits, artists, and musicians as well as to build community.
Food trucks include Taco Green-Go, Maryland Crab, Yummi Banh Mi, Plated Pallate, Roaming Fork, Two Chix and a Truck, K.O. Food Truck, All Star Cafe, and Sweet Cakes Bakery.
The dog-friendly events include a weekly costume contest for canines as well as a photo booth sponsored by Four Dogs Pet Supplies and NoDa Bark and Board.
There will also be a weekly art competition for cash prizes awarded to winners with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local non-profits.
Admission is free and the event is family-friendly. Hours are from 6 to 9 p.m.
Next week's Chris Brown and Trey Songz' concerts scheduled for Greensboro and Charlotte have been postponed. The co-headlining duo's Between the Sheets Tour with Tyga was originally slated for Monday at Greensboro Coliseum and Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Both dates were postponed Friday without explanation. New dates were not released. Fans are encouraged to check www.livenation.com for updates.
Knoxville based country singer-songwriter Matt Woods, who plays Uncle Buck's Pub and Grub in Salisbury Saturday with Fifth on the Floor and Puckett's in Charlotte Sunday, premiered the new music video for the song "Ain't No Living" earlier this week.
The track is taken from Woods' album "With Love from Brushy Mountain." You can read more about the video here.
The two area dates are part of Kentucky Southern rock band Fifth on the Floor's farewell tour. The band, whose last album "Ashes & Angels" was produced by Shooter Jennings, announced its breakup in January.
Friday
8 p.m., McGlohon Theater, 345 N. College St., $20-$44.50,
www.blumenthalarts.org
In its 40 years the E Street Band’s sister group has shared many
members with Springsteen’s famous backing unit - most notably former Jukes
co-leader Steven Van Zandt as well as members of Conan O’Brien’s late night
talk show band Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg and Mark Pender.
Ingrid Michaelson
Friday
8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $33.58, www.livenation.com
On her 2014 album, “Lights Out,” the spectacled singer-songwriter
opts for grander arrangements that at times echo Tori Amos and Sara Bareilles
and reveal her inner rock goddess which is a step away from the sparse ear-worm
folk-pop of early hits like “Be OK” and the Old Navy elevated “The Way I Am.”
Leon Russell
Friday
8 p.m., Don Gibson Theatre, 318 Washington St., Shelby, $34.50,
www.dongibsontheatre.com
The hirsute Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer turned studio session work
for the stars and stellar songwriting into a legendary career that included hits
(often for others) such as “Superstar” and “Song For You” as well as his own
unique Southern-steeped R&B, blues, and roots music.
The Canadian foursome led by brothers Joey and David Landreth
flirt with mainstream country through soulful Southern rock harmonies and rootsy
blues guitar that’s more akin to the Allman Brothers and Shawn Mullins than
fellow Canadians Bryan Adams or Neil Young.
A-list rockers like Pete Wentz and Kings of Leon - whose audience
got a taste of the South African quartet opening amphitheaters last summer -
are fans of the “Come With Me Now” band who have become regulars on SiriusXM. Its
paired with fellow up-and-comers Sir Sly and Colony House.
On its second album, “Hollow Creature,” the Bristol, VA band
inject bluegrass banjo and mandolin into psychedelic folk and rock. A song like
“A Tale of Two Tattered Hearts,” for instance, forms a link between Death Cab
for Cutie, “We Will Rock You” and modern indie-folk, which sounds about right
for a band produced by folk-grass eccentric David Mayfield.
The Oscar winning Frames’ frontman, who skyrocketed to fame as
part of the Swell Season and in the film “Once,” pays tribute to his friend
Jason Molina and his project Songs: Ohia on the second anniversary of Molina’s
March 2013 death. The intimate shows also feature musicians from Hansard’s 2012
“Rhyme and Repose.”
He may look like a hippy running naked with cows and covered in
squid in his trippy videos, but the singer/producer is no one man jam band.
He’s a stunning falsetto R&B singer, equal parts Michael Jackson and
experimental, that you’ve probably already heard on Kendrick Lamaar’s “Good
Kid/M.A.A.D. City” album. With Rochelle Jordan.
As singer for the underrated Chicago-based rock band Company of
Thieves, which disbanded last year, Genevieve Schatz was a powerhouse
frontwoman with a knack for injecting atmospheric pop-rock with soul and blues.
She does the same on the more mainstream solo pop EP “Show Your Colors,” which
is out in March. With Reeve Coobs.
Grammy winning Brevard, NC bluegrass group the Steep Canyon Rangers will headline the fifth annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville. The annual showcase for craft breweries - many of them regional - and roots music takes place May 8 and 9.
Seven-piece soul powerhouse Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds return along with South Carolinians Sol Driven Train, who have become an NC Brewers Festival staple over the course of its five years.
Bluegrass traditionalists Town Mountain, jamming country-rock combo Yarn, newgrass rabble rousers Brushfire Stankgrass, soulful Charleston-based jam rock up and comers Dead 27s, and Edward Anderson, formerly of Backyard Tire Fire, round out the bill.
Participating breweries include Birdsong, Triple C, Highland, Blind Squirrel, Primal Brewing, Duck-Rabbit, Granite Falls, District 9, and Mother Earth.
Discounted early bird tickets are currently on sale until February 14. Concert only, designated driver, tent and RV camping options are also available at http://www.ncbrewsmusic.com/.
(Pictured: Arleigh Kincheloe of Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds)
Courtney Devores has been writing about music and entertainment in Charlotte for 16 years and has been a regular contributor to The Charlotte Observer since 2003.
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