CLT folk vet protesting with rookie Iditarod runner

Internationally known Charlotte-based singer-songwriting folk veteran Si Kahn is currently in Alaska cheering on musher Monica Zappa, who is competing in her first Iditarod - the annual, long distance sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. Zappa, 30, - a Wisconsin native whose parents were mushers - has teamed with Kahn's Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay to raise awareness about the controversial proposed Pebble Mine project in the Southwest part of the state.

To mark Zappa's send-off Musicians United released a video for Kahn's song "Mushing for Bristol Bay" earlier this week (watch it above). He headlined a send-off concert in Alaska for Zappa's team Wednesday. The track is sung by Molly Ledford of SC's kid-friendly Lunch Money. She was also the voice of the `90s/early `00s Columbia dream-pop outfit Verna Cannon. 

An activist and organizer who worked with unions and communities throughout his parallel non-music career, Kahn has devoted much of his time to rallying musicians like the late Pete Seeger around the Bristol Bay cause. He released an album devoted to the project last summer. On it - as he did with his most famous track "Aragon Mill" - he makes protest music without being preachy. He instead focuses on the humanity and the stories of the people these issues directly effect. 

With North Carolina recently seeing the environmental impact of industry here at home - like the folks near Danville, VA who can't drink their water - I'd think we could relate with the argument that the proposed mineral exploration in Southwest Alaska could devastate the environment there. The bay is reportedly home to 46 percent of the world's sockeye salmon and "one of the world's last pristine estuaries." Sure a mine would bring tax revenue and jobs, but the concern is the plan to impound water, waste rock, and mine tailings behind earthen dams at the mine site. And if the water's ruined, the fishing industry will plummet there.

These issues are pretty new to me, but from what I've read about coal ash in NC and what I've learned about mountaintop removal mining in my home state of WV through a research paper my husband is doing, these concerns are founded (apparently my county is cancer central thanks to waste left behind by these mines). 

But I digress. You can learn more about Kahn's project and Zappa's rookie run here. 

This week's hot concerts

The Letter Jackets/Tonk

Friday  8:30 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $8, www.visulite.com

The aptly named Tonk (who were conceived as a Ray Price tribute before branching out into originals) teams with fellow Raleighite the Letter Jackets, who are heavier on the folk-rock than twangy, pedal steel-colored honky-tonk. Both feature members of internationally known bluegrass band Chatham County Line.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

Friday  8:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $35-$40/VIP $65, www.amossouthend.com

At 72, the influential Kannapolis-born funk-father’s marathon sets may not be as endless, but he’s as active as ever on stage and off - releasing new music with Sly Stone, fighting for artist rights and music education and receiving an honorary doctorate.

Time Sawyer

Saturday  8 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., $8, www.eveningmuse.com

The prolific newgrass/folk rock band (who moved to Charlotte from Elkins) celebrates the release of its fourth album “Disguise the Limits” with a sense of humor, heart, and charisma and, most notably, ear catching instrumental interplay far beyond traditional bluegrass and folk tropes.

Blowfly

Saturday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $10, www.snugrock.com

The original dirty rapper - a caped, masked hip-hop superhero of sorts whose risqué rhymes predate 2 Live Crew by decades - turned 75 on Valentine’s Day. Consider his economically priced CIAA-timed 75^th birthday tour an alternative to downtown’s pricier parties.

Norma Jean

Monday  8 p.m., The Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd., $15, www.themilestoneclub.com

The veteran Georgia metalcore outfit has long played large venues like Tremont and Amos’, but fans have a chance to catch them in a much more intimate setting touring behind 2013’s dark, aggressive, groove and speed-driven “Wrongdoers.”

Shovels & Rope

Tuesday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $15, www.visulite.com

The Charleston couple literally brought the house - or actually a giant disco ball - down opening for the Avett Brothers at TWC Arena on NYE. Now it’s the charming roots duo’s turn to headline with buzz-building, boot-stompin’, heartfelt, harmony-driven tunes.

ZZ Ward

Wednesday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $18-$20, www.visulite.com

The steadily rising Ward, who sold out Visulite in 2013, seems poised to become a premier, genre-blending pop singer-songwriter for the post-modern age by writing hip-hop savvy pop songs with rock and soul guts and singing with the maturity and tone of a British blues singer much older than her 27 years.

Houndmouth

Thursday  8:30 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $15, www.visulite.com

What sets its debut “From the Hills Below the City” apart from a growing number of samey folk-rock acts is its ability to flit between big, psychedelic and gospel-tinged anthems and more intimate fare and co-ed vocals that range between Band of Horses-meets-Dylan and raspy, classic country.

Leverage Models

Thursday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $3, www.snugrock.com

If your Pandora or Sirius/XM station stays glued to the darker side of `80s new wave and early alternative - bands like New Order, INXS, and ABC - then the distorted, yet wickedly catchy synth-rock of Shannon Fields (Stars Like Fleas) makes a perfect precursor to Snug Harbor’s weekly Shiprocked! party.

Damon Albarn's solo album & what it means to me

It isn’t news that having children changes you, but I was surprised how it changed how I listen to music and what music I pay attention to. Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz has a new album slated for April 29. It’s his first solo record. Last week BBC’s “Culture Show” premiered a documentary special on "Everyday Robots" - Albarn’s solo album (watch the video for the title track and first single above).

The 30-minute documentary, which you can watch here, is much more than that. It follows Albarn to the two distinctively different neighborhoods where he grew up - Leytonstone and Aldham. He talks about his early musical influences - playing a church organ on Saturdays and listening to gospel outside another church - and shares how his youth colors this new album.

Hearing one of his heroes talk about his youth and musical experiences and seeing that Albarn is a normal person bicycling through the countryside and taking the train to his old haunts, sets a positive, realistic example for my son. 

I was a Blur fan in the `90s. I saw them at Tremont in 1997. I even dragged my husband to see opening night of Albarn’s “Monkey: Journey to the West” opera during the Spoleto Festival in Charleston in 2008. That trip ended up meaning a lot to us, but I was never a fanatic devouring every album or every article.  However, Blur and the other bands my sons like - bands whose albums I owned and who I saw live, but didn’t consider myself a devout fan of - suddenly mean so much to me. I know much more Adam Ant than just "Stand & Deliver" now. Interviewing him and taking my son to see him was one of the highlights of our year. I also now know more about the Ramones, including who wrote individual songs and what the members were like off stage, than I ever did when they were alive.

A friend on Instagram recently asked for people to post their Top 16 life-changing albums. Blur’s self-titled album and The Ramones Anthology made my list because they’ve changed my boys’ lives. At five-years-old those two bands have shown my older son what it means to really love something, to know the albums, learn the songs, and to eventually go to the record store on release day and buy a copy of their new album (or, in this case, the singer’s new album). 

Those bands sparked an interest in music that goes beyond what I imagined at this age. Even with me loading up iPod Touches with hundreds of songs and albums, I didn’t realize where a love of music would lead them.

The eldest began reading thanks to Google searches for Blur and the Ramones. Their interest in bands has also given my children an awareness of the world outside their city, state, and country. They know Russia, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and most of South America and Europe because bands tour there. When the Olympics premiered two weeks ago, my son identified more flags than my husband.  

Yes, those other bands I listed on Instagram still mean a lot to me - they shaped me. But when you as an artist make a child happy and encouraged and spur their creativity with your own and in turn ignite their passion for learning, it really means the world. 

What’s more, the songs in the documentary from Albarn’s upcoming album sound amazing, intimate and diverse. Like the Ramones with punk, Blur gets pegged a pop band, but the music and subject matter is often much deeper than those base descriptions suggest. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll stop there. But the film is worth watching even if you don't have a five-year-old to share it with. Click here to check it out.

NC rapper releases EP in response to NC economy

Former Charlotte-based rapper Supastition released the "Honest Living" EP this week. It's available via his BandCamp page here under the name your price program. I say former because the NC rapper, who returned to hip-hop after a two-year break in 2012, moved to Atlanta in late November.

It's a shame that Charlotte's lost such a vital voice in hip-hop to the more lucrative music hub. Hopefully ATL will be a more lucrative home base not just for his music, but for his family and work life given the struggles he chronicles on the EP.

The "Honest Living" EP was inspired by Supastition's (aka Kam Moye) experience searching for work in North Carolina during the economic downturn. He says in the accompanying booklet the project is dedicated to the working class and was triggered when North Carolina became the first state to eliminate federal unemployment benefits in 2013. In the title track he writes of searching for work, tiring of life in a poor neighborhood, and the frustration and willingness to compromise (taking any job for instance while knowing you're overqualified) in the quest to give your family a better life.

"Two Weeks Notice" is sort of the flipside of that. It's about gladly taking the corporate gig with the cushy benefits with a smile only to realize later that your soul is being sucked dry by the monotony, the inability to relate to the superficial concerns of superiors, and the lack of creativity.

On the intro to the record the Greenville, NC-native simultaneously addresses how difficult it is for an independent artist to make it in the current music industry ("All I really wanna do is be able to do what I love and also, get back what I put into it") and the desire to support a family without creative compromise ("I don't have to make a living off of music 'cause then you start doing things out of desperation. I'd rather go to work everyday, feed my family, and make some dope s*** when time permits"). It's a lot wrapped in four lines.

The EP is incredibly easy to relate to. These are real problems facing real people. For those who are unemployed, self-employed, or just work jobs where insurance hasn't been an option things like 401Ks and making a dental appointment are far from the day-to-day reality. And for those, like Moye, who thrive on creativity in their work, there's real fear in taking a 9 to 5 job and abandoning your passion. Supastition raps about finding that middle ground.

Musically, "Honest Living" is engaging throughout too. It was produced by Supasition's sometime collaborator/German producer Croup. Together they create a canvas in the spirit of vintage hip-hop without sounding at all dated.

You can download the EP at the above link or for a clean version of "Honest Living" click here. You can get it for free, but take note of the title and consider what your own work is worth. 

This week's hot concerts

ASG

Friday  9 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35^th St., $10, www.chopshopnoda.com

The underrated Wilmington psychedelic stoner outfit continues its run of quality releases with 2013’s “Blood Drive.” The sludgy Sabbathian riffs and poppy hooks writhe against epic arrangements and Jason Shi’s impressively gruff, but soaring vocals.

Tauk

Friday  9 p.m., Roux, 3306-A N. Davidson St., $7, https://www.facebook.com/rouxnoda

The NYC quartet bridges classic jam rock, fusion, and the modern indie-rock of bands like Explosions in the Sky with funk, jazz, and guitar-rock-laden instrumentals that leave little down time for ceiling gazing with arrangements that ring with purpose and direction.

Amigo

Friday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com

The rocking Americana trio formerly known as Old Milwaukee celebrates the release of its superb debut album, “Might Could,” which ranks as the best new local album of the year - so far. With Pullman Strike and Roseland.

Tinsley Ellis

Friday  10 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $15-$17, www.doubledoorinn.com

The veteran Atlanta blues guitarist’s new album “Midnight Blue” sounds ready-made to score a “Sons of Anarchy” episode with its balance of gritty, hard rocking road songs, more traditional, heart aching slow burners, and motor revving Southern blues-rock.

Lyfe Jennings

Saturday  7:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $30-$35/$65 VIP, www.amossouthend.com

The Atlanta R&B singer followed up his most recent prison stint (he rose to fame in 2004 after serving 10 years for arson) by returning to the stage and releasing his new album, “Lucid,” in October.

Flogging Molly

Saturday  8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $37, www.livenation.com

The Irish-American band has risen from tiny bars to selling out its Green 17 tour annually. It ends that run with a tenth anniversary Green 17 tour leading up to St. Patrick’s Day as fans anticipate the 2015 release of its next album.

Tattermasquerade

Saturday  7:30 p.m., Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave., $8, www.tremontmusichall.com

Charlotte quintet Tattermask, who make melodic, female-fronted metal in the theatrical spirit of Evanescence with heavier blasts of double bass, host a Mardi Gras-themed anniversary party (its sixth) and invite fans to dress up and make their own (tatter)masks.

Zydeco Ya Ya and Carolina Gator Gumbo

Saturday  8:30 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $8, www.doubledoorinn.com

Charlotte’s Carolina Gator Gumbo has long celebrated Mardis Gras by stirring up a rollicking Cajun party with dance lessons (which kick off the night again). This year it teams with its Asheville sister band (with whom it shares members) who makes swampy Zydeco and Cajun swing.

Mayer Hawthorne

Sunday  7 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $18-$20, www.amossouthend.com

The Detroit soulman expands well outside the retro playbook of his first two albums with “Where Does This Door Go,” which incorporates hip-hop, contemporary R&B, and classic rock influences like Steely Dan and Pink Floyd for his best collection yet.

Lake Street Dive
Thursday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $15-$25, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The New England co-ed quartet appears to have come out of nowhere to wow "Rolling Stone," "Letterman," NPR, and "The Colbert Report" with its blend of roots music, jazz, girl group vocals, vintage soul (think Clairy Browne or a more up Amy Winehouse), and impeccable musicianship delivered with the skill and chops that created stars before AutoTune.

Spiritual Rez

Thursday  9 p.m., Roux, 3306-A N. Davidson St., $7, https://www.facebook.com/rouxnoda

Its just-released album, “Whenever Apocalypse,” strums up images of sun-soaked beaches and poolside parties - although it hails from chilly Boston. The reggae rock outfit is more than sunny party music though with an ample funk and rock feel and a model-worthy singer/guitarist with soul-drenched vocals.

Avetts among Bonnaroo's 2014 headliners

JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

Concord's the Avett Brothers, who first played a small, overstuffed tent at Bonnaroo in 2006, have graduated to one of 2014's headliners listed behind only Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White, Lionel Richie, and Vampire Weekend on the Tennessee music and arts festival's website earlier tonight.

The four-day festival takes place June 12-15 in Manchester, Tenn. Tickets go on sale February 22 at noon at www.bonnaroo.com.

According to the band's website the Avetts will help close out the festival on Sunday.

The lineup includes other Carolinas' acts the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Shovels & Rope, and California-based, Forest City-native Jonathan Wilson (who plays Visulite Wednesday night).

Others include Phoenix, Skrillex, Arctic Monkeys, Frank Ocean, the Flaming Lips, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Damon Albarn, Kaskade, Neutral Milk Hotel, Wiz Khalifa, Cut Copy, Disclosure, the Head & the Heart, Zedo, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Broken Bells, Chromeo, Tedeschi Trucks Band, James Blake, Bobby Womack, Umphrey's McGee, Ice Cube, Ben Howard, Slightly Stoopid, Fitz and the Tantrums, Cake, Janelle Monae, Grouplove, Chvrches, Cage the Elephant, Die Antwoord, Amos Lee, Andrew Bird & the Hands of Glory, Mastodon, Capital Cities, Jake Bugg, Chance the Rapper, Dr. Dog, Yonder Mountain String Band, John Butler Trio, Little Dragon, City and Colour, the Glitch Mob, the Naked and Famous, Drive-By Truckers, Taran Killam, Phosphorescent, Washed Out, Danny Brown, Sam Smith, Warpaint, A$AP Ferg, Darkside, Seasick Steve, Lucero, the Wood Brothers, the Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar with special guests Billy Martin, Marc Ribot, DJ Logic, and Shazad Ismaiily, Pushat, Meshuggah, Polica, Dakhabrakha, Goat, ZZ Ward, Seun Kuti, Blackberry Smoke, Ms Mr, A Tribe Called Red, Hannibal Buress, First Aid Kit, Rudimental, Omar Souleyman, Okkervil River, White Denim, the Bouncing Souls, Greensky Bluegrass, Ty Segall, Sarah Jarosz, Vintage Trouble, Robert Delong, Typhoon, Cloud Nothings, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Valerie June, King Khan & the Shrines, Cherub, Banks, Break Science, the Black Lilies, Real Estate, the Lone Bellow, Caveman, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Jon Batiste, La Santa Cecilia, Clasixx, Allah-Las, Cass McCombs, Vance Joy, Haerts, J. Roddy Walston & the Business, Those Darlins, Lake Street Dive, Deafheaven, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, the Wild Feathers, the Preatures, and Blank Range.

As usual Bonnaroo will feature a handful of one-time superjams - Skrillex & Friends, Superjam "?," and the Bluegrass Situation Jam hosted by Ed Helms. Fans can also compete for the title of Funkiest Dancer at www.bonnaroo.com. The winner will perform on the main stage.

If you can't make it to the festival or want to check out some of the lesser known acts beforehand, many of the announced artists are playing Charlotte leading up to the summer festival.

Blackberry Smoke plays the Fillmore Thursday, February 20, The Naked and Famous play there Tuesday. Lake Street Dive plays Neighborhood Theatre next Thursday. ZZ Ward and Shovels & Rope play Visulite in March. St. Paul & the Broken Bones returns to Chop Shop in March. And Amos Lee headlines Ovens Auditorium in April.

Headliners Elton John and Lionel Richie both play PNC Music Pavilion in June and July, respectively.

One band's farewell is another's reunion

Charlotte rock band Fusebox Poet plays its final show April 4 at Amos'. But the radio-ready hard rocker's final bow will also mark the reunion of Livalie - the band the three members of Fusebox Poet (above) were in before their current band.

The April 4 concert will be Livalie's first time on stage since its farewell show in 2008. Fusebox Poet formed after Livalie (below) disbanded. Two of the sextet's songs were actually featured on Fusebox Poet's debut album. The members of Fusebox Poet announced on its Facebook and Twitter pages that the trio, who have played together since they were 16, is calling it quits.

All three members will join the original lineup for Livalie as well.

"We all grew up together and have remained close through our lives and present musical endeavors," says Sean Cody of Livalie. He reports Livalie will play its entire album, "A Perfect Compromise" at the show.

Tickets are $10 to $12 and are available here. Cairo Fire and Centennial will also play.