Hear Avett's new tribute album before it's released

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).

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