Tag Archives: Asheville Sessions

For this weeks session, we want to introduce you to a local band. You may know them as Crazy Tom Tomato Plants - or perhaps Crazy Tom Pull Up Pants. Six wacky individuals make up Crazy Tom Banana Pants (the real band name). With two saxophone players, a trumpet, guitar, and drummer as a part of their regular ensemble, this isn't the folk type band you may be thinking of. Calling themselves a ska/reggae/dance party band, Crazy Tom Banana Pants frequently plays venues all over Asheville with the likes of Demon Waffle.

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The Marmalakes are a three piece pop-folk-rock band hailing from Austin, Texas. Chase, Max, and Josh are three gentle souls whose music is dynamic and lyrically attentive. The music that comes from the Marmalakes is easy to listen to, played with a feverish energy that sucks you in and carries you throughout the album, leaving you wanting more as soon as the last song has played.

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We did something a little different this week - we took a small road trip out of Asheville and went to Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville, North Carolina. Out on the back porch in the sunshine by the river, we recorded a band called Soldier's Heart. These fellas are are a Southern Appalachian Folk/Roots band. They have their own brand of music of what they call "Honest Porch and Soul", and judging by the number of fans that were gathered to eagerly watch our live session, they live up to their own branding. Soldier's Heart music brings the kind of down home satisfaction to the ear that a fine home cooked meal does to the belly. This seven piece band is compromised of members Caleb Buress on guitar and vocals; Joey Fortner on banjo and vocals; Chris McElrath; Jeff Mendenhall on fiddle; Rick Shore on drums/percussion; and Zack Edwards on Bass. 

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Singer/Songwriter Jaime Lauren Webb lends us her voice and her harp in this installment of Asheville Sessions. Jaime is an accomplished musician who lends vocal talent and musical skill to the Asheville music scene. In addition to harp, she can be found playing acoustic guitar and ukelele as she blends hand crafted, folk infused lyrical music. It's impossible not to get drawn into her unique style of music that will softly resonate with you, even after you're done listening.

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Sometimes, do you wonder if the undercurrent of a towns' vibe calls out to artists and individuals who have the same kind of feel to them? Take for example the Ben Miller Band from Joplin, Missouri. We caught up with them during their first time in Asheville when they were performing at The Grey Eagle in the River Arts District. This talented trio combines bluegrass, delta blues, and the soul of Appalachia mountain music to make something hauntingly beautiful. It always surprises us when bands like this hail from other areas, as you would have expected them to have been born and raised right here in Western North Carolina.

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Asheville Sessions meets up with local singer/songwriter Michael McFarland for an acoustic set off of his new album, A Sarcastic Tango. Unleaded rhythmic alt-pop fuels singer/songwriter and two-wheel troubadour Michael McFarland’s engine. Garnering comparisons ranging from modern rock groups such as Matchbox 20 & The Fray to classic singer-songwriters such as Paul Simon & Elton John, the Asheville, NC based performer mixes an intensity with a sensitivity wrapped in effective contradictions. Astride his motorcycle, with a guitar strapped to his back – making references to quantum mechanics or science fiction – McFarland embraces and explores his wide spectrum of knowledge, interests, experiences, and hobbies in his music and writing. Michael McFarland in the simplest summary? Writer, Rocker, Biker, Geek.

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In the second installment of Asheville Sessions, we bring to you a unique collective of young men that are from New York. This group of 7 are singers, songwriters, dreamers, film artists, and a theatre company. Who are they? PigPen Theatre Company. Started in 2008 by freshman of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, PigPen has been quickly escalating into popularity due to their diverse range of artistic abilities. They've produced original off Broadway productions, are debuting a children's novel, and have toured nationally as a band. Is there anything these guys can't do?

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AshevilleBlog staff is thrilled to introduce to you a new regular part of the blog called Asheville Sessions. We've been working with some local (and not so local) bands here in the city and doing unplugged performances with each. It's our way of giving back to the local music scene - providing free, professional promotion to each band that plays with us. Check in weekly for the latest session posting.

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