By the time encountered Loops and Sikes, they’d already started working with Matt Heckler, having crossed paths with him a world away in the tiny town of Talkeetna, Alaska. Continue reading Deep Chatham performs “Hard To Find”
Tag: iron sculpture
Deep Chatham perform “The Cursed (Medley)”
In the three years since this recording, Deep Chatham has made quite a name for themselves, releasing a fantastic full-length album (Words From The Well) and touring several times around the East Coast. Along the way, they’ve picked up two key members in fiddle player Matt Heckler and pianist/accordionist Trevor Grassi, who longtime followers of Busk Break may know better as Balkan Death Grip. Continue reading Deep Chatham perform “The Cursed (Medley)”
Andrew Constantino performs “Midnight Heat”
In the process of re-releasing these videos in HD, however, I soon discovered my omission. Here, for the very first time, is Andrew Constantino’s “Midnight Heat.” Continue reading Andrew Constantino performs “Midnight Heat”
Andrew Constantino plays his original tune “The Sun & The Moon”
When I met Andrew Constantino on a breezy June day in 2011, he struck me as painfully shy. Although clearly a skilled performer and capable singer, even from a dozen paces away, it was hard to make out what he was playing. After I got him talking, however, the context became more clear. Having only arrived in Asheville a few weeks earlier from upstate New York, he was completely new to the local busking scene. In fact, this particular performance was only his third experience busking downtown.
He seemed flattered when I asked him to do an original song, but he stopped dead in his tracks for a few seconds when I asked what the title of it was.
“You know … I don’t quite have official titles for my stuff,” he said with a sheepish smile. Then he shrugged and said, “I guess ‘The Sun and The Moon’ is what people have dubbed it.” Continue reading Andrew Constantino plays his original tune “The Sun & The Moon”
Blake Abyss and Amy Alvey’s improv jam on Hang and violin
And, as you’ve already guessed, that’s not the case at all.
In fact, Blake and Amy met for the first time mere moments before this video was filmed. I was on one of my “busk hunts” when I encountered them finishing up a tentative jam in front of the Iron sculpture. They seemed so natural together that I assumed they were touring band, or at least regular buskers.
But that wasn’t the case. After they ended that tune, it became clear that they didn’t even know each other’s names. What’s more, neither were really buskers, and Blake had only been playing the Hang drum for a few months. Continue reading Blake Abyss and Amy Alvey’s improv jam on Hang and violin
Adam Kobetich performs “Odessa Bulgar” and “Sally Ann”
It may be surprising given how confidently he plays, but klezmer and old-time inspired banjo player Adam Kobetich had only been working on his busking set for a few months when I first encountered him. Although hardly new to the Asheville musical community, at this time Kobetich was still learning the ropes of street performing, and spoke with me about the trail-and-error process of discovering good tunes for busking.
In this pair of videos from 2011, Kobetich performs the classic gypsy-inspired tune “Odessa Bulgar” and then puts his personal spin on the traditional old-time standard “Sally Ann.” Continue reading Adam Kobetich performs “Odessa Bulgar” and “Sally Ann”
Abe, Lloyd and Erica
Why have these never been seen before? Both are very weird songs, being deeply dissonant and also strangely performed. At the time I recorded them, I honestly didn’t think much of either. Two years later, I’m still conflicted about them. It’s time to share. Continue reading Abe, Lloyd and Erica
Jimbo Lockhart and Abby The Spoon Lady perform “Polly Wolly Doodle”
For those of you who love Abby’s music, we’ll be posting more from this session, including some unseen tunes, in future posts. Continue reading Jimbo Lockhart and Abby The Spoon Lady perform “Polly Wolly Doodle”
Jimbo Lockhart and Abby the Spoon Lady perform “Cluck Old Hen”
This tune was recorded in 2012 as part of a three-song session in downtown Asheville, but was overlooked in that week’s updates. Only recently unearthed in the archives, this video has never before been seen!
For those of you who love Abby’s music, we’ll be posting more from this session, including some unseen tunes, in future posts. Continue reading Jimbo Lockhart and Abby the Spoon Lady perform “Cluck Old Hen”
Busk Break: The Asheville Waits Band covers “Jockey Full of Bourbon”
This video was originally recorded on a very windy day in early January, 2012.
Continue reading Busk Break: The Asheville Waits Band covers “Jockey Full of Bourbon”
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