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Whizz, bang, pow: So the Fourth of July weekend is over, but we’ve still plenty of chances to celebrate independence. And independents. Like the crazy-rad lineup for Harvest Records five-year anniversary music fest, Transfigurations. Akron/Family, Bonnie Prince Billy, Brightblack Morning Light, War on Drugs and Budos Band, to name some of the independent acts who’ll grace our fair city.
Having just returned from Hot Springs where the final tracks of The Books’ Lemon of Pink album were recorded, I have particular excitement for their show. And a slew of folks who just caught Bonnie Prince Billy‘s show last month are eager to catch him again (and solo this time, wowza). Mark Capon and Matt Schnable have created plans for what they describe as an intimate, outside-the-norm festival. You won’t have to race around in hopes of cramming in every show; there’s virtually no overlap of bands, despite the festival spanning three nights and three venues.
The full lineup for what’s billed as a down-home gathering: Akron/Family, Bonnie Prince Billy, The Books, Budos Band, Circulatory System, Mount Eerie, Espers, War on Drugs, Brightblack Morning Light, Kurt Vile, Ice Cream, Jonathan Kane, Coathangers, Villages and Steve Gunn. There will also be a panel discussion and films from three record label heads who, through their own unique methods, are at the forefront of documenting musics, new and old, from the United States & around the world.
Schnable and Capon have long shared a love for music, and a love of community and the drive to bring those together, and bring innovative, independent acts to town. “Transfigurations brings together the spirits of the musicians that we have brought to this city, the artists who have displayed on our walls, the sounds people have found in our shop and the togetherness that we have attempted to breathe into the community ... hour by hour, day by day,” Capon says.
It’s been five years since Harvest Records set up shop in West Asheville, the east section of which was definitely not as vibrant then. Their DIY business ethos and hard work has earned them honorable mention in this year’s Spin Magazine’s America’s 15 Best Indie Record Stores and best music store for the past four years by Mountain Xpress readers. And the list of acts they’ve brought to town includes Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Magnolia Electric Company, among many others.
“You may have been in a small, independent record store, but we feel Harvest Records is unique and we want everyone who walks through the door to have a satisfying exchange and an inclusive experience,” says co-owner Matt Schnable. “That fresh perspective has kept us going every day, and that same attitude of sharing a love of music and creativity is what we are bringing to Transfigurations.”
Tickets are on sale now. Regular weekend passes (“Regafigurations”) are limited, and special weekend passes (“Megafigurations” ) are extremely limited, so hurry…
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WOW! I am especially stoked to see Akron/Family in that lineup. Have they ever played Asheville before? |
Jeff Jul 07, 2009 |
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WOW! I am especially stoked to see Akron/Family in that lineup. Have they ever played Asheville before? Uh, about four times now I think… I’m most excited about The Espers. Unless something better comes along, ESPERS II might be the album of the decade for me. |
 Jul 07, 2009 at 10:42 AM |
