Dawn Landes released The Liberated Woman’s Songbook last year, which was originally a book published in 1971 at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Dawn’s album version leads us through a history of women’s activism from 1830 through the 1970’s. Among the stories highlighted are those of Ella May Wiggins, a union organizer murdered in Gastonia during the 1929 Loray Mill Strike, in the song “Mill Mothers Lament (1929).” “The Housewife’s Lament (1866)” was discovered in the diary of Mrs. Sarah A Price who wrote “Life is a toil, love is a trouble.” The album features guest artists including Emily Frantz (Watchhouse, formerly Mandolin Orange) on fiddle and vocals on “Bread and Roses (1912),” and vocal performances by Charly Lowry, Rissi Palmer and Lizzy Ross (Violet Bell). “We’re suddenly back in 1971 all over again,” said Landes, “I know we’re in for a long fight and it helps to find solidarity where you can. …There’s something remarkable about walking around the grocery store in 2024 humming something from the 1800’s that feels like it was written yesterday. It’s inspiring during today’s hard times, these women struggled, resisted, endured, and triumphed.” Dawn returns to Studio B on her way to a show Thursday evening at 185 King Street in Brevard.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | Asheville Yards | Asheville, NC

Friday, September 26, 2025 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 | CCNB Amphitheatre | Simpsonville, SC

“What's really fun about making a record with this band is that we actually have no idea how we're going to arrange a song, or what instruments we're going to play, when we get to a recording session,” says bassist Chris Wood, whose years as a member of Medeski, Martin and Wood primed him for the ego-stripped musical collaborations that are a hallmark of The Wood Brothers. “That's why first takes are often the best. You don't have any ideas about the song yet.” We get a chance to find out how many of the songs on their great new album, Puff of Smoke, were first takes, and a lot more, when the trio returns to Studio B this Friday, in advance of their appearance at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival. “Creativity is a winding road, not a straight path, if you’re open to it,” says percussionist and vocalist Jano Rix. “We're not in control,” adds the band’s primary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Oliver Wood, “and that can be good news.”

We’ve been playing music from Western NC’s Resonant Rogues the past few years, featuring singer and banjo/accordion player Sparrow Smith and her husband, Keith Smith. Sparrow is excited to release her solo album, which will be available on September 5th, and she’s celebrating with a release show at Rare Bird Farm on Saturday, August 30. Songs on Carolina Mountains stem from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (the title track), traditional tunes like “Wayfaring Stranger” (“Mercy”), and a Mary Oliver poem (“Strawberry Moon”). Also, wineberries! She’ll be joined in Studio B by Keith on guitar and harmonies, Kristen Harris on fiddle, and Ian Wade on upright bass and harmonies. Jasmin Melton will be your host!

February 12, 2026 | Knight Theater | Charlotte, NC

Accompanied by a documentary film crew, Samuel Waymon returns to Barbados for the Caribbean Festival of Arts. A GoFundMe has been launched to help fund the project.