Moogfest 2011. Musical highlights included Battles, Chromeo (in the rain), Crystal Castles, James Murphy and Pat Mahoney, The Flaming Lips, The Antlers, and definitely M83.

The Walkmen are Paul Maroon, Walter Martin, Matt Barrick, Peter Bauer, and Hamilton Leithauser.

Interview by Dane Smith in the Mountain Xpress

Video of “Angela Surf City” by Jesse Hamm

Halloween weekend I was lucky enough to be able to fly back to Asheville to attend the 3 day spectacular known as Moogfest. It was a fairy tale weekend with amazing performances from the likes of Hot Chip, Jonsi, Pretty Lights, Big Boi, Massive Attack, and School of 7 Bells. The company and costumes were indescribably grandiose.

These pictures are all in chronological order.

A few more pictures of Asheville that I took one evening over the summer.

Both these bands absolutely killed it. They brought the rock with a furious intensity that your average hipster simply cannot comprehend.

On a political/ethical side note: The Fiery Furnaces want you to know the importance of health care reform in the United States that includes a government provided public option.

Perhaps you think it is reprehensible that someone might die, or their child or spouse, because they cannot afford health insurance and the standard of care that comes with it. If so, I encourage you to take a few minutes to contact the politicians who make decisions in your name. Urge them to support legislation that includes an affordable public option to help increase the quality of life for all Americans.

Contact Your Representatives in the House

Contact Your Senators

My hometown, Asheville, North Carolina.

The last three bands to play at Harvest Record’s Transfigurations. At the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC.

After leaving the Books at Diana Wortham I went over to the Grey Eagle just in time to catch the last few songs of Jonathan Kane’s set. All five were onstage in a straight line, with Jonathan in the middle. They were absolutely wailing out some serious rock. Quite a change from the mellow pace of the Books. I was impressed.

More of Harvest Records’ Transfigurations. These pictures are from the Saturday evening show at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Villages opened, followed by Mount Eerie, and finally The Books.

These pictures are all from the late show at the Grey Eagle. Ice Cream opened up for Budos Band.

For their 5 year anniversary local Asheville record shop Harvest Records put on a 3 day music festival. My sister Rebecca arranged for me to attend the shows and take pictures for the local independent newspaper the Mountain Xpress .

It was my first time ever being commissioned to take pictures and it was a great experience. These are all from the first day at one of the best places to see live music in Asheville, the Grey Eagle.

The bands playing this show, in order of appearance, were:

Floating Action from Asheville, NC

The Coathangers from Atlanta, GA

Kurt Vile from Philadelphia, PA

An afternoon thunderstorm in Asheville, North Carolina.