It's not often you hear a rock band describe its music in cinematic, Guillermo del Toro-esque themes like “innocence colliding with brutal reality.” But that's Kings Of Prussia for you. "I've always had this vision of the innocence of childhood, and the moment that you lose that innocence," says Javi, KOP's keyboard/electronics wizard. "You know … Read more
OK, I have a tendency to rant when I write letters to the Xpress, so I’m going to try to keep this one as succinct as possible. I have already written to the Xpress in the past about Molton’s juvenile artistry and banal attempts at pertinent “local” social commentary. I’m sure you’ll receive furious letters … Read more
Asheville City Council Aug. 10 meeting Sidewalks to somewhere Recycling program aims to trim tipping fees Pisgah View Road property sold for affordable housing In the course of their four-hour Aug. 10 meeting, Asheville City Council members addressed a variety of items, including annexations, a contract for park security, a new recycling program and the … Read more
"We can get pretty loud; it's awesome." That's singer/guitarist Jenn Wasner, talking about Wye Oak's surprisingly noisy live shows. For a band that, in the early days, got pigeonholed into the coffee house circuit — thanks to its girl/guy charm and bookworm good looks — it's something of a point of pride for the Baltimore … Read more
I am writing a letter to bring some public awareness to problems in my neighborhood. Just in the last two weeks, there has been a drive-by shooting in [the] Klondyke [Apartments complex], an attempted robbery of the convenience store at knifepoint, a mugging by three men near Chestnut Street and people selling drugs behind the … Read more
Hobos and Oracles Peter Parpan delivers his first exhibit of paintings at PUSH Gallery this month, sharing the gallery with colleague Justin Offner. Both artists have worked as illustrators for animation companies; their expertly rendered characters and active narratives evidence the influence of the commercial arts on their work. Offner, who lives in New York … Read more
Anyone who knows me knows how totally enamored with this town I really am. The mountains, the arts, the weirdos, the food and the beer — all these things mean I'm a happy girl. But the time has come for us to get outraged. This past Friday someone put a rock through my car window. … Read more
The Suspect: Jen Foster Originally from Houston, Foster moved to L.A. to go to college and pursue her dream of becoming a rock star. She never found the success or record deal she was looking for on the West Coast, so she eventually put down stakes in Nashville. In 2003 she released her first CD, … Read more
This letter is about [a job] I had one summer in a woolen mill. I’m pretty sure the job didn’t go overseas. Nobody is doing it anymore, even as cheap labor. It was low-skill work, night shift. The reason for writing about it is to make clear that the job is really, really gone, and … Read more
Self-proclaimed political gadfly Jerry Rice has been a perennial presence at Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meetings for more than 20 years. A passionate advocate of fiscal conservatism and open government, he’s taken to the lectern to speak out on issues ranging from zoning to cleaning up the former CTS site to mental-health care and … Read more
