Asheville Stages' Favorite Local Albums of the Year (So Far)
Even in a music scene getting as much national attention as Asheville's has in recent years, the majority of quality records released by local acts go completely overlooked. If it ain't by Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, Indigo De Souza, or Angel Olsen, it's unlikely any major publication is dedicating words to reviewing it — or even acknowledging its existence.
None of those artists released new albums in 2026, so it might seem like a quiet year for the local scene. The reality is the opposite: it's been one of the most exciting years for local music in quite some time.
Asheville Stages has put together a chronological breakdown of our favorite records released by local artists during the first half of 2026.
Powder Horns
Heavy Dreamer
Self-Released
January 23, 2026
—Jonny Leather
Sounds Like: The E Street Band returning to the garage after being inspired by the post-punk sounds of the 1980s Australian music scene.
Why It Stands Out: Pushing well beyond the caustic garage rock of previous releases, Brett J. Kent has expanded Powder Horns with electric violin and dynamic horn arrangements. The result sounds like a band wholly transformed and, reportedly, love had something to do with it.
Favorite Track: “Thorns 4 Teeth”
For Fans Of: Bruce Springsteen, Crime & The City Solution, The Gun Club
Where to Find it: powderhorns.bandcamp.com/album/heavy-dreamer
Tashi Dorji
low clouds hang, this land is on fire
Drag City
January 30, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A contemplative soundtrack for wandering through a post-apocalyptic landscape, with only a dim flickering lantern to occasionally shed light upon the wreckage.
Why It Stands Out: The guitarist's return to electric instrumentation is a meditative counterpoint to his recent confrontational acoustic work, though still guided by his relentless pursuit of the instrument's full tonal range.
Favorite Track: “black flag anthems”
For Fans Of: Bill Orcutt, John Fahey, Taku Sugimoto
Where to Find it: tashidorji.bandcamp.com/album/low-clouds-hang-this-land-is-on-fire-2
McKinney
Bones
Self-Released
February 9, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: Synthy pop, somber folk, and soulful jazz ballads held together by the resiliency of a young heart.
Why It Stands Out: The progeny of beloved local blues singer Melissa McKinney steps out of mama's shadow with a debut that matches assured musicianship with genuine emotional depth.
Favorite Track: “Riverside Drive”
For Fans Of: Esperanza Spalding, Brittany Howard, Allison Russell
Where to Find it: mckinneymusic.net/bones
Nathanael Jordan
Shine
I’m Into Life
February 13, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: Carrying the weight of rejection, slowly wandering along a familiar trail as autumn leaves float down from above.
Why It Stands Out: A natural fit alongside recent releases associated with the Haw Creek scene, this somber indie rock record includes contributions from Xandy Chelmis and Colin Miller, though former drummer and Slugly bandmate MJ Lenderman sits this one out. He must be busy.
Favorite Track: “New and Refreshing”
For Fans Of: MJ Lenderman, Neil Young, Magnolia Electric Co.
Where to Find it: nathanaeljordan.bandcamp.com/album/shine
XOR
Present Tense
Self-Released
February 20, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A tear in the space-time continuum opens up a vortex deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains, slowly absorbing Appalachia.
Why It Stands Out: By incorporating analog instrumentation and field recordings from nature, Matthew Bowman’s patient electronic soundscapes possess a humanity that can often be lacking in electronic music.
Favorite Track: “The Malady of the Infinite”
For Fans Of: Brian Eno, William Basinski, Stars of the Lid
Where to Find it: xoravl.bandcamp.com/album/present-tense
Spaceman Jones
RAW Vol. 1-4, Two Cents, Quarters
Self-Released
February-June
—Edwin Arnaudin
Sounds Like: Dining on a fine meal in the company of the brightest minds you know.
Why It Stands Out: Asheville’s best MC reaches into the vaults for a series of unreleased, unmastered tracks from the past decade that chart his artistic evolution, followed by a two-part victory lap that’s the direct result of his renewed inspiration.
Favorite Track: “Slick Motion”
For Fans Of: Alchemist, UGK, Outkast
Where to Find it: https://spacemanjones1000otg.bandcamp.com/
Natalie Jane Hill
Hopeful Woman
Dear Life Records
March 6, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A lonely heart sits on a porch swing, slowly beating, as the sunlight begins to fade.
Why It Stands Out: The soothing croon of her vocals in combination with the subtle backing arrangements make for a deeply comforting listen.
Favorite Track: “I Thought Love Meant”
For Fans Of: Angel Olsen, Jessica Pratt, Karen Dalton
Where to Find it: nataliejanehill.bandcamp.com/album/hopeful-woman
Mt. Kili
The Noticer
Self-Released
March 7, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: Stumbling upon a quiet, hidden refuge from the overwhelming computerized world.
Why It Stands Out: Complemented by understated arrangements, Rick Sichta's heartfelt folk songs don't forcefully grab your attention — they earn it through patient, timeless songcraft.
Favorite Track: “Kyle”
For Fans Of: Iron & Wine, Damien Rice, José Gonzales
Where to Find it: mtkili.bandcamp.com/album/the-noticer
i26connector
I26connector
Haw Creek Records
March 11, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: Riding shotgun in an old beater through a collision course of twang and crunchy 1990s-era distortion.
Why It Stands Out: The fully realized debut is more full of twists and turns than a WNC roadmap, but with singer/songwriter Caelan Burris at the helm, the journey is thoughtful.
Favorite Track: “World Champion”
For Fans Of: Wednesday, Drive By Truckers, Friendship
Where to Find it: i26connector.bandcamp.com/album/i26connector
Alla Prima
Wet Paint
Self-released
March 21, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A remastered collection of lost recording sessions of a short-lived project featuring Alex Chilton, Johnny Thunders, and Richard Hell.
Why It Stands Out: Debuting with a double record is either foolish or fearless. Alla Prima makes a strong case for the latter, with enough songs and stylistic range to reward the journey.
Favorite Track: “Snake Oil Jesus”
For Fans Of: Richard Hell, Lou Reed, Mystery Lights
Where to Find it: allaprimaofficial.bandcamp.com/album/wet-paint
Dream Sitch
3
Airloom
March 27, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: Getting stoned and floating down the river with a staticky old radio playing ’60s pop melodies.
Why It Stands Out: The third collaborative release from Michael Nau (Page France; Cotton Jones) and Seth Kaufman (Floating Action) leans into their mutual mastery over composing catchy psych pop tunes with the nostalgic warmth of a faded memory.
Favorite Track: “Static Froth”
For Fans Of: Dr. Dog, Richard Swift, Fruit Bats
Where to Find it: dreamsitch.bandcamp.com/album/3
Marisa Cristina Blake
Observations From the Inside Out
Self-Released
April 3, 2026
—EA
Sounds Like: Summertime in New York City.
Why It Stands Out: A stalwart of the local music scene branches out into songwriting and proves a natural — in English and Spanish.
Favorite Track: “En Vivo”
For Fans Of: Bad Bunny, Buena Vista Social Club, No Doubt
Where to Find it: https://marisacristinablake.bandcamp.com/
Corpse Dust
Suffer
Self-Released
April 10, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A dance party breaking out in an S&M dungeon.
Why It Stands Out: Nathan Landolt's follow-up to Nothing Left of Pain leaves behind the harsher industrial leanings of his earlier work for a welcome throwback to the rhythmic pulse of early darkwave.
Favorite Track: “Push”
For Fans Of: Depeche Mode, Drab Majesty, Clan of Xymox
Where to Find it: corpsedust.bandcamp.com/album/suffer
Bonner Kramer & Thurston Moore
They Came Like Swallows
Silver Current Records
May 1, 2026
—Scott Bunn
Sounds Like: The collective visions and terror we all contemplate while living in the frenzy and uncertainty of the world in 2026.
Why It Stands Out: Within each track, Asheville’s own Kramer provides a distinct yet ideal musical accompaniment to the chaos of Thurston Moore’s guitar. The album’s instrumental tracks are fulfilled with the “I’m afraid anymore” chorus of the Joy Division cover, which closes They Came Like Swallows, trading the original’s youthful nihilism for the defiant acceptance of older men.
Favorite Track: “The Third Migration”
For Fans Of: Sonic Youth (duh), Six Organs of Admittance, the pending apocalypse
Where to Find it: bonnerkramerthurstonmoore.bandcamp.com/album/they-came-like-swallows
Slow Packer
The Taste of Life
Self-Released
May 8, 2026
—EA
Sounds Like: Unedited home movies from a pivotal stretch in your life.
Why It Stands Out: Brothers Jack Victor and Mike Johnson make the leap from EPs to LPs with the help of talented collaborators, expanding their sound to meet the moment.
Favorite Track: “Anytime An Animal Dies”
For Fans Of: Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, Phil Collins
Where to Find it: https://slowpacker.bandcamp.com/album/the-taste-of-life
Tongues of Fire
Tongues of Fire
Self-Released
May 13, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: That moment when “grunge” still described a sound — sludgy, distorted punk and classic rock blasted through busted amps.
Why It Stands Out: The explosive garage punk quartet recently announced a hiatus, with this serving as their last word for the foreseeable future — and they didn't want to leave quietly.
Favorite Track: “Speak”
For Fans Of: Jay Reatard, Turbonegro, Mudhoney
Where to Find it: tonguesofire.bandcamp.com/album/tongues-of-fire
Designer
Headcase
Self-released
May 29, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A stone cold Debbie Harry clone fronting a time traveling band from 1975 that hasn’t yet been informed that rock ‘n’ roll is dead.
Why It Stands Out: Propelled by a twin guitar lead attack, the quintet’s debut full length sounds crisply contemporary even while channeling the unflinching spirit of 1970s rock.
Favorite Track: “Ugly In The Streets”
For Fans Of: Blue Öyster Cult, The Damned, Garbage
Where to Find it: designertheband.bandcamp.com/album/headcase
Nawal
Appetite
Self-Released
May 29, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A chanteuse tearing open her rib cage to reveal the beating heart within.
Why It Stands Out: The gorgeous debut from Nawal Elhajoui is an ambitious kaleidoscope of chamber pop, complemented by a raw alt-rock undercurrent that gives it an almost restless urgency.
Favorite Track: “Appetite”
For Fans Of: Tori Amos, Lisa Germano, Mitski
Where to Find it: https://nawal2.bandcamp.com/album/appetite
Lost Plan
Trustfall to Nowhere
Short Lived Media
June 12, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: A shy kid recording an epic indie rock album in his bedroom, while trying not to wake anyone.
Why It Stands Out: Michael Basso has spent years behind the boards as a sound engineer, making other artists sound good. On Trustfall to Nowhere, he proves he belongs in the spotlight, too, with a beautifully restrained but dynamic set of songs that improve with each listen.
Favorite Track: “Polis Anthem”
For Fans Of: Elliott Smith, Vic Chesnutt, Red House Painters
Where to Find it: lostplan.bandcamp.com/album/trustfall-to-nowhere
The Powers Ensemble
Kindling
Shiny Boy Press
June 26, 2026
—JL
Sounds Like: The unearthed recordings of a long forgotten early ’70s Appalachian cult.
Why It Stands Out: With contributions from Dave Portner and Shane Justice McCord among others, bandleader Mikey Powers threads a needle between offbeat experimentalism and Appalachian folk tradition, treating both with equal reverence.
Favorite Track: “oUoUoUo”
For Fans Of: Robbie Basho, Third Ear Band, Sun City Girls
Where to Find it: thepowersensemble.bandcamp.com/album/kindling
