The Year That Was: Local artists reflect on 2025 (Part Two)
Landon George
MJ Lenderman and the Wind, Indigo De Souza, Landon George (solo project), Colin Miller, Meschiya Lake and the Paradigm Shifters, Meschiya Lake and the Mood Swingers, BangX7
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: in no particular order, Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise (Scotland, UK); Gary Peters - If I Could Only Touch It (Spain); Super Onze - Session por Yehia le Marabout (Gao, Mali); Teethe - Magic of the Sale (Texas, USA); nyxy nyx - Dream junkie (Philadelphia, PA, USA). (I only listen to music on Bandcamp, where all of these wonderful aforementioned recordings are available! Streaming screws artists! Delete your Spotify NOW!)
Favorite Local Release: Nostalgianoid - live at stasis oasis vol. 3: humidity reifications
Local Song of the Year: Shane Justice McCord - "iv" from the album Iron Goddess of Mercy
Favorite New Local Artist: Tanner York. i-26 Connector. Keep an eye on these two artists!
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Selling out and playing the Sydney Opera House main hall with MJ Lenderman and the Wind! Absolutely surreal! Of the 158 shows I've played this year, Sydney Opera House takes the cake for most memorable.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Teethe, live at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) in London, UK, during Pitchfork London 2025.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Be home more, spend time with my family, grow a garden, exercise, cultivate my solo project and play TONS OF MUSIC!
Morgan Geer
Drunken Prayer, Freakwater, Unholy Trio, The Merle, The Los Gun Show, Hearts Gone South, Supplemental Pills (Portland, OR)
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Drunken Prayer - Thy Burdens; Bonnie “Prince” Billy - The Purple Bird; Taylor Hollingsworth - Yahola; Michael Hurley - Broken Homes and Gardens (No Quarter); Robert Finley - Hallelujah! Don't Let the Devil Fool Ya
Favorite Local Release: Shadow Person - Chronic Disappointment
Local Song of the Year: Wednesday - “Elderberry Wine”
Favorite New Local Artist: Cheeks
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Preaching at JD Pinkus' Frijoliness Church of West Asheville
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Drive-By Truckers at The Orange Peel
Goals/Plans for 2026: One of my songs is being covered and released by one of my favorite bands. I plan on listening to the hell out of that.
I took a touring break over the winter, I'm gonna continue promoting my last record into the warmer months.I'm going to hopefully finish tracking a new album I started in Mississippi this year.
Ben (Photo by Jonny Leather)
Ben
Idle County
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Wednesday - Bleeds; Colin Miller - Losin'; Friendship - Caveman Wakes Up; Mavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful World; MexikoDro - Still Goin
Favorite Local Release: Walkhome - Temptations
Local Song of the Year: Walkhome - “Take Back”
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: It came recently at a house show I played. The show itself was great, but at the end of everyone's set there was a song share, and me and Caelan (Tombstone Poetry) went up and played an unreleased song of mine. Everyone sang the words back to us. It made me smile.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Anytime I got to see my friends play their music. Go see local bands.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Release our debut album! We will rock, we will laugh, we will be nice, and we will sing.
Joe Hooten
Tin Roof Echo and PINKEYE
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Some of these aren’t brand-new releases, but they’re the records that really stuck with me this year.
Fust – The Big Ugly
This one blindsided me. I was in Harvest Records back in March when it came on over the PA, immediately grabbed a copy, and haven’t stopped spinning it since. The mid-album track “Bleached” is a standout — great stuff front to back.Iggy Pop – Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2023
Actually released this year, and absolutely rips. Iggy is still operating on a different level entirely. The horns sound incredible, too — honestly, pretty close to what we were chasing on the last PINKEYE record.Snocaps – Snocaps
My buddy Chad Nance sent this over and somehow I’d totally missed it when it first dropped. Turns out it might be my favorite thing any of these folks have done, solo or otherwise.John Craigie – No Rain, No Rose
I got attached to this 2017 release earlier this year on a long solo road-trip. These songs feel loose, lived-in, and genuinely organic. Craigie’s songwriting is quietly killer. I still haven’t caught him live, but this record lives in that space already.Howl Owl Howl – “My Cologne”
They’ve only got a single out so far, but I’ve heard some upcoming tracks slated for a ’26 release. This one is pure sugary ’90s jangle with a dead-on chorus. I’m a sucker for hooks when they hit without trying too hard, I unapologetically gravitate towards whatever moves me — this song does.
Favorite Local Release: Other than PINKEYE’s Better Stay Clear, Lower Peak’s The Balances EP really stood out — channeling shades of Modest Mouse and Real Estate while carving out a sound that feels genuinely original.
Local Song of the Year: “Hot Beer.” Full bias admitted. Soul-soaked keys, filthy Stones-era sax, and a title that speaks for itself. Hard to argue with.
Favorite New Local Artist: Not a brand new project, but Father is Lost — Liam McKay (of Call the Next Witness) new vehicle for his solo material — made their live debut at Fleetwood’s this fall and immediately caught my attention. Would love to see them popping up on more bills around town in ’26.
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: With Tin Roof Echo, an unplugged, no-mic house concert with Kenny Roby (Six String Drag) felt like one of those once-in-a-while perfect evenings. For PINKEYE, both nights this year at The Cave in Chapel Hill — there’s a magic in that room that never gets old.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Wild card pick — I went down to Athens to see Jason Narducy and Michael Shannon tear through R.E.M.’s Fables of the Reconstruction at the 40 Watt [Club], and it ended up being one of the funniest, most electric nights I’ve had in the Classic City. They played the songs faithfully but with real punch, and then all the members of R.E.M. joined them onstage for “Pretty Persuasion.” First time in ages they’ve played together — absolute perfect night with new and old friends.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Recording is front and center — Tin Roof Echo in the first quarter, and a new PINKEYE record not far behind; both are locked in at different studios. A handful of benefit shows are lined up to support community causes, and I’m aiming to finally crack into arranging a new project that’s been simmering in the background. I tend to think big with no fear of the word “no”, so zero chance of slowing down in 2026.
Kayla Zuskin/Lavender Blue
Lavender Blue, Sister Ivy, Evan Veasey, and Women to the Front Funk Band
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Alex G - Headlights; Mei Semones - Animaru; Anamanaguchi - Anyway; Pino Palladino and Blake Mills - That Wasn’t a Dream; Teethe - Magic of the Sale
Favorite Local Release: Walkhome - Temptations
Local Song of the Year: Slow Packer - “Halfway Out”
Favorite New Local Artist: Quinn Bee
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Hard to pick a favorite! Lavender Blue record release at Static Age [Records] with many friends sitting in, and reviving the First Fridays songwriter in the round series at Flora.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Johanna Warren solo at a house show!
Goals/Plans for 2026: Record another Lavender Blue record! Support other local artists in the community.
Andrew Scotchie
Andrew Scotchie, Susto
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Mavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful World; Jesse Welles - Middle; Ron Gallo - Checkmate; Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving; Amanda Shires - Nobody’s Girl
Favorite Local Release: Music from the Land of the Sky: The 1925 Asheville Sessions
As they say: if the 1927 Bristol recording sessions were the "big boom of country music," Asheville lit the fuse in 1925. These are the first commercial recordings ever made in Appalachia. The tracks have been beautifully restored — a must-listen for any music lover and especially those wanting a deeper understanding of where so much of popular music originated.
Local Song of the Year: That's a really hard one! I'm going with "Nevermind" from Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel because I find it really calming. Excited to hear the full album.
Favorite New Local Artist: New Dawn Starkestra
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Definitely a tie between my solo tour of Italy and touring out west with Susto.
I did six shows all over southern Italy in April, got engaged, and visited the village (Montaguto) where my family is from. I plan to go every year now. The people are kind and very receptive. They love rock ‘n’ roll, too! I'm still trying to find the words to describe how life-changing that trip was.
Touring with Susto is unreal. I've been a fan of the band since 2014. Getting to know them as human beings and travel with them has been phenomenal. Number one team in the game! A few highlights from that tour are the Ogden Theatre in Denver, Pine Creek Lodge in Livingston, Montana, and Charles Town, WV, where I got to meet Maggie Rose and Amanda Shires.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Ruby Waters opening for Shakey Graves at The Orange Peel. Her latest album, What's the Point, gets played at least a few times a month. She also did a scorching cover of "If It Makes You Happy" at this show, which blew my mind.
Goals/Plans for 2026: I will soon be putting the finishing touches on a new album. These songs are like no other we have ever recorded and show many different sides of my writing. We will be touring/playing festivals as we release new music, I'll play guitar for Susto every chance I can, and plan to get back to Europe in the fall with the new album. 2025 was by far the busiest and most educational year of my life. I am excited to see where this next chapter takes us all. I’m forever thankful for everyone I get to work and collaborate with. It's a really, really tough industry but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Long live the power of live music!
Bryce Franich (Photo by Jonny Leather)
Bryce Franich
Bryce Franich / The Śūnyatā Ensemble
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: The Necks - Disquiet; Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise; Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Gift Songs; Michael Hurley - Broken Homes and Gardens; Natural Information Society + Bitchin Bajas - Totality
Favorite Local Releases: Ellicott Hooligan - Shining Other; Brett Naucke - Ground Fault Matinee; Shane Justice McCord - Iron Goddess of Mercy; Okonski - Entrance Music; Colin Miller - Losin’
Local Song of the Year: Ellicott Hooligan - “Weaver’s Bend”
Favorite New Local Artist: Ellicott Hooligan
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Making music with friends, and spending an almost irresponsible amount of time travelling to be with people I love. Hoping for more of both in 2026.
Favorite Live Performances by Other Artists of 2025: Michael Hurley, Jon Mueller, Laraaji (twice!), Water Damage, TAKAAT (thanks Asheville Stages), Mary Lattimore, Ellicott Hooligan, Experimental Meditation Club, Sarah Louise
Goals/Plans for 2026: Just wrapped tracking a new Śūnyatā Ensemble record, which I’m stupidly excited to share. Possibly an East Coast and/or EU tour — nothing solid — but the idea is in motion.
Lewis Dahm
Walkhome, Nathanael Jordan
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Wednesday - Bleeds; Erika de Casier - Lifetime; Colin Miller - Losin'; Cash Langdon - Dogs; Zach Romeo - Little Action
Favorite Local Release: Tanner York - Welcome to the Shower
Local Song of the Year: Colin Miller - "Porchlight"
Favorite New Local Artist: Scribblers are fun!
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Playing what ended up being our "release show" with Thomas Dollbaum and Lilly Seabird. Happiest I've felt after a show in I don't know how long!
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Honestly, I gotta say Thomas' set from that same show. Such a wonderful night all around. It was a two-piece with him and Alejandro Skalany on guitar, and the two of them are just great to watch together. Thomas is a pretty arresting performer (I mean, that voice alone...) and Alejandro has such a good ear for space and dynamics. Both of them are total rippers.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Write, record, and release more music that comes from an honest place deep within myself. It is a therapeutic process that helps me feel present and relaxed, which means I can be more available to the people I love. Ignore everything else.
Ethan Hoffman-Sadka
trust blinks., Sean O'Hara
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Wednesday - Bleeds; Deadharrie - Blue Coffin; Alex G - Headlights, Helvetia - Welcome The Summer Heartbreak; Total Wife - Come Back Down; Lily Allen - West End Girl
Favorite Local Release: Tanner York - Welcome to the Shower
Local Song of the Year: Tombstone Poetry - “Bear Down”
Favorite New Local Artist: Run Over By A Horse
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Seeing My Bloody Valentine play live in Dublin
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Stereolab at The Orange Peel
Goals/Plans for 2026: Record more. Kill the b**** inside my brain.
Quinn Bee
Quinn Bee, The Laney Barnett Band, Rhodo Hell
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Madison Cunningham - Ace; Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart; Panda Bear - Sinister Grift; Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out; Porches - Summer of Ten
Favorite Local Release: Tanner York - Welcome to the Shower
Local Song of the Year: Slow Packer - “Parallel Lines”
Favorite New Local Artist: Blithe
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Recording a live full-band session with Secret Sounds, May 9, along with Eli Whitlow (drums), Will Elliott (bass/guitar), and Maddie Shuler (synth/guitar).
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Evan Veasey’s incredible first full-band performance at Static Age, December 14!
Goals/Plans for 2026: Play some acoustic shows!! Release an EP of collaborations with local artists!!
Nathan Landolt (Photo by Jonny Leather)
Nathan Landolt
Corpse Dust, Secret Shame, Harsh Realm
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Model/Actriz - Pirouette; Caustic Wound - Grinding Mechanism of Torment; Provoker - Mausoleum; Greet Death - Die In Love; Safe Mind - Cutting the Stone
Favorite Local Release: Brett Naucke - Ground Fault Matinee
Local Song of the Year: Brett Naucke - "Universal Voltage"
Favorite New Local Artist: Soured - Sick new death metal band from ex-Cave Grave guitarist/vocalist. Can't wait for their record to drop.
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Secret Shame returning and playing The Orange Peel.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Sextile at The Grey Eagle. Full-on energy from start to finish.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Corpse Dust has a new record coming out in the spring. I will be touring most of the U.S with that project. Secret Shame and Harsh Realm will be writing new material and hopefully release something by the end of the year.
Jack Victor
Slow Packer
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Honestly didn’t listen to much new music this year. One of my goals in 2026 is to seek out more new records.
Favorite Local Release: Sophia Corinne - Let’s Just Pretend
Local Song of the Year: Okonski - “October”
Favorite New Local Artist: The Powers Ensemble
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Performing with five different acts at the Resonance Sessions release party at Zadie’s in Marshall, sometime in July.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Lyle de Vitry performing a solo set at Jamie Linder’s house.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Release Slow Packer’s first full-length album, The Taste of Life.
Matt Aycock
Small Doses
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Deftones - Private Music; Militarie Gun - God Save the Gun; White Reaper - Only Slightly Empty; Mclusky - The World Is Still Here & So Are We; Drain - … Is Your Friend
Favorite Local Release: Madder Max - Survives
Local Song of the Year: Small Doses - “Rodeo”
Favorite New Local Artist: Basement Healer
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: Still Here Fest at Fleetwood’s to benefit Beloved Asheville
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Rival Schools and Fiddlehead at Eulogy
Goals/Plans for 2026: To stay on people’s radar and remain relevant and just continue building our community. Perhaps another EP release or a split release with another band.
Silas Durocher
The Get Right Band, Pop Fiction
5 Favorite Albums of 2025: Djo - The Crux; Noga Erez - The Vandalist (Against all the Machines); Surprise Chef - Superb; Little Simz - Lotus; James Leifur - Magic Seeds 2
Most Memorable Personal Music Experience of 2025: We played a show up near Boone where the stage was on a cliff overlooking a valley of Blue Ridge Mountains. It was peak leaf color and we played during sunset. Definitely one of the most beautiful places I've ever had the pleasure of playing.
Favorite Live Performance by Another Artist of 2025: Seeing Djo live. He's one of my favorite new(ish) artists and his live show absolutely blew me away.
Goals/Plans for 2026: Just keep following the muse and collaborating with my bandmates and other cool musicians to make music that feels fresh. I'm always actively striving to focus on the joy of making music — of writing songs, of playing on stage, of collaborating — and not get bogged down by the business and the rejection and all that. I did a pretty good job of that in 2025 and I plan to do better in 2026!
(Landon George photo by Connor Burchett)
