Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to
realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.

Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own. The fruits of this hard work can be heard on their scintillating new long-player, TK2, being released September 7, 2010 on Nat Geo Music. What Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Teal Brown (drums, congas), Drew Heller (guitar, piano, fiddle), David Pransky (bass, guitar), and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, percussion) have wrought on TK2 reflects the many miles and musical journeys that have transpired since their studio debut.

"It's five years later since our last studio album, and we've been doing almost nothing but playing together," says Drew Heller. "We've had a lot of time to further our musical relationships. I feel like this album was recorded at a really perfect time. The last track on the new album is an improvisation that was the very first sounds captured, and other things came out of that initial rush."

The Lee Boys are one of America’s finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. Here they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments, including lap and pedal steel guitars. Born and raised in Miami, each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, was the pastor and a steel player himself.

“Sacred steel” is a type of music described as an inspired, unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in Gospel, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and ideas from other nations. Influenced by the Hawaiian steel guitar fad of the 1930’s, brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought the electric lap steel guitar into the worship services of the House of God church in Jacksonville, FL. The Pentecostal congregation embraced the soulful sound, and over time this unique sound became the hallmark of the church. The pedal steel guitar was added to the mix and soon became the central instrument. The Lee Boys are part of the fourth generation of musicians in this faith.

This music form was totally unknown to the world outside the church until the mid 1990’s, when folklorist Robert Stone attended House of God services and recorded the music, as well as its history, contributing the name “sacred steel.” A series of compilations featuring artists such as Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke and the Campbell Brothers, as well as the late Glenn Lee followed on legendary roots label Arhoolie Records, for whom The Lee Boys also record. When The Lee Boys bring their joyous spiritual sound to the stage, audiences instantly recognize that this is not “sitting and listening” music: dancing, shouting out, and having fun are considered essential parts of their tradition. Founder and bandleader Alvin Lee explains “The inspiration and feeling that comes along with our music is the reason that people feel good. It is like the new music on the block and it’s just getting ready to explode!” It’s mostly original material, with a few standards and hymns the group “blueses up a little.” Audiences often dance, shout out, and always have a great time. In 2007 alone they performed for more than 250,000 music fans at festivals throughout the United States. In the process, their unique sound has attracted musical artists such as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Michelle Shocked, Gov’t Mule, Derek Trucks Band w/ Susan Tedechi, The North Mississippi Allstars, Umphrey’s McGee, and Victor Wooten – all of whom have played with the Lee Boys and/or invited them to tour with them.

Born in the rumbling cab of a stone truck and aged in the oak of Tennessee’s smoky night haunts, The Black Lillies have come to the forefront of the Americana scene in little more than a year. Founded by multi instrumentalist and vocalist Cruz Contreras (co-founder of Robinella and the CCstringband), The Black Lillies have created their own unique brand of indie roots music via Appalachia.

In April 2009, The Black Lillies released Whiskey Angel, their debut recording. The album was recorded live in Cruz’s living room and received rave reviews, appearing on multiple “Best of 2009” lists across the country. It is currently nominated for an Independent Music Award for Best Album, Americana.

The band toured extensively throughout the past year and a half, with highlights including appearances at festivals including Bonnaroo, Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Pickathon and the Americana Music Association Festival, the live radio broadcast of NPR's Mountain Stage, a six-week national tour that kicked off in front of a packed house at the legendary Ryman Auditorium (the “Mother Church of Country Music”), and two additional coast-to-coast tours.

In January, the band released their highly anticipated follow up album, 100 Miles of Wreckage. Once again produced by Sparklehorse's Scott Minor, the album was delayed and greatly impacted by the suicide of Sparklehorse founder Mark Linkous at the studio on the final day of recording. His death inspired a new song, Go to Sleep, which appears as the final track on the album. Additionally, the delays resulted in the band's decision to re-record much of the material in a "live" setting in one room at a historic schoolhouse in order to capture the rawness that had been present on Whiskey Angel. The result was nothing short of magical, and has been praised by critics and fans alike.

The Black Lillies have developed their own style of music in true East Tennessee fashion. They may not fit any industry norm, but where they’re from, that’s a good thing.

After a decade touring nationally as a rapper and producer, sharing the stage with the likes of RUN DMC, MOS DEF and P FUNK, 23 Skidoo dropped his first Kid Hop album in 2007. It was a breath of funky fresh air in the family music scene, and it instantly spread like wildflowers. 4 years and one album later, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has had three #1 hits on SiriusXM Radio, has played sets at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and the Smithsonian, and has been reviewed glowingly in TIME Magazine, USA Today, The Washington Post and on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

Reinventing the family act for a new era, 23 Skidoo often tours with his daughter, MC Fireworks, holding her own on the microphone and his wife, Bootysattva, bringing the singing and cutting a rug. The caravan also includes his DJ, Mr. Strange, and his right hand man, Mahira, whose mesmerizing melodies soothe the savage tot.

Expect a classic hip hop show, with high energy party rocking and amazing stories about dragons, mermaids, whalephants and the Annual Cloud Shaping Championship. There’s plenty of interaction with back and forth choruses that keep the kids singing and enough dancing and moving to keep all attention focused, from the hyper to the diapered. 

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo bumps up both the volume and the self esteem, and sets the family music bar higher than a hidden cookie jar.

The Broadcast is a powerhouse, six-piece soul rock band formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2007. With sweeping melodies, polyrhythmic grooves and an uncanny ability to connect with listeners, their high energy shows leave audiences frenzied for more.

The band draws influences from the funky soulful “Motown Sound” of Stevie Wonder and the raw vocal prowess of singers such as Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. The band is fronted by platinum blonde Caitlin Krisko, whose commanding voice has been described by Cosmopolitan Magazine as "drenched in honey, and dripping with soul"

After selling out NYC venues such as the legendary Blue Note and Mercury Lounge, the band went on to raise over $4,500 through Kickstarter.com to purchase a van, allowing them the opportunity to spread their music even further.

The current lineup debuted at last year’s SXSW Music Conference to much acclaim, and has been touring consistently since. In early 2010, the band entered into a licensing agreement with MTV/VH1 for the network's use of various tracks off the band's debut record, "Over the Undercover" to be used on various programming.

To allow themselves the opportunity to tour nationally on a extended basis, it became clear that New York City was no longer the epicenter to make such a goal a reality. In September 2010, the band in its entirety moved to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina and have made music their full time career. They are currently gearing up for a fall/winter tour to support their soon to be released sophomore album "Days Like Dreams".

Belle Afrique

Asheville Middle School of Rock