15 minute read
A&E
Pink Beds is an Asheville-based indie rock band. From left, the group consists of Logan Hall, Ryan Sargent, Aaron Aiken and Jackson Van Horn.
(photo: Daniel Barlow)
THE THINGS I’VE SEEN
Pink Beds release debut rock album
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER
What started out as a casual jam to entertain a keg party has morphed itself into one of the most intriguing new musical acts in Western North Carolina.
“By August 2019, my old band had come to an end. Some friends of mine from college were looking for someone to play their Halloween bash, and I said ‘yes,’ all while forgetting I didn’t have a band anymore,” Aaron Aiken laughed. “Nobody wanted to travel to the gig and we weren’t getting paid, so I just called up some friends who play around the area. When the party ended, we talked after and decided ‘let’s not make this our last gig.’”
Lead singer of Pink Beds, Aiken, a Brevard native, now fronts an Asheville group that stands at the intersection of indie rock, psychedelic folk and cerebral pop. It’s a seamless blend, more so a vibrant flow, that harkens back to the sounds of early 2000s indie icons The Strokes and Keane, with a thick thread leading to the melodic camps of Tame Impala and Snow Patrol.
With its debut album, “All I Have,” dropping last month, Pink Beds emerged from the Halloween 2019 gathering ready and roaring to perform live, only to spend most of the 2020 pandemic hunkered down in Aiken’s West Asheville home. The quartet would (and continues to) huddle in the basement, working out new tunes or simply jamming out until someone had to go and not be late to their day job.
Now the record is out and being happily consumed by Pink Beds’ growing fan base. Recently, there was an album release party in the basement. Only a handful of close friends and family were (safely) allowed in to bear witness to what Pink Beds has been concocting during the shutdown, each attendee walking away in sheer awe of the presence and tone of this captivating ensemble eager to emerge from the underground. band, where you bust out of the gate and play a couple of gigs, only to come to a complete halt with the shutdown.
Aaron Aiken: Exactly. We had some festivals in June [2020] that we were super excited for and obviously none of them happened. But, I think there were a lot of positives out of the negatives.
We were a brand new band [in early 2020], essentially playing a bunch of songs that I had written for other bands that never came to fruition. So, in this moment, we’re finding out what we want to sound like, because these are old songs that I have. I’m showing them to these guys and they’re becoming a whole other beast.
Since we couldn’t play shows because of COVID, it was kind of nice because instead of trying to rebirth songs, I had the freedom and the free time to write a whole new album for this band.
Months and months of me in the house — I record something and send it to the boys. Then, they’d send something back or we’d meet up, show each other what we came up with and restructure it. We [had time to] focus only on an album.
SMN: How much did it mean for you to have that creative outlet during the shutdown?
AA: Oh, man. If I didn’t have that, I don’t know what I would’ve done. This one [creative outlet] definitely took up about 80 percent of my time.
SMN: I was very impressed from what I saw at the album release party. The sound is very cerebral and intricate, but also very danceable. Was that by design or did the band evolve into that sound?
AA: I think we’re still evolving the sound. I mean, it’s still early because we’re getting into a practice regiment, so when things open back up, we’re ready. It’s a soundscape that I’ve had in mind since we started the album, it’s just figuring out how to accomplish some of it.
SMN: When I heard Pink Beds, I immediately started to think of those great indie rock acts like The Strokes or Tame Impala — this very danceable music, where there’s all these levels to the sound, these melodic rabbit holes.
AA: Yeah, totally. You definitely want energy behind the songs live. If you’re playing with emotion, you have your body movement, which is your beat. You want it to be danceable and you want it to be slow. You can instantly hear that in the music.
And I’m a huge vocal melody guy. That’s probably the most important thing for me in music. You mentioned The Strokes, so [their lead singer] Julian Casablancas does that really well. Having layers is super [important] to us. If it’s too surface level, people see right through it.
I don’t think I’d ever write a song for anyone else but me. I start a song because I feel like it’s something I want to see come to fruition or I had to get off my chest or it’s a story I needed to tell. So, coming from something like that always gives it a little more purpose.
The most rewarding feeling might be seeing a song come together. You kind of go into this dreamlike state and you kind of know where it’s going, but then there’s the whole journey of starting it and, “Oh, didn’t see that coming, let’s run with this” — it’s this fun puzzle that you’re putting together and putting out into the world.
— Aaron Aiken
Want to listen?
Pink Beds debut album, “All I Have,” is now available for purchase and streaming on all digital music platforms. For more information on Pink Beds and an upcoming show schedule, click on www.pinkbedsmusic.com.
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
Ode to mighty Erica, ode to the Waldrops
Western North Carolina has lost a truly kind and beautiful soul. Erica Waldrop passed away in a tragic car accident last week. She was a friend to many in Sylva and greater Jackson County. A shoulder to lean on. A smile to brighten your day. She was also a friend of mine, too. A good one.
I first crossed paths with Erica about eight or so years ago through her brother, Brad. I had just moved to this area from Upstate New York to start work at The Smoky Mountain News. Not knowing a single person ‘round these parts, I did what I always did in those situations, which was track down local live music and try to make some new friends.
Now the owner of Ward Plumbing & Heating in downtown Sylva, Brad (at the time) was living and working in Atlanta. A Jackson County native, his ATL indie rock band would roll through Sylva and Waynesville, playing shows at breweries and restaurants. Brad and I became immediate friends, which then parlayed itself into becoming welcomed and loved by his immediate family, the Waldrops of Webster.
You had Brad’s parents, Dave and Edna, two salt-of-the-earth folks. If you’ve ever read our “Letters to the Editor” section of the newspaper, you know Dave’s submissions well: always intelligent and thought-provoking, always aiming to build a bridge of understanding and compassion amid times of social and cultural division.
And Edna? One of those deeply kind and gentle souls that renews your faith in the good of humanity, the endless possibilities we have on this planet just so long as we remain steadfast and decent to each other. She’s a matriarch of the truest sense, who carries herself and her actions quietly, but you damn well better realize the respect and wisdom that comes along in doing so.
There was always a seat at the Waldrops kitchen table during the holidays, many of which I was graciously invited to partake in, seeing as I was usually a “Damn Yankee” orphan during Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, like clockwork, I was right there sitting at dinner alongside Erica, her signature hearty laughter and ear-to-ear smile beaming in the midst of conversation, usually in the presence of tall tales retold for the thousandth time by Dave or Brad.
Erica was many things to many people. Of note, she was a social justice warrior who stood proudly at any and all community marches, most recently the Black Lives Matter and Confederate statue gatherings in front of the Sylva fountain. She was also a helping hand and the life of the party. If you were passionate not only about life, but what you wanted out of it, she was right there to amplify those aspirations into the universe. She never met a stranger, and was always connecting the dots of people, places and things within any social setting.
But, most importantly, she was the mother to Ella, a spitting image of her (red hair and freckles, that ear-to-ear beaming smile), whose fierce independence and stoic nature (even as a teenager right now) is a chip off the ole block. Our sincerest sympathies to you, Ella. All of us, whether related by blood or friendship, will always have your back and champion your dreams.
Anytime I would run into Erica at a concert, bonfire or happenstance gathering, there was always a kind word of mutual appreciation shared between each other. She was a firecracker, a kindred spirit, truth be told, one who I think was somewhat misunderstood by others, though I think that’s why we got along so well: we had the same wild hairs.
What’s surreal was the candlelight vigil for Erica held late Sunday afternoon at the Sylva fountain. The same spot where she would protest for the rights of others mere months ago, the hope within her heart and soul of finding common ground between others for the greater good. The vigil was filled with an array of familiar and beloved faces, all of which I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic and shutdown.
Erica Waldrop.
(photo: Quintin Ellison)
I love and miss every single one of those familiar faces, sad eyes peering out from just above their masks, words of support and encouragement muttered under the breath of grief and sorrow. This is not how we wanted to be reunited with each other, and this isn’t how we figured things would go in the grand scheme.
But, this is life, come hell or high water. Though we know we’re never guaranteed tomorrow, we wake up in gratitude to be able to walk outside and try to make the world a better place, whether it be around the corner or around the globe. We hold steady, and we remain there for one another. We push on to the best of our abilities, and we hold each other up — just as Erica would (and did) for so many of those familiar and beloved faces, sad eyes peering out from just above their masks.
I’ll miss you, Erica. We all will.
Erica Waldrop is survived by her daughter, Ella; her parents, Dave and Edna; her brother, Brad, and his wife, Kendall, as well as their daughter, Magnolia Pearle. She’s also survived by all who knew and loved her — moments and interactions that are now forever chiseled on the walls of our memory. To you who read this, make sure you tell those you love how much they mean to you. Embrace love. Radiate compassion. Promote empathy.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
WCU to stream ‘Code of the Freaks’
When asked to name a major film that they like featuring a person with a disability, the subjects of the documentary film, “Code of the Freaks,” respond with “No, I can’t name any” and “Yeah, that’s a pretty short list.” Playing a character with a disability, no matter how unrealistic or demeaning the portrayal, may be the quickest way for an actor to win an Oscar.
“Code of the Freaks,” directed and produced by Salome Chansnoff, imagines a cinematic landscape that takes people with disabilities seriously. Bardo Arts Center presents an opportunity to watch this dynamic documentary on-demand from Feb. 21-24, watching details below.
From 1932’s “Freaks” to “Forrest Gump,” Hollywood has propagated persistent tropes about characters with disabilities. But now, people with disabilities who have historically been excluded from the industry are increasingly being seen and heard by mainstream audiences. “Code of the Freaks” features their voices in interviews with activists, educators, as well as those who work in front of and behind the camera.
“Movies have the power to shape the beliefs and behaviors of non-disabled people toward people with disabilities, and of disabled people toward themselves,” says Chasnoff, “We wanted to make a movie that would give viewers tools to better understand what they’re watching. We called upon disabled artists, writers, scholars and activists to confront the dilemma of the disabled body onscreen, and present real-life alternatives to the stock characters and tired plots that exoticize, idealize, ridicule or demonize disabled characters.”
The documentary is available to watch on-demand from Feb. 21-24. Once you begin watching the documentary, you have 24 hours to finish. Watch on a browser or through the EventiveTV App. Learn more and pre-order your free ticket at arts.wcu.edu/codeofthefreaks.
This event is made possible through the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, a South Arts program. Since its inception in 1975, Southern Circuit has brought some of the best independent filmmakers and their films from around the country to communities throughout the South. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. www.wcu.edu.
All aboard the ‘Valentine Train’
The “Valentine Train: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, departing from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City.
Specialty train experience riding in a full-service, all-adult first class car with a private attendant and plush, well-appointed dining seating. A narrator will be onboard to discuss each pairing of four wines with a meal that includes an exclusive sampling of local cheeses, a surf-n-turf meal prepared fresh, and a chef-inspired dessert perfect for the season.
All passengers also receive souvenir stemless wine glasses. Age 21 and over only. For more information and ticket prices, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.
Free and open to the public. www.balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host semi-regular live ALSO: music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. www.elevatedmountain.com.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.
Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host
Natti Love Joys (roots/soul) Feb. 6 and
Scott James Stambaugh Feb. 13. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com. unless otherwise noted. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.
• The Haywood County Arts Council’s
“Winter Member’s Show” will be held Feb. 5-27 in the Gallery & Gifts showroom at the
HCAC in downtown Waynesville. Original work for 24 local artisans. Free and open to the public. www.haywoodarts.org.
• The Bethel Christian Academy will be hosting the “Papertown Spring Market” fundraiser on March 13. There will be booths for local vendors to set up and sell their products: boutique clothing, home decor, jewelry, and more. 828.734.9733.
Merle Watson, David Holt and Doc Watson.
Listen for new episodes of “Down the Road” on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, a series highlighting traditional and bluegrass music and stories, beginning this week on WNCW-FM at Isothermal Community College in Spindale.
The series is created by the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the North Carolina Arts Council, in partnership with WNCW-FM.
The segments air on WNCW-FM (88.7) Mountain Mornings on Tuesdays at the end of “Morning Edition” alternating with “Southern Songs and Stories.” “Down the Road” is also repurposed as online content by the partners.
“At WNCW, we love our mountain music and Appalachian cultural traditions, so it is a natural fit to air ‘Down the Road’ on the Blue Ridge Music Trails on FM as well as via podcast,” stated Joe Kendrick, WNCW’s director of programming and operations. “It is a great pleasure to join in with their team and work together to preserve our region’s music and strengthen its future.”
The partnership includes the production, broadcast and online distribution of the new series of radio segments and podcasts featuring Laura Boosinger, celebrated musician, folklorist and storyteller, as host. The segments highlight bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers and musical traditions across the 29 mountain and foothills counties included in the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina footprint.
Produced by WNCW-FM, the short segments cover such subjects as a story about the journey of a fiddle once owned by Madison County legend Byard Ray, the influence of the Farmers Federation on music in Western North Carolina and a look at the banjo builders in the region. Boosinger’s long history as a performer of traditional and bluegrass music as well as her musicologist background and knowledge of the region provide rich context for the segments.
“We are excited to offer this new set of ‘Down the Road’ episodes to convey the rich music legacy of Western North Carolina, from our heritage artists to rising traditional music performers of today,” said Angie Chandler, executive director of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
The title of the segment is based on the tune “Down the Road” from the Doc Watson Family.
The Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina is a project of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council. For more information, visit www.blueridgemusicnc.com.
WNCW-FM is an independent public broadcast service of Isothermal Community College and broadcasts at 88.7FM with WNCW 88.7 FM is a public radio station owned and operated by Isothermal Community College.
The station, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, is a nationally known leader in the Americana and Triple A, or adult album alternative, formats. WNCW 88.7’s main signal can be heard in parts of five states.
The station also has translators in Boone, Charlotte and Greenville, South Carolina. In addition, WNCW broadcasts over the 90.7 frequency on WSIF FM in Wilkesboro. For more information, visit: www.wncw.org.
