Asheville is Von Bieker's tale of post-lockdown travel and transformation channelling his visit to Asheville, North Carolina in the summer of 2022.
On this first return to flying, the joy of travel was marred by countless delays, frustration and desperation in the eyes of fellow travellers.
“*The worst part is she’s getting more like your mother everyday*”, he overheard a father tell his daughter. A long line of customers berated a single airline agent for their missed flights. Von Bieker’s faith in humanity may have cracked a little that day.
He was hoping for a spiritual lift in Asheville, where he’d come for an art and spirituality retreat.
One afternoon after a long walk into town Von Bieker was scheduled to lead a group jam session back on campus when a surprise downpour trapped him in a bus shelter. He watched the rain rush down the gutter and felt a sudden urge to be wached away with it – to become someone new.
Von Bieker started to pull at the frayed strands of his own faith, hope and purpose and by the time the rain stopped, he had the chorus for Asheville.
Initial demos of Asheville were acoustic but in the hands of co-producer Paul Zacharias, Asheville took on an Americana sound reflective of its namesake. The final sonic palette includes telecasters, banjo, dobro and keys to capture the longing, angst and hope of Von Bieker’s Asheville journey.
lyrics
A week from now I’ll be coming down right back in this place
And I’m wondering if a different me will land
I’m trying to text you from the losing side of flight delays
I get desperate when things don’t go as planned
If I touch down tonight in Asheville
I’m hoping I will
And turn the page
The rain it comes and goes in Asheville
About as steady
As my faith
The worst part is she’s getting more like your mother everyday
I hear a father tell his girl
This terminal’s all fear and need and anger at the wait
Sometimes I shudder at the world
A gang of teenage freedom boys are learning to be men from other boys again
And bragging bout the win in some tournament
That don’t mean nothing to nobody but them and
I try to pay attention - take all of it in
Put my phone away in my back pocket yeah because
Every little thing never happens again
Every little thing never happens again
If I touch down tonight in Asheville
I’m hoping I will
And turn the page
The rain it comes and goes in Asheville
About as steady
As my faith
I think I’m ready to be washed away
A week ago I was taking off for Asheville
My hands out begging for a change
A friend of mine, a glass of wine
I hear this poet say
She says love is not a fullness, but an ache
She says love is not a fullness, but an ache
And I don’t know how much more love I can take
credits
released January 26, 2024
David Von Bieker (Edmonton): Vocals, electric guitar, bass keys and sound design
Paul Zacharias (High River): Additional guitars, dobro and banjo
Brendan Lyons (Edmonton): Drums
Lyrics and music by David Von Bieker, 2022
Produced by Von Bieker and Paul Zacharias
Recorded by Paul Zacharias at Wheelhouse Sound in High River, Alberta and Von Bieker at Small Enough Studios in Edmonton, Alberta.
Mixed by Paul Zacharias. Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova.
The Alabama singer-songwriter may have turned in his guitars for synths and drum machines, but his music is no less personal or incisive. Bandcamp New & Notable May 28, 2019
Celtic-inspired instrumentation, delicate harmonies, and reflective lyrics abound on the sisterly indie-folk duo's debut album. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 26, 2023
Sarah Negahdari, singer & guitarist for Happy Hollows, bassist for Silversun Pickups, adds ace solo album to resume. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 31, 2014
From Knoxville, TN, Cereus Bright delivers an album of plaintive ambient folk and indie pop, with gauzy atmospheres & stirring melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2021