ALIEN MUSIC CLUB PRESENTS LEONARD COHEN: THE DEEP CUTS
Audiences emerge with their minds blown, saying “I thought I knew Leonard Cohen; I had no idea how prolific he was; This is a whole new universe of songs and emotions.”
People rave about thought-provoking, meaningful songs of love, hate & redemption, with striking, original interpretations/arrangements of unforgettable songs by the late, great Canadian singer/songwriter, often compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Roger Waters & Paul Simon.
They absorb spell-binding performances with rich textures and virtuosity by a stellar lineup featuring Ryan Kijanka on bass (Sirius B, Asheville Symphony), Micah Thomas on drums/vocals (Brushfire Stankgrass, Nuclear Tiger), Scott Sharpe on pedal steel (Steelin’ Time), Franklin Keel on electric cello (Sirius B, Asheville Symphony, Upland Drive) and Jonathan Pearlman (JP) guitar/vocals.
Alien Music Club is essentially an on-going studio/live performance project conceived and produced by Jonathan Pearlman (JP) of Asheville, NC. JP is currently showcasing two successful tribute shows: “Tom Waits: The Early Years” and “Leonard Cohen: The Deep Cuts”. Past tribute shows include “Paul Simon Meets The Beatles” and “The British Are Coming”. He is also showcasing his own original music in a series of jazz/rock/fusion shows starting in 2023.
The list of Pearlman’s musical collaborators is extensive. He has performed with Peggy Ratusz, Zack Page, Connor Law, Ben Colvin, Kelly Jones, Jesse Barry, Ryan Kijanka, Chuck Lichtenberger, Taylor Pierson, Micah Thomas, Jason DeCristofaro, Ben Bjorlie, Linda Mitchell, Jacob Rodriguez, Justin Ray, Justin Watt, Russ Wilson, Reggie Headen, Jay Hoots, Aaron Price, Eric Congdon…The list is long and continues to grow.
THE MOON AND YOU
At its core, The Moon and You is a charismatic husband-and-wife team. Melissa Hyman plays cello, Ryan Furstenberg plays guitar and banjo, and both sing in “voices that sound like they were made for one another” (Bill DeYoung, Connect Savannah). But whatever you might assume based on their gorgeous vocal blend and heartfelt lyrics, this ain’t your basic folk duo. With a rotating cast of talented friends to add unexpected instrumentation to their lineup, The Moon and You never plays the same show twice. This ever-evolving, expandable and collapsible model leaves the band constantly reinventing itself in ways both surprising and satisfying.
Currently calling Asheville, NC home, Furstenberg and Hyman mix up a fresh blend of influences from very different backgrounds. Melissa grew up in the NYC area studying classical cello. Her dad is a professional violinist and formal music instructor, her mom a fan of 60s folk who loves to host a good old fashioned sing-along. Ryan was born and raised among the Eastern NC tobacco fields, learning classic country and 70s rock on harmonica and then guitar. His rich country baritone and easy Southern style bring an undeniable Americana flavor to the table.