Asheville’s Own Snozzberries Release New Album Amidst Change and Resilience
Asheville, known for its vibrant arts scene and rich musical heritage, is set to witness yet another spectacular event. The beloved local band, The Snozzberries, is celebrating the release of their fresh self-titled album that dropped just a few days ago on October 11. This Asheville-based group has been a prominent fixture in the progressive, psychedelic, and funk music scene since they formed in 2017.
To tease fans ahead of the album’s launch, the band gifted listeners with two advance singles: “Return” and “Hide.” These tracks showcased the band’s unique sound, blending textures and styles that have come to define their musical journey. Fans can expect more of this auditory delight in their latest work, which promises to expand on their already diverse catalog.
Touring and Celebrations
But that’s not all! In tandem with the album release, the Snozzberries set off on an ambitious tour in August, showcasing their talents in 20 cities, which took them far and wide to places like Colorado, Nebraska, and Illinois. Kicking off in their Western North Carolina hometown, the excitement built as concert-goers eagerly awaited their return.
In mid-September, the band announced that they would wrap up their tour in grand style with the fourth installment of their signature event, Psychedelic Circus. Historically hosted at the popular Salvage Station, this annual event has morphed into an immersive, multi-sensory experience that goes far beyond just a concert. With past editions featuring balloons launched into the crowd via leaf blowers and incredible art displays, fans were ready for another spectacular experience.
“Psychedelic Circus is our homecoming show after the tour,” said Ethan Heller, the band’s guitarist and vocalist. “It’s also the unofficial album release party.” Originally, it was scheduled for November 29 at the Salvage Station, but destiny had a different plan.
A Storm Shakes Things Up
The band faced an unexpected turn when Tropical Storm Helene swept through the region, causing devastating flooding and leaving the Salvage Station in ruins. The concert venue, which had been gearing up for a busy schedule of shows, was suddenly forced to confront an early closure due to the destruction surrounding Asheville’s River Arts District.
In the wake of the storm, as Asheville grappled with the fallout and began to heal, the Snozzberries quickly pivoted. They announced a new venue for the fourth annual Psychedelic Circus, opting for the Asheville Music Hall. The excitement remains high as the band adapts their plans while adding elements to help the community recover from the disaster.
Visual Elements and a New Venue
While several features had to be altered due to the change in location, the event will still deliver much of the awaited spectacle. Unfortunately, fan-favorite Mike Dillon, a renowned bandleader and punk-jazz vibraphonist, had to reschedule due to the initial uncertainty of the event after Helene hit.
“We were going to have fire spinners and make this year’s Psychedelic Circus a sort of indoor/outdoor event,” Heller explains, highlighting the adjustments. Without an open venue for fire displays, they’re excited to bring in visual artists, including Joel Schooling, a Charleston-based video artist known for adding engaging visuals to live performances. Heller is thrilled about Schooling’s participation, believing it will elevate the show’s excitement.
Additionally, the opening act for the night will be the fantastic Asheville-based band, Magenta Sunshine. Heller describes them as a “really fun, feel-good band” that is perfect for bringing positive vibes to the show, especially during these challenging times for the city. The blend of progressive, psychedelic, and fun textures in the band’s music will surely align beautifully with the audiovisual extravaganza planned for the evening.
A Growing Journey
The Snozzberries’ journey from a casual bar band to a recognized name in the music scene has been transformative. “We started as a bar band playing covers,” Heller reflects, chuckling at how their playful name came about. “But the name stuck!” Rapidly evolving, they began infusing original material into their sets, creating a unique sound that has matured significantly with time.
With each member contributing their ideas to the new album, Heller describes the creative process as a “free-for-all.” The lineup has also seen some shifts, with bassist Josh Clark being the third bassist to join since their inception, while drummer Paul Gladstone brings a harder, rock-infused sound to their performances.
Aiming to Help the Community
As they prepare for the upcoming Psychedelic Circus, this year features an auction and raffle to raise funds for BeLoved Asheville, a local nonprofit organization. Heller expresses their commitment to helping the community during these tough times, emphasizing, “We want to help as much as we can.”
With the centerpiece of the evening centered around their original music, the Snozzberries are ready to share their new album, which was produced by Matt Williams at The Eagle Room. Vinly fans will be excited to note that there’s a unique mix specifically for the LP format, including a faster version of one of the tracks, aptly named “Storm.”
The Psychedelic Circus on November 29 is sure to entertain, uplift, and bring the Asheville community together. With a mix of resilience in the face of adversity and a spirit of creativity, the Snozzberries are ready to deliver a night to remember.
