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Stephen Evans

Asheville, NC

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About

After many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014.

The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP "Something to Bleed". Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP "Under the Bridge." Both records received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity.

Stephen's strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism. There's no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics. Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, 'The Garden', 'Cherokee Hills', 'Shining Star', and 'Buzz of Bees' are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen...

After many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014.

The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP "Something to Bleed". Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP "Under the Bridge." Both records received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity.

Stephen's strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism. There's no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics. Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, 'The Garden', 'Cherokee Hills', 'Shining Star', and 'Buzz of Bees' are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen Evans & the True Grits are becoming a local favorite.

"Buzz of Bees" is their latest album, released in December of 2022, of folk rock with some songs dipping their toes into other styles like Americana, Latin Folk, and Vaudeville. Singles from the LP, ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘Winning the Day’, and ‘Estefania’, are already receiving radioplay on local stations as well as national online radio and music podcasts. Look for Stephen Evans & the True Grits playing fun live shows all around the area to support this beautiful album.

“...overall, I highly recommend this album for those who enjoy folk rock, poetic lyricism, and an engaging sense of fun. The album is a journey through different stages of life, confusion, heartbreak, revelation, and acceptance.” - Alison Price of WNC Original Music Podcast

Band Members

Music

Under the bridge cover art 2

Under the Bridge

- Singer Songwriter

1. The Garden 0:00 / 4:56
2. Cherokee Hills 0:00 / 3:42
3. Waiting 0:00 / 4:30
4. He Cant Fool Wendy 0:00 / 4:20
5. A Rose For Emily 0:00 / 4:13
Coverimage

Something to Bleed

- Singer Songwriter

$9.90
1. The Ghost 0:00 / 4:50
2. Shining Star 0:00 / 4:25
3. Here I Am 0:00 / 4:45
4. 1000 Roses 0:00 / 5:04
5. Lasting Lover's Spell 0:00 / 5:08
6. Give It Your Heart 0:00 / 4:31
7. The Great Escape $0.99 0:00 / 3:54
8. Sound $0.99 0:00 / 3:49
9. Clarity $0.99 0:00 / 3:05
10. Something to Bleed $0.99 0:00 / 3:49

Press

  • “Evans is noted for leading Stephen Evans & The True Grits, a folk rock band out of Asheville. In addition to performing throughout the region, they have produced a CD in 2015 and an EP in 2017, both receiving high praise from music critics and radio listeners. More recently, Evans joined the newly formed Western Carolina Writers, a singer-songer group that performs “in the round,” meaning each performing takes a turn singing something he or she has written. So far, there have been three he’s: Nick Mac, Jesse Frizsell and Evans. This is true listening music: you have to listen to and hear the lyrics to truly appreciate the performances, which is known to be deeply emotional, passionate, and rib-sticking. Evans’s strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of creative imagery of darkness and hopeful optimism.”
    Steve Wong, Times-News
  • “The music on Under the Bridge does show its roots in the middle of the 1990s. Although the instruments are mostly acoustic, the jangle of guitar and Evans’ expressive tenor evoke the era’s grunge aesthetic. The results on songs such as “Waiting” give a vibe not unlike Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged set, or the Foo Fighters’ Skin and Bones acoustic album. Other tracks on the EP reveal how Asheville worked its way into Evans’ songwriting after his move. “I was just impressed with the surroundings here. When I got into hiking in the mountains, I found that it was very peaceful and relieved you of the stress of your day-to-day stuff,” he says. “Cherokee Hills,” in particular, recounts the healing he found in his new home. Evans sings, “Mountain laurel, you glow like a pearl / how you open my eyes / Mountain laurel, your flowers unfurl / and take me to the sky,” as a heavy, folksy waltz backs up the sentiment.”
    Daniel Walton, Mountain Xpress
  • "Local singer-songwriter Stephen Evans is preparing to reunite with his band, The True Grits, for the first time since last fall. The folk-rock group will perform new songs from its forthcoming EP during a show at The Town Pump Tavern in Black Mountain. You can expect Evans’ signature soulful guitar and roots-oriented accompaniment from the band. Evans is eager to share his new tunes but equally excited about the performance space. “So many great musicians have played there while passing through Western North Carolina. It will be a pleasure just to be on that stage,” he says."
    Emily Glaser, Mountain Xpress
  • "Stephen Evans would have to be number three on my list of Top 5. His songs are melancholy soliloquies that speak of broken hearts, woes and unrequited love. The track that I liked the best was “The Ghost.” The vignette is about a scorned, disembodied soul that haunts the conscience of the woman who rejected him. These lyrics work either figuratively or literally. The track features violin as does “Lasting Lover’s Spell,” other recordings by Evans."...
    Frederick Gubitosi, Shutter 16
  • “Posted on October 18, 2015 by Alli Marshall Stephen Evans There are two main moods to Something to Bleed, the new 10-track album by local musician Stephen Evans — the energetic folk-rock found on lead offering “The Ghost” and the more wistful, lilting melodies of songs like “1000 Roses.” Evans’ tenor is emotive and more concerned with ache and character than with polish. His vocal is matched at many points by poignant violin. The local singer-songwriter does a nice job of crafting imagery and matching instrumentation to poetic temperament. That’s on recording, but what about the live act? Evans and his band, The True Grits, perform a free show at French Broad Brewery Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. frenchbroadbrewery.com.”
    Alli Marshall, The Mountain Xpress
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Events

  • Apr 4th

    Friday at 5:30 PM
    Wicked Weed West
    Candler, NC
  • Apr 10th

    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Apr 17th

    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Apr 20th

    Sunday at 3:30 PM
    Appalachian Mountain Brewing
    Mills River, NC
  • Apr 24th

    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Apr 25th

    Friday at 5:30 PM
    Wicked Weed West
    Candler, NC
  • Apr 26th

    Saturday at 7:00 PM
    Lake Norman Cabin
    Davidson, NC
  • Jun 18th

    Wednesday at 6:00 PM
    Pisgah Brewing Company
    Black Mountain, NC
  • Jun 21st

    Saturday at 7:00 PM
    River Arts District Brewing
    Asheville, NC

Past Events

  • Apr 3rd
    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Mar 27th
    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Mar 20th
    Thursday at 6:00 PM
    Hi-Wire Brewing Company
    Asheville, NC
  • Mar 14th
    Friday at 5:30 PM
    Wicked Weed West
    Candler, NC
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