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Podcast FeedTen Cent Poetry: Asheville's Best Bargain
Asheville brings out the "spring" in duo's music.
Asheville - From New York City to Asheville, one background of classical music and one of a painter combine to form the duo known as Ten Cent Poetry. Self-described as “mystical folk pop,” guitarist and lyricist Chelsea LaBate and cellist Melissa Hyman have been sharing with Asheville their beautiful and rich sound with a creative visual appeal.
Chelsea moved to New York City in hopes of finding a life as a painter. After being told her art would look good in children’s books, she turned to music. Having not been formally trained, she spent time perfecting her songs and learning the guitar on stages in New York City’s Lower East Side and Brooklyn. As her creative talents began to transfer through the music, Chelsea started attracting a following after entering and winning a number of songwriting competitions throughout the east. It was during this time that she made the move to Asheville and met up with Melissa, and the two began playing together in the fall of 2010.
Coming from New York herself, Melissa is a classically trained cellist as well as a singer and guitarist. She has toured extensively throughout the eastern United States and is sought after for studio work, collaborations, and events around the Asheville area.
In combining Chelsea’s award winning songs of human experiences and the fundamental styling of Melissa’s cello, Ten Cent Poetry forms a unique balance of artistry that is soft and thoughtful, and it is in their live performances that you see the duo at full potential. As they take the stage or even sit for an interview at the Botanical Gardens (UNCA), a playful atmosphere begins to form. Feathers or small hats are accessorized with specific pants or an eloquent but unique dress that give a stage presence full of creativity and individuality. Smiles, giggles and humorous stories are shared with the audience that brings about a youthful connection. You start to feel welcomed into their world where “art is like the universe” and “bands are like flowers.” They are not looking to label their sound or even their performance, as Chelsea jokingly said it was “an aardvark with a mohawk.”
Though many of their 
songs from the album Picking Through the Pawn Shop have what Chelsea described as possessing an “end of the world feel” (reflecting back on her time in New York City), her picking of the nylon strings on an Italian-made guitar and Melissa’s gentle motion of the bow, give it an upbeat and relaxing sound. Chelsea’s voice enhances the emotions behind the lyrics and music, capturing your attention and interest as it vibrates the air. When playing a show, Chelsea described it as being “the best part of the week.” Melissa added, “There’s a reason they call it playing.” 
Ten Cent Poetry’s loose attitude even spills over into collaborations. At times you will find drummer David Fox accompanying the band, and other times they share the stage with local Asheville bands such as the Alex Krug Trio, with whom they play with regularly. Melissa referred to the idea as having a “retractable band.” When the two trios unite for a show, the stage is graced with a six string ensemble that includes a standup bass, violin, two guitars, and another vocalist. It is that willingness of bands to work together within the Asheville music scene that Chelsea and Melissa have grown fond of. Along with great venues and courteous people, they have found Asheville to be an ideal place to grow their musical and creative talents.
Although Chelsea doesn’t think of herself as a musician, it’s obvious that Ten Cent Poetry has an allure to it that keeps the audience growing and the two moving forward. They are currently touring the Southeast as much as possible, and with the New York influence now behind them, Ten Cent Poetry is looking forward to new projects and continuing to write “happy spring Asheville songs.” You can visit their website TenCentPoetry.com for a complete list of tour dates and samples of their music.
Jeremiah Greer is jack of all trades. From internet radio personality to writer, graphic designer to editor, it's all to feed his creative drive. Currently, Jeremiah resides near Asheville, North Carolina, enjoying the up-and-coming music scene. He has hosted and produced over 200 radio shows interviewing more than 250 different guests on topics from music to alien abductions. He has a huge passion for life and the experiences that come with it. You can listen and even join in to his weekly radio show at TencityRadio.com and also at JeremiahGreerLive.com. Jeremiah is "The Uncensored Voice!"
