Sam Quinn balances sad songs with quirky humor at Local 506

On Friday night Sam Quinn rolled into Local 506, without his band Japan Ten, to serenade the crowd with the heartbreaking songs from his solo album The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships.

Quinn's voice filled the room throughout the night, backed by the subtle support of an upright bass and electric guitar. The songs shined in the sparse arrangements, but the extra embellishments of the album were certainly missed.

The somber songs were broken up during the night by Quinn's bizarre, yet charming sense of humor. He took the stage wearing cut off shorts with black socks and at one point, when about to sit behind the keyboard, asked people not to look up his shorts (check out the photos below).

Adam Lambert extends Glam Nation Tour, coming to Raleigh

We usually steer clear of most American Idol related stuff around here, but there's something intriguing about Adam Lambert, so we're making an exception. He will bring his flamboyant stage antics to the Triangle as his Glam Nation Tour stops at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, August 28.

Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. to the public at large here, and various artist and other pre-sales will begin on June 2 and 3 at 10 a.m. here. They will be $39.75. If we track down a pre-sale password, we'll let you know (stay up-to-date on Twitter).

Lambert's debut album For Your Entertainment was released in November and was accompanied by a "controversial" performance on the American Music Awards. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the video below where you'll also find his complete tour schedule.

Barenaked Ladies announces summer dates with Ben Kweller & Angel Taylor

The quirky Canadians known as Barenaked Ladies have just announced some new summer tour dates in support of their latest album All In Good Time. The new dates featuring openers Ben Kweller and Angel Taylor will be making a stop at the new downtown Raleigh amphitheater on Saturday, July 31.

Tickets for the show will go on sale Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. here for $25 to $49.50. A fan club pre-sale begins on Tuesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. here.

The tour will also stop at the Uptown Amphitheatre in Charlotte on Friday, July 30. Tickets for that show go on sale on Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. here.

Arcade fire to release 'The Suburbs' in August

The news that we and I'm sure many of you have been waiting for is finally here. Acrade Fire's third full-length album titled The Suburbs has a release date. It will be unleashed on August 3 in the U.S. via Merge Records in both CD and double-LP form. Merge is taking pre-orders here.

The 12" single featuring the tracks "The Suburbs" and "Month of May" was released today. We brought you the stream of those two songs yesterday which you can check out here.

The band are expected to announce tour dates soon, but for now, if you want to see them in the U.S., the only option is making the trek to Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 8.

Stream Chatham County Line's new album 'Wildwood'

Raleigh string quartet Chatham County Line will release their fifth full-length album titled Wildwood on July 13 via Yep Roc Records. The album is available for pre-order now on CD and LP, so to entice people to make the purchase, a full stream of the album is available now until June 1 here. Stay tuned for a review of the album closer to the release date.

Chatham County Line's big hometown release show is on Saturday, July 10 at the Cat's Cradle. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $12. Birds and Arrows will open the show.

Annuals kick off Music in the Gardens series

It was a mild and comfortable evening Wednesday night for the kick off of Duke Performances Music in Gardens series with Raleigh's own Annuals. A large crowd packed onto the lawn to hear the band rip through a 15-song set spanning the band's career.

The band kicked things off with the Such Fun stomper "Hair Don't Grow" and the pedal steel ballad "Always Do." They also played some songs off of their new Sweet Sister EP including the title track and "Holler and Howl." The tunes don't sound quite as hokey live as they do recorded, which is a plus.

Annuals were in good form and sounded tight, but certainly not as tight as they've been in the past. On the same note, a new sense of spontaneity seems to have breathed new life into the band.

Stream new Arcade Fire songs "The Suburbs" & "Month of May"

Arcade Fire teased the two songs featured on their new 7" single last week, but now the full tracks have surfaced. After the break below, you'll find full streams of both "The Suburbs" and "Month of May," due out on June 1. The volume of "Month of May" is low, so you'll need to crank the volume on it. The "Month of May" stream has been updated to a louder, better sounding version.

"The Suburbs" is a beautiful, jangly pop tune while "Month of May" is a fast, driving punk-esque tune. They're both quite good. Hopefully, we'll have news about a new full-length soon, but for now, enjoy these songs.

Album Review: Michael Ford, Jr. and The Apache Relay - 1988

A lot has changed for Michael Ford Jr. and Apache Relay over the past year, beginning with the release of their debut LP 1988. In the time since, the group has ditched the first half of their name in favor of The Apache Relay and are already hard at work on a follow-up to their fairly impressive debut.

1988 is a gentle folksy country release, with more twang than Nickel Creek but less energy than The Avett Brothers. Though Ford has cited Springsteen as one of his heaviest influences, it's not really evident here. What is clear is that the group is another in an ever-expanding crop of young progressive bluegrass artists trying to find their niche.

Santana cancels Charlotte show in favor of Raleigh

Guitarist Carlos Santana announced summer dates a while ago which, at the time, included a stop at Charlotte's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Wednesday, July 28. That show was canceled last week, and now Santana is coming to Raleigh instead.

Steve Winwood will open for Santana when he plays the Walnut Creek Amphitheater on July 28. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. here for $34 to $84.50.

It's unclear why the show was moved. It certainly doesn't seem to be a routing issue, unless the drive from Virginia Beach to Charlotte was too much. Tickets sales could have been slow in Charlotte. Whatever the reason for the move, it's certainly a good thing for Triangle fans.

John Hiatt announces 2010 dates, coming to Carrboro

Acclaimed singer-songwriter John Hiatt has announced a lengthy series of dates in support of his latest album, The Open Road, released in March. He'll be touring with his band dubbed The Combo and among the dates is a stop at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, July 22. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, May 28 via etix for $35.

Check out a video of Hiatt and his band performing the title track from The Open Road on The Late Show with David Letterman below along with the complete tour schedule.

Album Review: Hooray for Earth - Momo EP

Up until this point, Hooray for Earth has been a mediocre band. But on their latest record, the Momo EP, Hooray for Earth sound fresh and refocused. Momo may be the reset the band needs.

The opening tracks are drenched in reverb and melody and should catch the listeners ear. “Surrounded by Your Friends” sets the EP up with a contented tone and relaxed feel and “Comfortable, Comparable” brings the band’s new wave influences to the forefront.

“Get Home,” which sounds like a Magnetic Fields b-side, is where this EP starts to drop off. It isn’t a terrible song, but it does feel like cheap imitation. “Scaling” is a slow, psychedelic and freaky. It works to cleanse the ear and prepare the listener for the more aggressive “Form,” but both tracks are a bit overwrought.

Album Review: Sam Quinn - The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships

With his first solo release since the break-up of The Everybodyfields, Sam Quinn produced a soulful, somber, lo-fi gem with The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships.

Quinn's penchant for minor chords and his gut wrenching vocals make this a fitting break-up album. The weeping sounds of pedal steel are present throughout the tracks, adding an extra bit of sorrow.

Many familiar tracks like "Suite Motown," "Strange Wave" and "Mardi Gras" made appearances in Everybodyfields sets before becoming Quinn solo tunes. While Jill Andrews voice are missed on the songs, it's clear that the emotion truly lied with Quinn, the sole songwriter on the album.

KISS announces 2010 tour, coming to Raleigh

The make-up, leather and platform shoes will be coming out of storage this summer as KISS prepare to hit the road on the Hottest Show On Earth Tour. Unlike last year's tour, this time the band will make a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play at the big amphitheater at Walnut Creek on Sunday, August 29. Tickets for much of the tour will go on sale on Friday, June 4, but specifics for the Raleigh date are not available yet. We'll keep you posted.

[UPDATE: Tickets for the Raleigh show will go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. here for $36.50 to $149.50.]

KISS will be doing a live Facebook chat to discuss the tour with fans on June 1 via their Facebook page. Check out the complete schedule below.

The Love Language announce album release party

With The Love Language's highly anticipated sophomore album Libraries due out via Merge Records on July 13, it's not surprising that the band will be having a big release party here the Triangle to celebrate. It'll all go down at the Cat's Cradle on Saturday, July 17 (so you'll have about five days to learn all the lyrics).

Tickets go on sale now via etix for just $8. Opening acts have not yet been announced, but we'll keep you posted. Check out the band's full tour schedule below and download "Heart To Tell" from the new album below if you didn't grab it before.

Win tickets to Annuals at Duke Gardens

It's nearly time again for Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens concert series and we're excited to offer one pair of tickets to a reader for most shows in the series.

To win a pair of tickets to the kickoff show with Annuals on Wednesday, May 26, email us at triangle_music [at] hotmail [dot] com by noon on Monday, May 24, with "Annuals tickets" in the subject line. We'll randomly select one reader to win. How could it be any easier than that?

Of course, if you don't want to leave it up to fate, tickets can be purchased to each other shows here. Click through for a complete list of Music in the Gardens shows and ticket prices.

Locally Grown music & movies series announces line-up

The Locally Grown Rooftop Music and Movies series in Chapel Hill is returning for another season of free music and movies. The event is held every Thursday on top of the Wallace parking deck at 150 E. Franklin St., behind Jack Sprat Cafe and other businesses on Franklin Street.

This year, there will be three concerts and six movies, all kicking off on Thursday, with Southern Culture On the Skids and The Moaners on Thursday, June 24. Other bands performing throughout the summer are The Old Ceremony, Ryan Gustafson, Lost in The Trees and The Physics of Meaning.

Check out the full schedule including the movies below. Check out photos of The Love Language and Lost in The Trees from last year's series here.

Avett Brothers schedule long-awaited show in the Triangle

After leaving central North Carolina feeling ignored for quite some time, the Avett Brothers have finally scheduled a show in the Triangle, and it's a big one.

The Avett Brothers revealed that they will play Raleigh's Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek on Friday, October 8. Tickets will go on sale Friday, June 18, at 10 a.m here for $31 to $44. No word yet about an opening band.

[UPDATE: The on sale date has been moved to Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. here. Tickets will still be $31 to $44.]

The Avetts packed Cary's Booth Amphitheatre in July 2008 and have only gotten more popular since, so it stands to reason that the group would be looking to upgrade in terms of venue size. Click through for a full list of tour dates.

Ryan Adams releases "metal" album on clear vinyl

The prolific songwriter Ryan Adams has been unleashing his version of metal songs on the internet for quite some time, but now you can own the music on vinyl if you want. The album, dubbed Orion, is available now at the Adams' online store for $24.99 and includes a digital download. As of now, there are no plans to release the music in any other format.

The swank album comes on clear vinyl and includes a double-sided 24x24 poster. The site says the album will be an extremely limited pressing and as of 6:30 a.m. on May 20, 2010, the album is already sold out, but maybe there will be more.

Check out the full track list below and stream the song "Electro Snake."

New music from Versus - "Invincible Hero"

New York band Versus are gearing up to release their first new album in ten years. The band came down to Carrboro last year to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Merge Records (check out photos and a review of their set here), who released their last album Hurrah in 2000 and will now release their brand new album On the Ones and Threes.

The album will be released on August 3 with the option of a single-disc CD with the album's ten songs or a double-LP vinyl featuring two bonus tracks and a different song sequence. Check out the two track lists below and download the amazing lead-off track "Invincible Hero."

More bands added to Hopscotch Festival line-up

The announcement of additional bands set to play the massive Hopscotch Music Festival is a bit late, but it's finally here. There have been 18 performers added to the bill are as diverse as the rest of the line-up. Additions include Raekwon, Bowerbirds, Woods and Swedish band Dungen. There are also a number a new local bands added. Check out the complete list of additions after the break.

VIP wristbands for the festival sold out really fast, but there are still standard all show and club show wristbands as well as individual tickets for the big shows featuring Panda Bear and Public Enemy available via etix.

Album Review: Doug Burr - O Ye Devastator

Doug Burr’s new album O Ye Devastator is so well-crafted and precise in every aspect of the music that it is the rare type of work that pays off immediately yet also becomes more rewarding after many listens.

The songwriting is targeted at the chest and spine and Burr's aim is true from track one, “A Black Wave is Comin.’” He has a knack for hitting chords, notes and emotions that send a tingle through the spine and open up the lungs.

ZZ Top to open for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in Raleigh, Charlotte

After a bit of rescheduling and uncertainty over the opening band for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' shows in Raleigh and Charlotte, it was announced today that ZZ Top will open for the band in North Carolina as well as for most of the other rescheduled shows.

As an added bonus, there are no service fees for tickets bought to the Raleigh or Charlotte shows through 11:59 p.m. tonight except, oh wait, there's still a $6 facilities fee.

Either way, click through for a full list of tour dates.

New Superchunk tour dates + win a Crossed Wires 7"

Local indie superstars Superchunk are gearing up for the release of their long-awaited album, Majesty Shredding, with a smattering of dates across down the East Coast and across to the midwest, starting this Friday with a show at Cat's Cradle.

We're excited to be able to give away a Crossed Wires 7" to one lucky fan. To win, email us with the correct answer to our trivia question at triangle_music [at] hotmail [dot] com with "Superchunk contest" in the subject line. Who was the original drummer in Superchunk? The deadline to enter is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18, at noon. We'll randomly select one winner at that time.

Click through for a full list of Superchunk tour dates.

Avett Brothers announce 3-night stand in Myrtle Beach

The lads of The Avett Brothers have kept themselves busy, touring quite a bit since the released of their major label debut, I and Love and You, last year. As we've noted here a few times though, the band have ignored one of their strongest markets which is right here in the Triangle. It's been almost two years since the band's packed show at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Well, another batch of dates have just been announced, and though there's still no Triangle show, there is three-night stand not too far away. The boys will hold up at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, SC on August 19, 20 and 21, which will likely be some rowdy shows.

Seven local acts to open downtown amphitheater with free show

Moving past the controversy surrounding the naming rights of the new downtown Raleigh amphitheater, today, the city announced the line-up for a big grand opening event at the venue. On Friday, June 4, there will be a free show featuring seven local artists.

Doors are at 5 p.m. with the music starting at 5:20 p.m. featuring Th’ Bullfrog Willard McGhee, The Small Ponds, Sleep Control, Old Avenue, Mosadi, I Was Totally Destroying It and a headlining set by local favorites The Connells. Check out the schedule with individual set times below.

A few more bands added to TRKfest line-up

With TRKfest in Pittboro just a little more than a month away, three new bands have been added to the line-up. Trekky superstars Lost in the Trees have are now one of new headlining acts. Charlotte band Yardwork and Durham guitarist Ezekial Graves are the other additions.

For those who missed it the first time, TRKfest is on Saturday, June 26 at Piedmonth Biofuels in Pittsboro. There are no advance tickets but a suggested donation of $10 is suggested, but not mandatory, when you arrive.

Check out the updated line-up below.

Album Review: Tracey Thorn - Love and Its Opposite

With her third solo album Love and Its Opposite, Tracey Thorn, best known as half of the duo Everything But the Girl, lets her enchanting voice shine on a solid collection songs.

The albums kicks off with a pair of beautifully somber songs, "Oh, the Divorces!" and "Long White Dress" before shifting gears, showing off her poppy side on the sonically upbeat song "Hormones."

While the bulk of the album does trend towards mellow and somber songs, Thorn does break away from time to time. The irresistible combination of an amazing groove, simple synth lines and beautiful melody on "Why Does the Wind" makes it a standout song.

City of Raleigh wants public input on amphitheatre naming

There's been quite a bit of "brew ha-ha" about the naming rights of the new downtown Raleigh amphitheatre.  The Anheuser-Busch corporation and the city have been in talks about naming the venue the Bud Light Amphitheatre.

No public debate was held about naming the city-owned venue after the brewing company. The city has also run into issues with ABC laws, which are fairly strict when it comes to alcohol advertising. The venue would need a waiver to accept the deal beer company.

Now the city wants to know what the public thinks, even though the venue is set to open in a matter of weeks. There is a poll on the City of Raleigh's website asking the question:

Goo Goo Dolls & Switchfoot team up for summer shows

The Goo Goo Dolls are truly one of those bands that seemed like they wouldn't still be playing 5,000+ seat venues 15 years after they broke out with the album A Boy Named Goo, but here we are and that's the case.

The Dolls along with Switchfoot and The Spill Canvas will be playing the new amphitheatre in downtown Raleigh (which might be adorned with the name Bud Light as we eluded to earlier) on Monday, August 9. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 11 here for $25 to $49.50.

Goo Goo Dolls will release their ninth studio album, Something For the Rest of Us, on June 8. Check out the video for the first single "Real" below, where they seem to take a page from Miley Cyrus, performing next to a giant U.S. flag. Yep. It turns out that this "Real" was a single released in 2008 for the U.S. Olympic Team soundtrack, hence the giant flag. A single from the new album has not been released yet.

East 54 to host free summer concert series

There is a groovy new free afternoon concert series that is set to kick off next week in Chapel Hill called the 5:40 Summer Music Series. The series, being put on by The ArtsCenter, will be held at East 54, which is on Environ Way near UNC's Finley Golf Course. It will happen every other Thursday starting on May 20 with Joe Romeo.

The rest of the series will feature some cool bands including Hammer No More the Fingers, Birds & Arrows and The Moaners. Like the name implies, the series will start each week at 5:40 p.m. and folks are encouraged to bring a chair. Food and drinks will be available.

Foreign Exchange, Fantasia to play 2010 Soul Picnic

The Soul Picnic will be coming back to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 31 and this year's line-up features a local act The Foreign Exchange. Also on the bill are Fantasia Barino (of American Idol fame), Doug E. Fresh, Chuck Brown, DJ Skillz and Mixed Waters Band.

There will also be art and other vendors. It's an all day event, kicking off at 3 p.m. with doors opening at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now here for $40 for general lawn seats and $65 or $90 for table seats.

Check out The Foreign Exchange's music video for the song "I Wanna Know" after the break.

OK Go brings a party to Lincoln Theatre

Viral video superstars OK Go hit the Lincoln Theatre on Tuesday night, and they hit it hard. Even if you're only a casual OK Go fan, their live show is undeniably fun.

Robert Francis opened the show, playing a short yet good set. The Los Angeles native seemed a bit baffled by the crowd's warmth, but played well nonetheless. Though he announced that he would be back in Raleigh next month, he currently has no dates listed for the area.

Stream/download Megafaun's Cat's Cradle show

For anyone who wasn't able to make it out to Megafaun's show at the Cat's Cradle on May 7, which includes me, you can now stream or download the entire show. Head over to archive.org which supplies multiple format options for your listening pleasure. It's a fairly decent sounding recording, but it's difficult to hear "Tides" since it sounds like they played it without amplification.

While you're on the archive.org, you can also check out the band's set from The Pour House on January 9. You'll find it here.

Islands announces summer dates, coming to Carrboro

Canadian band Islands, led by Nicholas Thornburn, are hitting the road this summer is support of their third album Vapours, released in 2009. Only a couple dates have surfaced so far, but among them is a show at the Cat's Cradle on Friday, July 2.

Tickets for the show will be are $10 in advance via etix and will be on sale soon are on sale now. Brooklyn band Steel Phantoms will open the show.

Stream the song "Devout" from the album below along with the band's current tour schedule.

Jill Andrews adds summer dates, playing Chapel Hill

Former Everybodyfields member Jill Andrews will stay busy this summer touring the country in support of her self-titled EP released last fall. She'll make a stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, June 25. Tickets for the show are on sale now via etix for $9.

Check out performances of the songs "Always Be Sorry" and "City Noise" filmed on location in Greensboro for the series "Harvey's Kitchen" below along with Andrews current tour schedule.

In related news, the other former Everybodyfields member Sam Quinn's debut album The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships is out now. He'll be making his way to the Triangle soon too. Check out more info in this previous post.

Maxewll announces summer tour, playing Greensboro

Silky smooth crooner Maxwell, who took home Grammys this year for best R&B album of the year for BLACKsummer'snight and best best R&B vocal performance for "Pretty Wings" from the same album, will be hitting the road this summer. The trek will bring him to the Greensboro Coliseum on Monday, June 28.

Tickets for the Greensboro show will go on sale Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. here for $26 to $126. A pre-sale will begin on Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. We'll try to track down a password for everyone. Follow Triangle Music on Twitter for the latest updates.

Check out the music video for the Grammy winning song "Pretty Wings" below along with Maxwell's complete tour schedule.

Album Review: Melissa Auf der Maur - Out of Our Minds

Melissa Auf der Maur (MAdM) certainly has an active imagination. To contain all her ideas, the former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist had to focus her multimedia talents to create Out of Our Minds (or OOOM as she calls it), a 3-part conceptual work that includes an album, a comic book and a short film.

According to MAdM, this project began with the song “Out of Our Minds,” a song that acts as an invitation to explore the project rather than an explanation of the concept behind. The chorus, which is catchy enough, instructs the listener to “travel out of our minds and into our hearts.” MAdM seems to hope that OOOM will be a more emotional experience than an analytical one, which makes sense because this album doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

Crosby, Stills and Nash heading to the Triangle this fall

Crosby, Stills and Nash have expanded their summer tour, bringing the group to Cary's Booth Amphitheatre on September 22.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 14, at 10 a.m. here and are $43.50 for lawn, $76 reserved and $176 for a VIP package including early entry to the venue, a collectible laminate and band merchandise.

The group is touring on last year's release of CSN Demos, featuring 12 previously unreleased tracks recorded as...wait for it...demos between 1968 and 1971.

Click through for a complete list of U.S. tour dates.

Album Review: Mandolin Orange - Quiet Little Room

There is a new sort of orange blossom in North Carolina, but it's not in plant form. It's local duo Mandolin Orange, who positively bloom with their debut full-length Quiet Little Room.

The acoustic, semi-folk sounds that flow from their newest record are soft, delicate, and beautiful, not unlike the lovely orange blossom. After meeting last year, Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin got together as Mandolin Orange to create a seven song, self-titled EP. It was good, but Quiet Little Room shows how brightly Mandolin Orange can shine.

Counting Crows announce summer tour, playing Cary

Counting Crows are a band that just keeps on kicking, but very slowly. They remain a strong touring entity, while the band's album output has been incredibly slow. In 17 years, the band has only released five albums and their latest is 2008's double album Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.

The band will be hitting the road this summer for a few months on a tour dubbed the Traveling Circus & Medicine Show. The tour will stop at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Thursday, July 15. Augustana will open the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. here for $39.50 or $59.50.

Check out the video for "You Can Count On Me" from Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings after the jump along with the band's complete tour schedule.

Lambchop plays sweet session for Daytrotter

Nashville band and Merge Records recording artists Lambchop recently recorded a session for Daytrotter in their hometown. The product is one of the sweetest sounding sessions Daytrotter has ever released.

The set includes "The Daily Growl" and "Please Rise" from the albums Is a Woman and Ohio respectively. There is also an excellent cover of John Prine's "Six O'Clock News" and what appears to be a new song titled "Buttons" (the title originally showed up as "Better Days" in the ID3 info) which is fantastic.

Download or stream the entire session here. Also if you haven't seen the photos and review of the band's triumphant set a the XX Merge festival last year, check those out here.

The Rosebuds playing a free show tonight!

One of our favorite bands, The Rosebuds, have announced a last-minute free show tonight, May 6, in Raleigh. They'll be playing at Tir Na Nog's Local Beer Local Band night with Birds and Arrows and Schooner.

The music gets started at 10 p.m. Apparently Kelly Rosebud said via Merge Records Twitter feed "No Nerds!" I might have to defy that order.

The new Superchunk album gets a name

The long-awaited ninth full-lenth Superchunk album, their first since 2001's Here's To Shutting Up, now has a name. Stereogum reports that the new album is called Majesty Shredding. There's still not a release date yet, but with the album nearing completion, I'd guess we'll be hearing the album sometime this fall.

Stereogum talked to drummer Jon Wurster who said two of his favorite new songs are "Everything At Once" and "Digging For Something." He calls the latter a "pop gem." The band played both of these songs in March at SXSW and we posted the videos here.

Natalie Merchant announces summer tour, playing Durham

Songwriter and former 10,000 Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant has announced a big summer tour stretching from mid-July to beginning of September. She's make a stop at DPAC in Durham towards the end of that run, on Monday, Aug. 30. Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, May 21 here, but price points are not available yet. Prices will be $28 to $52.

Merchant just released a new album in April titled Leave Your Sleep. Check out an acoustic performance of the song "The Man in the Wilderness" from the album below.

Mat Kearney announces new dates, coming to Carrboro

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mat Kearney will be spending much of the summer on the road in support of his 2009 album City of Black & White. He'll make his way to the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, July 29. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, May 14 via etix for $20.

Check out the video for the song "Closer To Love" from his latest album below along with the tour dates that have emerged so far full tour schedule which has now been announced.

May line-up for Local Beer Local Band at Tir Na Nog

For those who are don't know, WKNC and downtown Raleigh venue Tir Na Nog put on great free shows every Thursday night in a series called Local Beer Local Band.

Check out the line-up for May below, which will get started on Thursday, May 6 with a great show featuring Birds and Arrows and Schooner. The music gets started around 10 p.m. every Thursday.

Lyle Lovett is bringing his Large Band to Durham

Veteran Texas singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett, once called "Rooster Boy" by cartoon character Hank Hill, will spend this summer touring the country in support of his tenth full-length studio album Natural Forces, released last year.

The tour will bring him and his Large Band to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 18. Tickets for the show will be $37 to $57 and will be available here, but an on sale date is not yet available and will go on sale on Friday, May 21, at 10 a.m.

Check out an excellent, stripped down performance of the title track from Lovett's latest album Natural Forces from Q TV below along with his current tour schedule.

Album Review: Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling

On his stateside debut, James Milne (aka Lawrence Arabia) takes inspiration from soft and sunny 60’s inspired pop. Chant Darling plays more like an inventory of Milne’s influences rather than an exploration of them and feels tiresome at times because of it; however, this approach does lead to a very pretty album with the occasional catchy tune.

The album hits its peak early on with “Apple Pie Bed,” a song that’s nearly irresistible. The falsetto harmonies in the chorus bring to mind Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, although Milne doesn’t approach Valli’s vocal range. This is followed by Chant Darling’s most unique track “Auckland CBD,” a gentle and short calypso shuffle with some lovely muted trumpet.

Chairlift announces summer dates, coming to Chapel Hill

Summer tour dates for the Brooklyn trio Chairlift have started to roll out and the band will be making a stop in the Triangle. They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, July 27. Tickets for the show will be $8 and show go on sale soon via etix.

Chairlift are most known for their song "Bruises" from their album Do You Inspire You, originally released in 2008 and re-released by Columbia Records in 2009. The song was featured in an commercial for the fourth generation iPod Nano in 2008. Check out the music video for the aforementioned song below where you'll also find the band's summer dates I've pieced together.

Chatham County Line kicks off WUNC concert series

Old, young, and in between took advantage of the beautiful weather at Durham's American Tobacco Campus Friday night to watch Raleigh quartet Chatham County Line. The band performed for the first installment of WUNC's Back Porch Music on the Lawn series for this summer.

The show's location, start time, and nonexistent price tag were all pretty significant draws. Parents could enjoy an evening out and not have to worry about hiring a babysitter or keeping the kids out late. CCL fans completely packed the lawn, yet no one ever seemed to mind. It was more like a halcyon family reunion, a rare event where all attendees behave and get along with each other.