Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow announce summer tour, coming to Raleigh

Detroit rap-rocker turned rocker-country star Kid Rock is hitting the road this summer and is taking songstress Sheryl Crow along for the ride. The two collaborated on Rock's song "Picture" from his 2001 album Cocky and the song "Collide" from his 2010 album Born Free (the song also features Bob Seger on piano).

The tour will come to the Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh on Thursday, August 25. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. via the usual sources. Prices will be $25 to $250 ($40 to $282 once you add fees).

The duo also performed the song "Care" at John Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington last year with The Roots as the backing band. Check out a video of that performance below (it's the best quality I could find). Check out the music video for "Collide" below as well.

David Gray announces summer dates, returning to Durham

Photo by Kevin Norris

British singer-songwriter David Gray seems to be gearing up for another tour this summer (seems because only three dates have popped up so far more dates have been announced) in support of his latest release Foundling, which came out in 2010. The tour will include a stop at the Durham Performing Arts Center, which hosted Gray in April 2010 (check out photos and a review of that show HERE).

He'll return to DPAC on Sunday, July 3 with Canadian singer-songwriter Lia O'Neill. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 8 via the box office and Ticketmaster for $45, $55 or $65.

On this tour, Gray has said the show will have less of a rock show vibe and more of a quieter, lush vibe which may incorporate strings, harmonium and mandolin. Check out a stripped down acoustic set he performed for KCRW in Los Angeles in December below.

New music video from I Was Totally Destroying It - "Fight/Flight"

With the release of their new album Preludes approaching (April 12), I Was Totally Destroying It have released a music video for the song "Fight/Flight" from the album.

It was directed and edited by the talented Jason Arthurs, and mainly features singer and keyboard player Rachel Hirsh, though you see the rest of the band in during the more rocking portions of the song, surrounded by aerial acrobats and fire hoop dancers. You'll just have to check it out to see it for yourself, which you can do below.

The band will celebrate the release of Preludes at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, April 22 with Antibubbles and Prism. Tickets are $4 in advance or $7 the day of the show.

New music from The Rosebuds - "Second Bird of Paradise" + new album details

The long wait for the follow-up to The Rosebuds' 2008 album Life Like is almost over. The duo will release their fifth full-length album on June 7 via Merge Records titled Loud Planes Fly Low.

The album will feature ten new songs including the breathy, dreamy "Second Bird of Paradise," which you can download via the widget below, and "Go Ahead," featured in the promo video for the album which you'll find below as well.

After the release of Life Like, the marriage between Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp ended, which is said to be present in the album, described as "a sad-eyed and bright new start for Kelly and Ivan." The first two songs do have a melancholy feel, yet are quite lush and beautiful.

[UPDATE] Eels announce 'Tremendous Dynamite' world tour, coming to Carrboro

The ever evolving band Eels, led by frontman Mark Everett (known as E), are gearing up for a big world tour this summer in support of their recent trilogy of albums released from 2009 to 2010, Hombre Lobo, End Times and Tomorrow Morning.

The tour will bring the band to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, July 25. Tickets for the show will go on sale via etix on Saturday, April 2 but the price is not available yet for $18. The Submarines will open.

[UPDATE: Eels have canceled the Cat's Cradle show in order to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman. Tickets will be refunded. Opening act The Submarines will still be performing. Ticket info is TBA.]

Centro-Matic announces new album & tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Texas band Centro-Matic are gearing up to self-release their overdue tenth studio album in April titled Candidate Waltz. The album was started in 2009, but was put on hold for a while when frontman Will Johnson joined the Monsters of Folk on tour as their drummer. The album is now done, as these things usually unfold, the band will hit the road to support it.

The third date of their upcoming tour is at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Saturday, June 25. Sarah Jaffe will open the show. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Check out the music video for the song "Only in My Double Mind" from Candidate Waltz below. The video documents the painting of the album cover for the album. Oh and there are some chickens too. Wild stuff.

Hammer No More the Fingers celebrating 'Black Shark' in Durham, Raleigh

Durham trio Hammer No More the Fingers are releasing their sophomore album Black Shark on April 5, and will celebrate the release in both Durham and Raleigh.

First, the band will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Friday, April 1 with LiLa and Midtown Dickens. Tickets for the show are $9.19 (including fees) in advance HERE or $10 on the day of the show.

At the show, they'll be serving a one-night only beer made by Fullsteam Brewery called Black Shark Black Belgian with local mint. Also, a new pizza truck called Pie Pushers will be serving special Black Shark slices (it's not clear what toppings it will have).

Win tickets to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at Cat's Cradle

New York indie pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart just released their sophomore album today, March 29, titled Belong. The band will hit the Cat's Cradle this Saturday, April 2. We have a pair of tickets to the show to give away as well as two limited edition lithographs for the runners up.

To enter for your chance to win, email trianglemusicblog at gmail dot com with "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart giveaway" in the subject line no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. One entry per person, please. We will randomly select a winner and two runners up Thursday after 3 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $12 in advance, $14 day of, and are available via etix. Twin Shadow will open the show.

Ponderosa announces spring dates, coming to Raleigh

Georgia southern rockers Ponderosa released their New West Records debut in January titled Moonlight Revival. The band have been hitting the pavement hard since it's release and will keep busy into the spring.

The band will come back to the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Friday, April 29. Tickets will be available soon via etix for $10.

Check out a fantastic performance of the song "Hold on You" from Moonlight Revival below. The band played Lincoln Theatre during the Hopscotch Music Festival last year. Check out photos and a review of that set HERE.

The Psychedelic Furs extend 'Talk Talk Talk' tour, coming to Carrboro

Veteran British rockers The Psychedelic Furs are gearing up for a U.S. tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1981 album Talk Talk Talk. The band will perform the entire album at each show and will then play a second set featuring songs from their entire catalog.

The tour will come to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, July 9. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 1 via etix for $25.

Check out a performance of the classic tune "Pretty in Pink" from Talk Talk Talk below.

Album Review: The Mountain Goats - All Eternals Deck

All Eternals Deck, the first Mountain Goats release on Merge Records, is named after a Tarot card deck known for its hopeful predictions, and on it John Darnielle, a man known for his youthful rage, sounds like some things he never has before: comfortable and content.

On the surface, it seems odd that a man could find comfort in songs about despair, the occult, and tragic Hollywood figures with macabre titles like “Beautiful Gas Mask,” but Darnielle is no normal man. These are few of his favorite things.

New music from The Ladybug Transistor - "Clutching Stems" + new album details

Brooklyn band The Ladybug Transistor are returning later this year with their first new album since 2007's Can't Wait Another Day. The new album is titled Clutching Stems and will be released by Merge Records on June 7.

The album will feature ten new songs, including the title track "Clutching Stems," which you can download below. The full track list is below as well.

The band were in the Triangle in 2009 to play the Merge's twentieth anniversary party, XX Merge, at the Cat's Cradle. Check out photos and a review of their set HERE.

Jukebox the Ghost adds spring dates, coming to Chapel Hill

Photo by Shervin Lainez

Philadelphia power pop trio Jukebox the Ghost are still hitting the pavement hard, continuing the tour in support of their 2010 Yep Roc debut Under the Sun. After wrapping a run of dates opening for Guster, the band will play some headline shows that will bring them back to the Triangle.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, April 13. Tereu Tereu will open the show. Tickets  are available via etix for $8.

The last time the band was in the Triangle was in December and they played the Casbah in Durham. Check out photos and a review of that show HERE. They were last at Local 506 in June 2010 with Free Energy and Miniature Tigers. Check a review and photos of that show HERE.

Video: Phil Cook & His Feat, Midtown Dickens & Lost in the Trees play SXSW

Phil Cook & His Feat, Midtown Dickens and Lost in the Trees were all on hand in Austin, TX on March 18 to play Trekky Records Carolina Jubilee SXSW showcase at the Gallery Black Lagoon. Now, thanks to Lapcast TV, you can now watch the complete Phil Cook and Midtown Dickens sets as well as part of Lost in the Trees set.

Phil Cook's set features a bunch of tunes from his forthcoming Trekky Records release Hungry Mother Blues, due out on May 10.

So enjoy the videos below and we'll add more if they become available.

Taylor Swift extends 2011 tour, coming to Raleigh

Country pop superstar Taylor Swift announced a massive 2011 world tour in November which included a show in Greensboro on June 30, but now she has extended the tour into October and November which includes a return to the Triangle.

She'll play the RBC Center in Raleigh on Thursday, November 17. There is no ticket info available yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, April 8 at 10 a.m. via the box office and Ticketmaster for $25, $59.50 or $69.50.

Check out her latest music video for the song "Back To December" and the full tour schedule below.

Dawes announces spring/summer tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Matt Jacoby

California folk / soul / indie rockers Dawes have winning over fans left and right with the soulful sounds of their 2009 debut album North Hills. The band recently were recently asked by The Band's Robbie Roberston to serve as his band when he promotes his forthcoming solo album How To Become Clairvoyant, in which Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith sang on.

The band will hit the road supporting Brett Dennen and Bright Eyes in May and June, but will also play occasional headline shows, including one at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on May 18. Tickets for the show are on sale now via etix for $10.

Check out the music video for "When My Time Comes" from North Hills below and below that, check out the band's sensational cover of the Joe Cocker version of "With a Little Help From My Friends" below that. Seriously, it's amazing.

Dolly Parton announces 'Better Day' tour, coming to Durham

The Queen of Country Music herself, Mrs. Dolly Parton is preparing to release a new album titled Better Day this year (a date hasn't been announced) and will be hitting the road on a worldwide tour, appropriately called the Better Day World Tour.

The tour will come to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, August 2. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 1 starting at $65.

Parton will debut the first single from the new album, "Together You & I" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 26. In the meantime, check out a classic 1974 television performance of her hit song "Jolene" below.

Prince puts on a hell of a show in Raleigh

Wednesday night brought the purple one himself, Prince, to the RBC Center in Raleigh for a show only announced two weeks earlier.

He came out with a bit of an awkward start, singing along to pre-recorded bits of "When Doves Cry" and a series of other songs before his band launched into the first proper song of the evening, "If I Was Your Girlfriend."

From note one, he commanded the stage, showcasing some impressive dance moves, especially considering he was wearing large red heels. He strutted about and repeatedly commanded the crowd to clap, sway, dance and the like, and the crowd obliged.

Raleigh cancels 2011 Raleigh Wide Open

The City of Raleigh has canceled the big annual Raleigh Wide Open event that takes place each year in downtown, blaming the bad economy.

They also state that there is no big projects opening in downtown this year that have coincided with previous Raleigh Wide Opens. Also, they say that the NHL All-Star Wide Open as a similar event that happened in January.

The event is said to cost the city between $150,000 and $180,000 and the city says the money can be better used making sure no essential services are cut for Raleigh residents.

Noah & the Whale announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

British indie pop/folk band Noah and the Whale just released their new album Last Night on Earth on March 15, and the band will be coming to the U.S. on tour to support it in late spring.

They'll play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Thursday, June 16. Tickets will go on sale on March 25 via etix for $15.

[UPDATE: The show has been postponed, though a new date has not been announced yet, though it will likely be in the fall. Tickets purchased via etix will be refunded automatically and other refunds are available at the point of purchase. We'll let you know when a new date is announced.]

311 & Sublime with Rome announce summer tour, coming to Raleigh

The 1990s are still kicking, at least a little bit, as 311 and Sublime with Rome (they can't legally be called simply Sublime since frontman Bradley Nowell is dead and there are trademark issues) have announced a big summer tour.

Even though 311 played the Raleigh Amphitheater in 2010 and only sold 1,882 tickets, the band and Sublime with Rome have been booked into the big shed, Walnut Creek Amphitheater (Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion) on Tuesday, August 2. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 22 at 10 a.m. via the usual places.

311 are expected to release their tenth studio album ahead of the tour and Sublime with Rome have signed to Fueled By Ramen Records and are expected to release their debut album ahead of the tour as well.

Titus Andronicus tour relentlessly, coming to Chapel Hill & Carrboro

New Jersey indie punk band Titus Andronicus are still riding high on their 2010 album The Monitor and will be touring relentlessly in the spring, not only headlining shows, but opening shows for Bright Eyes and Okkervil River.

We already told you about Titus opening for Okkervil River at the Cat's Cradle on Wednesday, June 1 along with Future Islands, but the band will stop for a headline gig just up the street in April.

The band will play Gerrard Hall the Historic Playmakers Theater on UNC's campus on Monday, April 25. Ticket info is not available yet, but the show is being organized by the school's College Union Activities Board (CUAB), which means tickets for students will likely be super cheap. We'll keep you posted about tickets once the info is available. Tickets will be available at the door for $5 for the public and $1 for UNC students with a OneCard. Skinny Women will open the show.

Album Review: Hey Rosetta! - Seeds

Most times listeners are left to guess at the motivations of artists, but the inspiration behind Hey Rosetta’s! Seeds is pretty explicit.

The album’s liner notes encourage to support “sustainable farms,” and to buy, “organic seeds and produce,” and included is small piece of paper embedded with seeds ready for planting. It’s clear Hey Rosetta! doesn’t want anyone missing the metaphors in their music.

Every song on Seeds starts small and grows. Sometimes they grow into epics and other times they bloom into more delicate compositions.

The Donkeys announce spring dates, coming to Raleigh

San Diego band The Donkeys, which you may know as the band who filled the role as Geronimo Jackson on the excellent show LOST, are gearing up to release their sophomore album Born With Stripes on April 26 via Dead Oceans Records. So, you guessed it, they're hitting the road.

The band will hit Kings in Raleigh on Monday, May 30. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $7.

Download the song "Don't Know Who We Are" from Born With Stripes below, and while you're down there, stream the song "Dharma Lady" from LOST, which is a re-recorded version of The Donkeys song "Excelsior Lady."

The Beach Boys announce tour, coming to new Greensboro amphitheater

The Beach Boys will hit the road again this year sporadically playing shows across North America and have just announced a North Carolina date.

The band will play the brand new White Oak Amphitheatre at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on Sunday, June 5. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, March 25 at 10 a.m. via the coliseum box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Sleeping Booty will open the show.

The new venue will have a capacity of 7,666, with over 2,000 reserved seats and should bring more talent to central North Carolina, but will also provide more competition for the Triangle's two smaller amphitheaters.

New music from The Huguenots - "I Would Say"

Local lads The Huguenots have been gigging around the Triangle since at least 2008, developing and refining their groovy retro pop sound. They are finally gearing up to release their debut album which is simply called The Huguenots.

It was recorded by the band at home and then mixed by Mr. Mitch Easter. It features eleven songs including some live favorites that have been kicking around for a while like "Julia," "She Keeps Moving" and "I Would Say" (which you can download below). Check out the album's full track list below.

The album's release will be celebrated with a big show at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, April 8 with The Tomahawks and Weather Kings. Ticket info is still TBA.

Video: Lost in the Trees perform "Walk Around the Lake" at SXSW

Lost in the Trees were down in Austin playing a bunch of sets at South By Southwest, one of which was for a Paste Magazine showcase at The Stage on Sixth. Paste posted a nice performance of the song "Walke Around the Lake" from the show, which you can checkout HERE.

We just mentioned a few days ago that Lost in the Trees will be playing a big show at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, May 13. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $12.

Check out more on Lost in the Trees HERE.

New music from Butterflies - "Bleak Was the Breeze"

Chapel Hill band Butterflies were recently asked by a Georgia music blog called The Blue Indian to contribute an unreleased song to one of their compilations. The band agreed and the song "Bleak Was the Breeze," their own retelling of the myth of Deadalus and Icarus, was born. Download or stream the song via the widget below.

Butterflies will be performing a special acoustic set at The Regulator Bookshop in Durham on Friday, March 25 with Wildegeeses. Admission will be $5 at the door. It starts at 8 p.m.

The band's latest album Residual Child was released via Trekky Records in November. Check out more info about the album as well as a download from it HERE.

Lost in the Trees returning to the Cradle in May

After wrapping a busy series of shows at the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin and then heading up to New York to take part in the New York performance of Big Star's Third, Lost in the Trees will hit the road once again, and will eventually make their way back to the Triangle for a big show in May.

They will return to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, May 13. Tickets for the show are on sale now via etix for $12.

The band rereleased their debut release Time Taunts Me as a full-length in February. Download the song "Tall Trees" from the album below.

S. Carey announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Photo by Cameron Wittig

Musician and songwriter Sean Carey, better known by the moniker S. Carey, released his debut album in 2010 titled All We Grow. He is best known for playing percussion with Bon Iver, but he creates incredibly lush, dreamy music on his own.

He'll hit the road this spring and will come to Kings in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, April 2. Midtown Dickens will open the show. Tickets are available via etix for $10.

Download two fantastic songs from All We Grow below, "In the Dirt" and "In the Stream." Also, watch a beautifully shot video of Carey performing the songs "Mothers" and "Action" for MPLS.TV below.

New music from Liam Finn - "The Struggle"

New Zealand songwriter Liam Finn is gearing up to release his sophomore solo album titled FOMO on June 21 via North Carolina based Yep Roc Records. His last release under his own name was the EP Champagne in Seashells, released with his touring cohort Eliza Jane in 2009 (check out our review HERE).

The new album features Finn alone, playing everything himself. He'll also embark on his first tour later this year with a full band. Previously, he toured as a duo with Eliza Jane.

Download or stream the song "The Struggle" from FOMO below (to download, click the down arrow in the right column of the widget). We'll keep you posted in Finn schedules a return to the Triangle.

Third Eye Blind to headline 'Band Together' in Raleigh

Pop rockers Third Eye Blind are set to come to the Triangle to headline this spring's Band Together benefit show in Raleigh. Dillon Fence and Lonnie Walker are on the bill as well.

The show will happen outside the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, May 7, with more events happening outside and inside the club. Tickets for the show are on sale now for $20 via etix and will be $25 the day of the show. Proceeds will go to support the Raleigh's Alliance Medical Ministry, a non-profit organization that helps those without health insurance with a variety of medical services.

Frontman Stephen Jenkins and drummer Brad Hargreaves are the only remaining members of Third Eye Blind from their heyday in the late 1990s. Check out the music video for the questionable song "Don't Believe a Word" from the band's latest album Ursa Major below along with the video for their 1997 breakthrough hit "Semi-Charmed Life."

Uh Huh Her preps new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Los Angeles electro pop duo Uh Huh Her will release their sophomore album Nocturne some time this spring, though an official release date has not been announced yet. The band are hitting the road later this spring on an east coast tour that will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, May 10. Diamonds Under Fire will open the show. Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 18 via etix for $13.

Download a demo of the song "Same High" via the widget below if you're willing to give up a working email address.

Thirty Seconds To Mars announces 'Closer to the Edge' Tour, coming to Raleigh

Actor Jared Leto's emo/rock band Thirty Seconds To Mars has announced a new leg of their Closer to the Edge Tour, which will keep the band on the road in North America for a month from April 8 to May 7.

The tour will come to the Raleigh Amphitheater in downtown on Friday, April 22. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18 via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster and Live Nation outlets.

The band are touring on their most recent album This Is War, released in 2009. Check out the censored version of their music video for "Hurricane" below or check out the uncensored, explicit version HERE.

Album Review: The Fleshtones - Brooklyn Sound Solution

Brooklyn Sound Solution, the latest from garage rock gurus The Fleshtones, mixes things up with covers, originals, instrumentals and Patti Smith’s guitarist Lenny Kaye.

Most of the songs covered aren’t well known these days; however, there’s one everybody will recognize easily ("Day Tripper"). The opportunity for folks to be introduced to older artists gives the record an added value.

The Fleshtones put their own stamp on the covers and they try to balance the sound they’ve cultivated over three decades with the blues and jazz of the originals artists. The group even ventures for a drum ("Back Beat #1") and a harmonica solo ("You Give Me Nothing To Go On").

[Canceled] Jonny announces June tour dates, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Mei Lewis

Merge bands are touring fiends these days and most of them have been making stops in the Triangle. One of Merge's newest bands Jonny, the collaboration between British singer-songwriters Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and Euros Childs are the next to hit the road this June in support of their self titled debut due out April 15 (it's out now digitally).

The duo will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, June 14. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. The show will be seated and tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 18 via etix for $15.

[June 6 update: The entire tour, including the Cradle show has been canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances." Refunds will be given at the point of purchase.]

Telekinesis play a thunderous show in Chapel Hill

All photos by Kevin Norris

Sunday night was the final night of Merge Madness in Chapel Hill, which brought Seattle band Telekinesis to Local 506 to open for The Love Language (originally billed as a Telekinesis headline show).

The band have played the Triangle a number of times over the last few years, but Sunday night's show saw the band reach a whole new level with the a solid lineup and new, darker album 12 Desperate Straight Lines.

From note one, the band commanded the stage with an urgency like it was their last show ever. The new songs sounded amazing and included "Please Ask For Help," "50 Ways" and "I Cannot Love You," the latter dedicated to Merge Records. Bassist Jason Narducy brought the album's trademark bass lines to life, with the same distinct, cutting tone of the record.

Album Review: Cornershop - Cornershop & the Double 'O' Groove Of

English rockers Cornershop have been going strong for close to twenty years now, and with their seventh release they don't give any indication that they have plans to slow down. After collaborating from artists ranging from poet Alan Ginsberg to Oasis' Noam Gallagher, it's easy to wonder where a band will go next. On their latest release, Cornershop & the Double 'O' Groove Of, Cornershop continues to bend musical boundaries and blend genres to create a unique and intriguing, if not impossible to understand, record.

Though the album has its definite hip-hop influences, it would be a mistake to pigeonhole it as such. It's really difficult to give this album any sort of concrete description — which is part of what makes it so enjoyable.

Wye Oak bring 'Civilian' to sold out Chapel Hill crowd

All photos by Kevin Norris

Saturday night brought the second of three Merge Records bands to Chapel Hill's Local 506 for a sold out show. Baltimore duo Wye Oak played for a packed house of fans anxious to hear songs from the group's newly released album, Civilian.

The band delivered the entire new album except its closer, "Doubt." Frontwoman Jenn Wasner was battling a cold, which left her coughing between at least one song, but that didn't keep her from delivering a killer, full-on vocal performance, telling the crowd that she's been treating her cold with whiskey.

Wild Flag makes a great first impression in Chapel Hill

All photos by Justin Weber

The local music community was out in force to support Merge’s new all-girl supergroup, Wild Flag. The band hasn’t released an album, a single, a video, or a proper website, but the excitement was palpable throughout the sold out crowd.

Austin-based duo YellowFever opened up with some jangly pop that at times sounded like a garage band’s take on the Dirty Projectors. They played pretty stiffly and seemed shy and a bit nervous.

The most impressive aspect of the group was lead singer Jennifer Moore’s vocals. Her voice has a fantastic variety of tones and sounds and she displayed expert control of them during the operatic leaps in the vocal line.

Eisley announces Turning Tides Tour, returning to Carrboro

Texas quintet Eisley, consisting of four siblings and a cousin, are preparing to hit the road this spring in support of their newly released album The Valley. The band will take The Narrative and Christie Dupree for the entire run.

The tour will kick off in Atlanta, and the second stop on the tour will bring the band back to the Cat's Cradle on Wednesday, April 27. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $12.

Eisley just played the Cat's Cradle with California pop band Rooney in February. Check out a video of Eisley performing "Invasion" from that show below. Download the songs "Ambulance" and "Smarter" from new album below too.

Prince announces southern tour, coming to Raleigh

The one and only Prince has announced the first southern dates of his Welcome 2 America Tour. All six dates are in North and South Carolina and are in March! Yes, it starts in less than two weeks.

The purple one will play the RBC Center on Wednesday, March 23. Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 14 at 10 a.m. via the box office and Ticketmaster. Prices will be $20, $49.50, $79, $119 or $199.

[UPDATE 2: Chaka Khan has been added as a special guest for the show at the RBC Center as well as the show in Greensboro.]

Video: Jon Darnielle covers Billy Bragg's "There is Power in a Union"

In light of recent union busting and protests in Wisconsin and elsewhere, The Mountain Goats leader John Darnielle has released a video in support of the public employee union workers in Wisconsin. He performed the Billy Bragg song "There is Power in a Union," which is set to the tune of the traditional Christian song "There is Power in the Blood." Check out the video below.

Billy Bragg performed the song himself when he was at UNC performing for the early vote rally in 2008. Check out photos from that event HERE.

New music from Phil Cook & His Feat - "Ballad of a Hungry Mother"

Megafaun's Phil Cook has teamed up with local label Trekky Records who will release his new album Hungry Mother Blues on May 10 on their usual vinyl, CD and download all-in-one package.

The album is completely instrumental and was recorded in single day a Phil's home during an ice storm. The product is eight songs, a few of which Cook performed at the Moving Island benefit show in Raleigh in January (check out a review and photos HERE).

Download the album's sixth track, "Ballad of a Hungry Mother," below and check out the track list below that.

New music from Let's Wrestle - "Dear John"

Continuing what has to be Merge Records busiest year, the trio of U.K. lads known as Let's Wrestle are gearing up to release their sophomore album. Their debut, In the Court of the Wrestling Let's, was just released stateside by Merge in March 2010, though it had been out in the U.K. since 2009.

The new album's title is less of a tongue twister, known simply as Nursing Home. The album is said to be heavier than their debut, which could be in part since it was recorded with famed indie engineer Steve Albini. Download the song "Dear John" from the album below, which is certainly darker.

Abigail Washburn & The Wood Brothers announce tour, coming to Raleigh

Singer songwriter and banjo player Abigail Washburn is hitting the road with folk siblings The Wood Brothers on a short tour in May that will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play a partially seated show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Monday, May 2. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 11 via etix. Seats will be $20 and standing will be $16.

Abigail Washburn's latest album City of Refuge was released in January and The Wood Brothers have a new album titled Smoke Ring Halo due out soon. Check out Washburn and her band perform a fantastic batch of songs for NPR's Tiny Desk series below as well as The Wood Brothers' new video for "Shoofly Pie" from their new album.

New music from Amor de Días - "Bunhill Fields"

The Clientele's Alasdair MacLean and Pipas' Lupe Núñez-Fernández have been quietly working together on a new project for over three years. That project is called Amor de Días (Spanish for Love of Days) and are releasing their debut album titled Street of the Love of Days on May 17 via Merge Records.

The album will feature 15 songs including the song song "Harvest Time" from The Clientele's album Bonfires on the Heath, which was originally recorded by Amor de Días before it became a Clientele song. Check out the full track list below.

Preview the album by downloading it's third track, "Bunhill Fields," below. It's a beautiful, airy tune led by Núñez-Fernández.

Dr. Dog announces spring dates, coming to Carrboro

The groovy Philadelphia quintet Dr. Dog are gearing for more shows this April in support of their latest album Shame, Shame, released in April 2010 via ANTI- Records.

The band will return to the Cat's Cradle on Saturday, April 9. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 11 via etix for $16.

Check out the fabulously retro music video for "Shadow People" from Shame, Shame below as well as a performance of "Someday" from the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Steely Dan announce summer tour, returning to Durham

The jazzy pop sounds of Steely Dan will be filling venues across the U.S. this summer on the Shuffle Diplomacy Tour with the Miles High Band and The Embassy Brats.

The tour will bring the band back to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Thursday, August 4. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 18 at 10 a.m. via the box office and Ticketmaster starting at $65.

Check out a video below of Steely Dan performing "Kid Charlemagne" from their 1976 album The Royal Scam at DPAC on June 6, 2009.

New music video from Kooley High - "All Day"

Local hip hop group Kooley High have released a new music video from their latest album Eastern Standard Time. It was shot at various locations in Raleigh including Schoolkids Records, Cup A Joe and The Pour House. It's a beautifully shot video. Check it out below.

Kooley High will be performing at The Pour House in Raleigh on Saturday, April 16. Tickets will be $9 at the door. They'll also play the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Pittsboro on Saturday, April 23. Check out the rest of their upcoming tour dates below.

Also, check out photos and a review of Kooley High's performance at Duke Gardens last July HERE.