Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin announces fall tour, coming to Chapel Hill

The band with one of the funnest names around, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, is preparing to release a collection of previously unreleased tracks and b-sides titled Tape Club on October 17. As expected, the band will hit the road following the release and are coming to the Triangle.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Sunday, October 30. Tickets will be $8 in advance, and will be available soon.

Stream Tape Club in it's entirety, which is a whopping 26 songs, via the widget below.

Hopscotch 2011: Interview with The Dodos

San Francisco's The Dodos will be opening up the Hopscotch Festival City Plaza stage on Friday, September 9, as part of their latest tour, and they're bringing along Chris Reimer, guitarist from Women, to help out. Lead guitarist Meric Long spent a few minutes with Triangle Music to answer some questions.

TM: What can people at Hopscotch expect from a live Dodos set?

ML: This time around we’ve been a little bit louder and a little bit heavier than in the past so I would say I think people are sometimes surprised at how much of a rock band we are. When they come and see us live, they’re like, “Oh, I didn’t expect you guys to be so loud and, like, straight rockin’.” Or rocktastic. I don’t know, whatever. I think people sometimes expect because of the sound of the records or some of the bit more acoustic stuff we’ve done in the past that it’s going to be a little bit more mellow.

Updated Hopscotch day party schedule

As expected with the free day parties happening during the Hopscotch Festival on September 8-10 (and even one the day after, on September 11), there have been a number of changes since we first told you about them in July.

There are a few new parties on the docket including two parties at Sadlack's on Thursday and Saturday. The one on Thursday, September 8 will start at about noon and go on all day until about 11 p.m. The lineup currently includes 18 bands including The Debonzo Brothers, The Static Minds and The Bleeding Hearts.

There have been a number of additions and updates to many of the party lineups. Check out the full updated day party schedule in a streamlined PDF HERE.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Griptapes & PotLuck Records give away local music compilation

Local record labels Griptapes and PotLuck have teamed up to celebrate the Hopscotch Music Festival next week. They're giving away a 13-song compilation titled GRPTPS vs PTLCK: Round One, which features a number of bands playing the festival.

It features songs from Old Bricks, Gross Ghost, North Elementary, Heads on Sticks and Organos who are playing the festival as well as Schooner who is playing a few day parties. The other bands on the comp are Joshua Carpenter, Jphono1, Juan Huevos, Corey Pavilion, Logan Pete, The Grapes and Doctor.

Stream all of the songs below or download it HERE.

Future Islands announce new album & fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Future Islands are certainly not shy about playing the Triangle. The band played a two-night stand at Kings in Raleigh in March, the Locally Grown Concert Series in Chapel Hill last week and are playing the Hopscotch Festival again this year (at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, September 10).

The band will release their third album, On the Water, on October 11 via Thrill Jockey Records and will hit the road on an extensive fall tour to support it. They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, November 27. Ed Schrader's Music Beat and Lonnie Walker will open the show. Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 2, via etix for $12.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Cat's Cradle undergoing major renovations, hosting free show

Construction crews have been busy at Carrboro's venerable music venue over the past week, and folks showing up for The Hold Steady's big show at the Cat's Cradle on Wednesday evening, August 31,  are going to be among the first to see some of the venue's major changes.

The first and most obvious change as you walk up to the building is the location of its door, which is moving down a sidewalk around the right side of the building. Patrons will now enter the main room from behind as opposed to entering right next to the stage (and ignoring the "no standing" area painted on the floor).

Fucked Up & Wavves announce fall tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Photo by Daniel Boud
Indie bands Fucked Up and Wavves, who are each quite raucous in their own ways, each have new releases out this year. Fucked Up released their new album David Comes to Life in May, and Wavves has a new EP titled Life Sux, due out on September 20.

The two bands are teaming up for a short tour this fall, which will bring them to Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, September 27. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $16.

Check out Fucked Up's latest music video for "The Other Shoe" below where you can also stream or download the song "I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl" from Wavves new EP.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Charlie Wilson announces fall tour, coming to Durham

R&B singer Charlie Wilson, also known as Uncle Charlie, who initially rose to fame with his brothers Ronnie and Robert in The Gap Band, released his fifth solo album in December titled Just Charlie. He'll be on tour this fall, playing scattered dates across the U.S. and will be coming to the Triangle.

He come to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 2 at the box office and Ticketmaster. They will cost $45 to $95.

Architecture in Helsinki announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Australian electro pop band Architecture in Helsinki released their fourth full length album, Moment Bends, in the U.S. in May. The band will cross the Pacific this fall to bring their new music to the east coast.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, November 14. DOM and Lo Fi Fnk will open the show. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $15.

Check out the band's music video for the extremely catchy song "Contact High" from their new album below.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Sebastian Bach rounds out the Raleigh CityFest lineup

The final performer for the five-concert series in downtown Raleigh dubbed Bud Light CityFest has been announced, and it is former Skid Row lead singer, reality television star and Gilmore Girls actor Sebastian Bach.

Even though he's the last to be announced, he'll be kicking off the series at the Raleigh Amphitheater on Saturday, September 10. Advance tickets will be available soon via etix for $5.

This cements the new series as the definite heir to the old Downtown Live series, with 1980s rock lead singers bookending the series and 1990s hit makers filling out the middle. Check out the complete schedule below.

Gillian Welch coming to Saxapahaw this weekend

Photo by Kevin Norris
With Hurricane Irene scheduled to bring unpleasant weather to the North Carolina coast this weekend, Winoca Fest in Wilmington has been postponed. Gillian Welch was scheduled to headline the event, which will hopefully be rescheduled for a new date, but she and Dave Rawlings are coming to North Carolina anyway.

The pair have announced a last minute show at the beautiful Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Saturday, August 27. Tickets are available HERE for $25.

Welch just played a killer show at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh a few weeks ago. Check out our review and photos of the show HERE.

Richard Buckner plays a stunning set at the ArtsCenter

All photos by Kevin Norris
Singer-songwriter Richard Buckner rolled into Carrboro Wednesday evening for a show at the ArtsCenter and brought his impressive catalog of songs with him.

After opening with the fantastic song "Traitor" from his new album Our Blood, Buckner rolled through a hefty set, pulling songs from his back catalog as far back as 1997's Devotion + Doubt.

He was accompanied by keyboard player Jeff Kazor helped filled out the songs bit, which came in handy on a number of the new tunes where keyboard lines are big hooks in the songs (see "Traitor" and "Confession"). But Buckner's unique deep voice and skillful guitar playing are the heart of the music, which shined throughout the evening.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Jay Clifford preps new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Singer-songwriter Jay Clifford, the former lead singer of the band Jump, Little Children, has been hard at work on his sophomore solo album which should be out this fall. It doesn't have a title or official release date yet, but the tour dates in support of it are starting to roll out.

The tour will come to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, October 6. Tickets will go on sale soon via etix for $10.

Stream a demo of "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" which will be featured on the new album below.

New music from Ryan Adams - "Lucky Now"

North Carolina singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who now calls California home, is back with his first proper album of new music since 2008's Cardinology. He released a collection of unreleased songs from earlier sessions with his band The Cardinals titled III/IV as well as a "metal" album called Orion in last year.

His new solo album, titled Ashes & Fire, is due out on October 10 released on PAX AM / Capitol Records. Legendary producer Glyn Johns produced the album, which features an array of musicians including Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Norah Jones. Check out the track list below.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

New music from Ben Folds Five - "House" + new album on the way

Yes you read the headline correctly. It's been eleven years since Ben Folds Five have released any new music, but the band is back at it after all these years. The first new song from the band, "House," will be featured on Ben Folds' forthcoming retrospective collection, The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective, due out on October 11. Stream the new song below.

Two other new Ben Folds Five songs will be released on the three-disc version of the retrospective, and are titled "Tell Me What I Did" and "Stumblin' Home Winter Blues," the latter of which was originally recorded by drummer Darren Jesse's band Hotel Lights.

Deer Tick announces new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Rhode Island folk rock band Deer Tick have been quite productive in recent years, releasing an album a year in 2009, 2010 and now, 2011. The new album, titled Divine Providence, will be out on October 25, and as expected, a big tour is scheduled for the fall.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, October 17, about a week before the new album hits shelves. Virgin Forest will open the show. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 26 via etix for $14.

Stream the song "Miss K" from Divine Providence below.

Album Review: Liam Finn - FOMO

Liam Finn has all the tools to be a master pop song craftsman — he proved so on his vibrant collabrative EP with Eliza Jane, Champange in Seashells. But FOMO, which stands for fear of missing out, doesn’t showcase his talent.

On FOMO, Finn is like a skilled carpenter who just builds plain oak chairs; nothing fancy, but solid with all the required parts. Most of the songs here are functional, but uninspiring. Finn tries to distract from this by cramming in addition sound effects like laser beams which are more annoying than imaginitive.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Fitz & the Tantrums announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Los Angeles pop soul band Fitz and the Tantrums are hitting the road this fall supporting their debut album Pickin' Up the Pieces, released last year.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, November 4. Walk the Moon will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 26 via etix for $18.

Stream the entire album Pickin' Up the Pieces via the widget below and check out a performance of the song "Don't Gotta Work It Out" down there as well.

Vince Neil added to Raleigh City Fest series, another show pushed back

The $5 Bud Light City Fest concert series kicks off on September 17 with Better Than Ezra, and they're still rolling out the shows that will fill the five show run in 2011.

The fourth show has just been announced and will feature Vince Neil, the frontman of Motley Crue. He'll play the Raleigh Amphitheater on Saturday, October 22.

Also, the show featuring Ed Kowalczyk, former frontman of Live, has been moved from August 27 to October 8.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue announces fall dates, coming to Carrboro

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue are busy spreading their updated take on New Orleans jazz and funk across the world this year and are planning to stay busy into 2012. By the time they come to the Triangle, they'll have released a new album, For True, due out on September 13.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, November 6. Tickets will go on sale soon via etix for $20.

Even if you're not familiar with Trombone Shorty, you may recognize him from an appearance on the short-lived Aaron Sorkin television show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, where he appropriately played a New Orleans jazz musician. Check out him leading the band in "Oh Holy Night" below.

Pictureplane announces new dates, coming to Raleigh

Electronic musician Travis Edegy, better known as Pictureplane, released a new album titled Thee Physical this year, which some are calling one of the best albums of the year so far. He's on tour right now and will be stopping in the Triangle very soon.

He'll play Kings in Raleigh on Tuesday, August 30 and Motor Skills will open the show. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $10.

Stream the entire new Pictureplane album Thee Physical below.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

This week's Local Band Local Beer: The Charming Youngsters, Goodbye, Titan & Lake Isle

With a new school year kicking in and Chris Tamplin back booking the shows at Tir Na Nog, we're reviving our weekly posts about the free Local Band Local Beer series every Thursday night.

Tonight's show, August 18, will feature Triangle bands The Charming Youngsters and Goodbye Titan and Greensboro band Lake Isle. Things, like always, will get started around 9 p.m.

Stream the latest release from The Charming Youngsters, Fortescue EP, via the widget below. Stream music from Goodbye, Titan and Lake Isle below too.

Phantogram announces fall dates, coming to Carrboro

Electro pop duo Phantogram are planning to release a new EP later this year, but even though the details of it haven't been announced yet, they've booked some fall tour dates that will bring them to the Triangle.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, November 15. Tickets will go on sale today, Thursday, August 18, via etix for $14.

The band's debut album Eyelid Moves was released in the U.S. in 2010. Download the song "When I'm Small" from the album below.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Rosebuds announces fall dates, coming home again

Photo by Ashlie White
After celebrating the release of their latest album Loud Planes Fly Low at Kings in Raleigh in June and returning to Raleigh in July to open for Bon Iver, the band is coming home once again.

When the band hits the road this fall, they will play a big show at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, October 19. Hospitality and Heather McEntire of Mount Moriah will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 19 via etix for $14.

Shovels and Rope brings southern swagger to Local 506

All photos by Kevin Norris
Tuesday night brought the duo Shovels and Rope, comprised of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, to Local 506 in Chapel Hill, and they brought their unique blend of southern swagger along with them.

The duo rocked through songs from their debut album and forthcoming sophomore release as well as tunes from each of their most recent solo albums, Trent's The Winner and Hearst's Lions and Lambs.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Lupe Fiasco adds new tour dates, coming to Raleigh

After a lengthy battle with his label, Atlantic Records, Lupe Fiasco finally released his third full-length album album Lasers in March, in part thanks to his fans protesting outside the label's New York headquarters and signing an online petition.

Lupe Fiasco will bring his new album to the Raleigh Amphitheater on Sunday, September 18. Tinie Tempah will open the show. Ticket information has not been announced yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 26 at 10 a.m. via the Progress Energy Center box office, Live Nation, Ticketmaster and elsewhere for $22 to $32.

Moogfest 2011 adds even more bands, TV on the Radio, St. Vincent & more

TV on the Radio
The incredible music festival Moogfest in Asheville already had an impressive lineup for 2011 with acts like The Flaming Lips, Moby, Passion Pit and many more, but now they've added even more great bands.

The new bands include TV on the Radio, James Murphy and Pat Mahoney, St. Vincent, Flying Lotus, Zomby, SBTRKT, Yacht, John Maus, Childish Gambino (the hip-hop alter ego of actor/comedian Donald Glover), Beats Antique, The Drums, Baths, Savoy, Araabmuzik, Cloudland Canyon, Fareed Haque + MathGames, Grimes, Mimi Goese & Ben Neill, Moon Duo, Warm Ghost, EOTO and Fine Peduncle.

Check out the full updated lineup below.

Album Review: Stephin Merritt - Obscurities

Stephin Merritt’s collection of previously unreleased tracks and outtakes from his stint with Merge Records in the late 90s, Obscurities, shows listeners the many sides of an artist during one of his most creative periods.

Obscurities is predictably all over the place, but it hangs together better than one might expect. This collection brings together rare tracks from Merritt's projects like The Magnetic Fields, Buffalo Rome, The 6ths, The Gothic Archies and some unreleased tracks from an unfinished musical called Song from Venus that Merritt worked on with Daniel Handler, the mind behind Lemony Snicket.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Orange County Social Club to celebrate 10th anniversary with Crooked Fingers, Benji Hughes & more

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the Carrboro bar and hangout Orange County Social Club will be a week of events this October, culminating in two nights of music at the Cat's Cralde.

The Cradle gigs will be on October 14 and 15 and feature Crooked Fingers, Benji Hughes, David Bazan, Gross Ghost, The Ghost of Rock, The Toddlers, Kerbloki, Seven Bridges for the Meatwagon and The Dogwoods (featuring members of Mandolin Orange, The Light Pines, the Tomahawks and Ryan Gustafson). Check out the lineup for each night below.

Butch Walker announces new album & tour, coming to Raleigh

Butch Walker and his band The Black Widows are gearing up for the release of his sixth solo album (his second with The Black Widows) titled The Spade on August 30. A North American tour will follow in October.

The band will play its usual local spot, the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, on Friday, October 28. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, known as Shovels and Rope, will open the show along with another act which has not been announced yet. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 19 via etix for $16.

Download the song "Summer of 89" and stream "Day Drunk" from The Spade below.

Photos: TRKfest 2011 - Brice Randall Bickford, Lonnie Walker, Embarrassing Fruits & more

All photos by Kevin Norris
Summer storms may have forced Trekky Records' annual TRKfest from its usual venue, Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, to the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, but the new location gave a beautiful backdrop for the event and introduced many to a spectacular venue.

Check out some photos below of sets from Brice Randall Bickford, Lonnie Walker and Butterflies as well as an outdoor, punk rock jam led by Ari Picker of Lost in the Trees, which also featured his former The Never bandmate Noah Smith.

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Antlers announces fall tour, coming to Raleigh

Photo by Shervin Lainez
New York indie rockers The Antlers released their fourth studio album in May titled Burst Apart. After finishing their European trek through August, the band will return to the U.S. for a fall tour.

They'll make a top at Kings in downtown Raleigh on Friday, September 23. Tickets will be on sale soon via etix for $15.

Stream or download the song "Parentheses" from Burst Apart via the widget below (click the arrow on the far right side to download).

Alison Krauss & Union Station pack Booth Amphitheatre; Dawes adds a little rock

All photos by Kevin Norris
Fans turned up in droves at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre Thursday night to welcome back the venerable country bluegrass band Alison Krauss and Union Station.

The band took the stage and launched into a few songs from their latest album Paper Airplane, starting with the title track. The band sprinkled five new songs into the 28-song set, but they were some of the highlights, including "Sinking Stone" and "Miles to Go."

The hits were scattered throughout the set and sounded as good as ever including "Let Me Touch You For a While," "Baby, Now That I've Found You," "Every Time We Say Goodbye" and "Stay."

Thursday, August 11, 2011

New music from Megafaun - "State/Meant"

The release Megafaun's new self-titled album is a little more than a month away (it's out on September 20) and the band have shared a second new tune from it.

The song is "State/Meant," a beautiful, dreamy song which according to the band, is the only song on the new album which features Phil Cook's banjo. Stream or download the song via the player below (to download, click the down arrow on the right side of the player).

Check out the song "These Words" from the new album, if you haven't already, HERE. Megafaun will celebrate the album's release at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, September 22. Tickets are $12 via etix.

Mitch Easter, LiLa, Bustello & more to play Music For Fences 2011

With August here, that means the annual Music For Fences benefit show is quickly approaching in Durham.

For those who don't know, the annual event in Durham's Central Park is a concert to benefit to Coalition to Unchain Dogs, which provides free fencing and spaying and neutering of dogs so they can run free as opposed to being tied up. Superchunk and the Mountain Goats headlined in 2009 and 2010.

This year's event will be on Saturday, August 27 and will feature headliner The Mitch Easter Sound as well as LiLa, Bustello, Billy Sugarfix's Carousel and Johnny Paul Johnson. Advance tickets are on sale now HERE for $12.

Update: Chris Thile listening session canceled




UPDATE: Chris Thile's listening session has been canceled but his show at Carolina Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 13, will take place as scheduled.

Before making his way to the Carolina Theatre on Sunday, November 13, the amazing mandolin virtuoso and singer-songwriter Chris Thile will host a free listening session in town.


He'll appear at Motorco Music Hall as part of their weekly Bloody Brunch series and will be discussing and playing recordings of "the music that influences, interests, and inspires him." The venue opens at noon, but a start time for Thile has not been announced yet. The listening session is a co-presentation with Duke Performances, who organized the show. Thile's Carolina Theatre show is part of Duke Performances' 2011-12 season.

Tickets for his solo show at Carolina Theatre are on sale via Ticketmaster for $30 to $38.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Hopscotch adds four new bands, loses two + schedule changes

With the Hopscotch Festival now less than a month away, there are a few shake ups happening in the lineup.

First, the bad news. The Lights Pines and Apex Manor are no longer playing the festival. The good news is, there have been four new bands added to the lineup, The Men, Fan Modine, Hospitality and Dreamers of the Ghetto (who will take The Light Pines slot opening for The Flaming Lips and Superchunk).

The lineup changes have led to some schedule changes, most notably, J Mascis being moved to the Fletcher Opera Theater. Check out the full schedule HERE to see if you need to alter your festival plans.

Video: Carolina Chocolate Drops film a session during the Newport Folk Festival

We just posted The Love Language's session from the up-and-coming website Sleepover Sessions, and now another local band has played for them. That band is the Carolina Chocolate Drops who took some time during their stop at the Newport Folk Festival to film a few tunes.

Featured are "Corn Shucking Jig," "I Truly Understand that You Love Another Man" and "Run Mountain." The latter of those songs features something I've never seen before, which is Dom Flemons playing both the banjo and pan flute at the same time. Check out the performances below.

The quartet will play the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on Saturday, August 27. Tickets are available HERE. Carolina Chocolate Drops' show at the At Museum has been canceled due to Hurricane Irene. For refund details, click HERE.

Album Review: Maria Taylor - Overlook

Maria Taylor’s Overlook is an album that will easily get lost in the shuffle. As a whole, there is little that stands out, good or bad, to make it memorable, but there are some moments that come close.

Overlook starts out promising with “Masterplan” and “Matador” both of which combine darker rock tones with brighter folk and dance rhythms two of the more ear-catching songs on the record. “Masterplan” builds nicely, but “Matador” could do with some more variation in the dynamics to help keep the repetitive rhythms fresh.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Video: The Love Language plays songs on the streets of Cambridge

Back in March when the weather was still cold up in Massachusetts, The Love Language had a gig at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge. Despite the temperature, when Stuart and Jordan McLamb were asked to perform for the video series Sleepover Shows, they chose to play outside.

The result is a beautifully lit and fantastic sounding performance featuring the songs "Heart to Tell," "Summer Dust" and "Sparxxx." Check out all three songs below.

The band will play at the Lincoln Theatre during the Hopscotch Festival in downtown Raleigh on Thursday, September 8. Tickets for the festival are still available HERE.

Death Cab For Cutie plays career spanning two-hour set in Cary

All photos by Kevin Norris
One of the biggest "indie" band around these days rolled into Cary Monday night to play a career spanning set for a packed house at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

The band opened with the eight and a half minute jam "I Will Possess Your Heart" before launching into the short, poppy "Crooked Teeth." The band dug way back into their catalog throughout the night, starting early with "We Laugh Indoors" and "Photobooth."

They are supporting their new album Codes and Keys, but only sprinkled in five new songs into the 23-song set. The new songs sounded great in the set, especially the title track, "Codes and Keys," and "You Are a Tourist."

Monday, August 08, 2011

Shovels and Rope announces new shows, coming to Raleigh & Chapel Hill

The husband and wife duo Shovels and Rope, featuring Charleston, SC singer-songwriters Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, are staying busy on the road over the next few months and will be hitting the Triangle twice.

First, they'll play Silm's in downtown Raleigh on Monday, August 15 with Amy Echstenkamper and Nicole Lexi Davis. Tickets will be $5 at the door.

The following night, Tuesday, August 16, the duo will headline at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. The Bayonets will open the show. The cover is still TBA.

Will Hoge announces new album & tour, coming to Raleigh

Nashville singer-songwriter Will Hoge is gearing up to release a new album this fall which will be supported by a hefty tour. The album is titled Number Seven and will be out on September 27.

A few days after the release, on Saturday, October 1, Hoge will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh. James Dunn will open. Tickets will be are $10 in advance via etix and should be are available soon now.

Stream the soulful song "When I Get My Wings" from Number Seven below, along with a video featuring some fan interviews and live footage of another new song, "No Man's Land."

Album Review: Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes

After four years, power pop quartet Fountains of Wayne are back with their fifth full-length album, Sky Full of Holes.

The band's amazing since of pop melodies and keen songwriting are still alive and kicking, but with a darker tone. While their are still lighter moments, like the upbeat "Radio Bar."

The band's knack for quirky storytelling is present of the album's first single, "Richie and Ruben." It's the tale of a pair of unsuccessful entrepreneurs.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Two Gallants announce September tour, coming to Durham

After a two-year hiatus, San Francisco duo Two Gallants reunited earlier this year and have been playing gigs around the world. They are heading out on a new North American tour in September which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play the Duke Coffeehouse in Durham on Friday, September 16. The Mumlers will open the show. No ticket information is available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets will be $5 at the door or free for Duke students. No advance tickets will be available.

Two Gallants most recent album is their 2007 self-titled release. Download the songs "Despite What You've Been Told" and "The Hand That Held Me Down" from the album below.

Photos & video: The Brewery is demolished

Photos by Kevin Norris
On Tuesday afternoon (August 2), I swung by the The Brewery on Hillsborough Street to see the remains of the Raleigh landmark. I snapped a few photos which you can see to the right and below. It appears that some of the debris had already been cleared before I got there.

A number of people were on hand earlier that day to witness the building's destruction and a a video of it made its way to YouTube. It's really something to see, especially after the 2:30 mark. That's when it gets serious. Check it out below.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Langhorne Slim announces fall tour, coming to Durham

Singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim has to be one of the hardest touring songwriters out there these days. His hectic touring schedule brings him to the Triangle somewhat regularly and he's heading back our way this fall.

He and his band The Law will play the Casbah in Durham on Sunday, October 2. Tickets are on sale now via etix for $10.

Slim's latest album is 2009's Be Set Free, but he and the band recently played a new song titled "The Way We Move" for Live & Breathing. Check out the performance below.

Gillian Welch plays stunning set at the NC Museum of Art

All photos by Kevin Norris
The stellar duo of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings rolled into Raleigh Wednesday night with new music in tow. They released The Harrow and the Harvest, the first new Gillian Welch album since 2003's Soul Journey, in June and were eager to show off the new music.

Right out the gate though, they dug into the back catalog, opening with "Tear My Stillhouse Down," a song they say they haven't played in quite a while.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Das Racist announces fall tour, coming to Raleigh

The much talked about goofy Brooklyn rap group Das Racist are releasing their debut album Relax on September 13 and will hit the road on a lengthy North American tour this fall to support it.

The tour will stop at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Tuesday, October 4. Danny Brown and Despot will open the show (they're both featured on the album Relax too). Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, August 4 via etix for $15.

Das Racist just released the first single from Relax titled "Michael Jackson" on August 2. Stream the song below.

Superchunk continues reissue series, 'Foolish' coming in September

Over the last year, Superchunk have been remastering and reissuing their classic albums. So far they've knocked out No Pocky For Kitty (1991), On the Mouth (1993) and Here's Where the Strings Come In (1995), and now they're filling a gap in the series.

On September 13, Merge Records will release the band's classic 1994 album Foolish. The album will be packaged with new artwork, liner notes written by drummer John Wurster and some bonus materials that have yet to be announced (see update below).

Check out the always amusing video for "Driveway to Driveway" from Foolish below (note that the audio in the video is not the new remastered version).