Holiday music from The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra - "In the Bleak Midwinter"

With Thanksgiving in the past, the winter holidays are right around the corner, and with that in mind, the folks at Trekky Records are giving away a free holiday tune. The song is "In the Bleak Midwinter," a somber piece from the album A New Old Fashioned Christmas. Download it below.

As we mentioned last week, the Trekky collective will be playing a special show at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro on Thursday, December 15. Check out more info on the show HERE.

We'll hopefully have quite a few more holiday songs to share with you in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.

Win tickets to Amy LaVere at Casbah

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

Amy LaVere is riding high on the critical acclaim of her latest album, Stranger Me, and her tour will bring her to Durham's Casbah on Tuesday, December 6.

To win a pair of tickets to the show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Amy LaVere tickets" in the subject line no later that noon on Thursday, Dec. 1. We will notify the winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please.

Tickets to the show are $10 and available through etix. LaVere will play two sets and the show beings at 8 p.m. There is no opener.

The Mountain Goats announce 2012 dates, coming to Saxapahaw

Photo by D.L. Anderson

Indie folk icons the Mountain Goats are headed out on the road again in early 2012 supporting their latest album All Eternals Deck (check out a review of the album HERE).

The band will play the Haw River Ballroom Saxapahaw on Saturday, February 4. Portland band Nurses will open the show. Tickets will go on sale at 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 2 HERE for $19.

Check out our review and photos of the Mountain Goats show at the Cat's Cradle back in April HERE. Also, check out the animated music video for "Estate Sale Sign" from All Eternals Deck HERE.

This week's Local Band Local Beer: The Music Tapes, The Toddlers, T0W3RS & Depressed Buttons

This week's free Local Band Local Beer show at Tir Na Nog on Thursday, December 2, is a special one. It's the celebration of the day that tickets go on sale for the 2012 Hopscotch Music Festival.

The evening will start earlier than usual, at 8 p.m. The Music Tapes, Julian Koster's group, will start things off, followed by The Toddlers, T0W3RS and Depressed Buttons.

Stream The Music Tapes new EP Purim's Shadows (The Dark Tours the World) HERE. Stream the song "OUR5!" by T0W3RS below.

[UPDATED] Red Hot Chili Peppers announces winter tour, 3 NC dates

Funky rocker the Red Hot Chili Peppers returned with their first new album in five years earlier this year titled I'm with You. The band will hit the road in early 2012 for a southeastern arena tour which will feature three North Carolina shows.

[UPDATE: The tour has been postponed until the spring because frontman Anthony Kiedis has had to undergo surgery to fix some foot problems. Tickets will be honored for the new dates, which have been updated below.]

First, we'll mention the Triangle show at the RBC Center in Raleigh on Friday, January 27 Wednesday, April 4. Santigold will open the show and the entire tour. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 3 for $35.50 to $55.50.

Next, they'll play the Greensboro Coliseum on Tuesday, January 31 Monday, April 9. Tickets will go sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 3 for $35.50 to $55.50.

Todd Snider announces winter tour, coming to Clayton

Photo by Todd Purifoy

Singer-songwriter Todd Snider will hit the road this winter in support of his latest release, a double-live album titled Live: The Storyteller. As you may have guessed, the tour includes a stop in the Triangle.

Snider will play the Clayton Center in Clayton on Saturday, February 11. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $20.

Check out the performance of "Tension" from Live: The Storyteller below.

This week's Local Band Local Beer: Gross Ghost, Lilac Shadows & Exquisite Corpse

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, this week's free Local Band Local Beer will be happening tonight, Wednesday, November 23, at Tir Na Nog in downtown Raleigh.

This week's show packs a punch with Gross Ghost, Lilac Shadows and Exquisite Corpse. Check out "Devious" from Gross Ghost and "A Shallow Madness" from Lilac Shadows after the jump.

As usual, the show starts around 10 p.m. and is 21 and up.

Mat Kearney announces winter tour, coming to Raleigh

Singer-songwriter Mat Kearney was just in the Triangle back in September after the elease his latest album Young Love, and when he hits the road in early 2012, his first stop will be in the Triangle once more.

He'll play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Thursday, January 19. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, December 2 via Etix for $20. An opening act(s) has not been announced yet.

Check out the music video for "Hey Mama" from Young Love below.

96Rock becomes Radio 96.1, ditches DJs

In a sudden change this week, local rock radio mainstay 96Rock has re-branded itself as Radio 96.1, touting a new slogan of "more music. less blah, blah, blah." That means that the station is getting rid of DJs, including longtime fixture Bob "The Blade" Robinson (check out some quotes from The Blade in the N&O piece about this).

The station now says that it will be playing a more diverse selection of music from the 1980s to the present as well as more classic rock. Many listeners lashed out yesterday on the station's official Facebook page, which has since been deleted.

If you're a regular 96Rock listener, let us know what you think of the change by leaving comment. Personally, we still miss the pre-Rooster, pre-Rush Limbaugh 106.1 WRDU.

The Features announce winter tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Tennessee indie pop band The Features released their third full-length album Wilderness in July. In early 2012 they'll hit the road on a southern tour which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel on Wednesday, January 18. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $8. Girl in a Coma will open the show.

Stream the single raucous, catchy "Rambo" from Wilderness below.

Trekky Records Collective to play Carrboro in December

In lieu of the annual Trekky Records Christmas at the Cradle event at the Cat's Cradle, this year a collective of Trekky Records artists and friends will gather at the opposite end of the shopping center at the ArtsCenter.

The collective will feature members of Bowerbirds, Butterflies, Embarrassing Fruits, Hammer No More the Fingers, Lost in the Trees, Megafaun, Midtown Dickens, Mount Moriah, Vibrant Green and some other special guests.

The show will be on Thursday, December 15. Tickets are just $6 in advance via Etix.

Blind Pilot announces 2012 dates, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Ben Moon

Portland indie folk band Blind Pilot rolled through the Triangle with their new album We Are the Tide in October, stopping at Duke University with Local Natives. Now the band has announced their tour for early 2012 and are coming back this way.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, February 21. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Download the song "Keep You Right" from We Are the Tide via the widget below. Also, check out a performance of the album's closing track, "New York," below as well.

Merle Haggard announces 2012 tour, coming to Greensboro

Country music legend Merle Haggard is still going strong at 74 years old. He released a new album titled Working in Tennessee in October and will hit the road to support it in 2012.

The tour will stop at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro on Saturday, April 14. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster outlets for $37.50, $44.50 or $57.50.

Check out the jaunty title track from Working in Tennessee below.

Members of The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day & more announce 'Where's the Band?' tour

In early 2012, singer-songwriters from five "emo" bands (I don't like using that term) will hit the road together, playing solo acoustic sets on the cleverly named Where's the Band? tour.

It will feature Ace Enders (of The Early November), Anthony Reneri (of Bayside), Chris Conley (of Saves the Day), Evan Weiss (of Into It. Over It) and Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids).

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, January 24. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, November 30 via Etix for $14.

Old 97's announces winter tour, coming to Carrboro with Those Darlins

Photo by Allison V. Smith

Texas alt-country mainstays the Old 97's are gearing up for a new tour of the south this winter supporting their latest release, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, January 27. Those Darlins will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $18.

Download the song "Brown Haired Daughter" from The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 below. Frontman Rhett Miller will also release a live album titled The Interpreter: Live at Largo on November 22. Stream his cover of Wilco's "California Stars" on his website.

This week's Local Band Local Beer: I Was Totally Destroying It & The Ethnographers

It's Thursday (November 17), so that means tonight there will be another free show at Tir Na Nog as part of the Local Band Local Beer series. This show is a doozy featuring local rockers I Was Totally Destroying It with The Ethnographers from Greenville.

I Was Totally Destroying It will be playing their EPs The Beached Margin and Done Waiting in their entirety. Stream or download "The Witch Riding Your Back" from The Beached Margin below. Check out some songs from The Ethnographers below as well.

As always, the show starts around 10 p.m. and is ages 21 and up.

New music from Lambchop - "If Not I'll Just Die" + new album in February

Nashville band Lambchop will return with their eleventh album in 2012, dedicated to the late singer-songwriter Vic Chestnut. The album is titled Mr. M and will be released by Merge Records on February 21.

Stream or download the beautifully lush opening track from the album, "If Not I'll Just Die," below (download with the arrow on the right of the player).

A U.S. tour will likely follow the band's planned U.K. run in March. We'll keep you posted if they come back to the Triangle. Check out photos and a review of the band's show-stopping set at XX Merge in 2009 HERE.

Kathleen Edwards announces winter tour, coming to Carrboro

Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards is gearing up for the release of her fourth album Voyageur on January 17, which was co-produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. A tour will follow which will bring her to the the Triangle.

She'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, January 31. Hannah Georgas will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 18 via Etix for $20.

Check out the fantastic first single from Voyageur, "Change the Sheets," below.

Video: The Rosebuds perform a Take Away Show in France

While in France performing at the Pitchfork Music Festival last month, The Rosebuds filmed a special Take Away Show.

In true Take Away Show fashion, the performance is in an odd place, probably the oddest thus far. The band performed an acapella version the classic "Shake My Tree" while aboard a spinning swing ride. Following the performance, is a more straightforward acoustic performance of "Go Ahead." Check it all out in the video below.

Check out some photos and a review of The Rosebuds set during their day party at the Hopscotch Music Festival back in September HERE.

The Naked and Famous announces 2012 dates, coming to Carrboro

New Zealand dance pop band The Naked and Famous are gearing up for a U.S. tour in support of their debut album Passive Me, Agressive You, released in the U.S. earlier this year.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, April 1 (no foolin'). Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 18 via Etix for $15.

Check out the NSFW music video for "The Sun" from Passive Me, Agressive You below. For a less risqué alternative, check out the video for the catchy "Young Blood" below as well.

Cotton Jones announces fall dates, coming to Durham

Experimental indie folk/pop band Cotton Jones are heading out for a quick run of fall dates to end 2011. The band are out supporting their latest release, Sit Beside Your Vegetables.

They'll stop at the Duke Coffeehouse in Durham on Friday, December 2. Some Army will open the show. Tickets will be $5 at the door.

Stream the fantastic pop song "Egg on the Sea" from Sit Beside Your Vegetables below.

New music from Hospitality - "Betty Wang"

Hospitality, the most recent band to join the Merge Records family, are building towards the release of their self-titled debut album due out on January 31.

They've released a second song from the album to wet everyone's appetite. It is a fun little pop song called "Betty Wang." It's about a real person that singer Amber Papini used to work with at an investment firm. Wang was one of the only female executives and refused to change to fit in.

Stream or download "Betty Wang" below (click the arrow on the right of the player to download). Check out some photos from Hospitality's set at the Hopscotch Music Festival HERE. Also, check out the song "Friends of Friends" and more details about the album HERE.

Album Review: She & Him - A Very She and Him Christmas

Ever since Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward played “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on Conan O’Brien’s talk show, a She & Him Christmas album has seemed inevitable. Lo and behold, less than a year later (and before Halloween!), A Very She & Him Christmas hit the shelves.

The collection consists of mostly classic tunes and thankfully passes on kid stuff and overly dramatic hymns. The album has a good pace to it and wouldn’t be a bad soundtrack to a Christmas party.

Kelly Clarkson announces 2012 tour, coming to Durham

Hot on the heels of her fifth studio album, Stronger, Kelly Clarkson has announced a 2012 tour that will wind its way across North America through winter and into the spring.

Clarkson will make a stop at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 31, with special guest Matt Nathanson. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, November 19, starting at $68.

Click through for a complete list of tour dates as well as a clip from Clarkson's upcoming episode of VH1 Unplugged, which will air this Thursday.

Thurston Moore announces winter tour, coming to Durham

Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore is hitting the road in early 2012 to play some U.S. dates  in support of his latest solo album, Demolished Thoughts, released in May.

He'll stop at the Reynolds Industries Theater on Duke's campus in Durham on Tuesday, February 7 as part of the Duke Performances ongoing 2011-12 season. Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 18 at the Bryan Center box office or HERE for $28 or $22 (or $5 for Duke students).

Download the song "Benediction" from Demolished Thoughts below.

Elvis Costello reschedules postponed Durham show

It was a huge bummer when Elvis Costello and the Imposters had to postpone their Durham concert originally scheduled for September 22, but there is now reason to rejoice, as the show has been rescheduled.

Costello will now play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 29. Tickets purchased for the original date will be good for the new date. Tickets for the show are available via the box office or Ticketmaster.

As mentioned in the original write-up about the show, Costello is performing on the revived Spinning Songbook tour which features a giant gameshow style wheel spun throughout the evening to pick songs for the setlist. Check out performances of "Oliver's Army" and "Everyday I Write the Book" from tour stops earlier this year below.

Imperial Teen returns with new album in January, download "Runaway"

San Francisco indie pop band Imperial Teen are back and are gearing up to release their first album since 2007's The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band in early 2012.

The new album is titled Feel the Sound and will be out on January 31 via Merge Records. The album features eleven songs including the incredibly catchy leadoff track "Runaway" which you can stream or download below (to download, click the arrow on the right side of the player).

Imperial Teen took part in the twentieth anniversary festivities for Merge Records in 2009. Check out photos and a review of their set HERE.

The Love Language to ring in 2012 in Wilmington

Photo by Jessica Amaya

We may not have reached Thanksgiving yet, but it's certainly not too soon to start thinking about where you'll want to ring in the new year. One great option has already presented itself.

The Love Language will play a big bash in at The Soapbox in Wilmington on December 31 and they're bringing Triangle bands Last Year's Men and Gross Ghost along for the fun. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15 (there's an additional $5 charge for those under the age of 21).

The Love Language played a killer set at the Hopscotch Music Festival back in September. Check out photos and a review of the set HERE.

Hopscotch adds new venue for 2012, tickets on sale in December

It's hard to believe that the 2011 Hopscotch Music Festival was  two months ago (it doesn't feel like it's been that long), but we're already looking forward to the festivities of 2012.

The dates for 2012 were announced a while back, which are September 6, 7 and 8. The bands will be announced on April 18, 2012, but wristbands will go on sale next month, on Thursday, December 1. For the first time, the club-only wristband will not be an option due to "lack of interest" according to the festival. The 2012 options are as follows:

This week's Local Band Local Beer: Luego & Skylar Gudasz & the Ugly Girls

It's Thursday (November 10), so as always, there will be a another great free Local Band Local Beer show tonight at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh.

This week's show will feature a some pop rock from Luego and folk/alt-country from Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls. Check out a smorgasbord of songs from Luego via the first widget below and the entire 7-song album, Two Headed Monster, from Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls via the second widget.

As always, the music will start around 10 p.m. and the show is ages 21 and up.

Other Lives announces hefty 2012 tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Oklahoma band Other Lives will have the honor of opening for Radiohead on their upcoming U.S. tour (a tour which is sadly not coming to the Carolinas), but before they try to tackle arenas, they'll hit the road on a club tour.

They'll stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, February 24. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 11 via Etix for $10.

Stream Other Lives' sophomore album Tamer Animals in its entirety via the widget below.

Sharon Van Etten announces new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Dusdin Condren

Songstress Sharon Van Etten's star has been on the rise the past few years, and shows no signs of stopping.   She signed to Jagjaguwar Records earlier this year, who will release her third full-length album Tramp on February 7.

She'll hit the road following the release and will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, February 12. Shearwater will open the show. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $13.

Check out Van Etten's performance of "Save Yourself" from the 2011 Bonnarroo Festival below.

Shovels and Rope continue touring into 2012, coming back to Raleigh, Chapel Hill

The duo Shovels and Rope, who were just in Raleigh a few weeks ago with Butch Walker (check out photos HERE), are continuing their hectic touring schedule into 2012. The band has two trips to the Triangle planned between now and January.

First, they'll come back to Raleigh to play The Pour House with American Aquarium (who will be recording their set for a new live album) on Saturday, December 3. Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Then, as 2012 rolls in, Shovels and Rope will return to Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, January 17. He's My Brother She's My Sister and Henry Wolf are also on the bill. Tickets will be $8 at the door.

Win tickets to Architecture in Helsinki at Cat's Cradle

Architecture in Helsinki is winding down their North American tour before heading back to their native Australia next month, and a stop at Cat's Cradle on Monday, Nov. 14, is on their itinerary.

To win a pair of tickets to the show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Architecture in Helsinki tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Thursday, Nov. 10. We will notify the winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please. Congratulations, Matthew S.!

Tickets to the show are $15 in advance, $17 day of show (or $9 through this special Groupon Live offer). DOM and Lo Fi Fnk will open the show.

Album Review: Bombadil - All That The Rain Promises

After a couple of tough years highlighted by Daniel Michalak’s brutal case of tendonitis, Bombadil is back with All That The Rain Promises, their follow up to the the wonderful Tarpits and Canyonlands.

Much of the album is hopeful in tone, but it wouldn’t work as well without the brilliant cold open. “I Will Wait” is a prayer of desperation and its narrator is wondering why God isn’t answering.

“Oh Emmanuel, will you guide my way? Did you see, but do you understand how far I fell?” Michalak (correction: Stuart Robinson sings on "I Will Wait") pleads. All That The Rain Promises brings the listener into its story at rock bottom so that it can show them how to climb back up.

Jeff Mangum announces 2012 dates, coming to Chapel Hill

The once reclusive Jeff Mangum, leader of the acclaimed experimental folk band Neutral Milk Hotel, is continuing his return to the stage in 2012 with a new run of winter shows.

Mangum will come to Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill (on UNC's campus) on Monday, January 30. Tickets will go on sale HERE and at the Memorial Hall box office at 12 p.m. Friday, November 11 for $31. There will be a no photography and recording policy for this show which includes cell phones.

Megafaun to perform in Durham with John Hodgman

Comedian, author, actor and The Daily Show personality John Hodgman is currently touring the U.S. promoting his new book That Is All. He's also a big fan of our local superstars Megafaun, and he's asked them to take part in the the Triangle stop on his tour.

Megafaun will perform before Hodgman when he stops at the Durham Armory on Wednesday, November 9. Chapel Hill cartoonist David Rees will also take part in the event. Tickets are $25 and include a copy of That Is All and admission for two people, courtesy of The Regulator Bookshop. You can buy them in advance HERE.

Mount Moriah records/films new session with an unreleased song

The folks of the site HearYa have been kind to Triangle bands over the last few years, posting sessions from The Love Language and Megafaun. Now another great band, Mount Moriah, joins the short list.

Mount Moriah recorded a session for the site as a five-piece and played a four-song session, including an as-of-yet, unreleased song, "Swannanoa." The other songs in the set are "Reckoning," "The Telling Hour" and "The Letting Go."

Download all of the songs HERE and watch videos of each of the performances below.

Samantha Crain announces winter tour dates, coming to Chapel Hill & Raleigh

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain will hit the road in early 2012, still supporting her 2010 album You (Understood).

She'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, February 7 with American Aquarium. Tickets will be $8 in advance and will be available via Etix soon.

[UPDATE: Crain will also play the Pour House in Raleigh on Saturday, February 11. Tickets will be $10 at the door. There's no word on advance tickets yet.]

Dex Romweber Duo & Phil Cook to play Chapel Hill

After wrapping their current tour with the Meat Puppets on November 6, the Dex Rombweber Duo will hit the road for some headline dates, wrapping up with a post-Thanksgiving gig in the Triangle.

They'll play the Nightlight in Chapel Hill on Saturday, November 27 with Phil Cook and His Feat. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $10.

Check out the duo's latest music videos and a review of the album from which they came, Is That You in the Blue?, HERE.

Diana Krall announces spring tour, coming to Durham

While Elvis Costello may have had to cancel his recent show in Durham, his lovely wife and fantastic jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall will head our way on her spring tour.

She'll play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 22. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 11, at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Prices will start at $52.50.

Krall's latest album is 2009's Quiet Nights. Check out the music video for the title track from the album below. The song earned arranger Claus Ogerman a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) in 2010.

Koka Booth Amphitheater switches to Etix in 2012

In a big move for Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the venue has announced that they will be changing ticket providers starting in 2012. The ticket behemoth Ticketmaster is out and the North Carolina based Etix is in.

Anyone who has bought an advanced ticket to a club in the Triangle is likely already very familiar with Etix, as they've been a staple in the area for many years.

The big thing to watch for in Koka Booth's new season is whether prices will be lower. According to a statement from the venue, patrons should see a drop in ticket fees.

This week's Local Band Local Beer: The Loners & The Stars Explode

This Thursday, November 3, will bring another great free show to downtown Raleigh as part of the Local Band Local Beer series. Local rockers The Loners and The Stars Explode will play at Tir Na Nog in downtown Raleigh, set to start at the usual time, 10 p.m.

Check out three songs from The Loners and a whopping thirteen from The Stars Explode via the widgets below.

Don't forget, these shows are ages 21 and up only, so the younger folks will have to sit this one out.

Album Review: Mandolin Orange - Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger

Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger, the second release from Chapel Hill’s Mandolin Orange, is a rare kind of double album.

It isn’t a double album built to fit a concept. Haste Make and Hard Hearted Stranger easily stand on their own. You could listen to one or the other first - heck, even mix them together - and still get a similar listening experience.

Roger Waters bringing The Wall tour to Raleigh in 2012

After launching his tour of The Wall Live last year, Roger Waters has announced plans to bring that tour, a performance of Pink Floyd's The Wall in its entirety, back to North America in 2012, including a date in the Triangle.

Roger Waters will perform at Raleigh's RBC Center on Monday, July 9, 2012, with another North Carolina date at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena on July 10. Tickets for both dates go on sale on Monday, Nov. 14, through Ticketmaster. Prices are TBA.

Click through for a complete list of 2012 North American tour dates.