Lady Gaga expands tour, coming to Greensboro

Lady Gaga has extended her Born This Way Ball tour, which kicked off earlier this year in South Korea and has been making its way around the globe. The 2013 leg of the tour includes dates in North America, including a stop in Greensboro.

Gaga and her army of little monsters will play the Greensboro Coliseum on Monday, March 18. Zedd and Lady Starlight will open the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. via LiveNation with a fan presale beginning Monday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices are TBA.

A complete list of tour dates is below.

Merge signs Mikal Cronin, new album out in 2013

With 2012 winding down, Merge Records are gearing up for 2013. They've already announced new albums from Radar Brothers, Amor de Días and Mount Moriah, and now they've added another new artist to their roster.

Singer-songwriter Mikal Cronin is now a part of the Merge family and he will release the follow-up to his 2011 self-titled album in 2013. Cronin is currently touring as apart of Ty Segall's band, but he'll play shows next year in support of his new release. We'll let you know when he inevitably makes his way to the Triangle.

Check out the songs "Apathy" and "Get Along" from Mikal Cronin's self-titled album via the widget below.

Tame Impala announces 2013 tour, coming to Carrboro

Australian rock band Tame Impala will come to North America for an east coast tour in early 2013 in support of their latest album Lonerism, released in October.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, February 21. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 30 via Etix for $17.

Check out the cool animated video for "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" from Lonerism below. The video was made entirely from plasticine collage.

Mount Moriah releasing sophomore album in February

Ever since Merge Records announced that they had signed local up and coming band Mount Moriah back in September, we've been waiting for information about the release of their sophomore album. Now that information has arrived.

The new album, Miracle Temple, will be released on February 26 on CD, LP and digitally (it will be out on March 4 in the UK). Check out the full track list below and a little more descriptive info about the album HERE.

Mount Moriah will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, December 8 with Bowerbirds. Ticket are available via Etix for $12.

Eels announces new album, 2013 tour

Alt rock mainstays the Eels are gearing up for the release of a new album, their tenth, titled Wonderful, Glorious. The album will be out on February 5 and a big tour will follow shortly thereafter.

The band will return to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, March 4. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 30, via Etix for $22.

Check out the wonderfully fuzzy song "Peach Blossom," from Wonderful, Glorious below.

Conor Oberst's Desaparecidos announces winter tour

Conor Oberst's early 2000's heavier rock outfit Desaparecidos reformed a few years ago and released a new double a-side single earlier this year. They appear to be hitting the road again in 2013, and a new show has popped up on a local schedule. [A full tour has now been announced.]

Desaparecidos will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, February 17. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 30 via Etix for $20.

Check out "MariKKKopa" and "Backsell," the songs from the band's aforementioned single, below.

New holiday music from The Rosebuds - "Christmas Dan"

Just last week we told you that The Rosebuds released a new album of original holiday tunes dubbed Christmas Tree Island. Now they're giving away a song from the album.

The free download is of the quirky little tune "Christmas Dan," one of the album's best tracks. Submit a working email via the widget below to get the song.

The album is available now via The Rosebuds' Bancamp page or the usual big download services. Also, if you haven't already checked out The Rosebuds' version of Sade's Love Deluxe, check it out HERE.

Mandolin Orange to play MS benefit in Durham

Local folk/Americana rising stars Mandolin Orange will play a big local show this Friday to raise money for the Eastern NC Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mandolin Orange, Magnolia Collective, The Dogwoods, and Django Haskins (of The Old Ceremony) will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Friday, November 30. Advance tickets are available HERE for $10.

Mandolin Orange played Motorco this summer as part of Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens series. Check out some photos from the show HERE.

The Music Tapes announces 'The Traveling Imaginary' tour

The eclectic, folksy, experimental Julian Koster, better known as The Music Tapes, will be taking his latest album, Mary's Voice, on the road in early 2013 as he embarks on The Traveling Imaginary Tour. This will be a unique tour to match Koster's unique music. The band will erect a circus tent for each show where the band will perform.

The Music Tapes will play three shows in the Triangle. There will be two shows at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, January 28 (one at 8 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m.). Ticket information for these shows is not available yet. Tickets will go on sale soon via Etix for $12.

The following night, Tuesday, January 29, he'll play Duke Coffeehouse in Durham. Additional information for this show is not available yet either. We'll keep you posted when we know more.

The Rosebuds release Christmas album

Less than a week after releasing their version of Sade's Love Deluxe, The Rosebuds are back again with a brand new collection of holiday tunes dubbed Christmas Tree Island.

The album features 13 original songs which the band is selling via Bandcamp as well as through the usual download sources (iTunes, Amazon and so on). You can also stream the album via the widget below or via Spotify.

Check out the full track list of Christmas Tree Island below.

Jonathan Richman announces winter tour, coming to Carrboro

Veteran singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman, founding member and frontman of The Modern Lovers, is hitting the road on a two and half week tour in February that will bring him to the Triangle

He'll make a stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, February 15. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, November 21, via Etix for $12.

Check out a video of Richman performing the song "Bohemia" at a show in the UK earlier this year below.

Eric Clapton announces spring tour with The Wallflowers

Legendary singer-songwriter, guitarist and three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eric Clapton is hitting the road in spring 2013 on a tour that will end with the Crossroads Guitar Festival in New York. The Wallflowers will open the entire tour except the festival.

The tour will bring Clapton to the PNC Arena in Raleigh on Wednesday, April 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 7, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $45, $65 or $85.

Check out a video of Clapton performing his classic song "Cocaine" at a show in 2007 below.

The Rosebuds cover Sade's album 'Love Deluxe'

The Rosebuds have been living in Brooklyn for quite a while now, but before heading north, Ivan Howard lived in Wilmington for a bit and had some free time on his hands. During that time, he decided to record one his favorite albums, Sade's 1992 album Love Deluxe, in its entirety.

The results of the sessions, which feature Rob Lackey on drums, Matt Douglas on saxophone and Jonathan Yu on keyboards, are fantastic. Stream the entire album via the widget below or download it for free via The Rosebuds' Bandcamp page.

Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt heat up Cat's Cradle

Photos by Justin Weber

A chilly and damp Thursday night welcomed one of the best double bills an Americana fan could ask for in Tift Merritt and Justin Townes Earle.

Merritt opened the show with a thunderous set. Those who though Merritt would be the calm counter part to Earle’s mischief were wrong. In her hour on stage, Merritt rarely let up and played big numbers that she could sink her teeth into. Between songs she expressed her genuine happiness to be home in North Carolina.

While most of her set consisted of tune from her most recent album, Traveling Alone, one of the highlights of her performance was an intense redition of 2004’s soulful “Good Hearted Man.”

B.B. King announces 2013 dates, coming to Durham with Robert Cray

At 87 years old, blues legend B.B. King keeps on touring harder than most musicians who are decades younger. After wrapping up his fall tour in early December, King will hit the road again in 2013 and will make his way back to the Triangle.

He'll make his third stop at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 21. Robert Cray will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 14 via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out a video of King performing "Key to the Highway" at DPAC in 2011 below.

Hiss Golden Messenger to play free in-store Saturday

After playing The Pinhook in Durham tonight, November 16, celebrating the release of Lord I Love the Rain, Hiss Golden Messenger will head to Raleigh for a free in-store performance at Schoolkids Records on Saturday.

The in-store will start at 2 p.m. and will even have an opener, Plowman from Columbia, SC. Speaking about this event and the previous night's show, Hiss Golden Messenger says "And this will be it for local performances until who knows? March?"

Bryan Adams extends solo tour, coming to Raleigh

Canadian pop rocker Bryan Adams has extended his Bare Bones solo tour into 2013 and he'll be making a stop in the Triangle.

Adams will bring the tour to the Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, January 22. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 16, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $45 to $75.

Check out the hit "Summer of '69" from the 2010 acoustic album Bare Bones via Spotify below.

Willie Nelson announces new tour dates, coming to Durham

Country legend Willie Nelson has announced some new tour dates that will bring him back to the Triangle with his band in early 2013.

Nelson will play his third show at the Durham Performing Arts Center (the previous two shows sold out) on Friday, January 18. Willie's son Lukas Nelson will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 17 via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $51 to $78.50.

If you're looking to see Willie in North Carolina before the end of the year, he'll play Charlotte on December 5, Asheville on December 6, and Bolivia on December 7. Check out the schedule below.

Yo La Tengo announces new album, winter tour

Photo by Carlie Armstrong

Veteran indie rockers Yo La Tengo rolled through Raleigh in September to play the Hopscotch Festival and now they'll come back our way to kick off their North American tour in support of their new album Fade, out on January 15.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, January 25. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 16, via Etix for $22.

Check out a review and a few photos of Yo La Tengo's set at the Hopscotch Festival HERE.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion announces winter tour

Gritty alt rockers the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion released a new album in September titled Meat & Bone and they'll hit the road to tour the southern states in January.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, January 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 16, via Etix for $15.

Check out the music video for the fuzzed out tune "Black Mold," the opening track from Meat & Bone, below.

Album Review: Tracey Thorn - Tinsel and Lights

A Tracey Thorn Christmas album seems strange until you listen to it. Tinsel and Lights isn’t a normal tribute to tradition or a tongue-in-cheek spoof.

Through an eclectic selection of covers and a pair of original tunes, Tinsel and Lights paints Christmas as a myth of a time when people dream of catching a break and making changes.

“You loved it as a kid and now you need it more than you ever did,” Thorn sings on the her own “Joy.” “It’s because of the dark we see the beauty in the spark. That’s why, that’s why the carols make you cry.”

Menomena announces winter tour, coming to Durham

Portland indie duo Menomena are hitting the road on a winter tour in early 2013 in support of their fifth studio album Moms, released in September, and they'll make a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Wednesday, February 20. Ticket information is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 16 HERE for $14.

Check out the music video for the song "Plumage" from Moms below.

They Might Be Giants announces 2013 tour, coming to Carrboro

Nerdy rockers They Might Be Giants are wrapping up the recording of a new album that should be out early next year and they're planning to hit the road on a big U.S. tour in support of it.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, April 10. Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 16, via Etix for $23.

They Might Be Giants recently released a new compilation DVD featuring music videos, animations and some rare home movies and other slips titled Them Ain't Big Eyed Ants. Check out the video for "When Will You Die?" from the DVD below.

Radar Brothers to release 'Eight' in January

Not only will Merge Records kick off 2013 with a new album from Amor de Días, but they'll also release a new album from Radar Brothers.

The album is titled Eight, for obvious reasons, and will be released on January 29 on vinyl and as a digital download only. There will be no CD release for this one. The album is said to be the band "darkest, hardest rocking, most psychedelic, and yet most intensely personal album to date."

We'll bring you some new music from the release once its available. Check out photos of the band's set at the XX Merge festival in 2009 HERE.

Matrimony signs with Columbia Records, new album next year

There is big news this week for Charlotte-based alt-folk band Matrimony. They have signed a deal with  Columbia Records, which will release the band's new album in 2013. They are currently recording with Jay Joyce.

The band has released a music video for the song "Obey Your Guns," which will be on the new album. Check out the video below.

We caught a fantastic Matrimony set when they opened for Shovels and Rope at Local 506 in August 2011. Check out photos of the set HERE.

Win tickets to Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt at Cat's Cradle

Singer-songwriters Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt will co-headline a show at Cat's Cradle next Thursday, October 15, and we're giving a pair of tickets away to one lucky fan.

For a chance to win, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "JTE & Tift tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Monday, November 12. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon.

Tickets to the show are $20 and available via Etix.

Suzanne Vega announces 2013 dates, coming to Carrboro

Veteran singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega released a new collection of stripped down versions of songs from her back catalogue titled Close-Up Vol. 4, Songs of Family (as you may have guessed, it's the fourth collection of stripped down tunes). She'll hit the road on a U.S. tour next year and is coming back to the Triangle.

She'll play the ArtsCenter in Carrboro on Thursday, February 28. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $30. She will also conduct a master class in songwriting before the show. Tickets for that event are on sale via Etix as well.

Check out the new version of the song "Pilgrimage" found on Close-Up Vol. 4, Songs of Family below.

Amor de Días to release sophomore album in January

The duo of Alasdair MacLean (of The Clientele) and Lupe Núñez-Fernández (Pipas), better known as Amor de Días, are gearing up to release their sophomore album in early 2013.

The album, titled The House at Sea, will be released on January 29. The album was recorded by the duo in just nine days with engineer/producer Brian O'Shaughnessy and the rhythm section James Hornsey and Howard Monk.

Check out a review of the band's debut album HERE as well as a review of their show at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro in May 2011 HERE.

Chris Stamey to release new solo album in February

Acclaimed North Carolina singer-songwriter and dB's founder Chris Stamey is gearing up to release his first solo album since 2005's A Question of Temperature.

Yep Roc Records will release Stamey's new album, Lovesick Blues, on February 5. Stream the song "Astronomy" from the album via the widget below or download it HERE (you need to fork over a working email address to get it).

There will almost certainly be a big local release show in the new year to launch the album. We'll keep you posted once that's been announced.

Concrete Blonde announces December tour, coming to Carrboro

Veteran alternative band Concrete Blonde is hitting the road on a short,  nine-city U.S. tour in December which will bring them to the Triangle.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, December 18. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, November 7 via Etix for $20.

Stream the song "Joey" from the band's acclaimed 1990 album Bloodletting below. A remastered deluxe edition of the album was released in 2010.

Smokey Robinson announces 2013 tour, coming to Durham

After playing a few shows to close out 2012, R&B legend Smokey Robinson will hit the road in the new year and he'll make a stop in the Triangle in the spring.

He'll play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 5. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 16, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out Robinson performing the classic song "Tracks of My Tears" with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in 2009 below.

Video: The Avett Brothers performs with Brooklyn Philharmonic on Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel has been shooting his late night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in Brooklyn this week and on Thursday night, The Avett Brothers played the show with quite a few special guests.

The band performed a stunning version of the title track from their 2009 album I and Love and You with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. The orchestra takes the song to a whole new level. Check out the performance below.

As we previously mentioned, The Avett Brothers will play a big show on New Year's Eve at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster for $29.50 to $54.50.

R. Kelly extends the Single Ladies Tour, coming to Greensboro

R&B superstar R. Kelly had announced his Single Ladies Tour a while back, but he's just added a few new shows and he'll make his way to the Triad.

He'll perform at War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro on Friday, December 7. Tamia will open. Tickets go on sale today, November 2 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster for $45 to $125.

Check out the music video for the song "Feelin' Single" from Kelly's new album Write Me Back below.

Ponderosa coming to Raleigh in November

Georgia-based rising stars Ponderosa don't have many shows scheduled for the rest of the year, but they will be making a stop in the Triangle after Thanksgiving.

The band will play Kings Barcade in Raleigh on Thursday, November 29. The Cousins will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $8.

Ponderosa released a fantastic album earlier this year titled Pool Party. Check out a live performance of the song "Navajo" from the album below.

John Vanderslice and Crooked Fingers charm Kings Barcade

Photos by Justin Weber

John Vanderslice and Crooked Fingers kicked off a 3 week tour together with a fun and friendly show to a small crowd at Kings Barcade in Raleigh Tuesday night.

Vanderslice opened the show by praising the quality of the backstage food and then proved his point by bringing out a giant bowl of kale to share with the audience. He played solo most of the night, but the gentle crunching of crispy kale from the audience provide some light percussion throughout the show.

Vanderslice paused between each song to tell stories and converse with the audience. Before “Convict Lake” he explained that the song was about the time he took too much acid and woke up in a hospital. He talked about the dangers of a rigid concept before singing “Scorpio Rising,” a song from a collaboration he did with John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats.