Thursday, May 31, 2012

Gotye announces North American tour, coming to Raleigh

Australian indie sensation Gotye has been riding high on the wave of his album Making Mirrors and its breakout single "Somebody That I Used to Know" since its release early this year. Now Wally De Backer, better known by his stage name, is ready to hit the road and go straight to fans.

Gotye's tour will bring him across continent and to the Raleigh Amphitheater on Monday, October 1. Missy Higgins and Jonti will open the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 8, at 10 a.m. via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Prices range from $40 to $69, including fees.

Check out Gotye's SNL performance of "Eyes Wide Open" as well as his digital short featuring Andy Samburg and Taran Killam, below.

Win tickets to The Beast & Big Band at Duke Gardens

Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens series will kick off next Wednesday, June 6, with a performance by hip-hop-jazz fusion band The Beast and Big Band.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Beast tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Monday, June 4. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please.

Tickets to the show are $12, or $5 for Duke students and employees, and free for children 12 and under.

Poliça announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Cameron Wittig
Minneapolis singer-songwriter Channy Leanagh formed a new band called Poliça after her stint with the supergroup Gayngs. With the help of Gayngs mastermind Ryan Olson producing, Poliça released their debut album Give You the Ghost last year.

The band will hit the road on a fall headlining tour which will bring them to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, October 1. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 1 via Etix for $12.

Check out the new music video for the song "Wandering Star" from Give You the Ghost below.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Josh Ritter announces summer tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Sam Kassirer
Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter released a new six-song EP titled Bringing in the Darlings in February and will hit the road this summer to support it.

Ritter and his band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, August 4. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 1 via Etix for $20.

Check out the music video for "Love is Making Its Way Back Home" from Bringing in the Darlings below. The video was made using over 12,000 pieces of construction paper and there were no effects added in post production. It is really impressive.

New music from Delta Rae - "Fire" + a free in-store in Raleigh

Durham band Delta Rae are use a few weeks away from releasing their debut album Carry the Fire, out on June 19 via Sire Records (a major label part of Warner Music Group).

The band have just released the intense, fiery song "Fire" from the album which you can stream below.

Delta Rae will celebrate the release of Carry the Fire with an in-store performance and signing at Schoolkids Records in Raleigh on June 9. That's right, you'll be able to buy the album ten days early at Schoolkids.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Bluegrass legend, NC native Doc Watson dead at 89

We have sad, sad news this evening. Legendary North Carolina bluegrass pioneer Doc Watson has died today at the age of 89.

Watson was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem last week after a fall at his home. After undergoing colon surgery, Watson was reportedly recovering in the hospital, though was still deemed to be in critical condition. Sadly, he passed today, May 29.

Check out an old performance of "Deep River Blues" which features closeups of Watson's world famous flattpicking style below.

Watson was scheduled to play the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on June 30.

Yeasayer announces new album, hefty 2012 tour

Psychedelic Brooklyn band Yeasayer are gearing up for the release of their third album Fragrant World, due out on August 20. The band will stay busy well into the fall, touring both leading up to the release and after it's out.

The band will come back to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, September 9. Tickets will go on sale soon via Etix for $22. Pre-sale tickets are available now HERE.

UPDATE: Tonight's Yeasayer show has been postponed. Details are available HERE.

Stream the groovy tune "Henrietta" from Fragrant World below.

Album review: The Cribs - In The Belly of the Brazen Bull

In The Belly of The Brazen Bull gives fans of The Cribs pretty much anything they could ever want from the band, filtered through the 90s buzz lens of producers Steve Albini and Dave Fridmann.

The fifth record from the Yorkshire trio (former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr left the band in April 2011) runs the gamut. The first half cranks through short bursts of solid pop laced with aggressive guitar and drums. Here listeners are treated to the radio-ready sing-a-long anthem “Come On, Be a No One” and “Anna,” a romantic rocker with some great drum fills in the chorus.

In the middle of the album, The Cribs try out some new things. The Albini-produced “Chi-Town” is as close to punk as they’ll get with adequate results. “Back to the Bolthole” is a sludge fest with a creeping tempo and gritty synths that segues into the album’s quietest track, “I Should Have Helped.”

Joshua Bell coming to Chapel Hill in November

Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell will make his way back to the Triangle this fall as part of UNC's Carolina Performing Arts 2012-13 season.

He'll play Memorial Hall on Friday, November 2. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, June 19 HERE for $39, $59, $69, $79 or $89. Student tickets will be just $10.

The performance will include Schubert's Rondo for Violin and Piano in B minor, Op. 70, R. Strauss' Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat, Op. 18, Dvořak's Romantic Pieces, Op. 75, B. 150 and Prokofiev's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94 bis.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Hammer No More the Fingers releasing 'Pink Worm' EP in June

Durham trio Hammer No More the Fingers will unleash the follow up to 2011's Black Shark in June.

The release is a five-song EP titled Pink Worm which will be out on June 12. The EP was recorded last summer with engineer/producer B.J. Burton of The Love Language. Check out the track list below as well as a video of the band performing the title track at The Pour House in January.

The band will spend June and July traveling up and down the east coast to support the release. The Triangle release show will be at Kings in Raleigh on Friday, July 6. Ticket information is not available yet.

Friday, May 25, 2012

New music from Redd Kross - "Researching the Blues"

Photo by Jon Krop
We told you a few weeks ago that Merge Records will be releasing Red Cross' first new album in 15 years on August 7 title Researching the Blues. Now we have some music from the album to share with you.

Stream blistering title track from Researching the Blues below or head to Soundcloud to download it.

There are still no tour dates to share with you yet, but Merge bands tend to stop in the Triangle, except for one big exception, so we'll let you know when they're coming our way.

Man Man announces June tour, coming to Durham

Philadelphia indie rockers Man Man are hitting the road in June supporting their latest album Life Fantastic, released last May.

The tour is currently scheduled to wrap up at Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Sunday, June 17. Raleigh Moncrief will open. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $12.

Check out a bunch of young, leather-clad hooligans causing trouble in the music video for "Piranhas Club" from Life Fantastic below.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Phil Cook, Jack the Radio & Big Fat Gap to play free Indy show in Durham

To celebrate the annual The Independent's Best of the Triangle winners for 2012, the publication is throwing a free party in downtown Durham on Saturday, June 9.

The event will be at the American Tobacco Campus and will feature performances by Phil Cook and His Feet, Jack the Radio and Big Fat Gap. There will be food and other items for sale from local businesses who are Best of the Triangle finalists.

Things will get started at 4 p.m and run until 11 p.m.

Archers of Loaf tour film screening at the Cradle

It's a big week in news from the Archers of Loaf camp. We just told you about the final two remastered albums which are set to be released in August, and now the band's tour documentary What Did You Expect? - The Archers of Loaf Live at the Cat's Cradle is set for its North Carolina premiere.

The film by by Gorman Bechard documents Archers of Loaf's two-night stand at the Cat's Cradle last August and also includes interviews with the band. It will be screened at the club on Saturday, July 7. Tickets will be on sale soon via Etix for $6.

Check out the trailer for the film below which captures the ferocity of the band as well as the dimly lit Cradle in all its glory.

These United States announces summer tour, releasing new album

Indie band These United States, who are originally from D.C. but now call Brooklyn and Carrboro home, are releasing their fifth album, which is self-titled, on June 12. A headlining tour will follow the release, including a show in the Triangle.

The band will play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Thursday, July 5. The Henry Clay People will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $9.

Download or stream the songs "Dead & Gone" and "Born Young" from These United States below.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

New music from Wood Ear - "Leave My Walls"

Durham folk rock band Wood Ear will release its first release in five years this summer. The band's Steeple Vultures EP will be available June 12 on Churchkey Records

Wood Ear will play a release party at Pinhook on Saturday, June 9, joined by Spider Bags and WOWOLFOL. Tickets are $5 and the show kicks off at 10 p.m.

Stream or download the song "Leave My Walls" from Steeple Vultures below.

Sebadoh announces summer tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Jason Loewenstein
Indie trio Sebadoh has been intermittently working on a new album, which would be their first in since 1999's The Sebadoh. The album might not be out until 2013, but the band is hitting the road on a short summer tour and is planning to release an EP of new music that won't be on the album ahead of the shows.

The band will return to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, August 11. The band members will open the show themselves, Lou Barlow performing solo and Jason Loewenstein and Bob D'Amico will perform as Circle of Buzzards. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Check out the music video for "Willing to Wait" from the band's 1996 album Harmacy below.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Merge to re-issue final two Archers of Loaf albums in August

After reissuing Icky Mettle last year and Vee Vee in February, Merge Records is reissuing the final two albums of the Archers of Loaf catalog this summer.

The albums All the Nations Airports (1996) and White Trash Heroes (1998) will be released on August 7 and, just like the other reissues, these are remastered and will feature a plethora of bonus tracks including b-sides and demos. Check out the full track lists below.

Check out the title track from All the Nations Airports and "Fashion Bleeds" from White Trash Heroes below (note that the audio in these clips are from the original releases, not the new, remastered versions).

Album Review: Red Collar - Welcome Home

Three years after their debut, Pilgrim, Red Collar is back with Welcome Home, a focused effort full of smart songwriting and larger-than-life moments.

This time around around, lead singer Jason Kutchma is exposed front and center. He sounds extremely confident here and his grizzled voice takes over the record often. Welcome Home begins with him shouting at a boy to stand up straight in "Orphanage" and Kutchma is so commanding, the listener will find their own spine stiffening.

Kutchma’s powerful vocals are balanced with an equally powerful dual-guitar attack. Combined, they’re big and bold without being brash, but the crystal clear production makes possible to go back and forth between speakers and here each individual line. It’s really cool to hear when both lines merge into one to send a song into the stratosphere.

Merge to re-issue entire remastered Sugar catalog

Merge Records announced earlier this year that they had signed legendary rocker Bob Mould, who would release a new album on the label in the fall. The details of that album are still TBA, but the label just announced that they will reissue the back catalog of Mould's 1990s band Sugar this summer.

The catalog will be released as two collections, both of which will be released on July 24. The first is a 3-CD or 2-LP set which includes the debut album Copper Blue, the EP Beaster, b-sides and a complete live show recorded in 1992.

The second collection is a 2-CD or 1-LP set which includes the album File Under: Easy Listening, b-sides and an entire live show recorded in 1994.

Check out the full track lists for both releases below along with a trailer for them.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Win tickets to Yann Tiersen at Cat's Cradle

French experimental musician and indie folk rocker Yann Tiersen is touring the United States on the release of his latest album, Skyline, and is making at stop at Cat's Cradle this Friday, May 25.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Yann Tiersen tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Wednesday, May 23. We will pick and notify a winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please.

Tickets to the show are $18 adv/$20 day of an available via Etix. Piano Chat will open the show.

The Gaslight Anthem adds 2012 dates, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Danny Clinch
Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem will release their fourth full-length album Handwritten on July 24 and will be on the road all year supporting it, though their stop in the Triangle will come a few days before the release.

They'll stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, July 19. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 24 via Etix for $20. Dave Hause will open.

Stream the song "24," the first single from Handwritten below.

Friday, May 18, 2012

The dB's share two songs from new album, announce release show in Durham

Back in March we told you that North Carolina rock icons The dB's will release a new album on June 12 titled Falling Off the Sky. With the release date quickly approaching, they're giving away two fantastic songs from the album, "Before We Were Born" and "That Time is Gone." Stream or download the songs via the widget below (clicking download will get you a zip file of the two songs).

The band has also announced their hometown release show which will be at Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Saturday, June 9. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $15. The Stars Explode will open.

The dB's will also play the Hopscotch Music Festival in downtown Raleigh in September. Check out more info about the festival HERE.

Punch Brothers rolls out new 2012 dates, coming to Chapel Hill

Alt-bluegrass quintet the Punch Brothers are no strangers to the Triangle, stopping by on a regular basis to share their unique string band sound with adoring fans. They'll make their way back to the Triangle this fall supporting their third album Who's Feeling Young Now?

The band will play Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, October 16, as part of Carolina Performing Arts 2012-13 season. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m on Tuesday, June 19 HERE for $89, $79, $69, $59 or $39. Single student tickets will be $10.

Check out the band performing "This Girl" and "Movement and Location" on Later with Jools Holland below.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Tallest Man on Earth announces new album & summer tour

Swedish singer-songrwiter Kristian Matsson, better known as The Tallest Man on Earth, will release his third album, There's No Leaving Now, on June 12 via Dead Oceans Records. He'll spend the summer traveling across the U.S. and Europe and will be stopping in the Triangle.

He'll play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Wednesday, July 25. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 18, via Ticketfly for $15.

Stream or download the song "1904" from There's No Leaving Now via the widget below.

Brandi Carlile announces big summer tour, coming to Durham

Folk/alt-country singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is hitting the road on a big summer tour in support of her new album Bear Creek, due out on June 5. She'll open a few dates for the Dave Matthews band in June and July, but will spend most of the summer headlining shows across the U.S.

She'll make a stop at the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Tuesday, August 7. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $35 to $45.

Check out an EPK about the new album Bear Creek below.

Merle Haggard announces summer shows with Kris Kristofferson

Country legend Merle Haggard will be on the road much of the year touring in support of his latest album Working in Tennessee. A few of the shows will also feature country icon Kris Kristofferson, and the Triangle was lucky enough to land one of the gigs.

The pair will play the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Tuesday, August 7. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18, via Etix for $39.50 or $59.50.

Check out the duo performing the Haggard classic "Mama Tried" below. The video is out of focus, but it sounds fantastic.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Yep Roc announces three day 15th anniversary festival in Carrboro

Haw River based Yep Roc Records (which will move to Hillsborough later this year) is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year and will be celebrating with a big three-day bash at the Cat's Cradle this October dubbed YR15.

The event will take place on October 11-13 and feature some of Yep Roc's biggest acts including Nick Lowe, Fountains of Wayne, Robyn Hitchcock, Sloan, Eleni Mandell, Liam Finn, Chatham County Line, Minus 5 and many more. Check out the current lineup below which is expected to grow as the fall draws nearer.

There will also be a special pre-festival party at Local 506 on October 10 available to those who buy a special pass (limited to 100) which will feature Lost Straightjackets, The Fleshtones, Southern Culture on the Skids and Countdown Quartet. Other benefits of the pass include access to a private reception with Yep Roc artists at the West End Wine Bar on October 12 and a "star-studded" recording session hosted by Chris Stamey and Scott McCaughey.

The Zombies announce summer tour, coming to Carrboro

Legendary British pop rock band The Zombies, featuring original members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, are gearing up for a U.S. summer tour. The band released a new album in 2011 titled Breathe Out, Breathe In.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, July 29. Tickets will go on sale soon via Etix for $32.

Check out a recent performance of one of my favorite Zombies tunes "This Will Be Our Year" below as well as the classic "Time of the Season."

World of Bluegrass makes move to Raleigh for 2013-15

The International Bluegrass Music Association announced plans today to move its annual World of Bluegrass event to the City of Oaks for three years beginning in September 2013. The event has been in Nashville since 2005 and was previously held in Kentucky.

The week-long event, which includes the IBMA Business conference, the IBMA Awards, and a three-day bluegrass Fan Fest, will be hosted by the Raleigh Convention center, the Raleigh Amphitheater and Memorial Auditorium and is both a cultural and financial get for the city. The event will draw thousands of out-of-towners to downtown Raleigh hotels and restaurants, with an estimated $3 million in economic impact.

M. Ward plays sharp, dynamic set at Page Auditorium

Singer songwriter M. Ward brought the tour in support of his latest album A Wasteland Companion to Page Auditorium at Duke last night and the crowd was treated to a dynamic set showcasing his new music as well as his fantastic catalog.

Ward, backed by a trio of musicians, started things mellow with "Post-War," "Clean Slate" and "Watch the Show," each of which showcased his gravely baritone voice and signature guitar playing. The breezy "For Beginners" shifted the vibe set, setting the tone for the dynamic set to follow.

The back of the stage was lined with large windows which projected beautiful scenes of clouds rolling by, city buildings at night, birds flying and more. It simple and not distracting, yet one of the nicest visual elements I've ever seen used at a concert.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Locally Grown series back to Franklin Street for summer 2012

Now in its fifth year, the Locally Grown Music and Movie Series is back for another summer of free rooftop entertainment. The series is held on top of the Wallace parking deck at 150 E. Franklin St., Sutton's and other businesses on Franklin Street.

The series kicks off on Thursday, June 28, with Lizzy Ross Band, Mary Johnson Rockers & The Spark, and Birds & Arrows. Mount Moriah and Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls will take the rooftop on July 26, and Mipso Trio and Morning Brigade will perform on August 23. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and movies at 8 p.m. Concerts will also feature a beer garden and food from Franklin Street eateries.

The full series, including movies, is below.

Album Review: The Stars Explode - Between The Lines

Doug Edmunds of Gladhands and Violet Vector and The Lovely Lovelies fame is back with his other band, The Stars Explode, and their new record, Between The Lines, is built on a solid North Carolina power pop foundation.

It’s mostly about big guitars and big melodies on Between The Lines. Things kick off with “Here and Now,” a lively tribute to living in the moment. “Feet of Clay” has some nice interplay between lead vocals and solo guitar, played by Eric Peterson. It’s fun to hear such unashamed guitar solos front and center.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Glen Campbell extends the Goodbye Tour, coming to Cary

The Rhinestone Cowboy himself, country legend Glen Campbell, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about a year and a half ago, but is currently on his Goodbye Tour, performing his classics one last time.

He'll play the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Saturday, July 21. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18 via Etix for $39.50 to $59.50.

Check out the Grammy tribute to Campbell from this year's award show featuring The Band Perry, Blake Shelton and then the man himself finishing things off with "Rhinestone Cowboy" below.

Old Crow Medicine Show announces summer tour, coming to Cary

The fantastic string band Old Crow Medicine show welcomed back founding member Critter Fuqua earlier this year, have a new album due out sometime this year (the details have not been released yet) and will hit the road on a big summer tour, bringing them back to the Triangle.

The band will play the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Saturday, August 18. The Lumineers will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, May 18, via Etix for $34.50.

Check out a clip of Old Crow's Ketch Secor, Critter Fuqua and Morgan Jahnig playing their signature tune "Wagon Wheel" at the Haw River Ballroom in March below.

Yes announces summer tour, coming to Raleigh

English symphonic prog rockers Yes are hitting the road on a big summer tour in support of their 2011 album, Fly from Here, the band's first new album since 2001.

The band will come to Raleigh Amphitheater on Wednesday, July 25. Procol Harum will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18, via the Progress Energy Center box office and the big ticket outlets for $22 to $52.

Check out the music video for "Fly from Here Pt. 1 - We Can Fly" from Fly from Here below.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Twin Shadow announces new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Brooklyn musician George Lewis, Jr., better known by his stage name Twin Shadow, is gearing up for the release of his sophomore album Confess, due out on July 10. He'll hit the road on a big tour in late July which will keep him on the road through September.

He'll make a stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, September 23. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Stream or download the song "Five Seconds" from Confess below.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Video: Bowerbirds performs sessions in Minneapolis

While touring in support of their latest album The Clearing, Bowerbirds recently stopped in Minneapolis, MN and performed some songs for MPLS.TV and their label, Dead Oceans.

The session for MPLS.TV is part of the North Shore Sessions series. It was filmed in an empty building (Take Away style) and features stunning performances of "Overcome With Light" and "Brave World." The session for Dead Oceans is part of their 10,000 Takes series and features "This Year" performed at a gig at The Cedar. Check out both sessions below.

JEFF the Brotherhood announces June tour, intimate Raleigh gig

The Hopscotch Music Festival has been bringing great bands to the Triangle outside of one three-day weekend a year in September, and now they're bringing Nashville duo JEFF the Brotherhood to Raleigh to play an intimate show that will kick off the band's headlining tour.

The brothers (the band is comprised of two siblings) will play the Berkeley Cafe on Wednesday, June 13. Heavy Cream will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $10.

Check out the music video for "Bummer" from JEFF the Brotherhood's latest album We Are the Champions below.

Redd Kross sign to Merge Records, new album out this summer

Veteran California power pop/rock band Redd Kross returned to the stage in 2006 after almost a decade-long hiatus, and this year, the band will return with their first new album in fifteen years.

The album is titled Researching the Blues and will be released by Durham's own Merge Records on August 7. Check out the track list below.

The band only have a few festival dates scheduled this spring, but plan to hit the road on a proper tour later this year. We'll keep you posted if they come our way.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Win tickets to M. Ward at Page Auditorium

Photo by Autumn de Wilde
Singer-songwriter M. Ward released his critically acclaimed new album A Wasteland Companion in April and has been touring the country bringing the new songs to the masses. The tour will stop at Page Auditorium on Duke's campus on Tuesday, May 15.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show at Page Auditorium, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "M. Ward tickets" in the subject line no later that noon on Friday, May 11. One entry per person, please. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon.

Tickets to the show are available here for $22 or $28. Lee Ranaldo (of Sonic Youth) and his band will open.

Matisyahu announces new album & summer tour

MC and singer Matisyahu is gearing up for the release of his new album Spark Seeker due out on July 17 and he'll behitting the road on a big summer tour that will bring him to Raleigh.

He'll come back the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, August 18, but this time he'll play outside the club. The Dirty Heads will open. Tickets will go on Friday, May 11 via Etix for $28.50.

Check out the first single from Spark Seeker, "Sunshine," below. You can also download the song for free at Matisyahu's website if you're willing to give a working email address.

Superchunk releasing new single 'This Summer'

To celebrate the summer and to help bridge the gap between 2010's Majesty Shredding and Superchunk's next album, the band will release a new 7-inch single this summer with, as luck would have it, a summer theme.

The single is "This Summer" and will feature the b-side "Cruel Summer," a Bananarama cover. It will be released on June 12 via Merge Records of course. It will be a limited run of 1,300 and each one will be numbered. Pre-orders through Merge will also include a demo of "This Summer."

The band also recently digitally reissued the live collections Clambakes Vol. 5: Cup of Clams and Clambakes Vol. 6: One in a Row. They are available via the Merge store.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

New music video from Carolina Chocolate Drops - "Country Girl"

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are stepping up their game promoting their latest album Leaving Eden with a new slick music video for the song "Country Girl" which debuted on CMT's website.

The video features some classic southern images to match the lyrics and vibe of the song, but the main scene is the band playing the song to a barn full of gleeful people dancing and having fun. Check it out below.

As always, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have busy tour plans ahead of them, including opening a few DAve Matthews Band shows in the northeast. The band will return home to play a big show at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh on Friday, September 21. Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 17 via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster.

MewithoutYou announces new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Philadelphia-based experimental indie rock band mewithoutYou is gearing up to self-release its fifth full-length album Ten Stories on May 15 and will be touring heavily through the summer to promote it.

The band will make a stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, August 12. Buried Beds and Kevin Devine will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11 via Etix for $15.

Check out the song "February, 1978" from the new album Ten Stories below.

Sleigh Bells announces summer tour, coming to Raleigh

Deafening rock duo Sleigh Bells (who perform live as a trio) are hitting the road again this summer in support of their sophomore album Reign of Terror, released in February.

The band will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Tuesday, July 17. Class Actress and Jel will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, May 11 via Etix for $18.

The band performed on Saturday Night Live back in February. Check out the performances of "Comeback Kid" and "End of the Line" from the show below.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Godspeed You! Black Emperor announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Canadian post rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who ended a seven-year hiatus in 2010, are hitting the road again this fall to play shows across the eastern half of the United States.

The band will stop at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, October 4. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9 via Etix for $22.

Check out a video of the band performing the song "Moya" at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in in the UK in 2010 below.

Win tickets to Archers of Loaf at Haw River Ballroom

Archers of Loaf is back after a decade-long hiatus, and the Chapel Hill-based indie rock band will play a pair of shows in the Triangle this weekend, at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Friday, May 11, and at Kings Barcade in Raleigh on Saturday, May 12.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to Friday night's show at the Haw River Ballroom, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Archers tickets" in the subject line no later that noon on Wednesday, May 9. One entry per person, please. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon. Congratulations to Lanis W.!

Tickets to the show at the Haw River Ballroom are available here for $20. Pipe and Fan Modine will open. Tickets to the show at Kings Barcade are sold out.

Florence + the Machine extends tour, coming to Raleigh

English indie pop band Florence + the Machine has a very busy summer planned with dates spanning the globe, and a newly announced show will bring them right to our backyard.

Florence + the Machine will play the Raleigh Amphitheatre on Friday, September 21. Fellow Brits The Maccabees will open the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 11, at 10 a.m. via the Progress Energy Center box office and other Ticketmaster outlets for $26.50 to $62.

Check out tour dates and the music video for "Never Let Me Go" from the group's latest album, Ceremonials, below.

Gov't Mule announces tour with Dr. John, coming to Raleigh

The Warren Haynes-led southern rock band Gov't Mule is hitting the road this year and will be taking veteran New Orleans singer-songwriter Dr. John out to open a few southern dates, including a stop in the Triangle.

They'll stop at the Raleigh Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 13. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11, via the Progress Energy Center box office and the usual big ticket outlets.

Dr. John just released a new album in April titled Locked Down. Check out the groovy tune "Revolution" from the album below.