She & Him releasing 'Volume 3' in May

Pop duo She & Him, comprised of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward for those who have been living under a rock in recent years, have just announced plans to release a new album titled Volume 3 via Merge Records on May 7.

The new album will feature a bunch of guest musicians including Mike Watt, Tilly and the Wall, Pierre de Reeder from Rilo Kiley, Joey Spampinato of NBRQ, and Tom Hagerman from Devotchka. There will be 11 original songs written by Deschanel and three covers. Check out the complete track list below.

The group has announced a summer tour. There are no Triangle or North Carolina date so far but the dates are listed below.

Charles Bradley announces new album, spring tour

Soul singer Charles Bradley will release a new album this spring titled Victim of Love on April 2 and he and His Extraordinaires will hit the road this shortly after the release to promote it.

He and the band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, April 14. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 1, via Etix for $20.

Check out the song "Strictly Reserved For You" from the album Victim of Love below.

Father John Misty announces spring 2013 tour

Father John Misty is preparing to hit the road on a big spring tour after playing the Coachella Festival in April in support of his 2012 album Fear Fun.

The tour will bring to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, May 15. Adam Green and Bikini Shapiro will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 1, via Etix for $15.

Check out Father John Misty's performance of "Nancy From Now On" on Conan in November below.

Merge Records signs Raleigh punk band Barren Girls

All-girl Raleigh punk band Barren Girls, formerly known as Lazy Janes, has just joined the ever growing roster of great acts signed to Merge Records. Mac McCaughan saw the band at last year's Hopscotch Festival, which got the ball rolling.

Merge will release the band's debut EP Hell Hymns on 7" vinyl and as a digital download on April 2. The four songs were recorded with William Evans of Whatever Brains. Check out the song "She-Devil" from the EP below.

The band will head down to the South By Southwest Music Conference in March with Merge, but they haven't announced any other dates yet. We'll keep you posted once they do.

Bob Mould announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Singer-songwriter Bob Mould has just announced new dates in support of his latest album Silver Age which will bring him to the Triangle.

Mould and his band featuring Superchunk/Mountain Goats drummer Jon Wurster will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, April 18. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 1 via Etix for $18.

Mould's episode of the excellent PBS show Austin City Limits just aired this past weekend. Check out the full episode below which also features the band Delta Spirit.

Black Francis (Frank Black) announces February tour

Black Francis (aka Frank Black) his hitting the road in February on a two week tour with Reid Paley and they'll be making a stop in the Triangle.

Black and Paley will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, February 18. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Check out a video of Black performing a solo version of his classic Pixies tune "Velouria" for The Current a few years ago below.

Album Review: Radar Brothers - Eight

Radar Brothers’ eighth album — simply titled Eight — sounds deceptively huge.

Thanks to a new six-piece ensemble, Eight’s songs are teeming with layer after layer of sound. It’s easy to sink into these pillowy walls of sound and lose track of time.

Lead singer Jim Putnam’s voice adds a drowsy sheen to each track. His passive singing is was really drives the easy-going feeling of Eight, although this delivery can take edge off of a song and feel out of place, like on “Reflections.”

Schoolkids schedules tons of new in-store performances

A lot of local bands have new albums coming out soon and Schoolkids Records in Raleigh is hosting a bunch of them to play in-store performances over the next few months.

Chris Stamey is up first at the store on Saturday, February 2 at 3 p.m. to promote his new album Lovesick Blues, out on February 5 via Yep Roc Records.

The following day, Sunday, February 3, Gray young will stop by the store at 2 p.m. to promote their new album Bonfire. [UPDATE: Gray Young's in-store has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 9.]

The Men announces new album, spring tour

After releasing the highly acclaimed album Open Your Heart last year, Brooklyn band The Men will release their next album, New Moon, on March 5. The band have extended their 2013 tour plans into the spring and they'll make a stop in the Triangle.

The Men will play The Pinhook in Durham on Wednesday, May 1. Organs will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10.

Check out the song "Electric" from the album New Moon below.

Fleetwood Mac extends 2013 tour, coming to Charlotte

Fleetwood Mac have just announced new 2013 tour dates that extends their tour into the summer and adds a North Carolina stop to their itinerary.

The band will stop at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Monday, June 24. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 1, for $49.50 to $139.

Check out a video of the band performing their hit "Go Your Own Way" at a show in Philadelphia during their 2009 tour below.

Akron/Family announces new album, big spring tour

Photo by TJ Nelson

Experimental rockers Akron/Family have announced plans to release a new album on April 30 titled Sub Verses which will be accompanied by a big North American tour this spring.

The band will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham two days before the release, on Sunday, April 28. Tickets will be available HERE soon for $10.

Check out the song "No-Room" from Sub Verses below.

New music from Mount Moriah - "Bright Light"

Mount Moriah's highly anticipated sophomore album Miracle Temple will be out in about a month (on February 26 via Merge Records) and the band has released another new song from the album.

Check out the upbeat song "Bright Light," the second track from the album, below. Also, if you haven't heard the opening track from the album, "Younger Days," check it out HERE.

The band will play their big hometown release show for the album at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, April 12, with Mac McCaughan. Tickets are on sale via Etix for $10. Fans who buy tickets in advance will receive a promo code for 25% off Miracle Temple when purchased through Merge's website.

New music from Hiss Golden Messenger - "Sufferer (Love My Conquerer)"

M.C. Taylor, aka Hiss Golden Messenger, will release a new album on April 2 titled Haw via the Paradise of Bachelors label and they've released the second track from the album. It's a fantastic song titled "Sufferer (Love My Conquerer)" and you can stream it below.

Haw features a variety of guest musicians including guitarist William Tyler, Phil Cook of Megafaun, Mark Paulson of Bowerbirds and many others. The full track list for the album Haw is also available below and there are even more details about the album HERE.

We'll keep you posted when an album release show is announced.

Rush extends 'Clockwork Angels' tour, coming to Raleigh

Canadian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Rush have extended their 2013 Clockwork Angels Tour, the name of their latest album released last year, and it now includes a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play the PNC Arena in Raleigh on Friday, May 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $46, $66, $86 or $116.

Check out the official lyric video for the song "The Wreckers" from the album Clockwork Angels below.

Nas announces Durham show with DMX for March

Hip-hop star and four-time 2013 Grammy nominee Nas has just announced a one-off Triangle performance (he doesn't have any other North American dates scheduled right now) that will be hosted by producer 9th Wonder.

Nas will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 1. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $50 to $100.

[Update: DMX will join Nas as a special guest.]

Billy Bragg announces new album & spring tour

British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg will release his tenth full-length album Tooth & Nail on March 19, which he'll follow with a big North American tour which will beginning at SXSW in Austin.

The tour will make its way to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, April 19. Kim Churchill will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $25.

Download the song "Handyman Blues" form Tooth & Nail below (you just have to fork over a working email address).

Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell announce spring tour with Richard Thompson

Photo by David McClister

Americana stars Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell collaborated on a new album titled Old Yellow Moon which will be released on February 26 and they'll head out on a spring tour to support it.

The pair will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 30. The Richard Thompson Electric Trio will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $45 to $65.

Check out the song "Hanging Up My Heart" from the forthcoming album Old Yellow Moon below.

Album Review: Airstrip - Willing

Airstrip’s debut album, Willing, opens with an immediate declaration from the guitar. “Let’s prevent your face from sagging. Pick them up, your feet are dragging,” sings front man Matt Park. There’s a sarcastic tone, but it lets the listener know this record requires attention.

Airstrip is a collaboration of epic local proportions. Park, formerly of Veelee, is joined by John Crouch and Nick Petersen from Horseback on drums and bass, respectively and filling out the group is Gross Ghost’s Tre Acklen on Guitar.

Win tickets to The Music Tapes at Cat's Cradle

The Music Tapes will pitch their indoor circus tent at the Cat's Cradle for a very special show on Monday, January 28. The tour, dubbed The Traveling Imagery include an evening of "songs, stories, games, movies, magic, amusements, and more," according to the band.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to this very special show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com no later than noon on Monday, January 21. We will randomly select and notify a winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please.

Tickets to the show are $12 and available via Etix.

Cold War Kids announces new album, spring tour

Frenetic rock band Cold War Kids are returning with their fourth album this spring titled Dear Miss Lonelyhearts. The album will be out on April 2 and will be followed by a U.S. tour.

They'll stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, April 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 18, via Etix for $20.

Check out the first single from Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, "Miracle Mile," below.

Album Review: Amor de Días - The House At Sea

The Clientele’s Alasdair MacLean and Lupe Núñez-Fernández have returned with a second album under the name Amor de Días, The House At The Sea, and like its predecessor it’s a beautiful mix of spanish folk and gentle pop.

While Street Of The Love Of Days leaned a little more towards its Spanish folk influences, The House At Sea sounds more like recent Clientele albums. The exemplar of this is “Jean’s Waving” with its bouncy, layered chorus. The tension in the verse about two minutes into the song make it one of the most compelling songs on the album.

Núñez-Fernández impresses again on “Viento Del Mar” and “Piedras Rotas.” Her mysterious, whispered Spanish lyrics and deliberate pacing will draw listeners’ attention.

Drive-By Truckers announces March tour

After Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley finish a series of solo shows early this year, they'll come back together with Drive-By Truckers to hit the road in March.

The tour will bring the band to the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Tuesday, March 5. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 18, via Ticketfly for $22.

As we mentioned earlier, Patterson Hood will be playing a solo show at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro on Tuesday, February 12. Check out more info HERE.

Alicia Keys announces 'Set the World on Fire' tour

R&B star Alicia Keys is set to hit the world on a a big tour is support of her new album Girl on Fire, released in November. Rising star Miguel will open the entire tour.

She'll perform at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday, March 30. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 18, via Ticketmaster.

Check out the music video for the title track from the album Girl on Fire below. Also check out the music video for "Do You..." from Miguel's latest album Kaleidoscope Dream below as well.

Cowboy Junkies announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Veteran Canadian folk/rock/Americana band Cowboy Junkies are hitting the road this spring on a big North American tour in support a four-disc series released between 2010 and 2012 titled Nomad Series. The final installment, The Wilderness was released last March.

The tour will come to the ArtsCenter in Carrboro on Saturday, March 9. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 11, via Etix for $40.

Check out some songs from the third release of the Nomad Series titled Sing In My Meadow via the widget below.

Son Volt announces new album & spring tour

Alt-country group Son Volt, led by singer-songwriter Jay Farrar, will release a new album on March 5 titled Honky Tonk and they'll hit the road in the spring to support it.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, April 13. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 16, via Etix for $17.

Check out a video of Son Volt performing the song "Barstow" at the Beale Street Music Festival last year below.

Telekinesis announces third album 'Dormarion' & spring tour

Seattle singer-songwriter Michael Lerner, aka Telekinesis, is gearing up for the release of his third full-length album this spring, accompanied by a North American tour.

The album is titled Dormarion and will be released on April 2 via Merge Records. It was recorded with drummer Jim Eno of Spoon in Austin, TX. Check out the song "Ghosts and Creatures" from the album below (it's quite a departure from his previous music).

The tour that will follow the album's release will come to Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Sunday, May 5. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10.

Major Lazer announces 'Free the Universe' tour

Major Lazer, a project of DJ/producer Diplo (formerly a collaboration between Diplo and Switch), will release their sophomore album Free the Universe on February 19 and will hit the road on a North American tour to support it.

They'll come to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, March 7. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 11 via Etix for $28.

Check out the music video for the song "Jah No Partial" from Free the Energy below.

The Mountain Goats to headline 'Rock for Roe' benefit

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, local musicians led by John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats) will hold a benefit show for NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina in Durham later this month.

The event will take place at The Pinhook on Saturday, January 20, and will feature Darnielle, possibly joined by members of Midtown Dickens, playing a requests set. Also on the bill is Blooz Travellerzz, a collaboration between M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger and Mount Moriah, playing classic rock covers and Creedence Queerwater Revival, a collaboration between members of Midtown Dickens and Trip Knight covering Creedence Clearwater Revival songs.

Tickets will go on sale HERE at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9 for $20.

JKutchma & Spider Bags to headline Double Barrel Benefit

It's almost time for an annual tradition in the Triangle, WKNC's Double Barrel Benefit concert featuring two nights of fantastic local music. The shows will return to the Pour House in downtown Raleigh on February 1 and 2.

The Friday, February 1, lineup will feature JKutchma and The Five Fifths, Lilac Shadows, Jenny Besetzt and Lollipops. The Saturday, February 2, lineup will feature Spider Bags, Wesley Wolfe, Some Army and Oulipo. Check out more information and music from each of the bands HERE.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10 each night. Day of the show tickets will be $12.

Daryl Hall & Joan Oates announce 2013 dates

Daryl Hall and John Oates, aka Hall and Oates, have announced a few new tour dates early this year which will bring the duo back to the Triangle.

They'll play the Durham Performing Arts Center for the second time on Wednesday, March 13. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 11 via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $50 to $125.

Daryl Hall hosts a cool web TV show turned called Live at Daryl's House. You can check out episodes HERE or watch the show on Palladia if you have HD cable channels. Check out the Hall, his band and singer-songwriter Butch Walker performing the Hall and Oates classic "Say It Ain't So" from the show below.

Frontier Ruckus announces 'Eternity of Dimming' tour dates

Michigan folky, experimental Americana band and regular Triangle visitors Frontier Ruckus are gearing up for the release of their third full-length album, a double album titled Eternity of Dimming which will be released on January 29. The band will hit the road to support it and will make their way back to the Triangle

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14. Tickets are on sale now via TicketFly for $10.

Check out the second track from the Eternity of Dimming titled "Black Holes" below.

Kishi Bashi announces big winter tour, coming back to Durham

Singer-songwriter and violinist Kishi Bashi will hit the road early this year on a big tour that will take him all across North America supporting his debut album 151a, released last year.

The tour will bring him back to Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Friday, March 15. Elizabeth and the Catapult will open. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $10.

Stream the entire album 151a via the Bandcamp widget below.