Monday, September 30, 2013

Video: Laura Ballace joins Superchunk onstage on Jimmy Fallon

Local indie icons Superchunk returned to Rockefeller Center on Friday to promote their new album I Hate Music on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band was joined by Laura Ballance on bass live for the first time since she had to step down from touring due to hearing problem.

The band played the song "Void" on the show which featured current touring bassist Jason Narducy on third guitar and backing vocals. The band also played the classic "Driveway to Driveway" as a web exclusive. Check out both performances below.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Tony Rice awes at Raleigh's first IBMA Awards Show

Photo by Justin Weber
They’re already starting to call it the “Miracle in Raleigh.”

Tony Rice – known as one of the greatest guitar players of all time and a classic bluegrass baritone who started with J.D. Crowe and The New South and went on to a storied solo career – spoke in his real voice for the first time in two decades in front of an awed Memorial Auditorium crowd during the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards show.

Rice was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame last night. It was clear all night it would be a special moment. People cheered at every mention of his name. Nobody knew just how monumental it would be.

Pikelny, Sutton, Bulla, Bales & Cobb announce fall tour

While there are tons of bluegrass stars in town right now for the World of Bluegrass festivities, we have more bluegrass stars coming our way this fall. The supergroup of Noam Pikelny, Bryan Sutton, Luke Bulla, Barry Bales and Jesse Cobb will hit the road together in October and will stop in Durham.

The quintet will play Motorco Music Hall on Saturday, October 26. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $25.

Pikelny will release a new album on October 1 titled Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. Check out the song "Big Sandy River" from the album below.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

World of Bluegrass 2013: Bluegrass Ramble Wednesday Night

Photos by Justin Weber
The International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Wide Open Bluegrass festival kicks into high gear this weekend, but there is an incredible number of events are taking place during the week.

A series of showcases called the Bluegrass Ramble filled downtown Raleigh venues Wednesday night and I was able to sample a small and varied portion of them. With tables set up on the concert floor, Tir Na Nog felt as packed as it can be for Charlottesville duo The Honey Dewdrops. Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish sing in gorgeous harmony over banjo, guitar and mandolin. Parrish’s voice is bright and clear which cuts through the smoky texture of Wortman’s vocals.

Video: The Avett Brothers play "Another Is Waiting" on Jimmy Fallon

On Tuesday night, The Avett Brothers headed back to Rockefeller Center in New York for a performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon promoting their new album Magpie and the Dandelion, due out on October 15.

The band played the fantastic new song "Another is Waiting" and you can check out that performance below. Fallon also noted after the performance that the band will be back on the show on Monday, September 30, to play another new song and they will be joined by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden (that should be interesting).

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Beast + Big Band to celebrate EP release in Durham

Last summer, local hip-hop band The Beast expanded their lineup for a special show as part of Duke Performances Music in the Gardens series, adding strings, horns, guitar and additional percussion. The show had to be moved from the gardens to Motorco Music Hall due to the weather and now they group will return to where it all started to celebrate the release of their debut EP Gardens.

The Beast + Big Band will return to Motorco in Durham on Thursday, October 24. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $8.

Check out the band's official video for "Sleeping In My Bed" from last year's show at Motorco below and check out our photos and review of that show HERE.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Album Review: Schooner - Neighborhood Veins

Schooner has always reminded me of the local bands I came to love in Colorado: loved enough locally to keep the dream alive through lineup changes, day jobs, and countless other struggles, but never able to get over the hump. Neighborhood Veins, Schooner’s first national release, is the momentum they need to get over that hump.

For local fans, Neighborhood Veins is less of a new record and more of a remastered, reimagined compilation of the songs the band has been playing live the last few years. The album is untamed and pulsing with vibrant, organic production that makes it a fitting soundtrack for nooks and crannies of the Triangle it grew out of.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Cher announces Dressed to Kill tour, coming to Raleigh

Pop star Cher will release her first album in almost 12 years tomorrow, September 24, titled Closer to the Truth. It is her 26th studio album. She just announced a big North American tour dubbed Dress to Kill which will bring her to the Triangle.

Cher will play the PNC Arena on Wednesday, May 7. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, October 11, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $25.50 to $105.50.

Check out Cher performing "I Hope You Find It" from her new album on the Today Show this morning below.

Alabama Shakes bring powerful soul to Booth Amphitheatre

All photos by Kevin Norris
Soulful roots rock band Alabama Shakes have experienced an unlikely launch into superstardom in the last few years leading up to and following the release of their 2012 debut album Boys & Girls. That rise brought them to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Friday night, a massive step up from the Cat's Cradle, which they played last year.

The band came out swinging, opening with "Rise to the Sun" and following it with the fiery "Hang Loose" and the band's hit single, "Hold On." It's a tricky strategy to front load the set like that and some of the crowd definitely got really chatty pretty early on, but the band continued to deliver a fantastic set.

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Autumn Defense announces new album 'Fifth,' share "None of This Will Matter"

Yep Roc Records, based in Haw River, has announced the forthcoming release of the fifth album by The Autumn Defense, comprised of John Stirratt and Patrick Sansone of Wilco.

The album, aptly titled Fifth, will be out on January 28 and you can check out the album's first single, "None of This Will Matter," below.

Check out our review of The Autumn Defense's last album, Once Around, HERE. The band is expected to announce a tour in support of the release soon. We'll let you know if they schedule a Triangle show.

Eleanor Friedberger announces fall headline dates

Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger will be out on the road opening for The Decemberists' frontman Colin Meloy on his upcoming solo tour which includes a stop in Durham, but before she hits the road with him, she'll play a few headline dates in October which also include a Triangle stop.

She'll play the Cat's Cradle Back Room on Saturday, October 12. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $12.

[UPDATE: Stu McLamb of The Love Language and Invisible Hand will open the show.]

Friedberger released her second solo album earlier this year titled Personal Record. Check out the new music video for the song "When I Knew" from the album below.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Bon Jovi adds fall tour dates, coming to Raleigh

Jersey arena rockers Bon Jovi have finally added a long-promised Raleigh on their Because We Can tour that was first alluded in the initial tour announcement last November (Raleigh was on a list of additional cities still to be announced; it only took ten months).

The tour will stop at the PNC Arena on Wednesday, November 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 20, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $29.50 to $169.50.

Guitarist Richie Sambora is not currently a part of the tour and rumors are spreading that he has been fired from the band. No official statement has been released but guitarist Philip "Phil X" Xenidis is currently filling Sambora's spot on guitar.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Amy Ray announces new album 'Goodnight Tender,' returning to Durham

Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls will release a new country/Americana solo album in January titled Goodnight Tender and she'll hit the road to support of it in early 2014, which will bring her back to Durham.

She and her band will play Motorco Music Hall on Saturday, January 25. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $15.

Check out a video of Ray performing "Let the Spirit Take Hold" at a Writers in the Round show at Casbah in Durham earlier this year below.

Album Review: King Khan And The Shrines - Idle No More

Six years doesn’t seem like a long enough break for a band to have a comeback, but the energy on King Khan and the Shrines' Merge debut, Idle No More, is effectively the same as a comeback album.

King Khan still has the same rip-roaring grooves, although they are cleaned up and sounding fresh thanks to strings, horns, and crisper production. Idle No More takes the garage party out of the garage and moves it onto the stage.

The record has a lot of range. It starts out with the bold, Hendrix-tinged “Born to Die” and seamlessly progresses to the make-you-wanna-shout, rump shaking Otis Redding-inspired “Luckiest Man” a few songs later.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

MGMT releases self-titled album, announces tour

Psychedelic rockers MGMT just released their third full-length album, MGMT, today and have just announced a big North American tour this Fall in support of it.

The band will return to the Triangle on Friday, November 29 to play the Durham Performing Arts Center. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting on Friday, September 20, via Crowdsurge. A general on sale date has not been announced.

Check out the band's brand new video for "Cool Song No. 2" from MGMT below which features actor Michael K. Williams from the HBO show Boardwalk Empire.

More World of Bluegrass Ramble showcase lineups announced

The kickoff of first of at least three years of the International Bluegrass Music Association calling Raleigh home for their big annual World of Bluegrass music conference, music festival and awards is just a week away and all of the lineups for the nightly Bluegrass Ramble showcases have been announced

Check out the full lineup of artists performing from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, at the Lincoln Theatre, Long View Center, Tir Na Nog, Pour House, Kings, Architect Bar and Raleigh Convention Center HERE.

Tickets are still available via Etix for the big Wide Open Bluegrass Festival on September 27 and 28 (two-day tickets are available as well as Friday-only tickets but Saturday-only tickets are sold out).

Monday, September 16, 2013

New music video from Superchunk - "Staying Home"

Superchunk have been busy promoting their new album I Hate Music released last month and they have just released a new music video directed by conceptual artist Taiyo Kimura for the bombastic minute and 15 second track "Staying Home."

The video is pretty bizarre and at features the band only in still images that have been animated and manipulated in various ways. At one point a man wearing a Mac McCaughan mask is shown eating curry out of a toilet. Check out the video below to see a minute or so of weirdness.

Superchunk will perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Friday, September 27, while the band is in New York to play two sold out shows at the Bowery Ballroom.

Lost in the Trees announce duo show in Chapel Hill, release new song "Lady in White"

As part of the Carolina Union Activities Board's new PlusOne series (called that because every ticket purchased includes a second ticket for free), Ari Picker and Emma Nadeau of Lost in the Trees will play a special duo show in next month on campus.

The pair will play the Historic Playmakers Theatre on Monday, October 14. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $14 for the public and just $5 for UNC students.

The band just released a new song last week titled "Lady in White," which is quite a departure from the band's more heavily orchestral work from their previous releases. Check it out below.

Friday, September 13, 2013

George Thorogood & The Destoyers announce 2014 dates

Mr. Bad to the Bone himself, George Thorogood and his band The Destroyers will hit the road next spring on a short U.S. tour which is a continuation of his 40th anniversary tour and it will include a stop in the Triangle.

George and the guys will play the Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh on Friday, March 17. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, Friday, September 13, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $37 to $47.

Check out the band performing the song "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" from the 30th anniversary tour back in 2003 below.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Blues Traveler announces fall tour, coming to Durham

Harmonica loving pop rock band Blues Traveler will hit the road this fall in support of their latest album, Suzie Cracks the Whip, released last year, and they'll make a stop in the Triangle.

They'll play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Tuesday, October 8. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 13, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $22 to $42.

Check out the song "Saving Grace" from Suzie Cracks the Whip below.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Metric announces fall tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Canadian electro pop band Metric is hitting the road on a North American tour this fall in support of their latest album Synthetica, which was released last year.

The band will mostly play arenas and bigger rooms on the tour but when they come to the Triangle they'll play the 1,434 capacity Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, November 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 13 via Ticketfly for $25.

Stream the entire album Synthetica via the Soundcloud below.

Arcade Fire to release new double album 'Reflektor' next month

This fall the biggest indie band in the land, Arcade Fire, is back with their fourth full-length album Reflektor, which will be a double album. It will be released on October 29 via Durham-based Merge Records and the press machine for it has just kicked into high gear.

The band released the video for the album's title track on Monday which you can check out below. They've also release a really interesting interactive video that combines your webcam with your smartphone to create some cool effects to accompany the song. Check that out at justareflektor.com.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Hopscotch 2013 Night 3: San Fermin, Low

Photos by Kevin Norris
After leaving the space rock sounds of Spiritualized in City Plaza (see photos with Justin's write-up HERE), I made my way to Fletcher Opera Theater for one of the sets I was most looking forward to at Hopscotch 2013, Brooklyn group San Fermin.

Things got off to a rocky start though as their set was delayed while songwriter and keyboardist Ellis Ludwig-Leone was forced to reboot his Macbook Pro, which was supplying the sounds for his keyboard, delaying the set quite a bit. The band chatted with crowd about spirit animals, good local coffee spots and the origin of the group's name during the delay.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 3: Scout Niblett, Lonnie Holley, John Cale

Photos by Kevin Norris
In the small cube of Kennedy Theater, a half-seated, half-standing crowd witnessed the set of the festival from Scout Nibett.

Niblett’s It’s Up To Emma is a brutal album, but the songs reach unbelievable levels of intensity live when paired with her burning stare and ferocious vocal delivery. This was a performance felt in the gut.

Her performance was both terrifying and cathartic. Terrifying because her anger is so palpable it’s easy to believe she might act on her macabre thoughts. Cathartic because the brooding, sparse guitar builds into gargantuan drum hits and cleansing guitar solos. She played the audience perfectly building up the tension until it just had to burst.

Monday, September 09, 2013

Hopscotch 2013 Night 3: The Breeders, Spiritualized

Photos by Kevin Norris
On an absolutely gorgeous North Carolina day, The Breeders put to rest any concern that they might sound like a facsimile of their former selves.

Unlike Hopscotch alums Guided By Voices, The Breeders didn’t trudge through their 90s rock, they embraced it. The band enjoyed the idea of recreating Last Splash going as far as to even bring some of the original equipment they used in 1993 when they recorded the album.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Mount Moriah, Pere Ubu

Photos by Kevin Norris
After leaving Local Natives at Memorial Auditorium (see my photos and write-up HERE), I had a few moments to check out local rising stars Mount Moriah over at the Fletcher Opera Theater where they were playing their entire catalog with some special guests.

When I arrived Daniel Hart of Physics of Meaning was onstage with them playing violin and it sounded amazing. McEntire said that more friends would be joining them throughout the set but I unfortunately didn't get to see any more. She also noted how crazy it was that they agreed to play their entire catalog.

I did catch a rousing version of "Social Wedding Rings" before heading off to catch a bit of Big Daddy Kane at Lincoln Theatre (check out photos with Justin's write-up HERE). The Mount Moriah set was one of many I wish I could have stuck around for in its entirety, but we try to cover as much ground as possible at Hopscotch.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: High Highs, Local Natives

Photos by Kevin Norris
After leaving City Plaza and finding out that Lady Lamb the Beekeeper's set had been pushed back an hour due to a sudden cancelation of Night Beds, I made my way to Memorial Auditorium to catch a bit of the Australian via New York band High Highs.

The trio was another act to benefit from the natural reverb of the big room as they filled it with the lush, dreamy pop sounds of their debut album Open Season. Frontman Jack Milas' vocals soared over a rich, shimmering guitar and a solid foundation of synths and drums. Check out photos from their set below.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Holy Ghost!, A-Trak

Photos by Kevin Norris
After local favorites Gross Ghost and Future Islands got things started on the City Plaza stage on Friday (see photos with Justin's write-up HERE), it was time for the replacements for original headliner Big Boi to keep the party going.

New York synthpop band Holy Ghost! were up first and they played songs from their forthcoming sophomore album Dynamics as well as their self-titled debut. The band didn't interact much with the crowd but focused on keeping everyone grooving along to their steady beats and infectious synths and melodies.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, Big Daddy Kane, Waxahatchee

Photos by Kevin Norris
While tuning in the Fletcher Opera House, Lady Lamb The Beekeeper opened up the floor for questions which for one rude audience member was an invitation to loudly ask, “What do you look like naked?” It’s unfair that a wonderful musician would be reduced to a sexual object simply because she’s female and it’s unacceptable.

Lady Lamb was briefly taken aback, but quickly disarmed the situation. “That was inappropriate. Why are you here? Go see Local Natives.”

More powerful than her comeback was her voice. She was alone on stage with just her guitar, but she filled the stage all the same. It was an impressive performance considering all of the extra orchestration on her latest record, but it would have been to get the full experience. Hopefully she’ll come back for a future Hopscotch and a full band set.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Villages, Alexander Turnquist

Early in the night the Kennedy played host to quiet and introspective artists. Villages, the project of Asheville’s Ross Gentry, opened the venue with soothing drones and sound effects.

He gradually layered tones to make harmonies and added a few accents around the edges. The music swelled until it felt like pressure would cause the small theater to pop. At the end of the decrescendo, the sound of a gentle rain took over and Gentry began to build another song.

Saturday, September 07, 2013

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Thurston Moore, John Maloney & Merzbow

Photos by Kevin Norris
At 7 p.m., the official Hopscotch Twitter account announced that the official improviser in residence, Merzbow, would be playing a special set with Thurston Moore and John Maloney at Kings Barcade. Rumor had been circling since Moore and Maloney’s day party performance earlier and the official word spread quickly.

By 7:30 p.m. the line outside Kings stretched down the block. When they opened the doors shortly after 8 p.m., Moore, Maloney and Merzbow were already on stage and making noise together. Walking into the wall of atonal, wailing, incredibly loud sound made for a more powerful experience. One by one people filled the room and considered the performance on stage individually, creating a unique moment for every person.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Gross Ghost, Future Islands

Photos by Kevin Norris
Friday night at Hopscotch kicked off with a local band taking the next step.

With Gross Ghost, there’s always been a trade-off between their live shows and the recorded music. On record, the catchy melodies come through loud any clear, but the live energy is lack. On stage, they’ve rarely played in places with sound systems good enough to add juice to the guitars and keep the vocal melodies clear. In City Plaza, the band finally captured both.

Friday, September 06, 2013

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: Sylvan Esso, The Rosebuds, Kurt Vile

Photos by Kevin Norris
Later during Hopscotch night one I headed back to Memorial Hall to catch a bit of the Durham electro pop duo Sylvan Esso and they killed it. With Nick Sanborn manning the electronic devices and singer Amanda Randall Meath on vocals, the duo filled the hall with exciting, soulful music.

Meath is truly a force to be reckoned with taking the stage in platform boots/sneakers (decide for yourself in the photo below) and belted out flawless vocals all while she danced and bounded around the stage. After opening with the song "Hey Mami" from their double a-side single, the energy kept going as they dropped what sounded like potential hit after potential hit. I wished I could have stayed for the whole set but I had to move on after about four songs. Check out photos below.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: Marnie Stern, Oblivians

Photos by Kevin Norris
It will be difficult to find a musician that had more fun than Marnie Stern. Right away, it was apparent from the look in her eyes and the grin on her face. This was full force joy boarding on reckless abandon. The energy in the room was incredible and it fed right back into Stern, who threw herself into her set like few musicians I’ve seen.

Stern’s incredible guitar skills did not disappoint live. Her powerful and intricate style works well on stage and it’s bolstered by the opportunity to improvise and extend solos. On the final song, she found a lick that her and her bassist pounded into the ground over and over until every inch of it was explored.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: Ironing Board Sam

Photos by Kevin Norris
Inside the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), Ironing Board Sam was jamming in a sharp pink suit. Sam played a handful of classic songs like “Georgia on my Mind” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” It wasn’t Sam’s best performance, but more felt off than just his keyboard playing.

CAM itself felt sterile with bright lights making it feel like anybody but a music venue. It was something that other bands would also battle during the night, but it became particularly present during a strange mid-set biography of Sam.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: The Kingsbury Manx, The Dreebs

Photos by Kevin Norris
After starting my 2013 Hopscotch Music Festival experience with a few songs from Nathan Bowles (check out photos with Justin's write-up HERE) I made my way next door to check out local favorites The Kingsbury Manx.

The band took the stage in the vast Memorial Auditorium to play songs from their latest album The Bronze Age. Their spacious pop rock sounds fit perfectly in the lofty space as some extra reverb to their already lush sound.  Check out photos below.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: Nathan Bowles, Angel Olsen

Photos by Kevin Norris
In the quiet confines of the Fletcher Opera House, Nathan Bowles kicked off 2013’s Hopscotch festival with solo banjo pieces both original and classic. Bowles welcoming nature, his intricate music, and the venue itself made for an intimate performance that felt more like somebody’s living room than a music festival.

It’s the kind of set that feels like it could only happen at Hopscotch. Bowles represented both the roots of regions music with well-known songs like “Liza Jane,” but his original music pushes bluegrass and folk to its boundaries. Bowed banjo, multiple tunings, and hand percussion were just a few of the techniques Bowles employed to turn a single banjo into trance-inducing music.

Jay Z's Magna Carter World Tour includes stops in NC

Jay Z just wrapped his sold out Legends of the Summer stadium tour with Justin Timberlake last weekend, and he already has announced plans for a new North American tour that will bring him to North Carolina.

The Magna Carter World Tour will stop at the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, January 5, and at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday, January 4. Tickets to both shows go on sale Thursday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. via LiveNation, Ticketmaster and the venue box offices. Starting today, fans can RSVP to a presale on Facebook that will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Check out the official video for "Magna Carta Holy Grail" featuring Justin Timberlake below.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Moss of Aura, Jonny Alright added to Hopscotch lineup

The Hopscotch Music Festival kicks off in just a few hours, and we have a couple of final schedule replacements to share.

  • Tonight at 9:30 p.m. at the Pour House Music Hall, Future Islands member Gerrit Welmers will perform as Moss of Aura replacing Dauwd.
  • Saturday at midnight at the Berkeley Cafe, Jonny Alright will replace UBT. 

Check out our updated, printable schedule HERE, and a day parties schedule HERE.

Happy Hopscotching!

Sleigh Bells announces new album 'Bitter Rivals,' fall tour

Thrashing noise pop group Sleigh Bells are returning this fall with their third album just a year and a half after the release of their sophomore full-length. The new album, Bitter Rivals, will be out on October 8 and then they'll hit the road on a big fall tour.

Sleigh Bells will return to the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Wednesday, November 6. Doldrums will open. Tickets will go on sale Friday, September 6, via Etix for $18.

Check out the music video for the title track from the new album Bitter Rivals below.

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Crocodiles release 'Crime of Passion,' announce fall tour

California indie pop band Crocodiles released their fourth full-length album, Crime of Passion, a few weeks ago and the band will hit the road on a big fall tour in support of it.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle Back Room on Monday, October 21. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10.

Check out the music video for "Cockroach" from the new album album Crime of Passion below.

Butch Walker announces new EP, fall tour

Singer-songwriter Butch Walker wil release a new EP on September 17 digitally and October 22 on CD and vinyl titled Peachtree Battle and he'll hit the road on a big fall tour that will bring him back to his regular Triangle stop.

He'll return to the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Sunday, October 27. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, September 6 via Etix.

Check out the song "Coming Home" from the new EP Peachtree Battle below.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Album Review: Richard Buckner - Surrounded

Richard Buckner’s Surrounded follows 2011’s fantastic Our Blood by a more laid back approach.

Surrounded flows more freely than its predecessor. The opening title track features mostly Buckner and acoustic guitar. Dashes of backing vocals add depth at key moments, but this album foregoes the much of the studio production that molded Our Blood into its brooding form.

This leads to Surrounded being a more inviting listening experience. Buckner retains his signature ghostly aesthetic while trading the claustrophobic qualities of previous material for an airy and vaporous sound. “When You Tell Me How It Is” shares the urgency of the songs on Our Blood, but the main melody is allowed to ring and accompanying accordion reinforces the natural sound.

Monday, September 02, 2013

Lynyrd Skynyrd announces fall tour, coming to Durham

After spending the summer on a co-headline tour with Bad Company, everlasting southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will hit the road on their own headlining tour and they'll make their way back to the Triangle.

The band will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 7. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 6, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $55 to $125.

Check out a video of the band performing their classic song "Simple Man" in Dallas earlier this year below.