Thursday, April 30, 2015

Dawes extends 'All Your Favorite Bands' tour, coming to Raleigh

California rockers Dawes are returning with their fourth full-length album on June 2 titled All Your Favorite Bands. The group has just extended their tour into the fall that includes a stop in the Triangle.

Dawes will play the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on Friday, September 25. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, via Etix for $24 to $35. The band pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 4.

David Letterman is wrapping his time on the Late Show by inviting some of his favorite performers back for one last turn on the show and Dawes was among them. They played the song "Things Happen" from All Your Favorite Bands on the show last week. Check out the performance below.

Phil Cook, Mipso, Dom Flemons & more playing Music in the Gardens 2015

Duke Performances has announced the lineup of its annual Music in the Gardens series at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University and this year's lineup features a very hefty dose of blues and folk.

Things will kick off with Mipso on June 3. The Music Maker Revue holds three spots on the schedule, June 10, July 15 and July 29 featuring Cool John Ferguson, Boo Hanks, Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen and others. The Dom Flemons Trio will play June 17.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Milk Carton Kids announce new album 'Monterey,' fall tour

Stellar folk duo The Milk Carton Kids will release a new album on May 19 titled Monterey. They will hit the road this fall on a massive North American tour in support of it that will bring them back to the Triangle.

The Kids will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Sunday, September 13. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 1, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $27 to $79.48. The online pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. today, April 29.

Check out the title track from new album Monterey below.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Ryan Adams's 'Heartbreaker' to get reissue in May, super deluxe later this year

The acclaimed 2000 debut album from Raleigh expat Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker, is set for reissue next month as the album approaches 15 years since its initial release.

The initial reissue will be out on May 26 and will be available on CD, vinyl and digitally. Later this year the album will get the super deluxe reissue treatment that has yet to be detailed but should be quite extensive.

Adams just released 42-song live album titled Live at Carnegie Hall. There is also a smaller 10-song collection titled Ten Songs from Live at Carnegie Hall that will be out on June 9. Check out the Heartbreaker classic "Come Pick Me Up" from Live at Carnegie Hall below.

Monday, April 27, 2015

CRUISR announces spring 2015 tour

Up and coming Philadelphia indie pop band CRUISR is hitting the road this spring in support of their new EP Go For It and they'll make a stop in the Triangle in a few weeks.

The band will play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Saturday, May 16. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $8.

Check out the song "Go For It" from the aforementioned EP of the same names below.

Friday, April 24, 2015

New music video from Mac McCaughan - "Wet Leaves"

Singer-songwriter Mac McCaughan's first album under his own name is just over a week from being unleashed upon the world. Non-Believers will be out on May, and McCaughan has just released a new music video for the album's penultimate track, "Wet Leaves."

Artist Trudy Benson directed the video and she also created the cover art for Non-Believers. Check out the video below.

There will be a Non-Believers record release dance party at The Pinhook in Durham on Saturday, May, May 2. Tickets are $7 in advance via Ticketfly.

Cold War Kids to play a big free show in Raleigh

California rockers Cold War Kids released their fifth studio album late last year, Hold My Home, and the band will come to the Triangle next month to play a big free show for radio station 95X.

The big show, dubbed the 95X Block Party, will be at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Friday, May 29. The show is free and no tickets are required to attend.

Check out the music video for "All This Could Be Yours" from Hold My Home below.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Old Ceremony announces new album 'Sprinter,' two-night release show

Local pop rockers The Old Ceremony are back this summer with a new album on Yep Roc Records, their second for the label. The album is titled Sprinter and will be out on July 14.

Sprinter was produced by Mitch Easter and recorded at his studio, Fidelitorium Recordings. It features orchestral arrangements by Chris Stamey and a guest appearance by Mike Mills of R.E.M. on the songs "Fall Guy" and "Magic Hour." Check the song "Magic Hour" below along with the full album track list.

The Old Ceremony will celebrate the release of Sprinter with a two-night stand at the Cat's Cradle Back Room in Carrboro on July 17 and 18. Skylar Gudasz will open on July 17 and stephaniesÄ­d will open on July 18. Tickets will on sale at noon on Friday, April 24, via Ticketfly for $10 (a one-night ticket) or $18 (a two-night ticket).

Rick Springfield announces summer tour with Loverboy & The Romantics

Singer-songwriter and 1980s pop rock star Rick Springfield is heading out on the road on a late summer tour starting in August with fellow 80s bands Loverboy and The Romantics.

The tour will stop at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Friday, September 5. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 24, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $25 to $89.50.

Check out a video of Springfield playing a ten-minute medley of songs at Summerfest in Milwaukee last summer below.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Dave Rawlings Machine announces last minute spring tour

As tends to be the trend with the Americana stars of the Dave Rawlings Machine, the group has announced a last-minute spring tour that will bring them to the Triangle tomorrow.

The group on this tour consist of Rawlings, Gillian Welch, Willie Watson and Punch Brother Paul Kowert, will play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Thursday, April 23. Tickets, as of now, are still available via Ticketfly for $20.

Check out a video of the group performing "Ruby" Monday night in Athens below.

The Who bring the hits to Raleigh as they celebrate 50 years

British rock icons The Who made the fourth stop on their The Who Hits 50 North American tour last night at Raleigh's PNC Arena. They brought nothing but the classics, as Pete Townsend noted during the evening, "they're all fucking old."

They kicked things off with "I Can't Explain" and the hits kept coming with "The Seeker," "Who Are You," I Can See for Miles" and so many more. The band sounded fantastic backed by long-time rhythm section Zack Starkey on drums (yes, Ringo's son) and Pino Palladino on bass as well as a few other players.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Against Me! announce summer tour, coming to Raleigh

Florida punk rockers Against Me! are heading back out on the road this summer in support of their latest album Transgender Dysphoria Blues and it will kick off right here in the Triangle.

The band will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Monday, June 15. Frnkiero and the Cellebration and Annie Girl and the Flight will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $18.

Check out the music video for "Black Me Out" from Transgender Dysphoria Blues below.

Watkins Family Hour announces debut album, summer tour

Siblings and Nickel Creek members Sean and Sara Watkins have led a collective of musicians in California for many years known as the Watkins Family Hour. They are finally going to release an album on July 24 and they'll hit the road this summer in support of it.

The group going on tour includes the Watkins siblings, Fiona Apple, Don Heffington and Sebastian Steinberg as well as possible additional special guests. The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, September 10. The show will be seated. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 24, via Ticketfly for $30.

Check out the Watkins Family Hour's cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Steal You Heart Away" from the debut album below.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Brandon Flowers announces summer 2015 tour

The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers will release his second solo album on May 19 titled The Desired Effect and he will hit the road in North America support of it this summer.

Flowers will play The Ritz in Raleigh on Friday, August 14. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 24, via Ticketmaster for $25. The Live Nation and Citi pre-sales begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

Check out Flowers performing the first single, "Can't Deny My Love," from his new album on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last month below.

Father John Misty announces fall 2015 tour

Singer-songwriter Joshua Tillman, better known as Father John Misty, will hit the road this fall on a new round of U.S. dates in support of his new album I Love You, Honeybear released in February.

The tour will bring him to The Ritz in Raleigh on Tuesday, September 29. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, April 24, via Ticketmaster for $25. The Live Nation pre-sale begins at noon on Wednesday, April 22.

[UPDATE: Mikal Cronin will open the show at The Ritz.]

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Counting Crows announce 'Somewhere Under Wonderland' summer tour

Touring pop rock mainstays Counting Crows will hit the road again this summer on the Somewhere Under Wonderland tour supporting the album Somewhere Under Wonderland that was released last year.

Counting Crows, with support from Citizen Cope and Hollis Brown, will play Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Wednesday, August 12. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $29.50 to $65. Some pre-sales have already begun.

Check out Counting Crows performing the song "Scarecrow" from Somewhere Under Wonderland on the CBS Morning Show below.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Jeff Tweedy slated for 'American Movie' screening in Durham

The Film: Acoustic series at the Carolina Theatre seems to be showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to booking top notch musicians to come to the venue to discuss films that they like and have inspired them. The May installment will include a doozy of a guest.

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy will come to the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Saturday, May 23, for a screening and discussion of the 1999 documentary film American Movie. Tickets for the event will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 15, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $15.

Check out a trailer for American Movie below.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Mumford & Sons announce summer tour

British superstars Mumford & Sons are shaking things up and evolving their sound on their new album Wilder Mind due out on May 4. The band has just announced their first round of North American dates in support of the album and they're coming to the Triangle.

The band will play Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh on Thursday, June 11. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, via Ticketmaster and Live Nation for $37 to $62.

Check out the song "Believe" from the new album below.

Lyle Lovett & His Large Band announce summer tour

Venerable Texas singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett will hit the road this summer with His Large Band and they will make another stop in Durham this August.

Lovett will return to the Durham Performing Arts Center for the fourth time on Tuesday, August 18. Leo Kottke will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $49.50 to $100. Pre-sales will begin on Wednesday, April 15.

Check out a video featuring clips of multiple songs from Lovett and His Large Band's last show at DPAC in August of last year below.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Dom Flemons, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, more to celebrate Record Store Day at Schoolkids

Record Store Day is just a week away, on Saturday, April 18, and while we've already mentioned the big bash at Chaz's Bull City Records in Durham, Schoolkids Records in Raleigh will be in the mix as usual with a bunch of performers stopping by during the day for in-store performances and signings. The store will open its doors at 8 a.m. that morning and then the festivities will begin at 2 p.m.

All Time Low will start things off with a signing a 2 p.m. before heading to The Ritz for a big show that night.

Next up at 3 p.m. will be a performance from singer-songwriter Dom Flemons, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Thursday, April 09, 2015

Video: The Mountain Goats play "Foreign Object" & "Pigs That Ran Straightaway into the Water, Triumph Of" on Seth Meyers

With the release of their new album Beat the Champ on Tuesday (check out the album review HERE), the Mountain Goats stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers on Monday night to promote the release.

The band performed the song "Foreign Object" for the the show and then stuck around for an additional, web exclusive performance of the 2004 track "Pigs That Ran Straightaway into the Water, Triumph Of." Check out both performances below.

The Mountain Goats kicked off the tour in support of Beat the Champ last week and they played a sold out show at the Cat's Cradle on Tuesday. Many of the dates on the tour are already sold out.

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Colbie Caillat & Christina Perri announce 'The Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too' Tour

Singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri are teaming up this summer on The Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too tour that will take the pair to venues across North America.

The pair will play Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Wednesday, August 5. Rachel Platten will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, via the venue box office and Etix for $36.

Caillat and Perri each released new albums last year titled Gypsy Heart and Head or Heart respectively. Check out videos from each album below.

Faith No More to release new album 'Sol Invictus,' announces summer tour

Veteran alt rockers Faith No More are back with their first new album in 18 years on May 19 titled Sol Invictus. The band has just announced a new round of North American dates this summer that will bring them to the Triangle for a big show.

Faith No More will play Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Friday, July 31. Refused will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $27.50 to $55. The band pre-sale started today, April 8.

Check out the song "Superhero" from the album Sol Invictus below.

Death Cab For Cutie extends 2015 tour, coming to Raleigh

Superstar indie rockers Death Cab For Cutie just released their eight studio album last week titled Kintsugi and they have just extended their already hefty 2015 tour plans into the fall and the new dates include a stop in the Triangle.

Death Cab will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Tuesday, September 15. Twin Shadow will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $25 to $45. Pre-sales will being at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 9.

Check out the music video for "Black Sun" from Kintsugi below.

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

New music from Mac McCaughan - "Box Batteries" (single version)

Singer-songwriter Mac McCaughan's debut solo album under his own name, Non-Believers, will be out on May 5, and the single "Box Batteries" is out today in independent record stores on a 7" record with the b-side "Whatever Light."

Merge Records has released the single version of the a-side, "Box Batteries," that you can check out below.

McCaughan will celebrate the release of Non-Believers at the Cat's Cradle Back Room on Saturday, May 23, with Flesh Wounds. Tickets are are $12 in advance via Ticketfly.

Album Review: The Mountain Goats - Beat The Champ

John Darnielle is a nerd. That is to say, he’s a man of deep passion for the things he loves. The Mountain Goats have touched his passions in the past, but never so obviously as on Beat the Champ.

In recent years, Darnielle’s interests have been more and more visible. He’s performed sets of heavy metal covers, he wrote a book with a sci-fi fantasy game as a central element and now he’s written an entire album about professional wrestling.

Beat the Champ is about wrestling before the WWE. It’s about regional heroes and rough-edged spectacle. It’s about “nameless bodies in unremembered rooms.” It’s about John Darnielle’s love for this world as it was.

Monday, April 06, 2015

Milo Greene extends 2015 tour, coming to Durham

Los Angeles indie rockers Milo Greene released their sophomore album, and their major label debut for Atlantic Records, in January titled Control, and they have just extended their 2015 tour plans into the summer in support.

The band will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Wednesday, June 3. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $14.

Check out the music video for the song "Lie To Me" from the album Control below.