Justin's Favorite Albums and Songs of 2015

As with any year in music, honesty is what makes an album stick. Sometimes that honesty is brutal. Torres' Sprinter, my favorite record of the year, tears her religious upbringing to shreds as she builds her new identify. Here her raw screams live hammered home the point. Björk chronicled her breakup with long-time partner Matthew Barney in ways that made me cringe and cry.

Other times honesty is joyful. Daddy Issues took not giving a fuck to another level and spoke their own truth without a care of who was listening. John Darnielle reveled in his love of professional wrestling with an entire album about it. It's not a passion I share, but his enthusiasm had me wanting to jump off the top rope.

Indigo Girls & Del McCoury Band to headline spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival

The spring installment of the biannual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Pittsboro is a little over a month away and the festival has just announced the lineup that includes two big headliners.

It will all happen on April 17-20 and will feature headline sets by folk rockers the Indigo Girls and legendary bluegrass group the Del McCoury Band. Other performers will include Donna the Buffalo, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Des Ark, Jim Lauderdale, Phil Cook and the Guitarheels, Morning Brigade, Greg Humphreys Trio, Tonk and many, many more. Check out the full lineup HERE.

Tickets for the festival are on sale HERE for a variety of price points ranging from $23 (single day Thursday or Sunday ticket) to $100 (a four-day pass).

TRKfest 2012 lineup announced, Des Ark, Hammer & more

It wouldn't be summer in the Triangle without Trekky Records' big annual party, TRKfest. Weather permitting, this year's festival will return to Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro on Saturday, July 21 (last year's event was moved to the Haw River Ballroom due to rain).

This year's lineup features a few performances you won't find anywhere else. First is Lost Skulls, a Misfits cover band featuring Ari Picker of Lost in the Trees, Stu McLamb of The Love Language, Nathan Toben of The Toddlers and TJ Maiani of Gross Ghost. They're supposed to be performing in Danzig style, so that will be something to see.

Dex Romweber, Love Language members playing Trekky's Christmas at the Cradle

It's that time of year again. We're a week out from Thanksgiving and a month away from Trekky Records' annual "Christmas at the Cradle" event. This year's event features two local heavyhitters, Dex Romweber and Stuart McLamb and Missy Thangs of The Love Language. Other performers include the Trekky Yultide Orchestra, Des Ark, Whatever Brains, Organos, Veelee, Birds and Arrows and Mount Weather. The event will be hosted by Billy Sugarfix.

[UPDATE: Lonnie Walker has been added to the show.]

It all goes down on Tuesday, December 15 at the Cat's Cradle. Tickets are on sale now via etix.com for $8. As it does every year, proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Trekky announces the TRKfest set times

Trekky Records big TRKfest show is going down this Saturday, June 13 in Pittsboro at Piedmont Biofuels. We brought you the initial line-up last month, but now the set times have been announced.

The Never will kick off the day at 2pm at the last band, Megafaun will go on at 11pm. Check out the entire schedule below and enjoy the show. Check out our previous post for more information on the event.

TRKfest schedule:
2:00 - The Never
3:15 - The Strugglers
4:00 - Vibrant Green
4:30 - Mount Moriah/Liza Kate
5:30 - Butterflies
6:15 - Midtown Dickens
7:00 - Embarrassing Fruits
7:45 - Des Ark
8:30 - Pants-off Dance-off
9:00 - Hammer No More the Fingers
9:45 - Ivan Howard
10:15 - Lost in the Trees
11:00 - Megafaun

Trekky gearing up for second annual TRKfest in June

Local record label and music collective Trekky Records is gearing up for their second annual TRKfest. The big show will happen on June 13 at Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, NC. This year's festival will feature Trekky favorites such like Lost in the Trees, The Never and Embarassing Fruits as well as Trekky friends Ivan Howard (of The Rosebuds), Megafaun, Hammer No More the Fingers and others. Check out the full list of bands performing below as well as a list of other fun activities that will be going on.

There are no tickets for the event. There will be a suggested donation of $10. Piedmont Biofuels is at 220 Lorax Lane in Pittsboro.

TRKfest 2 performers:
Megafaun
Lost in the Trees
Ivan Howard (of The Rosebuds)
Embarrassing Fruits
Hammer No More the Fingers
The Never
Des Ark
Midtown Dickens
Butterflies
The Strugglers
Mount Moriah + Liza Kate
Vibrant Green
DJ_TRK

Other fun activities:
Volleyball
Local Art and Crafts for sale
Local food and drinks for sale
Pants-off Dance-off
Human Rubberband
Coffee Sack Race
Cool Kids Yoga Session
Group Bottlecap Mosaic Mural
Information and Literature from local organizations
Tour of Piedmont Biofuels
Free Massages
Free Haircuts
Shadow Puppets
Bliss Tent
Cake Walk