Album Review: Gray Young - Bonfre

Raleigh’s Gray Young wastes little time on its third LP, Bonfire.

The opening track “Canopy Reflected” spends about 30 seconds on atmospheric intro before launching into a purposeful drive to the climax. The trio constructs larger than life sheets of sound, but they aren’t indecipherable. Each part is distinct and well-executed.

Bonfire rarely loses focus. The second track, “Firekit,” keeps the tempo up and doesn’t bother contemplative and often masturbatory conventions of the instrumental post-rock genre. This is common for Gray Young. Seven of the 10 songs on the album are under three and a half minutes.

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.]

February lineup of Local Band Local Beer at Tir Na Nog

Shards

February is here, so we have a new month of free Thursday night shows coming up at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh for the Local Band Local Beer series.

Things will kick off on February 3 with a metal/punk/hardcore show featuring Shards, RBT, Thieves and Squall.

The rest of the month's headliners are Gray Young, NAPS and River City Ransom. Check out the full February schedule below. We'll keep you updated if any of these lineups change since they've been a bit tenuous recently.

Mac McCaughan, Phil Cook, Lonnie Walker & more playing arts benefit in Raleigh

Not only is there a benefit show in Durham this weekend, there is also a two-night benefit in Raleigh for the new community education facility dubbed Moving Island. The organization is led by four board members, Chris Riddle (Motor Skills/Old Bricks), Adam Crane, Kelly Crisp (The Rosebuds) and Maria Albani (Schooner/Organos).

The benefit concert, cleverly called Buoyancy Benefit since it's to get the organization afloat, will be at Moving Island, which is located at 804 N. West St. in Raleigh. It will happen on Friday, January 28 starting at 7 p.m. & Saturday, January 29 starting at 3 p.m.

November line-up of Local Beer Local Band at Tir Na Nog

November is now upon us, which means there's another new bunch of free Local Beer Local Band shows each Thursday night at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh.

Things will kick off on November 4 with a listening party for The Beast and Nnenna Freelon's new album Freedom Suite as well as performances by The Beast, King Mez, Carlitta Durand, Brody & Choch and The Apple Juice Kid.

On November 11 there will be a New Raleigh showcase featuring Bright Young Things, Gray Young and Heads On Sticks. November 18 will feature Embarrassing Fruits, Kid Future and Americans In France.

There will be no show on November 25 since it's Thanksgiving.

307 Knox Records releases free compilation ahead of Hopscotch

Ahead of their big day party (dubbed Knox with an X) during the Hopscotch Festival on Thursday, Sept. 9 at Kings Barcade from 12:30-5 p.m., 307 Knox Records has released a fantastic free downloadable compilation album featuring all of the bands playing the party.

The album features Birds and Arrows, Humble Tripe, North Elementary, Midtown Dickens, Phil Cook & His Feat, Brett Harris, Gray Young and Tea and Tempests. Check out the full track list below and download the compilation HERE (scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the small Hopscotch poster to download the zip file).