Merge signs Saint Rich, debut album out in October

The ever-growing roster of acts signed to Merge Records has just grown one act bigger with the addition of Saint Rich, the new project of Delicate Steve bandmates Christian Peslak and Steve Marion.

Merge will release the group's debut album, Beyond the Drone, on October 1. Check out the fantastic song "Officer" from the album below (you can also download the song for free via Bandcamp).

The band will hit the road in the fall supporting Wild Belle (who we coincidentally just posted about earlier today) but they are not currently supporting the Raleigh show. We'll let you know if that changes or when the band adds a Triangle date to their schedule.

Video: The Shouting Matches perform at Coachella

The Shouting Matches, a trio consisting of Justin Vernon, Phil Cook and Brian Moen, released their debut album Grownass Man a few weeks ago and they also played the Coachella Festival in support of it. Check out fantastic performances of the songs "New Theme" and "I Need a Change" from the album at the festival below.

You can also stream or download the song "Avery Hill" from the album via the Soundcloud widget below.

So far larger touring plans haven't been announced, just a few shows in the midwest. We'll let you know if the band announces a Triangle show.

New music from The Rosebuds - "Avalon"

After releasing a Christmas album and an album covering Sade's Love Deluxe, late last year, The Rosebuds are back again, this time with a single new song for the soundtrack of a young adult novel, of all things.

The fantastic new song is titled "Avalon" and is featured on the soundtrack for the book Crap Kingdom by comedian and author DC Pierson. "Avalon" can be streamed or downloaded via the Soundcloud widget below.

More music from the album including songs by Ted Leo, Free Energy, The Ettes and more can be streamed or downloaded HERE.

Shabazz Palaces announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Seattle experimental hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces are hitting the road this spring in continued support of their 2011 debut Black Up.

The group will play Kings Barcade in Raleigh on Tuesday, April 30. Their Sub Pop labelmates THEESatisfaction will open. Tickets are on sale today, February 15, via Etix for $12.

Download or stream the song "Swerve...the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)" from the album Black Up below.

New music from Mount Moriah - "Younger Days" + announce big hometown release show

We told you about the forthcoming sophomore release (and Merge Records debut) from local rising starts Mount Moriah a few weeks ago. Now we have the first songs from the album to share with you.

"Younger Days" is the the lead-off track from Miracle Temple which you can stream via the widget below (you can download the song HERE). It's a fantastic, upbeat tune that makes us excited to hear the rest of the album.

Miracle Temple will be out on February 26 via Merge.

New holiday music from The Rosebuds - "Christmas Dan"

Just last week we told you that The Rosebuds released a new album of original holiday tunes dubbed Christmas Tree Island. Now they're giving away a song from the album.

The free download is of the quirky little tune "Christmas Dan," one of the album's best tracks. Submit a working email via the widget below to get the song.

The album is available now via The Rosebuds' Bancamp page or the usual big download services. Also, if you haven't already checked out The Rosebuds' version of Sade's Love Deluxe, check it out HERE.

The Rosebuds cover Sade's album 'Love Deluxe'

The Rosebuds have been living in Brooklyn for quite a while now, but before heading north, Ivan Howard lived in Wilmington for a bit and had some free time on his hands. During that time, he decided to record one his favorite albums, Sade's 1992 album Love Deluxe, in its entirety.

The results of the sessions, which feature Rob Lackey on drums, Matt Douglas on saxophone and Jonathan Yu on keyboards, are fantastic. Stream the entire album via the widget below or download it for free via The Rosebuds' Bandcamp page.

Chris Stamey to release new solo album in February

Acclaimed North Carolina singer-songwriter and dB's founder Chris Stamey is gearing up to release his first solo album since 2005's A Question of Temperature.

Yep Roc Records will release Stamey's new album, Lovesick Blues, on February 5. Stream the song "Astronomy" from the album via the widget below or download it HERE (you need to fork over a working email address to get it).

There will almost certainly be a big local release show in the new year to launch the album. We'll keep you posted once that's been announced.

White Denim, Maps & Atlases to play Bonnaroo365 Tour

The Bonnaroo Music Festival is keeping their name out in the world between their massive summer shindigs by sponsoring a fall tour with indie bands White Denim and Maps & Atlases.

The tour will come to the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Thursday, November 1. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $10.

Check out the music video for the song "Street Joy" from White Denim's latest album D below. Also, stream or download the song "Winter" from Maps & Atlases new album Beware and Be Grateful below as well.

The Love Language covers Jay Reatard, Frank Black

Photo by Jason Arthurs

The new album from The Love Language may not be coming out until next year, but the band recently recorded a few new covers for Aquarium Drunkard's Lagniappe Sessions.

The songs are "Nightmares" by the late Jay Reatard and "I Will Run After You" by Frank Black and The Catholics. Head HERE to download or stream the songs.

The cover of "Nightmares" will be on a forthcoming 7" split with Spider Bags. We'll hopefully have more details about the release to share with you soon.

New music from the Mountain Goats - "Cry for Judas"

As we previously reported, the new album from the Mountain Goats, Transcendental Youth, will be out October 2 via Merge Records. The band has released the first single from the album, "Cry for Judas," which you can stream or download via the widget below.

John Darnielle will play two solo sets (one will be rarities and the other will be metal covers) at the Hopscotch Music Festival in September. Tickets are available HERE.

The Mountain Goats will also play the Reynolds Theater at Duke with acapella group Anonymous 4 on Saturday October 6. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

New music video from Hiss Golden Messenger - "Blue Country Music"

Hiss Golden Messenger maybe prepping a new album (check out a performance of a new song HERE), but the 2011 album Poor Moon has just been re-released on CD by the Tompkins Square Label.

A new music video for "Blue Country Mystic" has just been released which you can enjoy below. Also download or stream the song "Westering" from the album below as well.

Hiss Golden Messenger will play the Hopscotch Music Festival in downtown Raleigh this September.

Tift Merritt signs with Yep Roc, new album out in October

Triangle expatriate Tift Merritt has signed with Haw River based label Yep Roc Records who release her new album this fall.

The album, her fifth full-length, is titled Traveling Alone and will be released on October 2. The album features eleven new songs and features guest appearances by a number of fantastic musicians including indie star Andrew Bird. Check out the complete track list below.

Merritt also recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of her 2002 debut album Bramble Rose. To celebrate, she's giving away an early, unreleased recording of "Jukejoint Girl." Download it via the widget below.

New music from Spider Bags - "Friday Night"

Chapel Hill trio Spider Bags are gearing up to release a new album on August 7 via Odessa Records titled Shake My Head. The process of making album is said to have started over a year ago with an in-store performance at Goner Records in Memphis.

Stream or download the raucous song "Friday Night" front the album below.

Spider Bags will also release a split 7" record with Triangle favorites The Love Language in August. Both bands have covered songs by the late Jay Reatard. We'll bring you more info on that release once it is announced.

New music from Redd Kross - "Researching the Blues"

Photo by Jon Krop

We told you a few weeks ago that Merge Records will be releasing Red Cross' first new album in 15 years on August 7 title Researching the Blues. Now we have some music from the album to share with you.

Stream blistering title track from Researching the Blues below or head to Soundcloud to download it.

There are still no tour dates to share with you yet, but Merge bands tend to stop in the Triangle, except for one big exception, so we'll let you know when they're coming our way.

New music from Wood Ear - "Leave My Walls"

Durham folk rock band Wood Ear will release its first release in five years this summer. The band's Steeple Vultures EP will be available June 12 on Churchkey Records

Wood Ear will play a release party at Pinhook on Saturday, June 9, joined by Spider Bags and WOWOLFOL. Tickets are $5 and the show kicks off at 10 p.m.

Stream or download the song "Leave My Walls" from Steeple Vultures below.

The dB's share two songs from new album, announce release show in Durham

Back in March we told you that North Carolina rock icons The dB's will release a new album on June 12 titled Falling Off the Sky. With the release date quickly approaching, they're giving away two fantastic songs from the album, "Before We Were Born" and "That Time is Gone." Stream or download the songs via the widget below (clicking download will get you a zip file of the two songs).

The band has also announced their hometown release show which will be at Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Saturday, June 9. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $15. The Stars Explode will open.

The dB's will also play the Hopscotch Music Festival in downtown Raleigh in September. Check out more info about the festival HERE.

Twin Shadow announces new album & tour, coming to Carrboro

Brooklyn musician George Lewis, Jr., better known by his stage name Twin Shadow, is gearing up for the release of his sophomore album Confess, due out on July 10. He'll hit the road on a big tour in late July which will keep him on the road through September.

He'll make a stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, September 23. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Stream or download the song "Five Seconds" from Confess below.

New music from Old Bricks - "Anthem"

Raleigh duo Old Bricks are gearing up for the release of their sophomore album, City Lights, on May 8 via Grip Tapes. The band are sharing the album's closing track with everyone, which you can download or stream below.

If you buy the album via Bandcamp a bonus download of the 9-song Pretty Black & White EP is included.

Old Bricks will celebrate the album's release at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Thursday, May 3. Filthybird will open. Advance tickets are available via Ticketfly for $6.

Bustello releasing a new song each month in 2012

Photo by Kevin Norris

Chapel Hill trio Bustello are taking part in a exercise they're calling the Song of the Month project in which they write and record a new song every month in 2012. Which three months already in the books, the guys have already released three new songs that they're giving away.

The songs released thus far are "Bluest Side of the Light," "Airline" and "Fatal Wave." Each song has a corresponding video, which you can check out below and you can download the songs HERE (scroll down for the download links).

We caught a bit of Bustello's set at Deep South the Bar during Hopscotch last year. Check out some photos and a write-up HERE.