Video: Chatham County Line perform "Sweet Marie" in Whiteville

Chatham County Line dropped in to the small town of Whiteville, NC on Saturday night for their second annual show at the high school's auditorium. Friend of the blog Michael Graham was there to document the event and he put together a little video featuring a new song titled "Sweet Marie." The song will likely be on the band's new album Wildwood, expected to be out this summer.

The video features some back stage and soundcheck footage. Check it out below and check out photos from last year's show here.

Josh Ritter announces May dates, coming to Durham

Idaho born singer songwriter Josh Ritter has a new album due out on May 4 titled So Runs the World Away, and he'll hit the road immediately after the release on a short tour to promote it. He'll be out with his band The Royal City Band. The dates include a stop at Durham's Carolina Theatre on Tuesday, May 11. Tickets for the show are on sale now here for $25 or $20.

Download the song "Change of Time" from the album below along with the complete U.S. tour schedule.

Mastodon announces spring tour, playing Raleigh

Hard rocking Georgia band Mastodon are taking their latest album Crack the Skye on the road again this spring and will be making a stop in the Triangle on night two of the tour. They'll play Raleigh's Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, April 17 with local hard rockers Between the Buried and Me and Valient Thorr will opening the show. Tickets are $25 in advance and go on sale Friday, Feb. 12 via etix.com.

Follow the link below to download the song "Divinations" from Crack the Skye. You'll also find mp3s from Between the Buried and Me and Valient Thorr down there too along with the complete tour schedule.

Album Review: Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig

The Carolina Chocolate Drop's Nonesuch Records debut, Genuine Negro Jig, is an album with a very familiar, comfortable feeling.

For those that have followed the Chocolate Drops online or through concert venues, the track list on their latest is no surprise. Live performances of “Hit 'Em Up Style” and “Cornbread and Butterbeans” at WDVX's Blue Plate Special have nearly reached viral status on the internet. Of course, those just discovering the band will find the mix of roots, blues, R&B, and folk to be surprising at first, but ultimately satisfying. The albums zooms through the first five tracks and then settles in for a slower, but more daring second half.

Arctic Monkeys announce US dates, coming to Raleigh

British band Arctic Monkeys will hit the road for a two week U.S. tour in April and somewhat surprisingly, Raleigh is included on the tour schedule. They will bring their latest album, 2009's Humbug, to Raleigh's seldom used (at least for rock shows) Disco Rodeo on Tuesday, April 6. San Francisco band Sleepy Sun will open the show. Tickets will be $22 in advance and go on sale Friday, Feb. 12 via etix.com.

Check out the band's extremely lo-fi music video for "Cornerstone" from Humbug below along with all of the U.S. dates.