Album Review: M. Ward - A Wasteland Companion

Had M. Ward recorded an album titled A Wasteland, listeners wouldn’t have thought twice. Another melancholy record from folk’s most loved loners. Instead, M. Ward created A Wasteland Companion and that third word makes all the difference.

“When I was a younger man I thought that pain and defeat would last forever, but now I don’t know what it would take to make my heart back down ” Ward reveals as he opens the album on “Clean Slate (For Alex & El Goodo).” Dedicated to Alex Chiton of Big Star and his classic “Ballad of El Goodo,” Ward shows that a companion can be a song or an idea as well as a person. Even loners have things that get them through the tough times.

New music from Midtown Dickens - "Walk, Don't You Run"

The new Midtown Dickens album Home is out today via Trekky Records and they're giving away the new single "Walk, Don't You Run." Stream or download the fantastic two-minute and twenty-second folk song below.

The band will celebrate the release of Home on Saturday, April 7 at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro. Advance tickets are available via Etix for $5.

Midtown Dickens will also play the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival on Saturday, April 21. Saturday only tickets are available HERE for $40. Other Saturday performers include Bombadil, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Donna the Buffalo, Blitz the Ambassador, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet and many more.

Fitz and the Tantrums announces 2012 dates, coming to Raleigh

Soul pop band Fitz and the Tantrums are hitting the road in 2012 hitting a number of big festivals including Coachella and Bonnaroo, but while they're out, they'll play a number of other shows which include a return to the Triangle.

The band will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Sunday, June 10. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 6 via Etix for $18.

Check out a video of the band performing the song "Don't Gotta Work It Out" on the Rachael Ray Show below.

Win tickets to Alabama Shakes at Cat's Cradle

Athens rockers Alabama Shakes are preparing to release their first LP, Boys & Girls, next week and are embarking on an international tour in support. Their show at Cat's Cradle this Friday, April 6, is already sold out, but we have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader.

To enter to win, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Alabama Shakes tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Wednesday, April 4. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon. One entry per person, please.

You can stream Boys & Girls in its entirety now at NPR's First Listen.

Bombadil, Mandolin Orange, Midtown Dickens & more to play spring Shakori festival

With spring in full effect, it's almost time for the bi-annual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Chatham County. The 2012 spring event will be on April 19-22 and feature an array of fantastic local and national acts.

Some acts on that caught our eyes include The Beast, Big Fat Gap, Bombadil, Donna the Buffalo, Greg Humphreys & The Hobex Allstars, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Justin Robinson & the Maryannettes, Mandolin Orange, Midtown Dickens and Shirlette & The Dynamite Brothers. Check out the full lineup below.

Tickets are available HERE for a variety of prices depending on when you plan to attend.