Will Hoge announces new dates, coming to Raleigh

Soulful singer-songwriter Will Hoge has added some dates to his summer tour scheduled which will bring him back to the Triangle for his first headline show in the area in quite a while.

He'll play The Pour House in Raleigh on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Tickets for the show are available here for $9. An opener has not been announced yet.

Hoge's latest album, The Wreckage, was released in September. Check out our review of it here. Check out a performance of the song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" from the CBS Early Show after the break along with the tour schedule.

Samantha Crain brings Oklahoma charm to Duke Gardens

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain took the stage at Duke Gardens on Tuesday night for a fantastic set.

The petite songwriter was accompanied by a bass player and drummer as she rolled through her set drawing heavily from her newly released album You (Understood), opening with the rousing song "Lions."

During the set, the band was joined by Matthew Milia (on vocals) and David Jones (on banjo) of the Michigan band Frontier Ruckus for the best song of the set, "Santa Fe."

$10 lawn tickets: KISS & Gov't Mule

Today is the final day of the $10 lawn ticket sale. On the final day, the big KISS show at Walnut Creek on Aug. 29 is up as well as Gov't Mule at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater on July 16. Check out the details and ticket links below.

Today is also the last day to get tickets with no service fees, so if you want to see another show at one of the amphitheaters, you better get on it.

07.16.10 - Gov't Mule @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]
08.29.10 - KISS @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]

Maroon 5 announces new tour & album, coming to Raleigh

Pop band Maroon 5 are gearing up to release a new album on Sept. 21 titled Hands All Over. The band are embarking on a hefty tour prior to it's release that will continue through late October.

The tour will stop at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater on Tuesday, Aug. 17. American Idol winner Kris Allen and English singer-songwriter VV Brown will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, July 10 at 10 a.m. here for $24.50 to $62.

Check out two versions of the video for "Misery," the first single from Maroon 5's new album, below along with the tour schedule.

David Bazan announces fall dates, coming to Carrboro

Singer songwriter David Bazan is gearing up for a North American tour this fall and dates are starting surface. Among the dates is a show at the Cat's Cradle on Monday, Sept. 27. Omaha band The Mynabirds will open the show and many dates on the tour. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Wednesday, June 30 via etix for $12.

Bazan's debut full-length album Curse Your Branches was released in September 2009. Download the song "Bless This Mess" from the album below where you'll also find his tour schedule.

The Mynabirds debut album What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood was released in April by Saddle Creek Records. Download two songs from the album below.

$10 lawn tickets: Slightly Stoopid w/ Cypress Hill & Jonas Brothers w/ Demi Lovato

Here are two new $10 lawn seat deals for the day, and they are about as different as they come. The Legalize It Tour featuring Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill and Collie Buddz will be at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater and the pre-teen summer tour featuring Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and people from Camp Rock will be at Walnut Creek. So there's the pot tour and the clean cut kids tour.

Check out the details below along with the ticket links.

07.28.10 - Legalize It Tour featuring Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill & Collie Buddz @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]
10.16.10 - Jonas Brothers w/ Demi Lovato & Camp Rock @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]

Ra Ra Riot announce big fall tour, coming to Carrboro

With indie pop group Ra Ra Riot gearing to release a new album on August 24 titled The Orchard. With that release looming, the band have announced a massive tour that will keep the band busy through November.

The tour will bring the sextet back to the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, November 4. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Wednesday, June 30 via etix for $15.

Check out a clip from the making of documentary about the new album below which features a bit of the song "Keep It Quiet." You'll also find the complete tour schedule below.

Duke Performances announces big shows for 2010-11 season

The first round of performers for Duke Performances 2010-11 season have just been announced and there are some great shows, a few of which we've already mentioned here. If you want to see the schedule without the exposition, you can jump to the bottom.

Things kick off with the big Megafaun, three-night "Sounds of the South" shows we spilled the beans on a few weeks ago. They will be joined by Richmond, VA-based big band Fight the Big Bull as well as special guests Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Sharon Von Etten for what promises to be three amazing nights of music. Those shows are on September 17, 18 and 19.

$10 lawn tickets: Mayhem Festival & Umphrey's McGee

June is winding down, so there are just three days of $10 lawn seats available including today's. The Umphrey's McGee show at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater is back on sale again and tickets for the big Rockstar Mayhem Festival (featuring Korn, Rob Zombie, Lamb of God and more)  at Walnut Creek are on sale. So if you want to get your head banging, scream on, here's your chance. Check out the full details below along with the links to buy tickets.

08.03.10 - Mayhem Festival (featuring Korn, Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Chimaira, Shadows Fall, Winds of Plague, Atreyu, Norma Jean, In This Moment and 3 Inches of Blood) @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]
08.13.10 - Umphrey's McGee @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]

$10 lawn tickets: Santana w/ Steve Winwood & Goo Goo Dolls w/ Switchfoot

Today's $10 lawn seats are both repeats. The Santana show with Steve Winwood at Walnut Creek is available for another day and the Goo Goo Dolls with Switchfoot and The Spill Canvas at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater is back. Check out the details and ticket links below.

07.28.10 - Santana w/ Steve Winwood @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]
08.09.10 - Goo Goo Dolls w/ Switchfoot & The Spill Canvas @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]

$10 lawn tickets: Santana w/ Steve Winwood & Sound Tribe Sector 9

The $10 lawn seat sale continues today with a show at each Raleigh amphitheater, and today, they've started repeating. The Sound Tribe Sector 9 show is back on the $10 block along with Carlos Santana with Steve Winwood at Walnut Creek. Check out the details below.

07.28.10 - Santana w/ Steve Winwood @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]
08.25.10 - Sound Tribe Sector 9 @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]

Neko Case coming to Raleigh for solo show

Singer-Songwriter Neko Case, who is spending her summer on tour with The New Pornographers who are in Chapel Hill tonight (June 25), will be returning to the Triangle on her own in August.

The songstress will play a solo set at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on Thursday, August 19. Tickets for the show go on sale Tuesday, June 29 at 10 a.m. here. General admission seats will be $20 and reserved seating is $30. There is also a discount for members of the museum.

Check out a video below of Case performing "Vengeance is Sleeping" from her last Triangle performance, at Raleigh's Meymandi Hall in April 2009.

Win tickets to Samatha Crain at Duke Gardens

Alt. country, folk or indie pop — whatever you call it, Samantha Crain's bringing it to Duke Gardens next Tuesday, June 29, for the next concert in the Music in the Gardens series.

To win a pair of tickets to the show, email us at trianglemusicblog at gmail dot com by noon on Monday with "Samantha Crain tickets" in the subject line. Profess your undying love for Ms. Crain or don't say anything at all — we'll notify a randomly-drawn winner that afternoon.

Tickets to the show (and please note this week's show is on Tuesday, not Wednesday), are $10 or $5 for Duke students and employees and, as always, children 12 and under are free.

On sale today: Avett Brothers & KISS at Walnut Creek

There are two big shows going on sale today happening at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh later this year.

First is The Avett Brothers big show on Friday, October 8. If you didn't get tickets during the pre-sale, tickets will go on sale today (June 25) to the general public here at 10 a.m. for $31 to $44.

Next is the make-up and black leather wearing rockers KISS who will play on Sunday, August 29. Those tickets go on sale today (June 25) at 10 a.m. here for $26.50 to $131.

$10 lawn tickets: Umphrey's McGee & Brad Paisley

The $10 lawn seat sale continues today with two more shows, one at each of Raleigh's Amphitheaters. Check out today's shows below and stay posted for five more days of sales after today.If there's a big show you're hoping to go to, but tickets are just too expensive (as many of them tend to be), maybe it'll go on sale.

08.13.10 - Umphrey's McGee & Rebelution @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]
08.28.10 - Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker & Justin Moore @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]

Bowerbirds pack the Duke Gardens

Even though storms pounded the Duke Gardens prior to the evening's show, the weather cleared up once again on Wednesday to make room for the huge crowd that showed up for one of the Triangle's most beloved bands, Bowerbirds.

The band took the stage as a trio, the same trio that graced the smaller Duke Gardens stage in 2008 (see photos and a review here). They started with "My Oldest Memory" and played songs from Hymns From a Dark Horse before being joined by a rotating cast of players including Will Hackney and a drummer (I didn't catch his name; if anyone knows, drop us a comment).

$10 lawn tickets: Barenaked Ladies & Creed

Here are today's $10 lawn ticket deals from Live Nation. They seem to be following the pattern of one Walnut Creek show and one Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater show each day. Remember, there are no service fees for the rest of June too.

07.31.10 - Barenaked Ladies, Ben Kweller & Angel Taylor @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]
08.27.10 - Creed, Skillet & Theft @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]

Mountain Goats to play Holidays For Quince benefit

John Darnielle, better known by his band's name The Mountain Goats, will be playing a benefit show for local record label Holidays For Quince. The show will be at The Pinhook in Durham on Saturday, July 31 and will feature, in addition to a Mountain Goats solo set, Mount Moriah and Midtown Dickens. Tickets for the show are available in advance for just $8 here.

The show is currently one of only two North American shows The Mountain Goats has scheduled, the other being at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX in October.

$10 lawn tickets: Sound Tribe Sector 9 & Toby Keith

Concert conglomerate Live Nation is making lawn tickets for certain amphitheater shows in the area just $10 for one day only throughout the rest of June. We'll be bringing you each days deals here (follow us on Twitter too). They've also been waving service fees for the month of June, so the deals are actually really good.

Today's deals, good through 11:59 p.m. on June 23, are not our cup of tea (especially one, take a guess), but we're here to keep you informed and help save you a few bucks.

07.10.10 - Toby Keith, Trace Adkins & James Otto @ Walnut Creek [Tickets]
08.25.10 - Sound Tribe Sector 9 @ Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater [Tickets]

Built To Spill adds dates to never-ending tour, coming back to Carrboro

Idaho rockers Built To Spill easily have one of the most impressive tour schedules of the year. The band have just added a series of new dates which will keep the band on the road from early July through the end of October with only a few breaks in the dates.

Among the new fall dates is a return to the Cat's Cradle on Sunday, Oct. 10. Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, June 25 for $20 via etix.

The Cat's Cradle has become a regular stop on the band's recent tours. They last played the venue in October 2009, shortly after the release of their latest album There is No Enemy. Check out a video of "Planting Seeds" from the 2009 show below along with the band's massive schedule.

Album Review: Anna Rose - Nomad

Given her history, New York-based singer-songwriter Anna Rose should be among some of the most prominent young musicians today. As a child, she studied with guitarist Arlen Roth, former cohort of the likes of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Her father is none other than the massively talented Alen Menken, whose film scores for Disney classics such as Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast earned him Academy Awards and international acclaim.

On June 8, she released her first full-length album, Nomad. Though it's a decent listen, Anna Rose falls short with this over-reaching, underachieving debut.

Titus Andronicus & Free Energy team up for big tour, coming to Durham

Two of the most talked about up and coming bands around, Titus Andronicus and Free Energy, are teaming up for a month of dates in August and September. Both bands have been in the Triangle recently, Titus Andronicus in April (see the review here) and Free Energy in early June (see the review and photos here).

The bands will play the Duke Coffeehouse in Durham on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Details of the show have not been announced yet, as the coffeehouse is closed for the summer, but we'll keep you updated once new info emerges.

Check out the full tour schedule for the pair below.

Stars announces hefty fall tour, coming back to Carrboro

The Canadian rockers Stars are gearing up to release their new album The Five Ghosts on June 22 and have released the details of their fall tour scheduled which will keep them busy through November.

Among the newly announced dates is a return to the Cat's Cradle on Friday, October 1. Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, June 25 via etix for $18. A special pre-sale including a digital download of the album, a poster, t-shirt and access to a meet-and-greet will begin on Tuesday, June 22 at youarestars.com.

Stars were last in the Triangle at the Cat's Cradle in October 2007. Check out our review and photos from the show here.

Check out the video for the song "Fixed" from The Five Ghosts below along with the full tour schedule.

Jenny Lewis & Johnathan Rice announce tour, coming to Carrboro

The duo of Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, who are also a couple, announced a new project called Jenny and Johnny not too long ago which is picking up steam.

They'll release an album titled I'm Having Fun Now soon, but a date has not been set yet on August 31(that's the art to the right there actually the album art is this). They'll spend the month of September on the road, which likely means the album will be out around the same time.

Among the new tour dates is a show at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, September 23. Tickets for the show will go on sale via etix for $16 on Saturday, June 26.

Album Review: Sleigh Bells - Treats

Treats by Sleigh Bells demands attention. In fact, it doesn't even give the option of refusal. This is an album that jumps you, kicks you in the gut and steals your attention.

Opener "Tell 'Em" wastes no time and immediately attacks the listener with heavily distorted beats played in rapid succession. This is quickly followed by a guitar fanfare announcing the arrival of the Brooklyn duo. "Tell 'Em" is energizing and its momentum will propel the listener through the rest of the album.

Win tickets to Bowerbirds at Duke Gardens

Raleigh's own Bowerbirds will take over Duke Gardens next week for the next installment of Duke Gardens' Music in the Gardens series.

To win a pair of tickets to the show email us at trianglemusicblog at gmail dot com (note: this is a new address!) with "Bowerbirds tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Monday, June 21.

Tickets to the show are $10 or $5 for Duke employees and students, and children 12 or under get in free.

Matt & Kim announces massive fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Energetic power-pop duo Matt & Kim are planning for a busy, busy fall. The band will follow a summer of festival dates with a huge headline tour that will kick of on September 15 and run through November 6.

The band will stop at the Cat's Cradle on Wednesday, October 20. Tickets for the show go on sale on Wednesday, June 23 here for $16. Opening act(s) have not been announced.

Matt & Kim's latest album is 2009's Grand, but they are working on a new album that is slated to be released this fall. Check out much discussed music video for "Lessons Learned" below, which earned the band a MTVU Woodie Award for Breakthrough Video last year. You'll fin the duo's complete tour schedule down there too.

Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz make mellow music in Duke Gardens

Another Wednesday night brought more good weather mojo for the Music in the Gardens series. The rain moved out a little late, pushing the start time back a bit, but the show went off without a hitch once Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz took the stage.

The duo, who moved to to Durham from New York about six months ago, rolled through a folky jazz set, featuring some fantastic songs, starting with Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning." Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" was given jazz facelift, including some frantic, speedy guitar solos which it seemed Ganz wouldn't be able to recover from, but he always found his way through to the other side.

PSA: Triangle Music has a new email address

We're moving into the 21st century over here at Triangle Music and migrating our email to a shiny new gmail account.

You can contact us at trianglemusicblog at gmail dot com. 

Max Weinberg bringing Big Band to Durham in 2011

It's quite a long way away right now, but it's worth noting that as a part of it's 2010-11 Star Series, the Carolina Theatre in Durham will be hosting E Street Band and Late Night/Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien drummer Max Weiberg's big band.

The show will happen on February 4, 2011. Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, July 23 for $48, $38 or $28 here and at the box office.

Weinberg's Big Band features 15 players including himself, with five saxophones, three trombones, four trumpets, bass, drums and piano. There are no vocals or guitar. The group's set will feature songs by Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and more. Check out a video of a recent performance below.

Eat at Dickey's at support Carolina Theatre

Here's a fun and tasty way to support the Carolina Theatre in Durham. Tonight (June 16), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Dickey's Barbeque Pit locations in Cary and Durham will donate 15% of the proceeds from food sales to the theatre. You have to be sure to place your receipt in the designated box next to the register for your order to count.

Having just tried Dickey's BBQ myself for the first time recently, I have to say it's pretty good for a chain. I don't remember the exact name of the sauce, but I recommend the Carolina one.

Megafaun bring Sounds of the South to Durham in September

Megafaun is set to play a three-night stand in Durham this September, featuring Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and special guest Sharon Van Etten.

The shows, produced by Duke Performances, will be billed as "Sounds of the South" and will take place at the Hayti Heritage Center (at 804 Old Fayetteville St) on September 17, 18 and 19, which holds 350 to 400 people. Check out a photo of the room here and see why these shows will possibly have an extra dose of awesome. Tickets will go on sale on July 30.

The shows will feature Megafaun, Vernon, Van Etten, Matt White on guitar, and a six-piece horn section. Megafaun will draw material for this project from Alan Lomax's 4-disc "Sounds of the South" collection - a series of essential Southern field recordings.

In addition to the performances, members of Megafaun, and possibly Vernon, will participate in several public conversations in Durham and at Duke during the week of September 13.

Superchunk to release "Digging For Something" 7'

You don't have to wait until the September 14 release of Majesty Shredding to get a taste of the new Superchunk album. The band will release the first single from the album, "Digging For Something," on multi-colored 7" vinyl on July 13. It feature a non-album b-side titled "February Punk." You can pre-order the release here.

And wait, there's more. You don't have to even wait until July to hear the single. Stereogum is streaming "Digging For Something" right now. Click here to give it a listen. Listen closely and you'll hear John Darnielle singing background vocals on the choruses.

Check out more info on Majesty Shredding here and check out the band's new tour dates below.

Megafaun records a session for HearYa

There seems to always be new things happening in the world of Megafaun and this week the guys have a new session available to download. The guys stopped by HearYa.com's studio in Chicago back in April to record a stripped down session featuring "Volunteers," "The Longest Day" and "Columns." Go here to download the session. HearYa has some of the best sounding sessions around and you don't want to miss this one.

There are also some accompanying videos for the songs "Volunteers" and "The Longest Day." Check those out below. Click here for more info on the band's upcoming mini-album Heretofore and their upcoming tour dates.

Album Review: Roadside Graves - You Won't Be Happy With Me

On their new EP, You Won’t Be Happy With Me, Roadside Graves have reined in their scruffy, boozy sound and allowed strong songwriting and musicianship to shine through.

This new approach gives the band some room to breathe and grow. "Demons" opens with a lightly swirling piano and patiently adds the rhythm section and backing vocals. Just after two minutes into the song, the female backup vocals come in and bring the song to its fullest.

Nick Hornby, Ben Folds collaboration to be released by Nonesuch

The long awaited collaboration between acclaimed writer Nick Horby and piano-pop geek Ben Folds finally has a release date. We first brought you info about the collaboration almost two years ago, and now the album album will be released via Nonesuch Records on September 28.

The album is titled Lonely Avenue and that is the album art to the right there. The lyrics are by Nick Hornby, the music is by Ben Folds and the songs feature string arrangements by acclaimed pop composer Paul Buckmaster.

Donald Fagan, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs headed to Raleigh, Charlotte

There's another new show slated for the new downtown Raleigh amphitheater and it's not a change of pace for the venue. Three aging singers, Donald Fagan (of Steely Dan), Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, are teaming up for a summer tour dubbed The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue.

The tour stops at the Raleigh Amphitheater on Saturday, August 28. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, June 18 at 10 a.m. here.

The tour also stops in Charlotte at the Uptown Amphitheatre (now the Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre) on Wednesday, August 25. Tickets for that show go on sale on Friday, June 18 at 10 a.m. too, right here.

BARB to release debut album via Yep Roc Records

A new low-key supergroup has formed down in New Zealand called BARB, which features Liam Finn, Lawrence Arabia, Elija-Jane Barnes, Connan Mockasin and Seamus Ebbs. The band is preparing to release their self-titled debut album via Yep Roc Records out of Haw River, NC, on August 24.

Click below to download the the spacey little tune "Leo" from the album. Also check out a video of the band dancing to the song "Not a Bird," which is a fantastic little percussive pop tune.

Lawrence Arabia just released his new solo album Chant Darling via Bella Union in March. Check out the album review here. Finn and Barnes released their latest EP Champagne in Seashells via Yep Roc last September. Check out that review here.

New music video from Tift Merritt - "Mixtape"

Tift Merritt's latest album See You on the Moon debuted at number seven on the Billboard folk albums chart and now the first music video has been released. It's a little black and white art piece for the groovy numbet "Mixtape." Check out the video after the jump.

While you're at it, if you haven't already, check out our photos and review from Tift Merritt's big album release show at the North Carolina Museum of Art on June 5 here.

Album Review: Punch Brothers- Antifogmatic

Music lovers, rejoice! The much-anticipated follow-up to Punch Brothers' 2008 record Punch is finally upon us. Titled Antifogmatic, the group's second Nonesuch release hits shelves this Tuesday. It's an impressive, strong album that should be a necessity for any fan of progressive country/bluegrass.

Whereas Punch was generally more serious and formal, Thile and company stretch and break loose on Antifogmatic. Fear not, the group still stays impressively tight, but you won't find any forty-minute suite centerpieces here. Antifogmatic sounds natural, honest, and easy-going.

Megafaun to release 'Heretofore' in September

Megafaun are easily some of the busiest musicians in the Triangle. The band released a critically acclaimed album Gather, Form & Fly last year, worked on the debut album from Gayngs titled Related, have toured relentlessly and somehow managed to find the time to record a new mini-album titled Heretofore.

Heretofore now has a release date and artwork (which you can see to the right). It will be released on Sept. 14 via Hometape Records, who released the band's last album. We brought you the first track from the release, "Volunteers," a few months ago which you can also download below.

Win tickets to Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz at Duke Gardens

Next week's Music in the Gardens concert is a special treat. Kate McGarry, a 2009 Grammy nominee for best jazz vocal album, and Durhamite Keith Ganz will fill the gardens with their folk-infused jazz on Wednesday, June 16, at 7 p.m.

To win a pair of tickets to the show, email us at triangle_music [at] hotmail [dot] com by noon on Monday, June 14, with "McGarry/Ganz tickets" in the subject line.

We'll randomly select one reader to win. If you don't win, tickets can be purchased here for $10 or $5 for Duke employees and students. Children 12 and under are free.

Lonnie Walker, Mount Moriah rock Duke Gardens

The Music in the Gardens series at Duke seems to have the blessing of Mother Nature this year. Last night, there was another fair chance of storms headed our way, but they never materialized, leaving Lonnie Walker and Mount Moriah free to play sets in downright comfortable weather.

Mount Moriah got things started with a fantastic set of alt-country-tinged tunes. The beautiful melodies and lush music filled the gardens with great sounds. The band will release a new album with a release show at The Pinhook in Durham on July 31 and said that they're already in the process of working on another album. You want to see this band. Trust me.

The Love Language to open for Phoenix in Cary, Charlotte

Talk about last minute. The Phoenix show tomorrow night (June 11) in Cary at Booth Amphitheatre has been without an opener, until now. Local hot shots The Love Language will open the show as well as the show in Charlotte the following night (June 12) at the Uptown Amphitheatre (now dubbed Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre, yeesh).

When the Cary show was first announced February, Twin Door Cinema Club were slated to open the show, but their name quickly disappeared. I think you're getting a great deal with The Love Language though.

Stream The Love Language's new album Libraries here.

Laura Veirs, The Watson Twins announce tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Singer songwriter Laura Veirs is gearing up for a new round of North American dates in the fall supporting her latest album July Flame, released in January. She'll bring along her band The Hall of Flames as well as The Watson Twins and Led To Sea to open each show.

The tour will stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Saturday, September 18. Tickets for the show are on sale now for $10 via etix.

Download the song "Wide-Eyed, Legless" from July Flame below and watch a video of The Watson Twins performing the song "Devil In You" from their latest album Talking to You, Talking to Me.

Billy Bragg announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Amazing songwriter and activist Billy Bragg seems to be gearing up to hit the road in North America this fall and is coming our way. A few dates have surfaced, one of which is at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, September 18. Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday, June 11 via etix for $25. Darren Hanlon is slated to open the show.

Bragg was last in the Triangle to play the Page Auditorium in Durham on November 1, 2008 and stopped by the Vote For Change event in Chapel Hill earlier in the day for a short set. Check out photos from that event here and a review here.

Check out Billy Bragg's North American tour schedule below.

Lou Barlow releases new EP, tours with Wye Oak

Singer songwriter Lou Barlow has announced the release of a new 8-song EP with The Missingmen titled = Sentridoh III. The EP is described as "almost live" and features reworked versions of songs from Barlow's last few solo releases as well as a few new songs.

The EP is digital only, at least for now, and is available via the usual places. Download the song "Losercore" from the EP below.

On top of the new EP, Barlow has just announced a new batch of tour dates in August and September that will pair him with fellow Merge Records artist Wye Oak. The pair will play the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, August 19. Tickets for the show are on sale now via etix for $12.

Album Review: Lone Wolf - The Devil and I

Bella Union seems to have a thing for moody tenors, although each has his own distinct sound. Lone Wolf’s debut, The Devil and I, separates him from label mates John Grant and Lawrence Arabia with classically-inspired instrumentation and literary lyrics.

The arrangements throughout The Devil and I are quite effective at creating a sense of grandeur by pushing louder tracks like “This is War” to their brink and adding extra weight to quieter tracks like “We Could Use Your Blood.” The mix of strings, horns, and sparingly-used percussion beneath the vocals and lead guitar give the music depth and variety.

Tift Merritt receives warm welcome at NC Museum of Art

It was a hot, muggy night to be outside for a concert at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Saturday night, but as the sun went down, the temperature dropped and Tift Merrit celebrated the release of her new album See You on the Moon.

Merritt and her band played every song from the new album, starting things off with "The Things That Everybody Does." The set was peppered with some hits from past albums including "Broken," "Stray Paper" and "Ain't Looking Too Closely."

The packed crowd spread about on the lawn of the museum ate up every moment, screaming professions of love and other kind words between songs. Merritt stated that "This is basically my favorite night of the whole year," later stating that it's hard to move on with the tour and go to places like Pittsburgh.

Melissa Etheridge adds new summer tour dates, coming to Durham

Having just released a new album titled Fearless Love in April, singer songwriter Melissa Etheridge has announced new summer tour dates that will keep her on the road until September. She'll make a stop in the Triangle at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on Monday, July 26.

Tickets for the show go on sale to the public on Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m. for $37 to $102 here.

Check out the music video for the title track from Etheridge's new album Fearless Love below along with her complete tour schedule.