CyTunes to launch Friday night

The digital download service CyTunes, created in memory of local music supporter Cy Rawls, is set to launch on Friday night reports The Independent. The site will go live at midnight following the CyTunes launch party at Local 506 featuring The Flute Flies and The Magic Babies.

The service will feature complete live sets from Superchunk and Polvo as well as unreleased music from Hammer No More the Fingers, The Flute Flies and two dozen other bands. All of the money raised from the digital sales will be given to the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Medical Center which treated Rawls.

Go to CyTunes.org to see a countdown to the launch.

Ivan Howard, Reid Johnson, Zeno Gill form Flute Flies

Ivan Howard (of The Rosebuds), Reid Johnson (of Schooner) and Zeno Gill (of Pox World Empire) have joined forces and started a new project called The Flute Flies. The project was started in order to raise money to pay the medical expenses of the late Cy Rawls. Rawls' friends have laid the groundwork for a service called CyTunes which will feature original music recorded specifically for this cause. The service has not launched yet, but you can read an update on the project here.

You don't have to wait to hear new music from The Flute Flies though. The group have uploaded three songs which you can hear now via MySpace. They're quite good.

Local rockers rally for Cy Rawls

The Triangle music community has quickly, and emphatically, rallied around Cy Rawls, described as a tireless supporter of local music, who is being treated for an aggressive brain tumor.

Cy, seen on the right in this photo, is clearly adored by so many in the area. Friends, local bands and club owners have all jumped in to raise money for his treatment. You can read more from his friends on this blog.

The most recent show that's been announced is, well, pretty impressive. Superchunk (in their first gig since the Obama event in May), The Rosebuds and Birds of Avalon will play at Cat's Cradle on Friday, Aug. 29. The $25 cover seems a little steep until you remember these are all great bands, and the show is for a great cause. Kick in some more cash, and for $100 Superchunk will play any song you want. Seriously. It's TBD if they mean from their catalogue or just any song in the universe, but it will make for an interesting show either way.

UPDATE: Mergerecords.com says, "For those of you plan to attend the show, Superchunk will play your request for an additional $100 donation! Superchunk songs are preferred, but cover songs will be considered. Song requests are limited so get yours in quickly!"

You can make an additional donation here.

Local 506 also has a metal show benefit planned for Aug. 21 with Tooth, Grappling Hook and Up the Irons, an Iron Maiden tribute band. The cover that night is $8.

UPDATE: Another show has been added to the roster. The Magic Babies, Cantwell, Gomez, & Jordan, Polvo, Double Negative and Fin Fang Foom will play Cat's Cradle on Sunday, Aug. 17. Cover is $15.