Stream T0W3RS' Summertime EP, free Raleigh show this month

The Carrboro quartet T0W3RS celebrated the release of their new EP, Summertime, at Kings last week, but the official release is today, October 4.

The EP's namesake come's from the band's cover of Lonnie Walker's "Summertime." The other tracks are "Over & O'ver (& Over AGAIN), "Sparrow, Don't Wait for all the Things in Youth" and "Versailles." Stream all four songs via the widget below (use the buttons on either side of "play" to change tracks) and head over to the band's Bandcamp page to order the cassette.

Album Review: Waters - Out in the Light

Waters’ Out in the Light is supposed to distance Van Pierszalowski from his previous band Port O’Brien. This is a break up album and Pierszalowski wants you to know he’s taking things in a new direction.

The obvious change is to make things louder. Port O’Brien had more quiet songs than loud songs and Waters has flipped the ratio. This means more electric instruments and bigger drum beats.

It also means layers of fuzz over most songs. It adds some welcome grittiness to songs like “For the One,” but sometimes, like on “Back to You,” it feels forced (like when your always-happy, never-mad friend tries to show anger with a silly “grrr!”)

Bob Crawford taking leave from Avett Brothers to care for ailing daughter

There is sad news from The Avett Brothers camp. Bassist Bob Crawford announced in a posting on the band's website that he will be taking an indefinite leave from the band to care for his young daughter Hallie.

Hallie was found having a seizure in her crib and after an MRI, it was discovered that she had a brain tumor a quarter of the size of her brain. Doctors were able to remove 90% of the tumor, but had to be placed in a temporary coma and undergo a second surgery.

Will Hoge marks album release with set at Lincoln Theatre

All photos by Valerie Marino

Will Hoge played his first-ever headlining set at Lincoln Theatre Saturday night as he celebrated his latest album, the aptly-titled Number Seven, which was released last Tuesday.

While Hoge had played the venue many times before as an opening act, he owned the stage that night with a career-spanning 24-song set that showcased his talents not only as a phenomenal songwriter, but as a superbly charismatic performer.

It’s clear that there are no tricks up Hoge’s sleeves on stage aside from an arsenal of solid songs and talented players, but Hoge did take the opportunity, as he often does, to show off his vocal power as he stepped off mic for a verse of “Dirty Little War.” It’s a move that never gets old, and fans were quick to cheer as Hoge’s voice filled the cavernous venue.

Lindsey Buckingham dazzles Durham with career spanning set

All photos by Kevin Norris

Virtuoso guitarist and Fleetwood Mac co-frontman Lindsey Buckingham brought the Seeds We Sow Tour, named after his fantastic new album, to the newly renovated Carolina Theatre in Durham.

Buckingham took the stage alone, playing the first six songs solo, explaining that it was a way to reconnect with his formative years when he was teaching himself to play the guitar. He kicked things off with "Shut Us Down" and wrapped the solo portion of the set with two Fleetwood Mac classics, "Never Going Back Again" and the ferocious "Big Love."