Tonight on the Local Beat we are back to another jam packed program with several local bands releasing new albums.

On Tuesday Durham band I Was Totally Destroying It released their sixth album, Vexations. The album has been streaming here all week in anticipation for their release party tomorrow evening at Motorco Music Hall in Durham and I must admit, I am quite smitten. We will be chatting with the members at 5pm today and while the group has been on the program almost a dozen times now and are always charming and fun, as is their music.

For the second hour we will have the pleasure of being joined in studio by the guys of American Aquarium. Front man BJ Barham has been on the Local Beat many times but this will mark the first that he will be joined by his band mates. American Aquarium has released 7 albums now, including one EP and one live full length, and their newest, Burn. Flicker. Die., is to be released tomorrow evening at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh.

For the last hour of the evening we will be joined for the first time, about half way through by Wilmington electronica group Dash. If you listen to the Local Lunch you will recognize the bands dancey electronic pop song “Into The Sounds” which has been quite a bit of airplay. You might also want to head to Kings Barcade after the interview to check the group out live.

As always, the fun starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.! Be sure to follow the Local Beat on Twitter or Facebook and download tons of free local music on our ReverbNation page!

The fall semester is on the brink of starting, and it made me a bit nostalgic as I’m beginning my last semester here at NC State University. I came to Raleigh from a small town in eastern NC so I didn’t know much about what I think is the triangle’s most redeeming quality — its music scene. So, we made a bucket list for all you music lovers out there so you don’t miss out on anything.  It’s in no particular order.

Enjoy — and feel free to add your stories and suggestions in a comment!

1.             DJ at WKNC | You can also help out with promotions, production, web, engineering, sports and public affairs. You’ll be first in the know about anything music. We hold interest meetings each semester (even summer!) for NCSU students. This fall’s interest meetings will be held August 20 at 5:30 p.m. and August 21 at 8 p.m. in 201 Witherspoon Student Center.

2.             Bike to First Friday | You can venture to First Friday, a monthly arts event in downtown Raleigh, by starting at NCSU’s Bell Tower at 7PM with fellow bikers. Be careful not to drink too much free wine if you’re biking back.  ”Go to first friday – there’s usually live music performances outside!!” — DJ Trillian

3.             Go to Hopscotch | Hopscotch Music Festival will be September 6-8 this year. “An annual festival held in downtown Raleigh that showcases some of the finest live acts that the state has to offer.  Put on by Raleigh’s Independent Weekly Magazine, this festival boasts an eclectic lineup of local and touring artists from all walks of music, indie-rock, hip-hop, folk, electronic, and pretty much everything in between.  This year’s lineup features The Roots, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Yo La Tengo, Built To Spill, Danny Brown, The Mountain Goats, and much more!  With free shows starting at noon and lasting until around 5:00 p.m. each day, there’s no reason not to check out this unique festival experience right here in Raleigh!”  -GRZA

4.             Heck, hit all the venues. | Let’s be honest, we’re lucky to live here. In Raleigh you have Kings Barcade, The Pour House, Lincoln Theatre, Slim’s, Berkeley Café, Tir Na Nog Irish Pub, Dive Bar, NC Museum of Art, Southland Ballroom, Deep South, Disco Rodeo, Five Star, Raleigh Amphitheatre and concert halls. Chapel Hill/Carrboro area has Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, Nightlight and The Cave. Durham is home to Motorco, Pinhook, Casbah, American Tobacco Campus and DPAC. And of course, the “other” schools’ concert halls and auditoriums. They’re all great. “Attend any and every Future Islands show.” –May Day

5.             Attend Fridays on the Lawn | This is WKNC’s bi-semester free concert event. It’ll always feature local music, food and swag. Usually on Harris Field (rain locations are necessary sometimes), you’re encouraged to bring some friends and a blanket. This is open to the public, and dogs are welcome, too!

6.             There’s also Music on the Lawn at American Tobacco in Durham | Grab a beer from Tyler’s and enjoy some live music. There’s also dance, movies and jazz events that take place here.

7.             Explore SparkCon | This year, SparkCon will take place September 13-16 in downtown Raleigh. In its 7th year, it will encompass everything from music and film to fire dancers and bartending competitions.

8.             Camp out at Shakori Hills | Located in Pittsboro, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival happens twice a year, fall and spring. The fall festival will be October 4-7. Camp out with your friends in the woods, make new friends, and wake up to the sound of banjos. Paint your face, dance, cook over a fire…..also, get a Veggie Thing. It’s amazing. “A stellar 4-day music festival in Pittsboro, NC that boasts everything from bluegrass to soul to funk.  Filled with good vibes and good times, this family friendly festival is loaded with diverse music, yoga, and dance workshops that take up the few minutes of the day that don’t have wonderful tunes permeating throughout the farmlands.  A guaranteed beautiful weekend that rolls around twice a year.”     -GRZA

9.             Dance at Rowdy, Rowdy Square dances | “This is a good way to experience square dancing with young folks, and hear some good ol’ music! Be on the lookout for these dances!” -Cosmic Cowboy

 10.          See a band in the Brickyard | The past few years during Shack-a-thon (fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity), WKNC has hosted acoustic performances from local artists. You can also catch the occasional student strumming a guitar, playing accordion or one of NCSU’s a capella groups performing. 

 11.          Picnic for a show at Duke Gardens | Beautiful, serene, and BYOB. Share a blanket and dinner with some friends while watching local bands perform into the sunset. Make a friend at Duke so your tickets are cheaper.

 12.          Listen to a pianist in Caldwell Lounge | If you’re a student in CHASS (College of Humanities and Social Sciences), you’ve probably already done this. There’s a piano set up in Caldwell Lounge that is frequented by talented students. So while you’re between classes, cramming for a test or taking a lunch break, it’s nice to spare a second to listen.

 13.          Grab a beer at Local Band Local Beer | Local NC brewskis on tap and local bands on stage. This 21+ free event happens every Thursday night at 10PM at Tir Na Nog. 

 14.          Read The Independent Weekly | It’s an alternative weekly (free) newspaper that has all the best music, arts and political news. It also keeps you up to date with what events are going on around the county.

 15.          Join a drum circle at Pullen Park | Channel your inner hippy.

 16.          Celebrate Christmas with Trekky Records | Trekky Christmas puts a new spin on classic songs by featuring their bands and mix-matched members.

 17.          Rock out at Bull City Metal Fest | If you’re a metal head, it’s a must. Two days of heavy metal in downtown Durham, pulling national and local acts.

 18.          Enjoy a performance at DPAC | It’s nice and classy. See ballet, theatre or music here. The last one I went to was BB King. Badass.

 19.          Go to a concert at Memorial Hall | Another very nice venue that will get various acts. It’s can be a bit pricy, but it’s worth it.

 20.          End August with Stars in the Round at Shakori | “Great if you don’t have 4 days to devote to camping. Usually 3rd weekend in August” – Mollypop

 21.          Catch the Diggup Tapes show series | It’s a free show series at Kings each month. This is 18+.

 22.          Go to both nights of Double Barrel Benefit | “For people new to the triangle there is no better time than right now to clear your calendar for the next Double Barrel Benefit. It’s going to be the 10th anniversary, and it’s going to be all kinds of awesome.” -DJ Ones

 23.          Party with the triangle’s finest at Indy Week’s “Best of” Party | Each year, Indy has its readers vote on the best in the triangle. In June, they throw a party to celebrate the winners and finalists. In other words, hear the best music, eat the best food, drink the best drinks and get acupuncture.

 24.          Run in the Krispy Kreme Challenge | This annual charity events challenges its participants to eat a dozen donuts mid-race.

 25.          Drink a PBR during PBart | I’m sure you’ll drink one regardless. But PBart has bands and PBR-themed art on showcase, as well as the occasional ropes performers.

 26.          Buy records on Record Store Day  | Internationally celebrated, it’s the third Saturday in April. Labels put out special limited edition releases and stores have in-store performances, swag and discounts. There’s usually a line so go early.

 27.          Compete in the pants off dance off at TRKfest | Okay, so you don’t actually have to take your pants off. Trekky Records has a day set aside each summer to share its music with the triangle. Not to mention this also means local beer, food trucks and local arts vendors.

 28.          Drive to Haw River Ballroom | “Beautiful venue.  if you have time before the show, go to the Haw River General Store before hand for the best gourmet food you’ll find at a convenience store. Seriously.” – Mollypop

 29.          Dance at Discovery and Dirty Mega | Lights, glow sticks, photo booths and dancing until the lights come on. Then a little more of each.

 30.          Give the saxophonists on the corner of Martin/Fayetteville St. money to play “Careless Whisper“ | His rendition is on point. It’ll get stuck it your head, but I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. 

I know why Minus the Bear is celebrating their Tenth Anniversary Tour: because they are amazing performers. Their show at Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 25, was incredible.

I arrived to the sold-out show with a few friends right before Minus the Bear started. Thanks to some skill we scurried our way to the front and waited in anticipation. Minus the Bear came out and started with a bang. In celebration of their tenth anniversary they played the entire Highly Refined Pirates album and a few new songs. Even though I was not familiar with this album, they did not disappoint. They had amazing stage presence and were all in sync with each other in a way that seemed effortless. In combination with their epic lights, I got that show “high” people talk about.

I was happy to be near the guitarist because his performance was just as admired as the lead singer. You can distinguish a Minus the Bear song by its signature guitar sound and the guitarist, Dave Knudson, was brilliant. But like I said, the entire band was brilliant. It’s safe to say that I am never missing a Minus the Bear show, if they come around again.

RELAX

The night started off slowly at Lincoln Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Greeted by the musical stylings of Insane Clown Posse and a technicolor beach scene emblazoned with the mandate “RELAX,” the pockets of young folk scattered throughout the venue seemed unsure of how to proceed. From the chatter, I gleaned that most knew at least one of the acts was but few knew all three, myself included.

Despot getting his heart rate up.

A fairly short, red-headed man with a wholly acceptable beard took the stage in the form of Despot just after 9 p.m. to the crowd’s mild interest. People pushed forward a bit. There were some heads nodding and a few brave souls mouthed lyrics but everyone else was still waiting for the show to start.

I had never seen Despot perform before and I thought he had a good presence on stage. He came across as a little spaced out at times, but his delivery was clean and he was genuinely funny between songs. At one point he set his mic down and attempted to lead the crowd in some light aerobics, which I felt was a refreshing change of pace from the usual hands-in-the-air nonsense. Near the end of his set he announced: “This next song was written in a remote cabin in your state during a schizophrenic freak out. You should be proud!”

Danny Brown was clearly more of a crowd favorite. He and rapper friend/acting hype-man Dopehead (who seemed to be doing his level best to eat the microphone while he was rapping) got those proverbial hands in the air with nonchalant delivery and more bass than the audience knew what to do with. Brown himself was all swinging arms and shrugging shoulders bound up in the best exotic fish Hawaiian shirt I’ve seen in a while. He was obviously enjoying himself, so I had no problem following suit.

Danny Brown and Dopehead engaging in thoughtful discourse with the audience.

Next up: Das Racist. The joke rap/weed rap/whatever rap trio was obviously who everyone was waiting for. Suddenly Lincoln Theatre seemed a lot more crowded. Maybe not Hopscotch crowded, but space was definitely at a premium within spitting distance of the stage.

Heems

Heems started off by claiming that they were Skrillex and introducing almost every song as “another dubstep banger.” Their set drew pretty heavily from the group’s first non-mixtape release, Relax, but there were quite a few classics sprinkled in (notably, “You Oughta Know,” “Rapping 2 U,” and “Who’s That? Brooown!”). Lakutis, who had been DJing/cuing music and samples via laptop for all three acts, even took up a mic to perform a song from his own upcoming release.

Kool A.D. rapping to someone's mom.

At one point the audience was asked to throw any old non-smart phones they had onto the stage. Someone actually threw an old flip phone up and Kool A.D. proceeded to call that person’s mother and rap his verse to her in the next song.

Danny Brown and Despot came back out for an all-star rendition of “Power” near the end of the set. Kool A.D. took a few stage dives. Lakutis triggered that air horn sample (you know the one) a few hundred more times. It was a fun set. I caught up with Dapwell after the show for a few minutes in which I told him that Atlanta was a 30-hour flight from Raleigh and he told me about a new auto-tune pedal they’re going to work into the set. I borrowed Heems’ charger when my phone died and he didn’t really mind.

Tuesday night was awesome!

As I walked into Lincoln Theatre, I told the door man I was on the list.  He couldn’t find my name.  Needless to say, I was worried I was not going to get to see the show.  He went to talk to someone and a few minutes later, everything was worked out and I pushed past the bar to a large crowd.

Wye Oak was a few songs into their set as I moved toward the front. I saw them already in July, outside Lincoln Theatre during DejaFest, so I had high hopes: I was not let down. Jenn Wasner, the lead singer and guitarist, pushed through some heavy riffs while maintaining her subdued, low-key vocals.  All the while, Andy Stack effectively played drums and keyboard, turning out an ambidextrously awe-inspiring performance.

As they concluded their set, a team of techs bustled around for 30 minutes, setting up instruments that spanned the entirety of the (well-sized) stage.

Okkervil River excited the huge crowd, as they were the reason a majority of the concert-goers paid for the show!  As the band started, I was taken aback.  I was not expecting the fullness of sound to hit me, and the crowd liked it too.  As the set waned on for over an hour, Will Sheff’s voice started to wear down both him and the crowd.  The middle of their performance was mediocre, as it included a mini acoustic set of pretty boring folk, but a second wind came as the entire band condensed on the stage.

Will Sheff, lead singer of Okkervil River, with his signature verbose lyrics.

Second or third to last, the band played their biggest hit: Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe.  Attempting crowd interaction, the band enticed the audience into an 8th-note clap; it was really fun at first (the stereo effect it created was astounding), but it wore on for the audience.  The last few songs were solid, with the band playing their instruments in lengthy outros that were pretty interesting.  I had to get home after they finished, so I can’t report on the presence of an encore, unfortunately.

Essentially, Lincoln Theatre probably has the most professional ambiance of any area club, which is fantastic.  Add to that great music presented by Cat’s Cradle and you have the perfect setup.

-John

WKNC photographer Alex Sanchez captures performances by Last Year’s Men, Spider Bags and The Love Language on the first day of the second annual Hopscotch Music Festival.

This week you can win SO much from WKNC, you’re robbing yourself if you don’t listen for a chance to win.

7/27 – Josh Ritter @ Cat’s Cradle
7/27 – Lucinda Williams @ North Carolina Museum of Art
7/28 – Paleface and Peter Holsapple @ The Pinhook
7/30 - Jolie Holland @ Local 506
7/29 – Revolution Raleigh @ Lincoln Theatre
8/3 – Rockstar Mayhem Festival ft. Kingdom of Sorrow, All Shall Perish, Godsmack, Megadeth and Disturbed @ Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
8/3 – Gillian Welch and David Rawlings @ NCMA

Need more than music to satiate your artistic pallet? Well, WKNC has more than music giveaways! Running from 8/5 to 8/7 – Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s “The Serpent’s Egg” (plus limited edition poster!) @ Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill. Plus there’s merch from Dim Mak and the Captain America movie.

Well, I’m working on doing some serious shopping and I honestly cannot believe how expensive all the things I want are. Why is everything in the world I want so expensive?  I finally found a denim shirt that I like and it’s 150 dollars. Like Dayum! But you can always save some money by listening to WKNC. This week at 88.1 WKNC Raleigh we’ve got just a few giveaways, but we’ve still got some amazing tracks coming your way.

We’ve got:

Underoath w/ Times of Grace @ Lincoln Theater : July 5

Whatever Brains LP Release Party @ Kings Barcade : July 7

R. Stevie Moore @ Kings Barcade : July 8

Clay Pigeons @ Kings Barcade : July 9

So, as always make sure you’re listening to 88.1 WKNC. We’ve got to best tunes, that are free and some great giveaways, which are free. Maybe if I keep listening and working for 88.1 I can buy that denim shirt.

We’ve got a handful of giveaways for you, our avid listener. Listen online or on your dial.

Call in on our studio lines when the DJ asks for it and you could win these tickets:

Elephant 6, photo courtesy of Leigh, is playing a SOLD OUT show at King's

Vetiver is a folk rock band from San Francisco, CA

J Roddy Walston, photo courtesy of Matt Karp,

The Cave Singers, photo courtesy of Redheadwalking, are a band formed after the break up of Pretty Girls Make Graves

The warm weather got you wanting to get out of the house? Spring Break plans fall through?
Let us provide you with some options.

Be the right caller and you could win!

This week at WKNC, we have the following giveaways:

3/1: Marnie Stern @ Kings

Marnie Stern, courtesy of mercurialn

3/2 Leon Russel @ Lincoln Theatre

Check out Leon Russell, 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of fame inductee, photo courtsey of Archman8

3/3 Future Islands @ Kings

3/4 Dance Music for Nerds @ The Pinhook

Superchunk @ Cat’s Cradle

Fintroll @ Volume 11

3/5 Redress Raleigh Benefit featuring I Was Totally Destroying It and Bright Young Things @ Kings

3/6 Justin Robinson @ The Pinhook

Ty Segall @ Kings

Yelawolf @ Cat’s Cradle

Remember, you have to listen win!

Oh, and while you’re winning free tickets to great show, remember to vote WKNC best in College Radio as according to MTVu. Vote often, vote much.

Lack of plans this week? Great. WKNC has a giveaway for an event almost every day! Listen in throughout the week and when the deejay asks for it, be the correct caller and win a fabulous prize!

This week in giveaways:

2/22: Future Birds w/Filthy Bird @ Kings Barcade
2/23: Neil Hamburger (comedian) @ Kings Barcade

2/24: Pietasters @ Cat’s Cradle
2/26: Steep Canyon Rangers @ Lincoln Theatre

2/26:  Birds of Avalon @ Kings Barcade
2/27: Get Up Kids! @ Cat’s Cradle
3/1: Marnie Stern @ Kings Barcade
3/4: Superchunk @ Cat’s Cradle

Chainsaw: Finntroll @ Vol 11
Movies:
2/21 – ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ @ 10:30pm @ Campus Cinemas
2/23 – ‘Hall Pass’ @ North Hills 14

Looking for a date idea over Valentine’s Day weekend?  Or did you just say “bah humbug” to the idea of Valentine’s Day? Either way, listen to WKNC and you could win tickets to a variety of great shows. We won’t even tell your date that the tickets were free.

Feburary 9:
Blue-Tailed Skinks @ The Pinhook

Blue Tailed Skinks

Feburary 10:
Dance Revolution @ Lincoln Theatre
Diggup Tapes Cassingles Release party @ King’s
Tapes’n'Tapes @ Cat’s Cradle

February 11:
Diggup Tapes Cassingles Night 2 @ King’s
The Moaners @ Slim’s

February 12:
Ben Sollee @ Casbah **my personal Valentine’s Day pick**

Ben Sollee, courtesy of Stan D Payne

February 13:
Veelee @ King’s

Veelee

Inflowential @ The Pour House
Drive By Truckers Documentary @ The Pinhook

February 14 :
Yann Tiersen @ Cat’s Cradle

Yann Tiersen, courtesy of Ivo Kendra

Also, we will be giving away movie tickets to see Hall Pass for Wednesday, February 23 at North Hills.

Here at WKNC we’re all about the joy of giving, and in that spirit, we present you with this week’s giveaways.

12/14: Sister Hazel with Matthew Mayfield and Union County at Lincoln Theatre

Courtesy www.sisterhazel.com

12/16: Trekky Records presents “Christmas at the Cradle” featuring The Old Ceremony, Filthybird, The Tender Fruit, and more!  All at Cat’s Cradle.  And we have tickets for electronica group Conspirator at Lincoln Theatre.

12/17: Larry Keel and Natural Bridge at Casbah in Durham

12/18: Cherry Bounce Vaudeville Show at Kings featuring Hank Sinatra, The Floating Children, and Gouge Wrestling. We also have tickets for KO Kid with King Mez and more at Cat’s Cradle and Tonk at Casbah in Durham.

From kingsbarcade.com

’tis the season!

WKNC is true to the holiday spirit– here are this week’s giveaways:

12/7: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band @ Casbah

If this doesn't look like a good time, I don't know what does. Photo Courtesy of ZioWoody, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives license

12/8: Buckshot Bluegrass Show @ Pour House

12/8: Jukebox the Ghost @ Casbah

Jukebox the Ghost

12/9: Dance Revolution Party @ Lincoln Theatre

12/9 Stroke It Noel Night 1 @ Cat’s Cradle (2 night Big Star tribute show)

12/10: Stroke It Noel Night 2 @ Cat’s Cradle
12/11: Carolina Chocolate Drops @ Lincoln Theatre

The Carolina Chocolate Drops always put on a great show! Photo courtesy of Sparkly Sushi Productions, under creative commons.

12/11: Gene Ween (of WEEN) @ Cat’s Cradle

You too could have your very own Gene Ween signed receipt! Photo courtesy of Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL), protected under creative commons

12/11: Kooley High @ Pour House
12/12: Relient K @ Cat’s Cradle

Relient K, photo courtesy of The Sweetchuck, protected under creative commons.

Remember, you have to listen to win!

Happy Holidays from WKNC!