As we make our way to the Hear Here CD release show Aug. 29 at Cat’s Cradle (also my birthday!), listen to 88.1 as our top-notch Local Lunch crew debut songs from the 17-track compilation. This Friday, Aug. 14, Mikey P and guests Mike Robinson from Terpsikhore and BJ Burton from Flying Tiger will unleash Kooley High’s “Can’t Go Wrong” and Lonnie Walker’s “Feels Like Right.” The freshness will continue through next week, so stay tuned. Local Lunch airs Mon-Fri from noon to 1 p.m.

Last Friday we had a Local Beat that illustrates just how many different things are going on in the Triangle at any given time.

Easy Company, courtesy of the band's Myspace page

At 5:00, rock orchestra Easy Company joined us to talk a little about who they are, what influences them, and what to expect at their show Saturday, June 6, at the Halle Cultural Arts Theatre in Apex, NC.  They also performed (as a mere 9-piece) 2 songs in the studio. Check it out below.

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The live performance of “Blue on Blue, part II”:

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The live performance of “Whisper Willow”:

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After that, DJ Cioffi took his first spin at manning the Local Beat to interview long-time local band Pivot , who is playing at the Brewery this Friday, June 5th.  They had quite a bit to say about their new album and so forth, as is evident below. Check it out:

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Lastly, DJ Mikey (who moonlights as DJ Wobble Wobble) chatted with Brian of Lonnie Walker about their new album, These Times Old Times (out on Terpsikhore Records), as well as their CD Release Show/Party.  As you have probably heard, they played at Schoolkids Records on Hillsborough Street and then moved to Adam Peele ‘s warehouse for another show and a party late night.  Check out what they had to say about the album, the label, touring, and songwriting below.

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After what was probably the most eclectic Local Beat I’ve hosted last week (Lemming Malloy, Colossus, and Caltrop),  we’ve got a jam-packed lineup this week.

At 5:00, self-described rock orchestra Easy Company will be stopping by to play a few songs in studio and to talk about a show they’re putting on June 6th at the Halle Cultural Arts Theatre in Apex.  If you thought Lost in the Trees was a crowd with an 11-person band, these guys have 17 members!  Not sure how many are coming in for the interview and performance, but this is a situation where the throwaway line “crazier things have happened” may not necessarily apply.

Easy Company Show flyer, c/o the band's Myspace page

At 6:00, resident Wednesday Local Lunch DJ Cioffi will be interviewing Raleigh-based progressive/experimental band Pivot.  They’re playing the Brewery June 5th and will be by to talk about that.

Lastly, at 7:00, Friday Local Lunch DJ Mikey P will be interviewing Lonnie Walker about the new album, These Times Old Times, their release show/party at Schoolkids Records on Hillsborough Street and the Ahpeele warehouse on Capital Blvd.  They’re also going on tour with Brooklyn-based Motel Motel in June, so Mikey will ask him about that as well.

So as you can see, we’re cramming about as much as we possibly can into luxurious post-baseball 3-hour Local Beat this Friday, 5/29.  Be sure to tune in at 88.1 FM or wknc.org/listen.

Prabir and the Substitutes

This past Thursday was a busy day for Prabir and the Substitutes! After being stuck in traffic, the band dropped by the 5 o’clock Shadow for an in-studio interview with Mikey P and me. Then, the band headed to Tir Na Nog where they completely rocked out WKNC’s weekly Local Beer Local Band Night with Chapel Hill natives Embarrassing Fruits.

Considering their hectic touring schedule, I was excited to have such a relaxed discussion with the band about their music. Prabir and the Substitutes are a pop-rock group from Richmond, Virginia with a knack for melody and harmony and a keen appreciation for the joys of playing music. Appropriately enough, we discussed the trials and tribulations of touring and the many ways the band keeps their lives enjoyable (everything from maintaining an amusing website to smashing their instruments after their shows). We also spun some great tracks off of their new EP Hello. Check out the interview below!

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In today’s digital world, it’s great to see a band that cares so much about the physical release of an album. I love having something I can hold in my hands when I buy my music—the thrill of driving to my local record store, thumbing through the collection, talking with the clerk as I pay, peeling off that cumbersome sticky tape before prying open the cover, admiring the pictures in the liner notes—owning the physical CD connects me more with the artist and their work. In the 60s, the single was the primary means by which an artist released their music before bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys demonstrated the artistic importance of the album. In 2007, Prabir and the Substitutes demonstrated their respect for the physical release of an album by intending for the duplicate copy included with their EP, Share, to be given to a friend. The group might not save the physical album from certain doom, but they’re putting up a valiant fight.

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As a precursor to what will be an awesome version of Local Beer Local Band tonight (Thursday, 5/7), we will be interviewing both Embarrassing Fruits and Prabir and the Substitutes today!

Embarrassing Fruits will be on air around 1:00 for a phone interview with the infamous Mikey P (our Local Beer, Local Band Coordinator) .

Embarrassing Fruits, c/o http://www.trekkyrecords.com

Then, during the 5 o’clock Shadow (not coincidentally, at 5:00 PM), DJs Spaceman Spiff and May Day will be interivewing Prabir and the Substitutes in studio.  As per usual, the FREE show will get started at Tir Na Nog around 10:00 tonight!  These you don’t wanna miss.

M.C. talks with Jennifer Halweil about the Hillsborough Street Renaissance, an environmentally-friendly effort to revitalize the street that borders N.C. State’s campus. M.C. also spoke with Mor Aframian and Michael Perros about the Redress Raleigh Fashion Show, part of the Renaissance festivities.

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