It takes a lot for me to leave the comfort zone that is Raleigh — especially on a weeknight. I have a professor from Michigan who advises us against going to Ohio unless we have to (“but why would you have to go to Ohio, anyway?”). Well, Chapel Hill is my Ohio.  Big Ten rivalries aside, I’ve just mentally turned driving over to the 506 or the Nightlight or the Cradle into being a pain in the ass.  Spoiled, I believe, would be the word of choice.

Roman Candle

Either way, tonight’s an exception: Roman Candle is rolling back into town to play the Cradle.  My introduction to local music came only a few years ago, after Roman Candle had already packed up and left town.  Friends tell me of when some current Drughorse Collective members were in the band circa Wee Hours Revue, but alas, stories of that era are all I have.

We’re lucky, though, that Roman Candle still relishes its Chapel Hill (errr, Carrboro?) days and makes sure to come back through the area.  In fact, in the past 6 months we’ve had the chance to see them in two somewhat unique settings: NC State’s Homecoming concert on campus and at everyone’s favorite Double Barrel Benefit 7.  And both times, they have been an absolute joy to watch, mixing their older tunes with those off of Oh Tall Tree in the Ear and openly gushing over how good it its to be back in the area.  At the homecoming show, they opened with “They Say” but countered with oldie-but-goodie “Baby’s Got It In the Genes” as the DBB opener.

Tonight they’ll be playing with The Parson Red Heads and The Ravenna Colt, both of whom I’m relatively unfamiliar with but excited to see.  And most importantly, you won’t find a nicer group of people than the Mathenies, who actually graced us with an in-studio interview back in November.

So, long story short, what else are you doing on a Wednesday night? See you there!

(Oh, and be sure to check out Skip Matheny’s “Drinks With” interview series with guests Arctic Monkeys, Alejandro Escovedo, Elvis Costello, Jason Isbell and many more…)

With an unconventional Pack Howl concert this year, featuring College Humor comedians Jake and Amir with Dan Levy, many music enthusiasts were happy to hear that the 2009 NC State Homecoming concert would also be featuring a band. The fact that it was a local North Carolina band was an added bonus. The originally based Chapel Hill band, Roman Candle, will be performing on Lee field Friday November 6.

Roman Candle

The indie rock band formed in 1997, when Skip Mathney, along with brother Logan and wife Timshel attended UNC-Chapel Hill. The band has found their hometown a place for southern authenticity, a perfect environment for this family based band to set their roots in. However, inevitably enough, their talent and success could not be contained. The Rolling Stone magazine took notice and labeled them as a “daring band on the rise.” Roman Candle has also seemingly captured the attention of other media giants such as Paste Magazine, Boston Globe, and Pitchfork for their 2006 album release of The Wee Hours Revue.

The band, now currently based in Nashville, will be welcomed home on Friday. But before rocking out on Lee Field, Roman Candle will be hanging out at the WKNC studio at 2pm, where DJ Special K will be finding out what bright future is in store for this up and coming band. Listen on 88. FM or streaming online.