The Bridge Bus

The Bridge Bus, a nighttime shuttle connecting Durham and Raleigh, will be offering FREE rides both to and from Double Barrel Benefit for all our listeners who would rather not make the drive. While normally at a minor expense, The Bridge Bus has graciously offered their services to WKNC to help ensure that every listener who wants to attend Double Barrel can make it. In order to ride the bus for free you’ll need to present your ticket to that night of Double Barrel Benefit when you board. It’s all the incentive to buy your ticket in advance! The bus picks up from locations in Durham and will take them directly to the Pour House Music Hall. For the complete schedule, please see below.

Don’t forget that you can purchase your tickets to DBB 10 here!

We here at WKNC are incredibly excited about the tenth anniversary to our Double Barrel Benefit series, our biggest fundraiser of the year. Each year, we ask artists from all over the area if they are available to help us by providing the triangle with two nights of amazing music. This year will be no different. Double Barrel Benefit is set to take place February 1 and 2 at the Pour House Music Hall in downtown Raleigh, and we would like to invite everyone to come, enjoy some amazing music, and help us stay afloat for another year.

For those anticipating who will be playing this year (get excited, I’ve seen the lineup, and it looks awesome), we will be doing an official rundown of all eight artists this year during the Local Lunch on January 4. Mark your calendars! Join us from Noon until 1 p.m. on January 4 to celebrate the awesome artists that are playing this year’s event.

For everyone still drinking in the Thanksgiving spirit, there’s an event tonight you may be interested in. While we appreciate what we have, we should also be mindful of what we can do to help others. Tonight The Pour House combines our love for music with altruism and is hosting a benefit concert and silent auction for Hurricane Sandy victims, called “Blow Me, Sandy.”

The Pour House hosts several benefits throughout the year. Jac Cain was key in organizing this event.

“ I mean a lot of people got nothing. I was lucky enough that Jeff from Hank Sinatra was already trying to do the same thing. He gets credit for the lineup,” Cain shared.

The silent auction will have items including recording sessions, gift baskets and more.

“I’m excited about the silent auction,” Cain said. “Tres Chicas are donating a house concert. Eric Ambel is donating a day of recording at his studio in NYC. The Pour House is donating a hotel room two tickets and dinner for New Years. Lots of people are contributing.”

If you aren’t able to make it out today but would like to help out, you can donate or volunteer with The American Red Cross.

Mike Dillon of Gross Ghost - Photo Credit: Agatha Donkar

Double Barrel Benefit 9 is coming up this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4, and oh my is it going to be something wonderful.  Filled with an eclectic mix of local talent spanned across two nights, The Pour House is going to be housing one of the finest locally-grown lineups of the year,  including The Kingsbury Manx, The Future Kings of Nowhere, Organos, MAKE and more.  Night Two in particular boats some of the Triangle’s most exciting and swiftly rising bands, especially Gross Ghost.

Gross Ghost is a four-piece band based out of Chapel Hill with a mesmerizing sound.  While the instrumentation is usually full of driving rhythms that are tinged with surf-punk vibes, the vocal melodies are infectious and perfectly contrast the fast-paced frenetic indie-punk soundscape.  Gross Ghost took the state by storm last year with two incredible EP’s, Lip City and Wicked Game, leaving fans anxiously awaiting their upcoming LP Brer Rabbit, which is to be released early this year.

Gross Ghost’s Grip Tapes label mate Heads on Sticks will also be playing Double Barrel Benefit on Saturday night, along with Naked Gods and The Kingsbury Manx.  Tickets for one night are $10 in advance while tickets for both nights are $15 in advance.  Under 21 is subject to a $5 cover charge.

Double Barrel Benefit 9 will be Feb. 3 and 4 at the Pour House Music Hall in downtown Raleigh.
Each night will feature four great local bands. Who, you ask? Tune in to the Local Lunch Friday, Jan. 13, to find out!

Tickets are available online and will soon be available at Schoolkids Records and Bull City Records.

To follow all things Double Barrel, use the hashtag #DBB9 and check out the facebook event.

Stay tuned for a comprehensive look at the ninth annual DBB, coming next week!

And of course, set your radio to 88.1 or listen online at noon Jan. 13!

by Julie Alvarez

There are about 465 words I’ll use to describe the energy at the Kooley High CD Release party this past Saturday night at The Pour House.  Not only did Lazurus, Actual Proof, King Mez, and Kooley High deliver, they all captured the crowd’s attention throughout the entire show.  Each set was quick, to the point and fun — something I often miss at an indie rock show.

I arrived at The Pour House around ten to find a healthy throng of people smoking their last cigarettes before the show started.  King Mez was standing outside and hyped up the show by telling us how pumped he was for it tonight.  Just seeing his energy got me excited to see what would happen inside.  Lazurus took to the stage right on time.  This guy is a super hyped-up MC that had me laughing and throwing my hands back and forth with the crowd.  He started his set with some a cappella rhymes and then brought out the beats for about thirty minutes.  He wrapped up his set with a gift for the fans– T-shirts and albums.  Luckily, I managed to snag an album.

Either I'm a terrible photographer or Lazurus was too crazy to capture. Let's go with the latter.

Actual Proof set up shop next.  These two young guys from Raleigh’s own Enloe High School killed it on stage.  Not only did they look fresh, but they sounded smart, fast, and just plain good.

In between sets I had to fight my way back to the bar to refill my drink.  That’s a good thing when it comes to local music shows.  All kinds of people were coming together for this show and everyone was pushing for a place near the stage.

I made my way up to the second story to capture the energy of King Mez.  The picture below captures the best point of the night in my opinion.  Everyone watched as the rapper performed solo.  I loved his introductions to his producers and shout outs to his friends.  His personality shone through his entire set.

King Mez running sh*t

Lastly, Kooley High performed against the festive decor surrounding the stage. Female emcee Rhapsody put the Christmas lights to shame in her performance with fellow group members Charlie Smarts and Tab One.  The group was celebrating the release of their new album “Kooley High Presents… David Thompson” which is available digitally here.  Kooley High has a lot to celebrate, including the success of their show.  They got at least one new fan who walked away from the venue still humming their beats in my head.

Another blurry shot from a great set. Here's Tab One on the mic.

David Thompson is an N.C. State basketball legend. He led the Wolfpack to its first NCAA championship in 1974, and he graces the cover of Raleigh-based Kooley High’s newest album, Kooley High Presents… David Thompson.  This Saturday, Dec. 10, hip-hop enthusiasts will celebrate the release of this new album with a CD release party at The Pour House in downtown Raleigh featuring Kooley High, King Mez, Actual Proof, and Lazurus.  The show is 21+ and doors open at 9 p.m.

I’m what you might call a hip-hop novice. I set my Pandora to Mos Def and I’m good for hours. Kooley High Presents… David Thompson is definitely helping me branch out into the genre.  The group of former NCSU students layers funky beats and clever rhymes to create a sound that I’m not quite used to, but I’m definitely into.  I’m especially a fan of track six, a special anthem titled “Dear Raleigh” that actually makes me feel attached to the red-brick ocean that is NCSU.  New Raleigh blog agrees that Kooley High does Raleigh justice.

Adam Kincaid will host the group on The Local Beat tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. I’m hoping to get a glimpse into Kooley High’s inspiration, their reasoning behind the iconic album cover, and hear more about their upcoming show.

Luckily for you (and me), I will be attending Saturday’s show and reporting back on Monday, Dec. 12.  Come back to the blog to read about my experience with four of Raleigh’s best hip hop artists.

This Saturday, Dec. 3, Raleigh’s own American Aquarium will be recording a live album with Shovels & Rope and Kenny Roby at The Pour House Music Hall on Blount Street!

That’s homegrown, y’all. Buy your tickets online here.

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

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.

Giveaways are a win-win-win situation for everyone involved. You get to listen to the great tunes at WKNC, the DJs get to talk to you (we LOVE calls)  and you can win tickets to some awesome shows! Win, Win, Win situation.

This week, you could win tickets (you +1) to:

1/27: Alejandro Escoveda at Cat’s Cradle

Alejandro Escovedo, courtesy of Allogist

1/28: American Aquarium at King’s

1/28: Robbie Fulks Duo at Casbah

1/29: American Aquarium at King’s

American Aquarium, courtesy of elawgrrl

1/29: Best Coast at Cat’s Cradle

Best Coast, courtesy of la-underground

1/29: Kickin’ Grass Band at The Pour House

The Kickin' Grass Band's self- titled album was released in 2008

Just be the correct caller when the DJ asks for it, and you could win!

Tune in to WKNC online or 88.1FM on your dial!

If you can brave the icy cold air and scraping the ice off your car, we’ve got some hot giveaways for you!

1/12: Obits @ Kings Barcade

1/12: The Walkmen @ Cat’s Cradle

The Walkmen, protected by Wikimedia creative commons.

1/13: Colossus @ Kings Barcade

Colossus' Sean Buchanan and Bill Fisher in the WKNC Studio

1/13: The Wigg Report @ Casbah

1/15: The Love Language @ Cat’s Cradle

The Love Language w/ Schooner, courtesy of Frank McMains

1/15: The Ettes @ The Pour House

The Ettes, courtesy of Oliver Lopena

Be the correct caller at the appropriate time to win tickets — you have to listen to win!

For a more complete list of local shows, visit the Rock Report!

For many years, WKNC has been a gracious and privileged member of the triangle music scene. The most recent edition of the Independent Weekly features a cover story detailing the ever-developing and fantastically powerful music scene in which residents of the Triangle have somehow fortunately found themselves immersed.  These periodic self-checks–just to make sure we all are on the same page with how lucky we really are in a  community such as this, are undoubtedly necessary and unarguably true.

The gradual synthesis that’s at the root of it all may very well never be fully understood. We’re fine with that. Let’s have a party!!

WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit 8 is Friday and Saturday, February 4th and 5th at Kings in downtown Raleigh. As always, each night will feature four North Carolina bands.

Friday’s lineup will be announced Monday, January 10th during the Local Lunch on WKNC, with Saturday’s lineup coming during Tuesday’s Local Lunch spot. Tickets will go on sale via the Kings website on January 11th.  This event has sold out in years past, and we expect this to be the case again; so get your tickets quickly, folks.

~*~*~BONUS!!~*~*~Attendees of WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit 8 will receive a free eight-song compilation album featuring an original, previously unreleased track from each of the eight bands. Seven of the eight tracks were engineered and mixed right on N.C. State’s campus by WKNC’s exceedingly-talented and ever-patient Sessions Director, Eric Scholz. The tracks were  mastered by Kitchen Mastering, and duplication services were provided by Triangle Duplication.

2011 marks a return to the event’s original venue, though obviously not in its original space. Kings (version 1.0) hosted the first four benefits.  Upon the venue’s “hibernation,” as we’ll call it, the folks at the Pour House welcomed the event with open arms for the next three years. Such a vibrant and enjoyable music community demands patronage to multiple venues.  Just as any fan of music should never pin him/herself to one venue, neither should an annual fundraiser concert.  As obvious as this should seem, it ought to be said that the Pour House and its folks are top notch. (Rumor has it that NEXT year’s benefit will attempt to transcend venue boundaries. We’ll see.)

Hope to see you all there! Stay tuned for further details!

’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!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I’ll tell you one thing I’m thankful for—living in the Triangle! There are so many great things to see, hear, do, and overall, enjoy.

We here at WKNC like to provide you with as many opportunities to enjoy your community. So, here are the giveaways for this week.

12/3: Small Ponds @ King’s

12/3: Steep Canyon Rangers w/ Mandolin Orange @ Cat’s Cradle

The Steep Canyon Rangers

12/4: American Aquarium @ The Pour House

12/4: Gray Young @ King’s

12/4: Holy Ghost Tent Revival @ Lincoln Theatre

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

12/9: Dance Revolution @ Lincoln Theatre

Remember, you have to listen to win!