Go ahead and set every clock in arm’s reach thirteen minutes fast. This is the necessary preparation for the first night of Double Barrel Benefit 7. Thirteen minutes will allot for an extra two minutes to get out the door, seven minutes to figure out that the best parking place is in the City of Raleigh parking deck on Wilmington Street, and four minutes to grab a sweet spot for the first band –Chapel Hill’s The Light Pines. The six-piece will kick off Friday night at The Pour House and will serve both as the opening band of the night and the first performance of the two day mini-mecca of local music. It could, perhaps, be thought of as intimidating, being first in two senses, rather though, it should be deemed cherished. Especially after last year’s opening act, Lonnie Walker, took the opportunity to ramp their buzz in the following year and create quite a stir in the local music scene.
The Light Pines is a band of familiar faces. It is the project of the bassist for The Love Language, Josh Pope. The members have shifted since its incarnation over two years ago, but the current line-up is an assembly of long time locals, including Love Language members Kate Thompson on keyboard and vocals and Tom Simpson on drums, as well as three members from Max Indian: Carter Gaj on guitar and vocals, James Wallace on keyboard and vocals, and Ryan Gustafson on guitar and vocals.
The 24-track EP that was recorded in rehearsal spaces, bedrooms and living rooms across Raleigh was made available eight months ago (no official release yet). It has started to circulate and create quite a stir, including earning them a spot at MusicFest NW in Portland, Oregon in which the band received an instant label offer post-performance. However, DBB wil be the band’s first Raleigh performance, and one of the very limited Triangle performances to date so far. This is a video from a December performance at Chapel Hill’s Local 506.
The sound that The Light Pines creates is built on a foundation of lo-fi pop but it flares into realms of mysticism and fantasy that at times can feel eerie. The collection of songs is like a maze of mirrors that serves as the entrance to a grand party hosted by Jay Gatsby. In order to attend the party the guest must wind their way through the complex pathways of of twisted, tilted, and manipulated mirrors all while listening to infectious, slightly fuzzy, and undeniably catchy music. Pope explained that the inspiration for the sound of The Light Pines came from the adolescent excitement of perhaps the best holiday of the year, Halloween,
“Do you remember what it was like being 8-years-old on Halloween? Before you came to appreciate it is as an adult? On that day, as a kid, there is so much excitement and mystery and this overall darkness to everything. That’s what I want it to feel like when listening to the Light Pines,” Pope said.
Keep an ear to The Light Pines. With The Love Language wrapping up recording at Flying Tiger Sound in the next month and half, The Light Pines are planning on recording for an official release and ramping up their show dates in the months to come in 2010. Who knows, maybe the Triangle will see the best Halloween party to date, hosted by The Light Pines.
The Light Pines will take the stage for night one of Double Barrel Benefit 7 on Friday, February 5 at The Pour House followed by Veelee, Bellafea, and Max Indian.
For the complete Double Barrel schedule and ticket information, click here.