Category: Concert Preview

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Concert Preview Festival Coverage

Hopscotch Bounces Back to Downtown Raleigh

Pregame and pre-plan the 2024 Hopscotch Festival with your not-so intrepid guide, Bodhi.

I am certainly not the festival going type, but when in Rome…right?

As much as I love live music, I’ve never really taken the opportunity to explore the wonderland of a multi-day festival.

So, thanks to the benevolent gods of WKNC, I have the utmost privilege to take you along with me as I dive headfirst into Downtown Raleigh’s favorite indie-alternative smorgasbord.

In the immortal words of Smash Mouth, there’s so much to do and so much to see, so let me be your guide on our nearly week-long romp.

Or, in my own words…let’s take a peek at my must see’s for the 2024 Hopscotch Musical Festival

Pregame! Wednesday, September 4th – The Rialto

Gig Poster for The db’s and Kate Rhudy at The Rialto, Wednesday, September 4 2024

The lineup: The dB’s, with support from Kate Rhudy, showtime: 7:00 pm

Quasi-Local favorites The dB’s (Yes, I know they formed in NYC but Winston-Salem calls dibs) are doing a pre-festival warm-up show at the Rialto Theatre to kick off the long festival quasi-weekend.

If you are a fan of WKNC, I’d be willing to bet you’re a fan of first wave college rock/jangle pop too – and in that case where would any of us be without The dB’s?

Fret not: if you can’t catch them on their warm-up, the original line up will also be taking to the one of the Hopscotch main stages on Saturday, September 7.

Day 1: Thursday, September 5 – City Plaza

The lineup: Waxahatchee, Snail Mail, Tim Heidecker and Lonnie Walker

I, for one, about lost my mind to see Tim Heidecker and Waxahatchee sharing a billing. So obviously that’s where I’ll have to be.

It’s day one of the festival and I will be starting low and slow across the plate with the easy, breezy down home sounds of tried and true lo-fi acoustic indie.

But, if twangy, folksy indie isn’t quite your speed, that’s alright over in Moore Square, you’ve got a bill consisting of: JPEGMAFIA, Mavi, Previous Industries, and Jooselord.

Thursday Set Times and Club Schedules for the Hopscotch Musical Festival 2024

Day 2: Friday, September 6 – Moore Square

The lineup: BADBADNOTGOOD, Chicano Batman, Peter One and ¡Tumbao!

A little bit of Neo-Soul and a little Latin flair tees up a fine night in Bodhi’s book.

We’re all familiar with BADBADNOTGOOD from their TikTok viral stint as part of the Adult Swim “[as]” logo trend, but selfishly, I’m in it for the effortless psychedelic SoCal-cool of Chicano Batman and the classic Latin-fusion of ¡Tumbao!

Alternatively, if that’s not your speed, more power to you because over in City Plaza you’ve got the bulletproof bill of: Faye Webster, MJ Lenderman and the Wind, Feeble Little Horse and My Sister Maura.

Friday Set Times and Club Schedules for the Hopscotch Musical Festival 2024

Day 3: Saturday, September 7 – City Plaza (and maybe Moore Square too?)

Oh, my lovelies…I have a lot of heartburn over what to do with myself on the last day of the festival.

On one hand, you’ve got the wonderfully eclectic lineup of: The Jesus Lizard, Wednesday, Durand Jones, The dB’s, Ducks LTD and Charlie Passo over in Moore Square.

On the other, you’ve got the undeniably electric (see what I did there?) bill of: St Vincent, Guided by Voices, Indigo de Souza, Amen Dunes and Sofia Bolt in City Plaza.

And this, dear reader is where the ever appropriate name of the festival comes into play; we’re going to play hopscotch.

The beauty of downtown is everything is within walking distance if you’re stubborn enough, so I’m going to attempt to split the bill and see a little bit of everything Saturday night – Who said I can’t have my cake and eat it too?

Saturday Set Times and Club Schedules for the Hopscotch Musical Festival 2024

Speaking of Hopscotch: Clubs and Darties

Before I let you go to begin your own plan making, I would be remiss to ignore the legendary day parties that further thicken the Hopscotch plot.

Spread across The Lincoln Theatre, Neptunes, Kings, The Pourhouse, Wicked Witch, Slim’s, TRansfer Co. Ballroom and Nash Hall (amongst others), small bands light up the City of Oaks in more intimate shows through the mid afternoon and the early hours of morning.

For my lazy bones who forgot to get a pass, good news! While late night club sets require a pass (womp womp), anything labeled a “Day Party” is free and open to the public.

Go forth and happy Hopscotch-ing! – Bodhi

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Concert Preview

Locals Only! Returns for August

Neptunes X WKNC 88.1. Locals Only! Anterra & Peter Stone, Nicole Tester, Max Lane. August 8. 8PM. Free 21+ $5 for 18+.
Locals Only!
Neptunes X WKNC 88.1. Locals Only! Anterra & Peter Stone, Nicole Tester, Max Lane. August 8. 8PM. Free 21+ $5 for 18+.

WKNC and Neptunes are bringing back Locals Only! On August 8th, a stellar lineup of local artists are coming to Neptunes to perform for the Raleigh area. July’s Locals Only show was electric, and I expect this show to be just as good.

Max Lane

Album cover for "Live from the Nest" by Max Lane.

If you went to the last Locals Only show and found yourself wanting slower, more introspective artist, then you’re in luck. Max Lane is a country artist from Hillsborough, North Carolina who I found myself enjoying quite a bit while going through his discography.

His songs are not limited to any particular niche of country music, though he takes a lot of inspiration from soul and gospel, as well as older country legends like Alan Jackson. He can belt out powerful lyrics about his newfound sobriety right after bringing a tear to your eye about lost community.

Personally, I’m very excited to hear songs like “Ghost Towns” live, as I hope you are too.

Nicole Tester

Album cover for "Overgrown" by Nicole Tester

Nicole Tester, meanwhile, brings a softer, more folk-inspired sound to the show, reminiscent of artists like Big Thief or Phoebe Bridgers. Her songwriting explores love, loss, the exploration of self, and so much more that adds plenty of intrigue to her music.

I expect her performance to be a nice comedown from the other acts at this show, including the last acts to be discussed: Anterra & Peter Stone.

Anterra & Peter Stone

Album cover for "These Things Take Time" by Anterra.

These two artists are coming to Neptunes as part of a larger duo album release tour. Anterra brings to their act a more ethereal, dreampop sound whose storytelling relies more on imagery than narration

Peter Stone, meanwhile, bridges the gap sonically between Anterra’s dreampop and Max Lane’s country influences. He keeps a more upbeat energy to his guitar playing that should help rile the crowd back up by the end of the show.

Closing Thoughts

For those of you looking for country, folk, and singer-songwriter songs from your local artists, this will be the show to attend. This Locals Only concert is on for Thursday, August 8th, and I once again hope to see you there!

— DJ Southpaw

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Concert Preview Miscellaneous

LOLLA-land: the immaculate birth and rebirth of Lollapalooza as told by MTV

Paramount+ and MTV Poster for "LOLLA: The Story of Lollapalooza"

I am a firm believer that 95% of festivals are no longer cool.

The market is oversaturated, the bar for small bands is too low and the commodification and democratization of stardom has made big bands seem blasé.

Plainly stated, music doesn’t feel important any more.

I’m not seeing many, if any, baby bands that feel like they’re going to set the world on fire – and I am certainly not seeing many big artists that will go down in the annals of history.

And festivals feel the same.

Coachella is a ‘wannabe influencer’ petri dish, Reading & Leeds have pop acts gracing their stages and Glastonbury is now Coachella with more mud.

And worst of all, there’s Lollapalooza…

What was once a haven for everything alternative has become yet another destination, Coachella-lite festival.

But it wasn’t always that way – once, it was a bright, shining beacon of transgression in a sea of country-club, khaki approved pop.

MTV Time Machine

Streaming on Paramount+, “LOLLA: The story of Lollapalooza” charts the rise, fall, and rebirth of Lollapalooza from Perry Farrell’s Glastonbury inspired dream to the multi-million dollar Chicago festival.

It’s a long and bumpy ride that stretches from equipment frying heatwaves that enraged a baby-faced Trent Reznor to stuffed shirt meetings to introduce collaboration with the Austin City Limits team.

But narratively aside, the footage of yesterday’s Lolla was what I fell in love with.

From Body Count to Ben Folds Five, the early days and death knells of Lollapalooza were diligently captured by MTV camera crews and Fans alike.

I grew up hearing my dad’s Lolla-land adventures from the 90s, a former festival devotee, and I so badly wanted to step foot in that sea.

And while time travel certainly isn’t an option, it was an option to sit down and watch this with him – courtesy commentary provided.

We’ve all seen the videos of Eddie Vedder monkey bar-ing it across the stage, but it’s different to see that video with live feedback from your old man who was there.

So, not only did I get my trip in the way back machine, I got to know a little bit more about my dad during his 20-something-ne’er-do-well heyday.

Speaking of Dads…

Jane’s Addiction comes to Red Hat:

2024 Tour Poster for Jane’s Addiction supported by Love and Rockets, from Live Nation

Do you have a reformed alternative parent?

Does said parent need a kick in the ass to remember they’re still alive?

Do you have the music taste of a middle-aged man?

If so, I have wonderful news for you:

In what I can only describe as an alt-rock wet dream, Jane’s Addiction’s original line up of Perry Ferrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins are returning to the stage supported by Love and Rockets.

So, if you’re looking to kill time on a Tuesday Night with your Ma and/or Pops, watching them revert back to whatever college delinquents they were, this is the show for you.

Besides, what’s more rock-n-roll than ignoring the looming 9-5 Wednesday morning wake-up call to go to a show?

Live a little, Live loud – Bodhi.

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Concert Preview

Babe Haven’s New Album will Melt Minds at Motorco

Photo by Acton Crawford on Unsplash

Raucous riot grrrls Babe Haven are dropping their latest album “Nuisance” at Motorco June 28th, and it’s sure to be real rager.

Performing with iconic garage punks BANGZZ and Destructo Disk, Babe Haven isn’t just debuting their newest album, but kicking off a raffle in support of Girls Rock NC.

The band will also offer limited edition posters designed by vocalist Lillie Della Penna and give out trophies for particularly interactive showgoers.

For fans of the Triangle punk scene, this is far from an opportunity to pass up.

“Nuisance”

“Nuisance” comes after Babe Haven’s 2023 LP “Uppercut.” Consistently high-energy, irreverent and infused with 90s-era grunge, “Uppercut” is a classic from beginning to end.

Babe Haven has offered us a taste of what to expect from “Nuisance” with the release of singles “Die (and Rot)” and “Blind Yourself.”

As far as songs go, “Die (and Rot)” is classically Babe Haven: barbed wire and sugar candy and a couple dog barks à la Brian Garris.

Della Penna really pushes herself hard with this one, and I can only imagine the absolute (beautiful) chaos her performance would bring to a crowd. I, for one, cannot wait to throw elbows to this.

Cover for “Uppercut” by Babe Haven

Conversely, “Blind Yourself” takes a minute to warm up, starting with an almost post-punk slant before grunge-infused vocals shift the genre to edgy alternative rock. The song is a real hip-swayer for most of its duration before reaching a hardcore climax in the song’s final thirty seconds.

If these two singles are anything to go on, “Nuisance” will be an absolutely riotous release.

BANGZZ and Destructo Disk

Supporting Babe Haven are two other iconic punk bands, BANGZZ and Destructo Disk.

Durham-based duo BANGZZ consistently channel “feral grunge punk catharis” with their unflinchingly fast and loud tracks. You can catch a special WKNC interview with them here.

Cover for “You Took My Body Long Ago and Now I am Taking it Back” by BANGZZ

Destructo Disk, hailing from Winchester, Virginia, have garnered acclaim for their witty and irreverent lyricism with iconic songs like “The Power of Christ Expels You” and “Goth Queen (Reign Supreme).”

Cover for “Punk Rock Die” by Destructo Disk

The band’s insistence on failing to take themselves — or the punk scene — seriously makes them a self-aware (and simply better) version of the infamous Negative XP.

Final Thoughts

There’s no better way to finish off Pride Month than a good punk show. And there’s no better punk show than one where you have 1) An excuse to be as extra as possible and 2) A chance to catch some of the most iconic bands in the southeast in action.

I know where I’ll be on June 28. Do you?

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Band/Artist Profile Concert Preview

Concert Preview: MIKE

Cover for "May God Bless Your Hustle" by MIKE

Abstract hip-hop artist MIKE is set to play at Cat’s Cradle this upcoming Wednesday, May 22. This concert serves as one of the final shows for his “Somebody Fine Me Trouble” tour.

I’ve only been to one other hip-hop concert prior to this, that being Death Grips at The Ritz back in August of last year. Death Grips similarily being a well-respected band in the underground pushing the boundary of abstract hip-hop. I’m not here to talk about them though. Instead, I want to focus on a couple of the standout pieces of MIKE’s discography, and what I’ve been listening to from him lately.

“Burning Desire”

“Burning Desire” is the latest solo album from MIKE, releasing on October 13 of last year. This would be the project that would bring my attention to MIKE. I was immediately captivated by the sampling techniques that had been employed over his more deadpan rapping. This is not to say I don’t enjoy this style of delivery, I do, and I believe it pairs nicely with the dreamy and old-school production. My favorite track would probably be “plz don’t cut my wings” which holds a feature from the artist Earl Sweatshirt. Sweatshirt and MIKE often collaborate and share appearances on one another’s projects, both sharing a similar approach to their work. Overall, I’d say that this album serves as a great introduction point to the rest of MIKE’s work. It’s very definitive and is almost an amalgamation of his output up to that point in his career.

“Beware of the Monkey”

“Beware of the Monkey” is the most recent mixtape from MIKE released on December 21, 2022. I’d describe this mixtape as a beam of hope in the wallows of despair. A large amount of MIKE’s work centers around themes of depression, isolation, and self-hatred. “Beware of the Monkey” sees him in a more optimistic and hopeful spirit, which is always nice to see after listening to some of his more early works. When taking a look at the production, you can see MIKE taking a more of hypnotic approach that he would build upon in the aformentioned “Burning Desire”. My favorite track off of the mixtape would have to be the opener, “nuthin i can do is wrng”.

“May God Bless Your Hustle”

“May God Bless Your Hustle” is one of MIKE’s earlier works that would grant him some traction in the underground. Being released on June 21, 2017, the album reflects a lot of the gloomier sentiments common during that respective era of hip-hop. It’s an extremely relaxing yet emotionally crushing record that I can heavily sympathize with at parts. Out of all of MIKE’s projects, this would be my personal favorite, with my top track being “Pigeonfeet”.

Final Thoughts

Going solely off of the music that I tend to keep on rotation from MIKE, I want to expect this show to be a personal one. It’s a type of sound that he brings forth that can really connect you to others through just the music. I’m absolutely sure that this will be one of my most unique concert experiences and I’m very much ready for it.

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Band/Artist Profile Concert Preview

Queer Gothic Bluegrass Coming to The Pinhook This April

Cover for "County Traditions" by Laurel Hells Ramblers

The goth-to-country pipeline is real, and the Laurel Hells Ramblers keep it well-fed with their signature “gothic bluegrass.”

This band’s distinct sound comes from the combined efforts of Clover-Lynn, a banjo player from Southwest Virginia, and Jade Louise, a fiddler who cut her teeth performing in the punk and metal scenes before returning to her Carolinian roots.

The Laurel Hell’s Ramblers are coming to Durham April 25th and performing at The Pinhook, one of the city’s most iconic venues.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Ramblers, here’s what you need to know:

Sounds from the Mountains

Laurel Hells Ramblers produces music imbued with a rich folk tradition and strong queer narrative, integrating classic bluegrass stylistics with stories of the experience of being a trans woman in Appalachia.

According to the band’s Spotify testimony, they “seek to show the world and Appalachia that not only are there queer people from the region, but that they are an active part of the culture.”

Cover for “Cripple Creek” by Laurel Hells Ramblers

The resurgence of folk music’s popularity in queer and alternative spaces is far from news. Folk is a rich and bustling genre that has influenced alternative music since the beginning.

Folk punk, a fusion genre of folk and punk rock, started as far back as the 1980s. “Gothic bluegrass” is only another iteration of folk’s impact on the alternative scene and a growing awareness of the staunch gothic energy of Appalachia (see: Y’allternative).

Discography

The Laurel Hells Ramblers released their debut single, “Cripple Creek,” January 1, 2023. The track is a solid minute of rustic instrumental featuring Clover-Lynn’s banjo and Jade Louise’s ebullient fiddle.

The band put out two more singles later that year, with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” coming out June 25 and “Raleigh and Spencer” August 10. Both tracks are covers of classic bluegrass songs, with sprawling rhythms and smoke-tinged lyrics.

Cover for “Raleigh and Spencer” by Laurel Hells Ramblers

March 15, 2024, the band released “County Traditions,” a live LP recorded with Local Exposure Magazine. A shockingly vivid and borderline orchestral album, “County Traditions” is an excellent display of the band’s musical expertise.

Louise’s fiddle is absolutely heartwrenching as it flutters throughout each track, emerging and disappearing into a honey-smooth instrumental tapestry.

Final Thoughts

The Ramblers’ Pinhook performance starts at 8 p.m., with an opening act by Three Top Serenaders.

If their live LP — and the small, intimate atmosphere of the Pinhook — is anything to go by, this show will be mindmelting.

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Band/Artist Profile Concert Preview

Unwound Returns to Cat’s Cradle After Over Two Decades

Cover for "Repetition" by Unwound

After over 20 years of stasis, post-hardcore band Unwound is back from the dead with a 2024 tour.

The band will touch down in Carrboro, North Carolina March 22 at the legendary Cat’s Cradle alongside noise rock band Cherubs.

Unwound went on indefinite hiatus after their 2001 release “Leaves Turn Inside You,” the “Unwound album that ended all Unwound albums.”

Cover for “Leaves Turn Inside You” by Unwound

The band announced their reunion in 2022 following the 2020 death of bassist Vern Rumsey. Jared Warren of Melvins, Karp and Big Business stepped in to take over Rumsey’s role.

In February 2023, the band played their first show in over two decades at Seattle’s Showbox.

In November of the same year, they announced a 2024 tour featuring five cities on the east coast.

The tour kicks off March 20 in Atlanta before stopping in Knoxville for the city’s annual Big Ears Festival March 21. Unwound will perform in Carrboro March 22 before moving on to D.C. and Jersey City.

Rewound

“When we put Unwound on the shelf in 2002, we never thought we’d return to the project,” said drummer Sara Lund in a 2022 press release.

Following the announcement of Unwound’s 2023 reunion tour, demand for ticket sales was so high that the band added 10 additional dates.

“Starting over again is a rebellious act against our failure,” said founder Justin Trosper.

Cover for “You Bite My Tongue” by Unwound

Unwound emerged as a stylistic diversion from the band’s original project, Giant Henry, formed in 1988 while the members were still in high school.

“The first era of Giant Henry was sillier — making fun of grunge music, but we actually sounded grungy,” said Trosper in an interview with Tobi Vail. Unwound, Trosper explained, drew inspiration from Melvins, Black Flag, Nirvana and Flipper.

For those unfamiliar with Unwound’s sound, it’s best described as the impact point between smoky atmosphere and punk angst. The virile edge of Black Flag meets the cigarette-tinged vapor of Nirvana.

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Band/Artist Profile Concert Preview

All-Female Japanese Punk Band Coming to Cat’s Cradle

Cover for "Iketoma Hits" by Otoboke Beaver

Named after an Osaka love hotel, Otoboke Beaver is an exuberant four-piece punk band from Kyoto, Japan.

The band kicked off their 2024 North American tour back in February, and will perform at Carrboro’s legendary Cat’s Cradle March 26.

If you’re not familiar with Otoboke Beaver (a crime, honestly), there’s still time. This totally rocking band will make for an unforgettable concert experience.

Wild Garage Rock

Self-described as a “Japanese girls ‘knock out or pound cake’ band,” Otoboke Beaver formed in 2009 after the members met at a college music society.

They released their first demo album in 2011 and a live album in 2012, both of which gained traction among Japanese audiences.

Otoboke Beaver began touring internationally in 2016, and have since garnered critical acclaim from numerous sources, including Dave Grohl, Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano, Tom Moreno, and numerous others.

Cover for “SUPER CHAMPON ス​ー​パ​ー​チ​ャ​ン​ポ​ン” by Otoboke Beaver

Otoboke Beaver’s garage punk style regularly flirts with madness. However, amid discordant arrangements of guitar and vocals, there’s a perceptible grand design.

Spontaneity is controlled and masterfully cultivated to create a pervading sense of unity among the band’s members.

The band’s description of “knock out or pound cake” is surprisingly apt; their sound constantly alternates between vicious, unbridled energy and idyllic ebullience.

Cover for “Love Is Short” by Otoboke Beaver

Subject matter comes directly from the band members themselves, drawing from romantic misadventures, grievances with chauvinism, sexual desire and the monotony of the daily grind.

I have no time to spend for you
seeking for a one-night stand, old fart has come
abso-f–king-lutely you’re out of question
so full-of-yourself old dirty fart

shut up
shut up
shut up and Don’t look down on me!

“Dirty old fart is waiting for my reaction” – Otoboke Beaver
Cover for “‘yobantoite mojo​’​/​’don’t call me MOJO'” by Otoboke Beaver

While the band doesn’t consider themselves to be distinctly feminist, a group of Japanese women loudly and irreverently declaring their desires in a white and male-dominated genre is nothing short of groundbreaking.

Otoboke Beaver’s latest album, “Super Champon,” came out in 2022, and all I have to say is this: if the band’s setlist draws at all from this release, audiences are in for a riotous time.

Song Highlights

Categories
Concert Preview Local Music

March and April Live Music in the Triangle

Graphic with guitar and orange music notes
image made by author

Hello all. As the new year is slowly settling into place, I wanted to take a minute and assure you, the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area has all around tons of music all around us for these next few months.

Here’s a little preview of some shows you can see and where you can see them…

Raleigh

Starting with this upcoming week (March 3 – 9), there are a bunch of opportunities to witness amazing live music at The Pour House like Goetia, Pathogenesis and Noctomb playing some metal on March 3. Also, there’s a bluegrass performance on March 7 with ShadowGrass. On March 29 there’s a grunge cover night with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden cover bands. All this and more is on The Pour House’s website.

Slims also has tons of metal oriented and head banging bands playing throughout these next couple of months, like Auroras Hope playing on April 5 and a plethora of bands playing April 25.

At Kings there’s awesome bands like Weymouth, Frost Children and Small Crush peppering their calendar.

So just in the Raleigh area, we have tons of access to musical greatness.

Durham

Durham has tons of wonderful venues like the Pinhook, which is featuring one of my favorite Philly bands, Washer, on March 11 followed by Cowgirl Clue on March 12. That’s two amazing nights of completely different tunes.

Also in Durham is The Fruit with a great head-banging lineup for March 29. A few of the bands performing will be Sevyrnce, Spunge and Lil Space Cat.

The one performance I wish I’d seen coming sooner at Motorco Music Hall is Mannequin Pussy and Soul Glo playing together on April 7, but unfortunately tickets are sold out on the website. They’ve also got tons of varying genres popping in and out throughout these next few months.

Chapel Hill

Good ol’ Chapel Hill has metal and thrashing central at Local 506. There’s a boatload of beautiful sounding band names filling my eyes as I peer through the never ending list. Most notable is Teen Mortgage on April 6, Sarah and the Sundays (not metal fyi) on April 12 and Spew on March 13.

Of course there’s the beloved Cat’s Cradle venue too, which is hosting: Guster on March 20, Unwound on March 22, Otoboke Beaver on March 26, The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie on April 27 at Coastal Credit Union and finally Black Country, New Road also on April 27 but at the cat’s Cradle Venue.

I hope you all find some bands or some resources to go out and support beautiful artists touring our neck of the woods in these next few months.

Break a tooth in the pit for me,

Ben

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Concert Preview New Album Review

DBB 20: Saphron’s Album “Ecce Homo”

Saphron's cover art for "Ecce Homo"
Saphron's cover art for "Ecce Homo".

Welcome all ye listeners to the weird and strange and the normal and the everything else under the umbrella of all music. There’s this little thing WKNC does every year to raise money. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe not. WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit is in its twentieth year of existence and there are many amazing bands and artists coming out to King’s on February 16th and 17th to help us raise money to keep doing what we’re doing (all things music).

This year’s Friday headliner, Saphron, is the main objective of this article. While I don’t have much info about the members of the band, I’ve been sinking further and further into the depths of their sounds. 

Saphron is an emo punk band from the wondrous city of Raleigh, NC (we love a good ol’ local band). The members include Zoe Hardee (Composition, Production, Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer), Ian Waddill (Production, Arrangement, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals) and Ari Moore (Sound Engineering, Arrangement, Drums, Backing Vocals). All of these credits are for their most recently released album, “Ecce Homo”, which was given unto us on October 14, 2022.

Saphron’s sounds swirl in my head. The moving lyrics and lead vocals of Zoe Hardee jolt me and console me all at once. Little whispers telling me to feel something explode into screaming fits. This band’s unique noises continue to pop in my ears at the most random times of day. Saphron tends to the fields of addicting noise that I can’t quit. 

“Ecce Homo”

I, as per usual in my album reviews, will stick to highlighting my favorite tracks on this release. Please excuse my abundant adoration of Saphron’s sounds. They’re quite bewitching to me, and I still can’t figure out why.

“Pity Stunts”

Bass beats and drum thumps echo through the empty rooms in my head. This track fills silence better than any conversation. It’s a cry for love and why we have to give everything we can to smother that feeling. I keep trying to figure out what music scenes I belong to. This song reminds me no one cares, just dance.

“Chelsea”

This song is my favorite on the album. I keep going into the addictiveness of this music. I can’t stop alluding to it. How does a band do this to my head? What else am I supposed to say to get you all to listen to this? There’s probably some weird formulation of words that make everyone’s head scream at them to listen to a writer, but I don’t have those words at my disposal. Just listen to the song. 

“Perfect Love”

Both this song and the previous perfectly blend all the band’s talents to create a smoky atmosphere of beauty and pain. There are more explosions off in the distance as the world burns. How am I supposed to care when there’s only my floating consciousness trying to exist when this song plays?

“Knives”

With a synth opening that’s about as addictive as any sweet candy, this song is the reason I can’t stop returning to Saphron’s music. Hardee’s intoxicating vocals are like a stab to the gut. You don’t really want to be hurt, but the pain is freeing in some odd f***** up way. 

Conclusions of a Sort:

I can’t sum up a band. There’s never any real expectation to, but I feel like it helps people who skim articles or even myself come to a final conclusion about sounds produced in the world. Saphron’s music doesn’t need a summary because it’s here in the world to stay and exist in the moments we want to listen. “Ecce Homo” is a great first full length release for this band (obviously an understatement from my point of view) and as this band continues to age, experience life through music and create more heavenly sounds, I will be here listening to anything they can give us. 

Saphron will be headlining WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit on Friday, February 16th. Be there to support this band but also the other wondrous local musicians offering their talents to our ears.

Saffron is expensive; you can sometimes use turmeric and paprika to replace the taste

Ben