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DJ Highlights

Employee of the Month October 2013: dJ/dx

dJ/dx is our first ever DJ of the month! While she’s not currently up on the schedule for DJing, she has earned the title by being the single most helpful, charismatic, motivated youngin we have in our studio. She just a month ago, and she’s already on everyone’s radars for being the coolest cat in town.

dJ/dx channeled her past sound experience from working at a music venue/coffee shop in high school to help upperclassmen and sound engineer, DJ John, work to create sound for our past Fridays on the Lawn with Stu McLamb of The Love LanguageLoamlandsJonny Alright, and Virgins Family Band. She’s even committed to our next Fridays on the Lawn, featuring Naked Gods and Ghostt Bllonde!

There you have it. Tune in every first Tuesday of the month to find out the next employee of the month!

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DJ Highlights

Interview With Bastinado @ 10pm Tuesday 2/12

I had the great opportunity of being able to interview the duo, Bastinado. They released their album “The Hard Six” at the end of September. It’s done quite well here during WKNC Afterhours, placing in the top 10 most played for weeks.

What makes this act very special and unique is their combination of the extremely old and cutting edge. Joseph B. Carringer has been playing the didgeridoo for over 15 years and Josh Harris is helping lead the way into a new era of insturments by performing with a Reactable Table. This odd combination results in intriguing house and dance music that you will not hear anywhere else.

Their album is free for download from their Facebook. They have also produced a very interesting short documentary about their group and the insturments they use, it is a great watch for anyone wanting to learn about the Reactable Table. It can be watched here on YouTube.

They were very nice guys and I’m glad to have gotten the chance to speak with them.

 

-Muta

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DJ Highlights

Things We Look Forward to in 2013

2012 was a great year for us and a great year in music.  If you haven’t seen our best of 2012 post yet, you can check it out here.  After spending the past month filtering through other best of 2012 lists to see what I missed from this year, it is time to look forward to next year.  Some of our WKNC DJs share with us the top 5 things that they look forward to in 2013.

 

DJ GRZA

Atoms for Peace

1. Atoms For Peace album
2. The return of Daft Punk
3. Inaugural edition of Mountain Oasis
4. Alt-J at Cat’s Cradle
5. Jim James’ solo project

 

DJ DiGiorno

1. Art Lord and the Self-Portraits 10-Year Anniversary Reunion Show at Kings
2. WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit X
3. Hopscotch Music Festival 2013
4. New Bombadil Album “Metrics of Affection”
5. New Frightened Rabbit Album “Pedestrian Verse”

 

Crystal Beth

1. 4th annual Hopscotch Music Festival
2. Double Barrel Benefit 10
3. Fleetwood Mac reunion tour
4. Kidz Bop 23
5. Public Enemy being inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

 

CMYK

1. Earl Sweatshirt’s new album
2. More Future Islands shows in town
3. Less Gangnam Style flash mobs
4. Anything that Beck does in 2013
5. A new DOOM album or 3

 

DJ C’est La Bri

1. The tenth anniversary of DBB, lineup’s gone be crazy
2. The second annual DBB Day Party and Market!
3. HOPSCOTCH, ALL DAY ERYDAY
4. Some exciting new promotional events at LBLB with Tir Na nOg- secrets!
5. Being graced with more Indy Weekly Grayson reviews to put up on my fridge

 

Seagull

Mikal Cronin

1. Mikal Cronin’s new album
2. Mikal Cronin’s local show, since he signed to Merge
3. Everything Captured Tracks puts out
4. Ty Segall Show!
5. New Deerhunter album (please?)

 

DJ CJ

IBMA

1. IBMA World of Bluegrass events moving to Raleigh
2. Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival 2013 (both Spring and Fall)
3. The Fourth Annual Hopscotch Music Festival
4. Atoms for Peace’s debut album
5. New Local Natives album

 

Virginia Werewoolf

Eternity of Dimming

1. New Frontier Ruckus Album – Eternity of Dimming
2. Arrested Development (better than music)
3. Desaparecidos Reunion Tour
4. New Thermals Album
5. Hopscotch 2013

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DJ Highlights

WKNC DJs pick the best albums of 2012

Now that the year 2012 is coming to a close us here at WKNC look back at our top five albums of the year once again. Although we might not always agree on what is the most amazing, the love of great music not only kept us excited throughout 2012, but we look forward to the amazing music that it will bring as well. Take a gander at what are a few of the albums we loved throughout this year, as chosen by WKNC DJs. See you in 2013!

 

Sarahnade

1. Caspian – Waking Season
2. El Ten Eleven – Transitions
3. Spider Bags – Shake My Head
4. Pinback – Information Retrieved
5. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits

 

C. Deuce

1. Yeasayer – Fragrant World
2. Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
3. Hundred Waters – Hundred Waters
4. Sweet Valley – Eternal Champ
5. Miike Snow – Happy to You

 

CMYK

1. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
2. Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
3. Beach House – Bloom
4. The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
5. Oceanics – Bright People

 

JKG

1. Dan Deacon – America
2. MAKE – Trephine
3. The Album Leaf – Forward/Return
4. Dads – American Radass (this is important)
4. El Ten Eleven – Transitions

 

Zaps

1. Father John Misty – Fear Fun
2. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
3. Bowerbirds – The Clearing
4. Lost In The Trees – A Church That Fits Our Needs
5. Jukebox the Ghost- Safe Travels

 

Seagull

1. DIIV – Oshin
2. Tame Impala – Lonerism
3. Ty Segall Band – Slaughterhouse
4. Mac Demarco – 2
5. Beach House – Bloom

 

DJ DiGiorno

1. Howler – America Give Up
2. Beach House – Bloom
3. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
4. Father John Misty- Fear Fun
5. Dr. Dog- Be The Void

 

DJ GRZA

1.  Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes
2.  Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
3.  Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
4.  Kendrick Lamar – good kid, M.A.D.D city
5.  Alt-J – An Awesome Wave

 

The Mattador

1. Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song (Released 2011)
2. Dr. Dog – Be the Void
3. Passion Pit – Gossamer
4. Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
5. Supreme Cuts – Whispers in the Dark

 

DJ Smitty

1. The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past
2. Red Collar – Welcome Home
3. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
4. Murder By Death – Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
5. Hop Along – Get Disowned

 

DJ Ones

1. Andrew Bird – Break if Yourself
2. Tame Impala – Lonerism
3. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
4. Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
5. Grizzly Bear – Shields

 

DJ Salinger

1. The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter
2. Grimes – Visions
3. The XX – Coexist
4. Toro y Moi – June 2009
5. Oberhofer – Time Capsules II

 

Muta

1. GRiZ – Mad Liberation
2. Purity Ring – Shrines
3. Submotion Orchestra – Fragments
4. Badbadnotgood – BBNG2
5. XXYYXX – XXYYXX

 

May Day

1. Beach House – Bloom
2. Purity Ring – Shrines
3. The Walkmen – Heaven
4. The Helio Sequence – Negotiations
5. Oberhofer – Time Capsules II

 

Billy

1.Stripmines – Crimes of Dispassion
2. Oiltanker/No Tomorrow – Split LP
3. The Sword – Apogryphon
4. High On Fire – De Vermis Mysteriis
5. Mob Rules – The Donor

 

Walter-Ego

1. Dan Deacon – America
2. Death Grips – The Money Store
3. Spider Bags – Shake My Head
4. The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
5. Dr. Dog – Be The Void

 

DJ Sweet D

1. Grimes – Visions
2. Purity Ring – Shrines
3. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
4. Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
5. Grizzly Bear – Shields

 

Major Tom

1. Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
2. Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory
3. Tame Impala – Mind Mischief
4. The Shins – Port Of Morrow
5. Beach House – Bloom

 

DJ ACORN

1. Micachu & The Shapes – Never
2. Daughn Gibson – All Hell
3. The Music Tapes – Mary’s Voice
4. Schoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions
5. Murder by Death – Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon

 

Anastassia

1. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
2. Ty Segall Band – Slaughterhouse
3. DIIV – Oshin
4. Grass Widow – Internal Logic
5. Grimes – Visions

 

Spaceman Spiff

1.  Chromatics – Kill for Love
2.  Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
3.  Wild Nothing – Nocturne
4.  Grimes – Visions
5.  Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits

 

DJ CJ

1. Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill
2. Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden
3. Steep Canyon Rangers – Nobody Knows You
4. Trampled By Turtles – Stars & Satellites
5. Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back To Virginia

 

ALASKA

1. Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra – Theatre is Evil
2. Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
3. White Lung – Sorry
4. Perfume Genius – Put Your Back N 2 It
5. La Sera – Sees the Light

 

DJ Mason

1. Lost in the Trees – A Church That Fits Our Needs
2. Beach House – Bloom
3. Death Grips – The Money Store
4. Grimes – Visions
5. Here We Go Magic – A Different Ship

 

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DJ Highlights

Mystery Roach Celebrates Five Years

On Saturday, Nov. 17, Mystery Roach will be celebrating its 5th anniversary. The show began on Nov. 17, 2007 as a study of 1960s and 1970s Progressive, Garage, Fusion, Psychedelic, and noise on Saturday mornings.  As the things evolved, guests became a part of the show.  I’ve welcomed an eclectic mix of  interesting people from around NCSU’s campus and the Triangle over the past 5 years. We’ve had conversations about beer, insects, bee keeping, educational films, movie soundtracks, ultra-cold neutrons, the suburbs, the roots of punk music, the Mellotron, roller derby, fungus, hot peppers, comic books, oysters, citizen science, censorship, and more. Frank Stasio has even stopped by as part of his parole agreement.

I will be celebrating the 5th anniversary quietly.  No guests in the studio.  I’ll play some of my favorite songs from over the years and read some emails.  Be a part of the show by calling the Mystery Roach Hotline (919-322-8863), posting on the Facebook Fan Page, or sending an email. What do you like about the show? What do you hate about it? What do you do whilst listening to the show? Is it part of your Saturday ritual? Do you have ideas for themes or guests?  Have you noticed any trends over the years?

Thanks for listening. I’m still amazed when I meet excited fans around town.

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DJ Highlights

Local Beat Preview 8/31/12

It’s that time of the year again. The weather is beginning to cool at night, hurricanes are on our horizon, NC State football is starting up and what is it that I smell? Ah, the fresh scent of one of the greatest music festivals in the nation right here in our own back yard. Hopscotch Music Festival is next week, September 6-8, in downtown Raleigh and everyone around is excited and geared up for this third annual event.

This week on the Local Beat I am going to be joined once again by Grayson Currin and Greg Lowenhagen, Co-Director and Director of Hopscotch Music Fest, for the first hour of the Local Beat. Grayson and Greg have been hard at work for the past year and we are going to take a behind the scenes look at what they have been up to and talk about this massive festival that is about to hit our streets. Over 250 bands playing the official Hopscotch and unofficial day parties and tons of other exciting events all jam packed into 3 days. Tune in at 5pm to hear some great conversation with the minds behind the music and madness.

At 6pm I am introducing a new(ish) group to my listeners: The Toddlers. The Toddlers have actually been around for a couple of years, on and off, but did not solidify a lineup until about a year ago. With that momentum they have been playing shows around the state and are currently scheduled to play a show Saturday night in Winston-Salem at Krankies with Birds of Avalon, a Hopscotch day party next Friday at Deep South, and an official Hopscotch show at the Hive. Also, check out their Kickstarter campaign that is up and running to support their new album.

For the final hour of the program I am welcoming back a dear friend, James Phillips, drummer for Durham based band Bombadil. Aside from being a fantastic musician and lyricist and working with groups between here and Portland, James has taken the leap from folk music into electronica for a new solo album, 29 Days, under the alias Sumner James.  In support of the release that happened this past Tuesday Bombadil is playing a show Saturday evening at the Cats Cradle with Massachusetts band You Won’t.

As always, the fun starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.! Be sure to follow the Local Beat on Twitter or Facebook and download tons of free local music on our ReverbNation page!

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DJ Highlights

Local Beat Preview 8/24/12

Tonight on the Local Beat we are back to another jam packed program with several local bands releasing new albums.

On Tuesday Durham band I Was Totally Destroying It released their sixth album, Vexations. The album has been streaming all week in anticipation for their release party tomorrow evening at Motorco Music Hall in Durham and I must admit, I am quite smitten. We will be chatting with the members at 5pm today and while the group has been on the program almost a dozen times now and are always charming and fun, as is their music.

For the second hour we will have the pleasure of being joined in studio by the guys of American Aquarium. Front man BJ Barham has been on the Local Beat many times but this will mark the first that he will be joined by his band mates. American Aquarium has released 7 albums now, including one EP and one live full length, and their newest, Burn. Flicker. Die., is to be released tomorrow evening at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh.

For the last hour of the evening we will be joined for the first time, about half way through by Wilmington electronica group Dash. If you listen to the Local Lunch you will recognize the bands dancey electronic pop song “Into The Sounds” which has been quite a bit of airplay. You might also want to head to Kings Barcade after the interview to check the group out live.

As always, the fun starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.! Be sure to follow the Local Beat on Twitter or Facebook and download tons of free local music on our ReverbNation page!

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DJ Highlights

Fifth Annual Mystery Roach Covers Show: 8/25/2012

The Fifth Annual Mystery Roach Covers Show is here! On Saturday, August 25, I’ll be playing original tracks from the 50s, 60s or 70s along with a cover version from any decade and style.

If you have any requests or suggestions, post them here, on the Facebook fan page, or email them to me.

Below are the playlists from the previous four years to give you an idea of what this year’s show will be like.

Tune in to Mystery Roach every Saturday from 8-10am on WKNC for Progressive, Fusion, Psychedelic, Garage and noise from the 60s and 70s. (The 50s are fair game for the cover show as well.)

Cheers.

La Barba Rossa

2011 Show

Artist Song
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts Crimson And Clover
Tommy James And The Shondells Crimson And Clover
Butthole Surfers Earthquake
The 13th Floor Elevators Earthquake
Modest Mouse Sleepwalking
Santo And Johnny Sleepwalking
David Bowie Don’t Bring Me Down
The Pretty Things Don’t Bring Me Down
Raging Slab Pot Head Pixies
Gong The Pothead Pixies
The Black Keys Grown So Ugly
Captian Beefheart Grown So Ugly
Phish Peaches En Regalia
Frank Zappa Peaches En Regalia
The Ramones I Can’t Control Myself
The Troggs I Can’t Control Myself
Fishbone Freddy’s Dead
Curtis Mayfield Freddie’s Dead
Primus Silly Putty
Stanley Clarke Silly Putty
The Residents Little Sister
Elvis Presley Little Sister
The Clash Brand New Cadillac
Vince Taylor And The Playboys Brand New Cadillac
Tom Waits Alright With Me
Nat King Cole And Ella Fitzgerald Alright With Me
Bangor Flying Circus Norwegian Wood
The Beatles Norwegian Wood

2010 Show

Song Artist
You’re Lost Little Girl 69 Eyes
You’re Lost Little Girl The Doors
Shapes Of Things Rush
Shapes Of Things The Yardbirds
21st Century Schizoid Man Maynard James Keenan
21st Century Schizoid Man King Crimson
So Sad About Us The Breeders
So Sad About Us The Who
Dancing In The Moonlight The Smashing Pumkins
Dancing In The Moonlight Thin Lizzy
Bright Lit Blue Skies Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti
Bright Lit Blue Skies The Rockin Ramrods
Tippie-toes Primus
Tippie-toes The Meters
King Kong Meridian Arts Ensemble
King Kong Frank Zappa
America Yes
America Paul Simon
Splash 1 Bongwater
Splash 1 13th Floor Elevators
Ballad Of Hollis Brown Iggy Pop and the Stooges
Ballad Of Hollis Briwn Bob Dylan
Interstellar Overdrive Camper Van Beethoven
Interstellar Overdrive Pink Floyd

2009 Show

Song Artist
Return Of Jackie And Judy Tom Waits
Judy Is A Punk Ramones
Li’l Red Riding Hood Meteors
Li’l Red Riding Hood Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Sinister Exaggerator Primus
Sinister Exaggerator Residents
Sally Go Round The Roses The Great Society
Sally Go Round The Roses Jaynetts
Ready-Mades Yo La Tengo
Ready-Mades Bonzo Dog Band
Chunga’s Revenge Frank Zappa
Chunga’s Revenge Grotan Project
Love Buzz Nirvana
Love Buzz The Shocking Blue
You Don’t Own Me Rasputina
You Don’t Own Me Lesley Gore
Good Guys Don’t Wear White Minor Threat
Good Guys Don’t Wear White The Standells
Farmer John Neil Young And Crazy Hourse
Farmer John The Premiers
Masculine Intuition Rocket From The Crypt
Masculine Intuition The Music Machine
Mushroom Jesus And Mary Chain
Mushroom Can
Cross-eyed Mary Iron Maiden
Cross-eyed Mary Jethro Tull
21st Century Schizoid Man April Wine
21st Century Schizoid Man King Crimson

2008 Show

Song Artist
The Dolphins Beth Orton
The Dolphins Fred Neil
Here She Comes Now Nirvana
Here She Comes Now Velvet Underground
China Girl David Bowie
China Girl Iggy Pop
People Are Strange Twiztid
People Are Strange The Doors
Sympathy For The Devil Brian Ferry
Sympathy For The Devil Rolling Stones
Happy Together Frank Zappa
Happy Together The Turtles
War Pigs Alice Donut
War Pigs Black Sabbath
Have A Cigar Primus
Have A Cigar Pink Floyd
Steppin Stone Minor Threat
Steppin Stone The Monkees
Pictures Of Matchstick Men Camper Van Beethoven
Pictures Of Matchstick Men Status Quo
Happiness Is A Warm Gun The Breeders
Happiness Is A Warm Gun The Beatles
I Fought The Law The Clash
I Fiought the Law The Bobby Fuller Four
Ring Of Fire Social Distortion
Ring Of Fire Johnny Cash
I Put A Spell On You CCR
I Put a Spell on You Screamin Jay Hawkins
Higer Ground Red Hot Chili Peppers
Higher Ground Stevie Wonder
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DJ Highlights

Best of the Best of the Local Beat 7/27/12

For the entire month of July on “The Local Beat” we have been looking back at some of our favorite interviews from the past. So far we have entertained you with interviews from Bombadil, Mount Moriah, Mandolin Orange, Magnolia Collective, Kooley High, Kleptonaut, Birds and Arrows, The Gathering Church, and Phil Cook & His Feat. Friday, July 27 is the final episode in this “Best of the Local Beat” series and we are rounding off with some of the best interviews we have to offer. In fact, these three might be my favorite of all time. We are calling them the “Best of the Best of the Local Beat.”

Mike Roy came in on September 30, 2011 to chat about his album, “Mike and Eileen Chapter One.” What unfolded was a full hour of one of the most memorable and colorful conversations ever to happen on WKNC. Mike opened up and told us about how his faltering marriage inspired an incredible album and ended triumphantly with redemption in the end. Without giving away to much it might be my favorite interview ever on “The Local Beat.” This interview begins at 5 p.m.

For the 6 o’clock hour I am revisiting a band I have had recently on the program, GROHG, who joined me just a few months back to discuss the release of their new EP “Culture of Petty Thieves.” However, before the EP bandmates Will Goodyear and Mark Connor joined me on October 28 to discuss the conception of the band and promote their first show ever. What ended up happening instead was a complete schooling on the art of the broad genre known as “metal” which ended my ignorant take on the music. The conversation with Will and Mark was enlightening to say the least and I am proud to re-air this interview for you all.

The final interview of the evening, and the final Best of the Local Beat, is none other than old time friends the Kickin Grass Band who dropped by on January 13, 2011 to promote their 10 year anniversary and the show they were playing in support of their success. The KGB band is one of my favorites in the area and they shared some delightful and entertaining stories with us from the past 10 years and played some amazing live tunes in the studio. In addition, since the interview happened they were awarded by the Carolina Music Awards for the “Best Bluegrass and Americana.” Be on the lookout for their new album, “Walk With Me.”

I hope you enjoy these interviews tonight, they are some that I will always cherish. I also hope you have appreciated the last month of  “The Best of the Local Beat” series and will join me next week to begin live broadcast in studio once again to create some new memories.

As always, the fun starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.! Be sure to follow the Local Beat on Twitter or Facebook and download tons of free local music on our ReverbNation page!

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Best of the Local Beat 7/20/12

This week on “The Local Beat” we are continuing to look back into the past at some of our favorite interviews ever on the program for our “Best of the Local Beat” series that is happening throughout July. This is the third Friday of the month and the interviews we are re-airing are some of my favorites.

At 5 p.m. we will listen to an interview I had with the fellas in Durham band Bombadil last November in which they stopped by to talk about their first album in two years, All That The Rain Promises. It had been a year since they had come by “The Local Beat” so we had a lot to catch up on outside of the new record. We also spent a great deal of time chatting about the album and comparing it to the previous one.

Six o’clock brings on one of my favorite interviews ever when Mandolin Orange came by on September 23, 2011 to talk about their release of a double LP: Haste Make and Hard Hearted Stranger. Andrew and Emily are two of my favorite musicians in our state and both of them shared quite a bit of insight into their art and craft.

The final hour was with Magnolia Collective, a collection of some of our finest musicians in the area. We had a wonderful conversation about the history of the group and the song creation process that they administer for each of their songs. In the latter part of the interview we touched on the trends and themes of our music scenes from 2011 in what turned out to be one of my favorite bits ever on The Local Beat.“ It is always interesting to compare our music scene from year to year. See if you can do the same yourself.

As always, the fun starts at 5 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m.! Be sure to follow the Local Beat on Twitter or Facebook and download tons of free local music on our ReverbNation page!