At 5 p.m., Gray Young is coming by for an hour to talk. The band has several shows coming up this month, including one tonight at the Berkley Cafe with the Loners, Goner, and Asheville band Knives and Daggers, and one tomorrow at the TTWD Fest where they are playing at 4 p.m.
Rat Jackson has an album release party for their new release Midnight Get Right with Aminal and Red Collar at the Broad Street Cafe on August 7. The new album is reminiscent of Rat Jackson’s live show, which is energetic, straight-up rock n’ roll, and I have a feeling the second hour of the program is going to be just that.
At 7 p.m., there will be a pre-recorded interview with Graveyard Fields. Frontman for the Carrboro band, Brian Risk, came in last week with Pete and Andrea Connolly (of Birds & Arrows) who are also in the group. We talked about the creation of the band and their debut EP Saturn’s Moon, which has been out for a couple of months. Two of the members of the group, Carol and Jon, are expecting their first baby at any moment right now, which made for some interesting conversation.
As always feel free to follow the Local Beat on Twitter, Facebook, or ReverbNation. If you can’t tune into the show tonight, then stay tuned on the WKNC blog for our weekly recap of the evening.
Jenks Miller and Heather McEntire of Mount Moriah got stuck in heavy traffic on the way to the station, and, unfortunately, we only had around 12 minutes to chat about the band and their brand new limited edition 12" called The Letting Go during the first hour of the evening. We discussed the history of the band and their future as far as releasing their upcoming album is concerned. We also promoted their sold out show at the Pinhook with Midtown Dickens and the Mountain Goats Saturday, July 31. Jenks and Heather run Holidays for Quince Records, and each is in several different bands, including Un Deux Trois and Horseback, and are two of the busiest people I know. It was interesting to talk about their other projects in relation to Mount Moriah. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I had to hold back many of the questions I had for them, but what we did talk about was certainly fascinating and worth a second listen: Mount Moriah on The Local Beat 7/3/10
At 6 p.m., John Booker and Rachel Hirsh of I Was Totally Destroying It came in to promote their new 7" The Get Big 7", which is officially being released at Tir Na Nog this Thursday for Local Beer Local Band (alongside Museum Mouth, Jews & Catholics, and The Beast). The new single is being released by their record label, Greyday Records and can be purchased at any local record store as well as online or at their shows. If you buy the vinyl, it comes with a digital download and bonus track! I also had to ask them about their band name and their answer might surprise you! Listen to our interview as we talked about the new release, IWTDI’s upcoming shows, and their penchant for wearing costumes on stage: IWTDI on the Local Beat 7/30/10
Alex Iglehart and Wylie Pamplin of Calico Haunts came in at 7 p.m. for their first-ever radio interview to promote their first show in Raleigh since 2007, which was at the Berkely Cafe Saturday evening. We also debuted some brand new songs from their upcoming record that is scheduled to be released in October this year. Many of you might be familiar with Calico Haunts last release After All, which was one of The Independent Weekly’s albums of the month last year. Unfortunately, the band dissolved shortly after the release and little promotion was done for the record. A short time later the band was pieced back together and they started recording a follow up album only to have their work stolen two weeks before it was scheduled to be finished. With all of these mishaps you might think the band would throw in the towel. Listen below for their side of the story and their reactions: Calico Haunts on the Local Beat 7/30/10
Can you believe it is already August?! Seven months of the Local Beat come and gone already in 2010 and almost exactly a year since I took over as host of the program. However, this Friday’s show just might be one of the best ones yet.
At 5 p.m., we are starting off the show with Mount Moriah, a band I have been raving out for over a year since I first saw them at their second show ever back in May 2009. The group is releasing their first LP after debuting their first song “Lament” on the Holiday’s For QuinceCompilation Vol. 1, which has been getting airplay on WKNC. The album is entitled Letting Go and is officially being released at the sold out show this Saturday July 31 at the Pinhook with Midtown Dickens and The Mountain Goats. The 12" vinyl record will be released on the streets on August 3. We should have plenty to talk about and hopefully you will hear some new tunes!
I Was Totally Destroying It is coming in for the second hour. They are also playing Saturday evening at Cherry Bounce Festival in Raleigh but we will mostly be talking about their new 7" single “Get Big,” which should be in the running for best album artwork of the year so far. We also have quite a bit to talk about, including their Sound Around app, their contribution to the Musical Chairs Compilation, and their U2 cover band. It should make for an entertaining hour!
For the final hour I am having in Wylie Pamplin and Alex Iglehart from Chapel Hill-based Calico Haunts who are making their radio interview debut. Calico Haunts put out one of 2010’s best records with their After All album in the fall of 2009. They have just finished a new record and are planning to leak a couple of new tracks on the show! In addition, we will chat about their first ever Raleigh show at the Berkley Cafe with the Dead String Brothers on July 31.
As always the Local Beat starts at 5 p.m. and runs through 8 p.m. every Friday on WKNC. Feel free to follow us on Twitter (@WKNCLocalBeat), ReverbNation, and Facebook.
Below is a recap of last Friday’s Local Beat where we invited in the local Musical Chairs Compilation’s Wylie Hunter and the Cazadores, Jason Adamo, and Wesley Wolfe.
For the first hour of the show Erika Libero from Nightsound Studios came by with Wylie Hunter and the Cazadores to chat about the local Musical Chairs Compilation that is currently underway. Nightsound is about to begin recording for the compilation, which should take about three weeks before the songs are mastered and released in September. We talked about the behind-the-scenes process of creating the compilation as well as the bands who will be on it. The master list of the covers are below:
Wylie Hunter and the Cazadores played some live tracks for us off of their record that is coming out in August. Check those out in the playlist to the right and download them on the Local Beat ReverbNation page. Listen to the interview here: Musical Chairs Compilation 7/23/10
Jason Adamo and Doug Casteen came in for the second hour of the show to talk about Jason’s new album Transistor, which was released back in July. Jason has been playing live in the Triangle for almost a decade now and has set up a temporary residence at the Pour House on Monday evenings. Transistor is a new sound for him that is much more rock n’ roll and a little deeper than his past recordings. It was recorded in Pittsboro with John Briggs and cowritten with John, Doug, and Jason’s bother Chris. Jason and Doug played some live tracks for us in studio, which you can listen to in the widget above or download them on the Local Beat ReverbNation page. Also, be sure to watch Jason’s new music video below for “Raleigh Nights” that is going to be played by the Carolina Hurricanes this next season at every game. Jason Adamo on the Local Beat 7/23/10
For the last hour of the evening, Wes Wolfe came in the studio to chat about his new record Storage, which was released from Odessa Records back in April. You might recognize Wes from defunct local group the Grasshoppers who split up back in 2006, though he is now recording and playing live solo. Wes played nearly every instrument on the new record and recorded it in his own home. He was a soft spoken and humble interviewee, but we had a lot to talk about: Wes Wolfe on the Local Beat 7/23/10
The Local Beat this evening with a variety of guests for tonight’s show.
We’ll start at 5 p.m. with several different bands and representatives from the Local Musical Chairs Compilation who are coming by to chat about the project and its progress. In case you are uninformed about the project, it is a compilation of local bands covering other local bands. Each group is picking their cover at random at the Open Eye Cafe on July 24. The bands are then recording at Nightsound Studios who is heading the project and accepting a donation to fund the release of free CDs. Just recently, the project passed its goal mark of $1,100 and still has eight days left! At 6 p.m., singer-songwriter and Raleigh native Jason Adamo is slipping in to chat about his newest release, Transistor, which was recorded with John Briggs in Pittsboro NC. Listen in for some debut airing of the new material!
7 p.m. is bringing in Wesley Wolfe who has just recently put out his second album and first through Odessa Records. The album is called Storage, and we will be playing some tunes off that for the hour. Feel free to download his track “Who’s Going To Truly Love You” here.
Last Friday on the Local Beat, we had a fantastic show thanks to the wonderful musicians who came by.
Lizzy Ross was the first to come in at 5 p.m. to show off her newest release, Traces, which was released June 26. Only in her early 20’s, Lizzy has already begun making quite a name for herself in the area with her stunning soulful voice and beautiful songwriting after setting a precedent with her previous band Lafcadio. Lizzy and I talked about the creation of her self released album and the different processes that went into it. We also compared her live show to her recorded material and she sang us three songs, which you can listen to in the music player above and download from our Local Beat ReverbNation page. You can purchase Traces from her website, Lizzy.net, CD Alley in Chapel Hill, as well as iTunes. Take a listen to our conversation below: Lizzy Ross on the Local Beat 7/16/10
At 6 p.m., David Mueller came in to talk about his new solo album from Heads on Sticks titled Mocking Bird. In this project David takes on the role of a mad scientist as he mixes and matches various sound effects on a whim that ends with a remarkably unique and sonically satisfying album, even taking clips from an actual mockingbird from his iPhone, which he calls a true “organic sampler.” David and I compared his newest music to his last three EPs ( you can download for free on his BandCamp page and I highly recommend) and listened to several songs off of the new record. Heads on Sticks on the Local Beat 7/16/10
For the last hour of the show, the guys of Jeremy Blair From Effingham dropped in for what turned out to be an immensely satisfying hour of conversation. JBFE has been playing live shows in the area for almost exactly a year now and are well on their way to local stardom. The three J’s in the band, Jeremy Blair, John Hill, and Jim McConnell came by and played some live tracks for us, which you can listen to in the widget above and download from our Local Beat ReverbNation page. We talked about the beginning of the band, how they came together, and their live show. We also had an interesting talk about the Triangle music scene, Durham in particular, which is on the verge of taking over the region as far as artistic and musical prominence is concerned. Take a listen: Jeremy Blair From Effingham on the Local Beat 7/16/10
Jeremy Blair From Effingham is having a show August 7 at the Black Flower in Raleigh with Joy in Red and the Once and Future Kings. Also, check out the SWEET cherry pie the fellas baked me!
Continuing the great momentum of the summer on the Local Beat tonight brings a variety of special guests onto the show.
Acoustic rocker Lizzy Ross from Chapel Hill will be kicking the show off at 5 p.m. to show off her recently released new album Traces, which hit the streets late in June. Hopefully we can get her to play some new songs for us live on the air. You can also catch her at the Broad Street Cafe later this evening as she is playing a free show with Chris Bryant at 10 p.m.
6 p.m. brings David Mueller of Strange and Birds of Avalon to talk about his new solo full length, Mocking Birds, which he is releasing under his Heads on Sticks moniker. This is Heads on Sticks’ first release in four years following up three EPs and is certainly the best so far. Be prepared for some experimental tripped out space rock that borders on the edge of psychadelic electronica and whimsical anarcho-pop that will surely get your foot tapping and head bobbing. This album rules.
At 7 p.m. Durham folk rockers Jeremy Blair from Effingham are coming by to chat about a variety of topics. These guys stole my heart last year with their soft pop track “I Do and I Don’t,” which was one of my top songs of 2009. I’m going to see what else they have going on and hopefully get them to play a track or two. This also marks the first time a group made a flier for the Local Beat so I am going to hold this dear to my heart.
Last Friday’s Local Beat was slammed full of live local music. We welcomed a new group to the scene, an old one getting back together, and announced some new local releases all in three hours. All the bands who came on the program also played some live tracks (nine total), never before heard, so be sure to listen to and download all of the brand new songs on the Local Beat ReverbNation page.
In the first hour of the show, I welcomed in Raleigh group Kid Future who made some news when they played at Local Beer Local Band back in April. It was their second show ever, but they made quite the impression on the crowd, and I welcomed them onto the show to learn more about the group and introduce them to those who have not seen them live. Unfortunately, we learned that even though the group is relatively new, drummer Robert Fisher is leaving the band to head to Boston for grad school. Remaining members Bryan Costello and Kevin Donnelly plan on continuing the band, and you can still see the original Kid Future lineup for two more shows. The first is at Slim’s Downtown on July 15 with The Cellar Seas and Thomas Costello (of Mount Weather), and the second is at Local Beer Local Band a week later at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub on the 22nd with Midtown Dickens. Check out the live acoustic songs Kid Future played in the widget above! Kid Future on the Local Beat 7/9/10
The 6 p.m. hour was certainly a special treat, as I was joined by Mike Roy and Rob Watson of The Whistlestop (also of Watson & Roy). The Whistlestop have not played live in over a year as the group took a hiatus due to the birth of Mike’s daughter a year ago and the release of his solo album Shot Friction. Rob has also been working on his long awaited solo album but, in the meantime, the pair has had time to begin work on their second album and debuted some brand new material for us during the interview. In total, five live songs were played, including three brand new, never before heard tracks, which you can listen to and download on the Local Beat ReverbNation page. You can see The Whistlestop for the first time in 2010 this next Friday at Mac’s Tavern in Cary. The Whistlestop on the Local Beat 7/9/10
For the last hour, I was joined by Billy Sugarfix of Billy Sugarfix’s Carousel along with Pete and Andrea of Birds and Arrows. The two groups are releasing a split 7" vinyl single through 307 Knox Records this coming Friday, July 16 at the brand new 307 Knox headquarters located at 618 Foster Street in downtown Durham. We spent time discussing vinyl’s relevance in today’s music industry and the death and possible rebirth of the “single”. Billy Sugarfix is signed to Pox World Empire and recorded his new single “If There’s A Secret” there even though it is being released on 307 Knox (whom B&A are signed to), and we chatted about the two record labels and decided on a new name for them: “307 Pox”. Both groups played their brand new singles for us, which you can listen to and download from our Local Beat ReverbNation page. Also, check out the brand new Birds & Arrows music video directed and produced by Billy Sugarfix: Birds & Arrows and Billy Sugarfix on the Local Beat 7/9/10
Tomorrow Local Beat is jammed full of great local bands and musicians who will be playing plenty of live tracks for us!
At 5 p.m. I will be joined by Raleigh-based band Kid Future, a relatively new group but one that is making great strides already in the area. Kid Future has a show coming up on July 15 at Slim’s Downtown in Raleigh, which we will be talking about as well as hopefully playing some live songs.
6 p.m. will bring in longtime favorite The Whistlestop who are playing their first live show in over a year on July 16 at Mac’s Tavern in Cary, NC. From what I am told, the boys in Whistlestop have enough new material for a second album, so hopefully we can get them to play us some live tunes on the air!
7 p.m. will bring in a couple members from two groups: Pete and Andrea of Bird and Arrows are coming by alongside Billy Sugarfix of Billy Sugarfix’s Carousel. We will be talking about their new split 7" single that is coming out on 307 Knox Records on July 16 at the 307 Knox headquarters. From what I understand, both groups are planning on dropping by with their instruments as well!
It should be a great program with plenty of brand new music and a lot of great conversation! So tune in tomorrow evening from 5 p.m-8 p.m. right here on WKNC 88.1!
Sorry for taking so long to get to this recap, but the holiday weekend got me sidetracked. Last Friday on the Local Beat, we had a very entertaining show that crossed all sorts of topics.
The first hour of the show went to Boat Burning, a self described “hard ambient” improvisational band hailing from Chapel Hill. Ken Friedman and Andras Fekete got to the studio an hour early to begin setting up their equipment. Never before had we been able to fit in an entire drum kit, and Andras had well over a dozen pedals for his guitar, proving to be quite difficult to squeeze into our studio. Eventually, the equipment was setup, and the interview was underway. I was curious as to how the band performs live, and we discussed in great length how their improvisation is structured and how the guys know what to do with their instruments throughout a song. Andras and Ken did their best to answer my questions, and it made for some enlightening conversation on improvisational music. Below is their “Hard Ambience: A Manifesto” which describes the band’s SOP:
“1) Subvert the past – past performances should not impose on the present (ie. DON’T RECORD) 2) Subvert the present – during an improvisation, when a successful moment arrives, mark it for destruction (ie. DON’T LINGER) 3) Subvert the future – avoid predefined motifs (ie. DON’T PLAN) 4) Feel it – play from the heart, or don’t play at all (ie. DON’T THINK) 5) Space is the place – silence is a contribution (ie. DON’T NOODLE) 6) Anything goes (ie. NO FEAR)”
Boat Burning plays a monthly show at Fuse in Chapel Hill on the last Sunday of every month. Typically, musicians from all over the Triangle drop by and improvise along. Also, be on the lookout for a Boat Burning album coming out later in the year that features all improvised tracks.
For the second hour of the show, I was joined by Scott Klein, cofounder of Sound Around, a mobile device app builder. Scott is a recent NC State grad who, with his brother Steve, has developed a way for bands to create customizable and unique apps that their fans can download to their cell phones. Scott and I chatted about his new business and the unique features it offers to musicians. We also talked in great length about the future of mobile phone technology and its ability to allow fans and musicians to interact on a greater scale than ever before. For more info on Sound Around you can check out my previous blog here. Scott Klein of Sound Around on the Local Beat 7/2/10
Lastly was Dave and John of Chatham County Line who came by in the last hour to promote their brand new album Wildwood, which is set to be released on July 13. Wildwood is the band’s fifth album since becoming a group in 1999. Dave and John spent a great deal of the interview reminiscing of their local music influences over the years, and we spent some time talking about how those bands played a role in their sound. A list of local bands and artists that the guys specifically named is on the right. You also may not realize it, but CCL is a very famous band over in Europe. Despite their humble beginnings and small fanbase in the states, these guys regularly sell out crowds across the Atlantic. Naturally, I had to ask them where that came from. All in all, it was a terrific hour of casual conversation, one which I won’t soon forget. You can catch Chatham County Line at the Cats Cradle this coming Saturday July 10. Chatham County Line on the Local Beat 7/2/10
