What better way to ring in the New Year than with some spectacular local music? Locals Only! returns this Thursday, January 9th at its usual 8 PM timeslot at Neptunes in Raleigh. As always, admission is free for anyone 21+! We have an extra special line up this month so without further ado, lets go ahead and introduce them!
Bedrumor
Hailing from Greenville, this duo has made quite a name for themselves on social media for their intimate covers of popular songs, ranking in almost 3 million likes on their TikTok account alone.
However, their cover roots are only the tip of the iceberg for this group, as their jazz-influenced instrumentation and vocals have recently led to the release of their debut original single “Mother’s Hand.”
The song itself takes all of the best parts of their stripped back covers and charges it with a very palpable melancholy that sticks with you long after you finish listening. Although the duo only has one original track under their belt for the time being, I am very excited to see how their musical style evolves given their very promising start!
Favorite Track: Mother’s Hand
Newspaper Taxis
Hailing right here from Raleigh, Newspaper Taxis have made quite a name for themselves over the past three years they have been active in the Triangle music scene.
By their own admission, Newspaper Taxis’ music defies a singular categorization. As they describe their sound, their music is “A bit of British Invasion, a dash of post-punk, and a little power pop” that all comes together to make a very exciting musical cocktail.
The band has two albums under their belt, with their most recent being something we here at WKNC are always fond of, a live album! Although it didn’t quite beat out one of their other offerings for my favorite track, the live recording of Your Cowboy shows off lead vocalist Ben Armstrong’s crooning vocals mixed with some tastefully retro instrumentation that Locals Only! attendees are sure to enjoy.
Favorite Track: Digging A Hole
Closing Thoughts
If this Locals Only! lineup is any indication, the future looks bright for North Carolina’s blossoming music scene as this night is sure to have something for everyone. As always, doors open at 8 PM at Neptunes in Raleigh. I hope to see you there!
“No Other Mind” is a soft-strummed single by Hildegard, the creative collaboration between artists Ouri and Helena Deland. It was released on December 2, 2024.
Both have such sweet voices that could cradle a tired brain to sleep. Interspersed in the background is the twinkle of a harp and flushes of powdery white noise. It’s tender like a wind-whipped face, or a kitten kiss (lots of those this season). In the midst of this frigid finals week, my nervous system has been gratefully sipping on it.
The lyrics are sincere in their warmth:
“No other mind can ever be found instead of mine /
Something our young life cannot deny us /
Every morning brings us back and we trust it every time.”
Rather than a lover, this song quite reminds me of my dearest friends. I hear them upstairs right now, exasperated and laughing, as girls often are.
There is this ebb and flow humans have picked up on (that even the instrumental of the song seems to follow) of those lives that are intertwined with our own. Even in a state of disconnect, it seems more and more like connection can never be severed, as long as memory persists.
The song is a part of Hildegard’s most recent album, “Jour 1596.”
It was named for the 1596 days it took for the project to be completed. Like much of Deland and Ouri’s work, it’s gentle and free-flowing. I’d recommend it for this frazzled period of time, especially if you’re pulling your hair out over this last battle before break.
Locals Only! returns for its sixth installment just in time to help you get into the holiday spirit. Bundle up and head over to Neptunes this Thursday, December 12th for a rock-fueled extravaganza that is sure to wipe away all of your winter blues. Remember that doors open at 8 PM sharp with free admission for anyone 21+
Electric Lady Man
Our first act for the evening is Electric Lady Man, a hard rock group hailing from right here in Raleigh. The group’s musical stylings are self-described as “heavy, absurd and gleefully irate” and I couldn’t think of a more apt description if I tried.
Their most recently released EP “Wired” calls to mind a classic hard rock sound with its bouncy instrumentation that energizes you like an adrenaline shot to the heart. Along with its fun instrumentation, vocalists Chris Pilione and Steve Graham are certain to get your blood pumping with their hard-hitting performances.
Favorite Track: Rally!
Booster Club
Our second act for the evening is Booster Club, a Raleigh based alternative rock band formed in 2021. Despite their relatively recent foray into music, Booster Club already has an impressive three EPs under their belt with their most recent outing “Year Of The Draggin'” coming out earlier this year.
“Year Of The Draggin'” is chock full of fun and lively instrumentation that would sound right at home with the art rock classics of our time. It wears its classic influences proudly on its sleeve while still offering something new and fresh to the scene.
Favorite Track: Delphina
Closing Thoughts
Although this year is quickly drawing to a close, the future of Raleigh’s music scene is bright as ever and I cannot wait to explore more of it through Locals Only! each and every month. Remember to stay warm and as always, I hope to see you there this Thursday, December 12th!
