Locals Only! is set to return with a new and spectacular lineup on Oct. 10 at Neptunes. In addition to hosting some amazing artists, this Locals Only! is also in support of Western North Carolina and those affected by Hurricane Helene, with a $5-$10 sliding cover charge depending on how much attendees would like to donate.
QWILT
Qwilt is a self-described supergroup from the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. The band blends airy dream-pop vocals with plenty of shoegaze and post-rock instrumentation for a wonderfully unique sound.
Although they don’t have many songs out, their first two singles indicate a promising future for the group.
Favorite Song: “Play Dead”
RAVINE
Likewise, Ravine is sure to bring up the energy at this Locals Only! As a pop-rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, their hard-hitting lyricism calls back to mind icons of the genre such as Nightly and The 1975 while still carving out their own special niche.
Favorite Song: “love me / let go”
VERITY DEN
Verity Den, another North Carolina native, comes straight from Carrboro. Much like Qwilt, Verity Den brings some unique shoe-gaze and pop influences with melodies that flow straight off the track and into your hearts.
Although they certainly know how to amp it up, Verity Den is equally talented at stripping the instrumentation back and letting their vocals shine, much like on my personal favorite track of theirs “prudence.” Their versatility will certainly be the perfect way to round out our sets for this upcoming Locals Only!
Favorite Song: “prudence”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Remember, you can catch all of these wonderful bands at 8 p.m. sharp at Neptunes on Oct. 10. We here at WKNC hope you can come out and support both these artists and those affected by Hurricane Helene.
"25 Interesting Facts about Nigeria and Nigerians" by Abdulkabir Olatunji. Uploaded to Coolstuff49ja licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
Onism is a word coined by author and poet John Konieg that refers to the bitter realization of how little of the world you will ever truly experience.
Sadly, with the thousands of cultures alive today, most of us will only be a part of one, or perhaps a few if we are lucky.
Driven by this realization, I’ve embarked on a journey to immerse myself in as many cultures as humanly possible—what better way to do so than through a medium similar across every culture–Music?
Today, this journey takes us to the continent of Africa and to a country you have perhaps heard of before—the giants of Africa, Nigeria.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.
What do you know about Nigeria?
Just like most African countries, Nigeria was colonized by a European nation — Britain.
Nigeria is a country located in West Africa that boasts a population of over 233 million people who speak over 525 languages. It is the most populated country in Africa and the 7th in the world. Nigeria is widely known for its music, food and fashion industry.
Cover for 2015 single "Anhedoniac" by Andrei Eremin, featuring Kučka.
“Anhedoniac” brings to mind a beach in the wintertime, where the cold is pensive and the air is pristine; the swells of voice and sound are like solar flares in slow motion (or a lava lamp).
While I was looking for songs to play on one of my sets, I stumbled upon Andrei Eremin’s track “Anhedoniac” off of his 2015 EP “Pale Blue,” and was immediately intrigued. It features vocals from the charmingly extraterrestrial Kučka, and it is hypnotic.
Part of why I find it so fascinating is because, in my opinion, it kind of lacks the distinct 2010s electropop sound. In my head it’s comparable to “Innocence” by Flume, featuring AlunaGeorge, in how its deep-space atmosphere removes it from the throes of time. The synths of “Anhedoniac” wax and wane like ocean under a permanent red sun, and although ambient, the song is not aeriform.
Alongside Eremin’s gorgeous production, Kučka’s voice contributes a svelte substance to the mix. She takes her time, as if she was reading a poem she had written herself. Her vocals are a sensory experience: the words “[Y]ou could destroy me” sound like a sworn truth as they come out of her mouth, a revelation and a confession all at once.
Eremin has worked with several artists since, including the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, Tash Sultana, Sampa the Great, MAY-A, Ta-ku, Wafia, and Kllo, but has not put out any new tracks of his own. He’s an elusive presence for sure, but his influence is not insubstantial, however quiet it may be. Here’s to hoping we get something new from him one of these days.
