Category: Blog

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB Artist Profile: Professor Toon

Growing up in low-income housing Baltimore, Maryland and a transplant to the Triangle area, Professor Toon has become a staple in the Durham music scene. Sharing the stage with De La Soul during the fifth annual Hopscotch Music Festival among other hip-hop heavy hitters such as Juicy J, Meek Mill, Project Pat and Run the Jewels. Toon uses his life experiences such as his abusive childhood and his relationships to fuel his lyrics and live performances. Being the “professor of things,” Professor Toon has worked relentlessly to make an impact on his fans in dirty DURM and beyond. Catch him at Double Barrel 13 on February 20th performing songs off of his new album Take Notes.

– Emma Badorrek, WKNC Assistant Promotions Director

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB Artist Profile: SkyBlew

Mario Farrow, aka SkyBlew, is one of the Triangle’s brightest rising hip-hop stars with a style all his own. The Chapel Hill rhyme spitter’s story started in Alabama where he grew up bouncing from foster home to foster home and surrounded by inner city violence. He used this strife to create a space for himself via rap lyricism that would help him rise above the turbulence mentally and physically. Drawing inspiration from cartoons like “Rocco’s Modern Life” and “Dragon Ball Z,” his music is inspirationally positive, and never glorifies the horrors of street violence.

To classify SkyBlew as “nerd-core” is the kind of box he doesn’t want people to put him in. His rhymes aren’t all nerd all the time, there’s more depth, more soul. Recently he started playing live with a jazz accompaniment that brings his whole brand together, so to watch him perform is almost like a mix of The Roots and De La Soul.

Featured by notable media outlets like MTV, HYPERFRESH, DJ Booth Magazine, 2DOPEBOYZ, and Afropunk, SkyBlew is on his way up and ready to stake his claim in a hip-hop environment that’s beginning to turn its head toward North Carolina. Recently he did a regional tour of the Southeast with video game rapper Mega Ran, and released an exceptional EP with Scottie Royal entitled The Royal Blew Reverie that is sure to keep the heads ringing well into 2016.

– Charles Morse, WKNC Underground Music Director

See SkyBlew on Night 2 of this year’s Double Barrel Benefit!

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB 13 Artist Profile: Earthly

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The Triangle may be known for its indie scene, but it’s home to an inventive electronic community as well. Part of this community is the DJ-duo Earthly, hailing from the Durham area. Earthly’s unique sample-based DJing makes their sound hard to classify; their newest release Days ranges from fun and exciting vibes on the track “Ice Cream” to more calm, consistent beats on “Daemon.” Their interesting mix of serene and playful sounds will either have you dancing or feeling like you’re playing a video game on a cloud.

With the increasing recognition of the Triangle electronic scene, Earthly is bound to have a popular year in 2016. The duo’s debut album got a 7.8 from Pitchfork last July, which I think is a pretty good sign that they are on to something big.

Bring your friends, wear a cool outfit, and come have fun with Earthly on night two of Double Barrel Benefit 13.

– Emily Ehling, WKNC Operations Manager

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB13 Artist Profile: Des Ark

​​Des Ark, a staple of the Triangle music scene for over a decade, will be headlining Night One of Double Barrel Benefit 13.

With the ability to captivate an audience with just an acoustic guitar, Aimeé Argote brings a high level of sincerity and intensity to every performance. Even with the immense power behind her full band sets, it’s not hard to identify and connect with her emotive lyrics.

To the delight of fans, Des Ark released their LP Everything Dies this fall on Graveface Records, reminding us all why we love this band. The record seems to find the perfect blend between delicate and striking, with a beautiful mastering of Argote’s folk melodies. Double Barrel 13 Night One marks Des Ark’s homecoming after a month-long, nationwide tour. Des Ark takes the stage Saturday, February 13, headlining Kings Barcade in Raleigh.

– Yvonne Chazal, WKNC Program Director

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB13 Artist Profile: Schooner

Long-time local favorites Schooner first formed in the early 2000’s from Reid Johnson’s four-track recordings. In 2004 they played the first ever Double Barrel Benefit. Since then they’ve released several records and gained quite a following throughout the Triangle. Self described as disheveled-pop-indie-psych-soul, Schooner’s music has the ability to transport you to another place.
The live energy when Schooner performs is amazing. It’s easy to see why they have been such a big part of the triangle music scene for so long. I can’t wait to see them play at Kings on Feb. 13!

– Matt Brown, WKNC General Manager

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB13 Artist Profile: Museum Mouth

Museum Mouth is no stranger to WKNC. With their heartfelt lyrics and indie punk feels, these Double Barrel veterans have garnered a supportive and loyal following here in the Triangle.

Coming out of NC coastal town Southport, Museum Mouth formed in 2009. They released their first EP I Am the Idiot Of The Jungle in 2010, followed quickly by full-length Tears in my Beer. This album, along with their later releases Sexy But Not Happy and Alex I Am Nothing received four-star reviews on PunkNews.org. The group gained their first big recognition winning mtvU’s Freshmen in 2012, getting the title track of SBNH aired on the channel. Since their start, Museum Mouth has only continued to grow and cultivate their sound. They also released a split EP last year with Double Barrel artist Naked Naps.

– Phian Tran, WKNC Local Band Local Beer Coordinator

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Weekly Charts

WKNC 88.1 FM Charts: February 9th, 2016

1. JULIA BROWN – An Abundance Of Strawberries – Joy Void
2. HINDS – Leave Me Alone – Mom And Pop
3. JULIEN BAKER – Sprained Ankle – 6131
4. WRAY – Hypatia – Communicating Vessels
5. SPOOK SCHOOL – Try To Be Hopeful – FORTUNA POP!
6. NAKED NAPS – The Middle
7. BEAT HAPPENING – Look Around – Domino
8. SPORTS – All Of Something – Father/Daughter
9. DRESSY BESSY – Kingsized – Yep Roc
10. NAP EYES – Thought Rock Fish Scale – Paradise of Bachelors
11. FRANKIE COSMOS – Fit Me In [EP] – Bayonet
12. TY SEGALL – Emotional Mugger – Drag City
13. CAR SEAT HEADREST – Teens Of Style – Matador
14. CHEATAHS – Mythologies – Wichita
15. FLORIST – Holdly – Double Double Whammy
16. DIIV – Is The Is Are – Captured Tracks
17. CHARLIE HILTON – Palana – Captured Tracks
18. MASS GOTHIC – Mass Gothic – SUB POP
19. SURF ROCK IS DEAD – SRID – Self-Released
20. YOUR FRIEND – Gumption – Ribbon
21. KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD – Paper Mache Dream Balloon – ATO
22. JOANNA NEWSOM – Divers – Drag City
23. PAINTED ZEROS – Floriography – Don Giovanni
24. PETAL – Shame – Run For Cover
25. KELLEY STOLTZ – In Triangle Time – Castle Face
26. SHEARWATER – Jet Plane And Oxbow – SUB POP
27. HIGH HIGHS – Cascades – Pias
28. ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER – New View – Frenchkiss
29. OCEAN PARTY – Light Weight – Spunk
30. TY SEGALL – Ty Rex – Goner

WKNC TOP 5 ADDS

1. PORCHES – Pool – Domino
2. WILD NOTHING – Life Of Pause – Captured Tracks
3. SUNFLOWER BEAN – Human Ceremony – Fat Possum
4. BASEMENT – Promise Everything – Run For Cover
5. DR. DOG – The Psychedelic Swamp – Anti

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Band/Artist Profile

DBB13 Artist Profile: Naked Naps

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Originating at the beloved house show venue Mattress Fort and boasting a minimal two-piece sound, Naked Naps have exemplified the DIY rock scene in the Triangle for years. And they’re coming to Double Barrel hot off of their second full-length record. The duo have a unique talent for creating songs that feel sincerely emotional while simultaneously detached and cynical. Their music is bursting with energy but is also subtle and understated. The strong following their fantastic debut album generated is only getting bigger after their latest record and their split EP with fellow DBB artist Museum Mouth. With their new material ready to hit the stage for the first time, Naked Naps is the perfect band to kick things off at this year’s Double Barrel Benefit.   

– Alex Johnson, WKNC Local Music Director

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Weekly Charts

WKNC 88.1 FM Charts: January 26th, 2015

1. SPOOK SCHOOL – Try To Be Hopeful – FORTUNA POP!
2. HINDS – Leave Me Alone – Mom And Pop
3. BEAT HAPPENING – Look Around – Domino
4. DEERHUNTER – Fading Frontier – 4AD
5. JULIEN BAKER – Sprained Ankle – 6131
6. WRAY – Hypatia – Communicating Vessels
7. SPORTS – All Of Something – Father/Daughter
8. JULIA BROWN – An Abundance Of Strawberries – Run For Cover-Joy Void
9. CHEATAHS – Mythologies – Wichita
10. FLORIST – Holdly – Double Double Whammy
11. KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD – Paper Mache Dream Balloon  – ATO
12. CAR SEAT HEADREST – Teens Of Style – Matador
13. FRANKIE COSMOS – Fit Me In [EP] – Bayonet
14. WARM BRAINS – Big Wow – Milk Milk Lemonade
15. SURF ROCK IS DEAD – SRID – Self-Released
16. JOANNA NEWSOM – Divers – Drag City
17. A SUNNY DAY IN GLASGOW – Planning Weed Like It’s Acid/Life Is Loss  – Self-Released
18. DRESSY BESSY – Kingsized – Yep Roc
19. TY SEGALL – Ty Rex – Goner
20. PAINTED ZEROS – Floriography – Don Giovanni
21. KELLEY STOLTZ – In Triangle Time – Castle Face
22. PROMISE AND THE MONSTER – Feed The Fire – Bella Union
23. MILD HIGH CLUB – Timeline – Circle Star
24. PETAL – Shame – Run For Cover
25. FUZZ – II – In The Red
26. SHOPPING – Why Choose – Fat Cat
27. FERAL CONSERVATIVES – Here’s To Almost – EggHunt
28. SUN CLUB – The Dongo Durango – ATO
29. RUNNING – Wake Up Applauding – Castle Face
30. FOXING – Dealer – Triple Crown

WKNC TOP 5 ADDS

1. TY SEGALL – Emotional Mugger – Drag City
2. PILLAR POINT – Marble Mouth – Polyvinyl
3. OCEAN PARTY – Light Weight – Spunk
4. ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER – New View – Frenchkiss
5. KOOLEY HIGH – Heights EP

Categories
Concert Review

1349 With Tombs at Local 506

Amidst the sea of metal fans, replete with denim and leather jackets, satanic imagery, and a variety of band t-shirts and patches for every metal band under the sun, I felt a little out of place clad in my turtle neck and sweater. I probably looked more like I was ready to attend a Neutral Milk Hotel tribute band set, if that’s even a thing (I hope it’s a thing). Nevertheless, I was excited for what was essentially my first true metal show. Sure I saw Deafheaven earlier this year, but I’m not sure that counts as they are on the most divisive bands within the metal community.

Unfortunately and regrettably, I had to show up late to the show due to classes, thus causing me to miss local openers Grohg and Bobby Orr, as well as the band I was arguably most excited to see, hardcore outfit Full of Hell. I arrived about 10 minutes into Tombs’ set, the thundering black metal outfit out of New York. The band hardly stopped to talk as they ripped straight through their unique blend of metal for about 45 minutes. Being a novice to the metal scene, I was somewhat surprised at the lack of crowd participation besides the front row of head bangers. The music was definitely heavy enough for the crowd pushing each other around, but nevertheless it was a very tight set that should impress any fan of the genre.

Up next, was the Norwegian black metal band 1349. The black metal bands did not disappoint in the black metal department, coming onto the stage with corpse paint and smoke machines. The band played an extremely fast, uncompromising set filled with exceptionally hard hitting double bass drums and grim, cold vocals from front man Ravn. This set, the crowd definitely upped the ante as a mosh pit was constant and quick. The band definitely showcased why they are one of the bigger Norwegian black metal bands as they played a very smooth set. Overall, it was a good show and I look forward to attending more metal shows in the near future.