WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student Radio
Local Band Local Beer: The Chit Nasty Band
Two Thursdays ago Phian interviewed with the Chit Nasty Band before they played at Tir Na Nog for Local Band Local Beer. During the interview Phian played the Chit Nasty Band songs “Nasty Nation,” “Enough” and “Brand New.” If you like what you hear, you can check out more from the Chit Nasty Band at their website.
Local Band Local Beer: Knurr and Spell
Last Thursday, Phian interviewed Knurr and Spell before they played at Tir Na nOg for Local Band Local Beer. If you like what you hear, you can check out more from Knurr and Spell at their Bandcamp.
Hopscotch is upon us ladies and gentleman. This is that wonderful time of year where music lovers from across the country come to our wonderful city and pack the streets to the point of insanity. Fun insanity of course, but insanity nonetheless. All that moshing and head-banging is going to get to you eventually. I don’t care how much of a hardcore festival goer you are, you’re going to need to lie low at some point and enjoy a nice cold one to get the edge off. Granted, even the chillest of watering holes in the downtown area will be busier than usual this weekend; but these picks are your best bet for doing it right when you decide to take a break.
Flying Saucer
328 West Morgan Street
Remember when every hipster with an ironic taste for Das Racist was still so obsessed with PBR that craft beer didn’t even register for them? Well that’s how long Flying Saucer has been a champ on the scene. Now yea, it’s a franchise, so maybe some of you might think it’s not indie enough, but this place had 200 beers on tap before it was a thing around here. That makes it an OG; and attractive servers in mini-skirts and a bangin’ menu gives it tripel status (see what I did there). Try the Rocket Tots and the brats. You’re welcome.
The Foundation
213 Fayetteville Street
Craft cocktails are king these days. Thank God, because L.I. Teas and Royal Flush shots taste just as bad coming back up later in the night. The Foundation is a dimly lit subterranean take on a speak-easy, and it hosts some of the most knowledgeable mixologists in the area. These guys make everything correctly, key word correctly, because there are too many bartenders that can’t even make a proper Manhattan in this town. Specializing in whiskey, this place is rumored to have the coveted Pappy Van Winkle on sale, even though I’ve never seen it. But if you like all craft everything, down to the ice, along with a chill atmosphere minus the pretence, this is the place you’ll want to grab a stool at.
Raleigh Times
14 East Hargett Street
Chances are, if you’re from Raleigh and in your twenties to early thirties, you’ve asked a future ex if they wanted to “grab a beer” at this place. Seriously, I don’t know what it is, but it’s a first date staple for millennials around here. This makes great people watching, which is why I put it on my top list for downtown drinking spots, along with the fish tacos. They specialize in local craft beer here, and if you order a Miller Lite, the bartender will ironically snip at you that they don’t serve any domestics (they probably loved Das Racist back in the day too). It’s a good balance of busy and chill. You can get in the mix at the bar area, or slide into a booth in the candle lit dining area for a calmer vibe.
The Architect
108 East Hargett Street
The Architect is an interesting place. Part night club, part lounge, part social club; this place always has something interesting happening. Dip into here on Thursday night for a calm atmosphere, and explore its secret rooms (don’t bring a drink from the main bar) and admire its modern yet rustic design. Come in on Friday and Saturday to wild out to the best late 90s/early 00s party tracks. Come with a date or get crazy with your friends, this place is one of the livest spots in the Fayetteville St. area.
1. LA LUZ – Weirdo Shrine – Hardly Art
2. TAME IMPALA – Currents – Interscope
3. MAC DEMARCO – Another One – Captured Tracks
4. BEACH HOUSE – Depression Cherry -Sub Pop
5. SODA SHOP -Soda Shop – Velvet Blue
6. TEARJERKER -Stay Wild – Self-Released
7. WORRIERS – Imaginary Life -Don Giovanni
8. STRANGE WILDS – Subjective Concepts – SUB POP
9. WHITE REAPER – White Reaper Does It Again – Polyvinyl
10. DESTROYER – Poison Season – Merge
11. ULTIMATE PAINTING – Green Lanes – Trouble In Mind
12. TITUS ANDRONICUS – The Most Lamentable Tragedy – Merge
13. MIKE KROL – Turkey – Merge
14. SEAPONYA – Vision – Self-Released
15. VINYL WILLIAMS – Into – Company
16. SORORITY NOISE -Joy, Departed – Topshelf
17. LOU BARLOW – Brace The Wave – Joyful Noise
18. GWENNO – Y Dydd Olaf – Heavenly
19. GARDENS AND VILLA – Music For Dogs – Secretly Canadian
20. TEEN DAZE – Morning World – Paper Bag
21. PANDA BEAR – Crosswords – Domino
22. WILD ONES – Heatwave – Topshelf
23. SILICON – Personal Computer – Weird World
24. THAYER SARRANO – Shaky – Guildwater
25. MYNABIRDS – Lovers Know – Saddle Creek
26. POTTY MOUTH – Potty Mouth EP – Planet Whatever
27. MATILDE DAVOLI – I’m Calling You From My Dreams – Loyal To Your Dreams
28. DAMAGED BUG – Cold Hot Plumbs – Castle Face
29. STOLEN JARS – Kept – Self-Released
30. WESTKUST – Last Forever – Run For Cover
WKNC TOP 5 ADDS
1. FIDLAR – Too – Mom And Pop
2. FOALS – What Went Down – Warner
3. JACKSON BOONE – Natural Changes – Stay Lonesome
4. WIDOWSPEAK – All Yours – Captured Tracks
5. DIANE COFFEE – Everybody’s A Good Dog – Western Vinyl
Stressing about who to see at Hopscotch this weekend? Here are some of our DJs’ itineraries!
One great feature of Hopscotch Music Festival are their free shows throughout the week or “Day Parties.” Anyone can attend these day parties even if you don’t have a wristband for the actual festival. Figuring out which day parties you want to attend can be difficult, but WKNC has put together this guide to make the task a little easier! Set times are not exact! If you notice an error, email design@wknc.org
Day parties are kicking off RIGHT NOW outside of CAM Raleigh with Hopscotch’s Design Festival’s Block Party. Be sure to check out WKNC’s Day Party with WXDU and WXYC Friday from 12-5 at Kings Barcade and Neptunes!
Check back for Saturday and Sunday’s Day Parties coming soon!
WKNC’s unofficial Hopscotch Day Parties Guide
From their debut album in 1997 to their latest release this year, Godspeed You! Black Emperor have managed to keep it interesting while staying true to their post-rock roots. With tracks averaging fifteen minutes, every song is like album in itself, each heavy with crescendos of cymbals and aching guitars. In essence, they sound like the grandfathers of bands such as Explosions in the Sky, or have at least paved a way for music of the same nature. The name comes directly from the title of a 1976 Japanese documentary about a group of motorcyclists dubbed the Black Emperors.
Originally a trio from Montreal, Canada, the band’s roster of members peaked and dipped as local musicians joined and dropped. GY!BE stabilized as a band of nine after the release of 1996’s F#A#Infinity. The precision and grace that goes into building each album is immediately apparent upon first listen. Their latest album, Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is emotional, stunning, and almost overwhelming. Their live performances are something incredible, turning each album into a unique aural and visual experience. GY!BE are the kind of band whose hands you’ll want to shake after a live set.
Don’t miss this Canadian cult favorite on Thursday at City Plaza!
9/8: Mick Jenkins & STWO @ Cat’s Cradle
9/11: The Fall of Troy @ Cat’s Cradle
9/13: Laetitia Sadier @ Cat’s Cradle Backroom
Tune into WKNC 88.1 FM this week and when the DJ asks for it, call the request lines at 919-515-0881 or 919-515-2400 for your chance to win tickets to these shows! Good luck!
Death Cab for Cutie is currently on their highly anticipated North American tour, and they are coming to the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on September 15th! This week we will be giving away 5 pairs of tickets to this concert thanks to our friends at Live Nation. Just be the correct caller when the DJ asks for calls and you could win a pair of tickets. Good luck!