WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student RadioHey everyone,
As always we are bringing you weather and news for this week. However, our show is extremely special today, as all of our stories will pertain to the different effects of Amendment 1. This week, we will cover the different legal, sociological, and economical impacts that this new Amendment has had on the state of North Carolina. Lastly, we’ll have Deondre’s Restaurant Highlight of the Week as well. Be sure to tune in tonight at 7p.m.! It’ll be a great show!
With school now out, many NC State students have gone home for the Summer. But for those of us who live here in Raleigh, life goes on. First, Jake starts off with a tribute to our city.
Theatrefest is a celebration of what else? Theatre. It’s being held right here on campus, and it starts this thursday. Deondre’ Jones sat down with the Theatrefest Director, John Makowee, to discuss the Theatre and Theatrefest.
Eugenics is an unfortunate part of the history of North Carolina. Mark Herring recently spoke with a member of the NC Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation to see what is being done to correct the injustices.
Deondre’ Jones lets us know which restaurants are a must hit and which ones to avoid.
| Artist | Album | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ty Segall and White Fence | Hair | Drag City |
| #2 | Light Asylum | Light Asylum | Mexican Summer |
| #3 | Kishi Bashi | 151a | Joyful Noise |
| #4 | Knotted Cord | Use Your Mind Powers For Hours And Hours | Self-Released |
| #5 | Lotus Plaza | Spooky Action At A Distance | Kranky |
| #6 | Seventeen Evergreen | Steady On, Scientist | Lucky Number |
| #7 | Best Coast | The Only Place | Mexican Summer |
| #8 | Joey Ramone | …Ya Know? | BMG |
| #9 | Tanlines | Mixed Emotions | True Panther |
| #10 | Chromatics | Kill For Love | Italians Do It Better |
| #11 | White Fence | Family Perfume, Vol. 1 And Vol. 2 | Woodsist |
| #12 | Lower Dens | Nootropics | Ribbon |
| #13 | Beach House | Bloom | SUB POP |
| #14 | Kindness | World, You Need A Change Of Mind | Casablanca |
| #15 | JBM | Stray Ashes | Western Vinyl |
| #16 | CFCF | Exercises | paper bag |
| #17 | Meiko | The Bright Side | Concord-Fantasy |
| #18 | Evan Voytas | Feel Me | Dovecote |
| #19 | Father John Misty | Fear Fun | Sub Pop |
| #20 | Knife and Fork | The Higher You Get The Rarer The Vegetation | Bureau |
| #21 | Here We Go Magic | A Different Ship | Secretly Canadian |
| #22 | K-Holes | Dismania | Hardly Art |
| #23 | Sietta | The Seventh Passenger | Elefant Traks |
| #24 | Part Time | What Would You Say? | Mexican Summer |
| #25 | Allo Darlin’ | Europe | Slumberland |
| #26 | Violens | True | Slumberland |
| #27 | Evans The Death | Evans The Death | Slumberland |
| #28 | Seasfire | Radio Sampler [EP] | Self-Released |
| #29 | IS/IS | III | Guilt Ridden Pop |
| #30 | Blockhead | Interludes After Midnight | Ninja Tune |
It’s summer! That’s right, school’s out, but that doesn’t mean we’ve gone anywhere! It’s out first Eye on the Triangle for the summer. We’ve changed out schedule just a little bit, so now we’ll only be broadcasting every other week instead of every week. But don’t worry! Come August, we’ll go right back to the weekly schedule.
This week, we’ve got stories of the summer festival Theaterfest, happening right here on the NC State Campus, as well as coverage of the ongoing Eugenics settlements happening all around the state. In addition, we show a little love to our home city, Raleigh! Tune in, it’s going to be a great show!
WKNC 88.1fm is looking for students of NC State to become members of our lovely staff. We offer our volunteers on and off-air positions if they are full-time students of North Carolina State University with at least 2.0 grade point average. Individuals interested in qualifying for an on-air position will need to complete the 5 week training class and pass a written as well as an in-studio exam.
Anyone interested in becoming a DJ must attend one of the two interest meetings. These will be May 23 and May 24 from 5:30-6:30pm in Witherspoon Student Center room 201. At these meetings we will be handing out applications to those that wish to undergo our summer DJ training course. Applications will be due by Friday May 25 at 5pm in 343 Witherspoon Student Center. Individuals are highly encouraged to apply if they show particular interest our metal, hip-hop, and electronica genres. We will also be discussing the variety of ways that people can get involved with the station if they do not feel like they have the personalities to tackle an on-air position. We will be discussing exciting ways of getting involved with the station that includes everything from production to public affairs to promotion. If you are not accepted into the training class there will still be a variety of ways that you can become involved with the station that do not require DJ training, and people interested in how they can get involved are highly encouraged to attend one of the meetings
After reviewing all applications, the general manager will contact you to notify whether or not you have been accepted into the training course. Decisions will be made by the general manager and program director, in consultation with the student board of directors.
Training for the summer will take place in Witherspoon Student Center room 201 Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm on May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, and June 26. If you cannot attend four of the five sessions or need to come late/leave early, please do not apply for the training program.
Incoming NCSU students may apply for summer training, but must be registered for fall classes by the end of the training program.
It is with a heavy heart that I relinquish my title as general manager of WKNC on May 20. My tenure as general manager would not have been made possible without the advice, positive reinforcement, and generosity of my fellow staff members, advisors, and the community at large. I am certain that DJ Ones, the next general manager at WKNC, will continue to make WKNC the best radio station in the world.
I want to take the last local lunch shift of my time here at WKNC to thank all of the amazing local bands who have helped me and WKNC out throughout this past year.
These are the bands that played shows like Double Barrel Benefit and related Day Party, Fridays on the Lawn, small concerts that may or may not have been successful, and the birthday party. These amazing members of our community donated their time and their talent to WKNC and deserve to be recognized.
This local music scene and related community has made my job worthwhile. There will be airbreaks full of reminiscing, shout outs, and gratitude.
Tune in for the grateful local lunch, Friday May 18 starting early at 11:30 a.m. and going until 1 p.m.
As exams bear down upon all of us, sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Grant Buckner went around campus recently to find out what is keeping the Wolfpack from studying.
The lives of emergency workers can be highly stressful. So stressful, in fact, that there has been a recent rise in the number of suicides among emergency service workers. Deondre’ Jones recently sat down with an advocate for preventing suicide among our nation’s emergency responders.
Chris Hughes was at NC State not too long ago, speaking about the rise of social media in a constantly evolving world and the role it plays in the newsroom.
Roller Derby seems to have gotten more popular in the past few years. Jake recently spoke with the Carolina Rollergirls, the Triangle’s very own roller derby team, about the rapidly growing sport.
As the Triangle continues to be one of the most rapidly growing population centers in the United State, some see the need for a more comprehensive public transit system. Nick spoke with an advocate for the Wake COunty transit plan about a possible future with Rapid Mass Transit.
And finally Dave shares what Holidays we should be celebrating this week.
This evening’s Local Beat was the shortest in awhile due to #13 ranked NC State playing Virginia Tech in baseball at 5:30pm. However, Jack the Radio joined us on the phone for a brief moment to chat about their brand new album, Low Country, and promote the album release party tomorrow afternoon at Big Boss Brewery.
Jack the Radio is a rising band in our state and their sophomore album does not disappoint with keeping true to their self-proclaimed “Southern Indie Rock” sound that touches on a wide variety of influences but leans closest to southern bar rock while teetering the line with indie masters Yo La Tengo or the Extraordinaires. The show tomorrow is free event and starts at 3pm with food trucks from Only Burger, Chicken Que, and Sarges. Music starts around 3:30pm and the band will be bringing on some mystery guest musicians to play along. However, I highly recommend dropping in at 2pm for the always popular brewery tour that happens the second Saturday of each month before sticking around for the other festivities.
Take a listen to the very short interview here.
One of my favorite musicians, Ben Sollee, will be coming by the station on May 10 at 1 p.m. for an in-studio performance and interview before his show at Kings Barcade (Cat’s Cradle Presents). Sollee’s music is inspired by his Kentucky roots, but spans genres from folk to jazz, carried by his syncopated rhythms and smooth voice.
You may recognize Ben Sollee from his work with Daniel Martin Moore on Dear Companion, an album speaking out against Mountain Top Removal and preserving their Appalachian homes. This album was produced by Yim Yames of Monsters of Folk and My Morning Jacket.
Sollee joined other acclaimed genre-bending artists Casey Driessen, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn to form the Sparrow Quartet. This group was defined by intense instrumentation, worldly themes, and the tenor of Abigail Washburn.
If You’re Going to Lead my Country, Something Worth Keeping, Learning to Bend, and Inclusions are Sollee’s solo EPs and LPs, respectively. These albums feature his political lyrics, blues-infused voice, and friends joining in on saxophones, percussion, and other instruments on many songs. This show on May 10 at Kings Barcade marks one year since Inclusions was released.
Ben Sollee is different from many other “green” celebrities in that he lives the lifestyle to the best of his ability, showcased in his “Ditch the Van” Bike Tour. Strapping the cello and other equipment to a tiny trailer attached to his bike, he has traveled to dozens of shows and thousands of miles with a much smaller carbon footprint than other touring artists.
Sollee is no stranger to the area, opening for The Rosebuds at a Hopscotch 2011 Day Party and an awesome show at Casbah in Durham. I hope he likes the new bike lanes on Hillsborough Street.
Tune in to hear what I’m sure will be an amazing live in-studio performance and interview. If you have any questions for Ben, leave them as a comment or tweet them at us (@WKNC881) during the interview on May 10 from 1 -1:45 p.m. Be sure to check out his performance at Kings Barcade May 10.
Listen to Americana Blues and Company on May 5 and the interview May 10 to win tickets to the show!
Being from Florida, summertime is my favorite time. I love it when it gets so hot and muggy that even the mosquitoes can’t fly and your only refuge is a piece of watermelon, an ice-cold beverage and the music in front of you.
My three favorite outdoor venues in the Triangle allow picnics and sell all of the best local brews. Read on for summer shows to look out for at The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and American Tobacco.
Located on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh, NCMA has the largest concert arena of any art museum in the country and as such can bring brings some of the best acts around. I had the opportunity to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Lucinda Williams, and Gillian Welch there last summer.
Summer 2012, NCMA brings us:
AfroCubism: June 10
If you like Buena Vista Social Club, Malain music, and awesome beats, check this show out.
Doc Watson and Deep River Rising: June 30
At 89, Doc Watson can still tear up a guitar. If you haven’t heard of Doc Watson but love old-timey music and all things bluegrassy and folk, don’t miss this chance to see one of the trailblazers of this genre.
Andrew Bird w/ Mavis Staples: July 10
Through a collaboration with Cat’s Cradle, indie folk master Andrew Bird will whistle the night away with rhythm and blues goddess Mavis Staples.
Neko Case: July 14
I’ve never seen this woman perform solo, but I had the chance to see her with The New Pornographers a few summers ago. Her voice is everything female vocals should be.
More shows listed later in the summer and further information is available here. Be sure to listen to WKNC all summer, as we usually do a considerable amount of giveaways for these shows. Tickets for these shows range from $15-35, with a discount for children and a prime seating location for members. Parking can be tough: I suggest either arriving early or parking in one of the administrative buildings slightly up Blue Ridge. Get to these shows early so you can spread out your picnic blanket, grab a bottle of wine (sold at the venue) and enjoy the evening.
Located in the heart of Duke’s West Campus, Duke Gardens is a spectacle in itself. 55-acres of native and non-native plants provide the perfect backdrop (and aroma) for the summer concert series. Doors (gates?) open at 6:30, so be sure to set up early behind the Visitor’s Center. I’ve never had the chance to come to one of these shows, but as I’ll be living less than 3 miles away this summer, they’ll have to pry me away. All of the artists presented here are local indie acts.
The Beast + Big Band: June 6
Local hip-hop infused with jazz.
The Old Ceremony: June 13
Indie rock bordering “dad rock,” but in a good way.
Dex Romweber and the New Romans: June 21
I love this description from Independently Weekly, “noir-tinged Americana”
Bombadil: June 27
Rolling indie rock infused with folk, teddy bears, and a bit of sorrow
Mandolin Orange: July 11
One of the best duos around, keeping traditional folk alive with modern inspiration
Midtown Dickens: July 18
Playful and thoughtful, their music makes you literally sing along “this is the best summer ever”
Megafaun: July 25
Do I need to describe these guys? Experimental folk with deep themes and beards.
More information about the shows and tickets is available here. Tickets are $12, with a $5 discounted price for Duke employees and students. There is a cafe on site selling full meals, snacks, wine, and beer. You’ll find me sneaking in some watermelon slices and lemonade. Parking is available after 5 p.m. for free in the Garden Lots. Be careful with parking outside of the garden; Campus Police will get ya!
Located next to WUNC in the American Tobacco Campus, this venue is secluded with restaurants and shops on all sides and arranged perfectly for concerts. The audience is separated from the band by a moat, which keeps the ravenous fan girls like me off banjo players like Chatham County Line’s Chandler Holt. It also sets the stage, literally, with the babbling of water and a home-town feel as the band plays under the water tower. Like the other venues presented here, they are very family friendly and allow for picnics and serve all of the best beverages.
Music Maker Relief Foundation Blues Revue: May 11
I saw these guys at Shakori Hills and it was like watching the history of Blues before your eyes.
Tony Rice Unit: May 18
Traditional bluegrass, performed immaculately.
Adam Hurt, Stephanie Coleman, and Beth Williams Hartness
Bluegrass trio, with bits of loose mountain music
Pops for Pops: June 17
What better way to celebrate Father’s day than with jazz of all kinds. Durham Jazz Orchestra and Durham Community Concert Band will play all night.
Lizzy Ross Band: June 22
This girl can sing. She is a cute, young musician who can belt out some of jazziest, smoothest music out there. Her band provides a full Americana, folk rock inspired set.
John Brown and the Groove Shop Band: July 4
A 13-piece band full of funk, rhythm, and blues.
Justin Robinson and the Mary Annettes: July 27
Don’t expect Carolina Chocolate Drops sound. Former Drop, Robinson, is experimenting with his musical style with this ethereal genre-break band.
John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff: August 10
Honky-tonk Americana with an occasional rock-kick.outdoor
For show listings after August 10 and more information, go here. Sponsored in part of by Back Porch Music, all of these shows are family friendly acts with their mind to roots music. All of these shows, unless otherwise noted, are free. There are great restaurants surround the venue and Whole Foods usually sets up a table selling fresh dinners. I usually end up bringing my own snacks, but end up buying a locopop.
Phew. There is a lot going on this summer and I hope that this has helped you formulate a plan of action for shows to see. Did I miss any awesome outdoor venues? Comment with your favorites and maybe I’ll blog about those shows as well!