Category: Blog

Categories
Festival Coverage

The Beast and Orquesta GarDel make sweet music in the WKNC studio

If you’ve been following along with us these past two Fridays, you’ll know that we’ve been participating in a small interview series featuring many of the talented acts at this spring’s Shakori Hills Grassroots Music Festival. Last week, DJ Mick and DJ Kligz sat down with Bowerbirds and the ever so comical Inflowential. On this particular Friday, I had the pleasure of interviewing two great local bands, The Beast and Orquesta GarDel.

As an avid local music lover, The Beast, of course, was no stranger to my earbuds. I last caught the band last at WKNC’s fall Fridays on the Lawn series where they opened for Kooley High. Obviously, I was going through a bit of a withdrawl, and with promises of on-air free-styling from Pierce Freelon, the Beast’s front-man, the interview was too hard to pass up. Orquesta GarDel was a newcomer to my music pallet. Based in strong Latino roots, GarDel plays classic and modern salsa music with a sound heavily influenced by the New York-Puerto Rico connection of the 1970s. Eric Hirsh, Beast’s keyboardist, is also a major part of GarDel, which has ultimately led to some interesting collaboration in the past. I won’t give away too much, but I experienced firsthand the powerful forces and talent when these two groups collide. Be sure to check out the whole interview including the free-style performance:

Part 1: The Beast. The Beast

Part 2: Orquesta GarDel.Orquesta GarDel.

Next Friday, tune in to DJ Kligz as she will be talking to The Honeycutters as they gear up for their performance at Shakori that weekend.

Categories
New Album Review

Now Playing 4/16

The Mynabirds- What We Lost in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

WORD, this is my new jam. I am always a sucker for female vocals, and ta-boot, she is the woman from Georgie James! This album has an older feeling, reminiscent of the Dusty Springfield  era. A mixture of soul and country makes this album extremely hard to put down. Infectious R&B numbers filled with blues and country influences soaks up all your feelings like a sponge, and when it’s over it squeezes everything out of you and you feel so much better for having experienced it.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPJ-GZ2Vv9Y

Kings Go Forth-The Outsider’s Are Back

This is exhilarating. You start instantly sweating listening to this, your heart beats faster, your feet start tapping, your body starts moving.  Kings Go Forth bring a 70’s soul band sound and an extremely happy vibe all around. I don’t know what else I can say about this but enjoy!

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvemEJGo8Dc

New Young Pony Club- The Optimist

The Outsiders are Back

There is a clear distinction between this album and their first. Both include dance-able rock music, an evolution of the almost forgotten new wave genre, but this album feels much darker. There is a more mature feeling in the music and in their lyrics. Regardless, this will keep your ass moving!

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wwXLkpwt58

Sarah Jaffe-Suburban Nature

Remember Cat Power back in the day, all she had was her depressing lyrics and a guitar? That is pretty much Sarah Jaffe, except Jaffe includes musical compositions that resemble Neutral Milk Hotel. I know, right? Awesome.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPOnh6R1cOA

Trampled by Turtles-Palomino

Suburban Nature

Now this is for the people who like to bring the house down with BLUEGRASS. Extremely frantic, upbeat bluegrass music that is so damn catchy I needed to get tested after listening to this album. If you enjoy listening to those Avett guys you will probably enjoy listening to this band.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVaonoikASA

Mantler-Monody

Monody

Hmm, now this was the only album I listened to that I just didn’t get. Sounds like mixture of Chromeo and Kings of Convenience. Sort of has an 80’s retro R&B theme to it, but sometimes that doesn’t translate as well as he wanted it to. However, there are some catchy tunes so take a listen and judge for yourself!

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWkQ4a-o9Bs

The Radio Dept.- Clinging to a Scheme

This dreamy pop album cues light synths at the best moments possible and relies on a steady drum beat. This is alongside distorted, atmospheric vocals that have you feel like you’re walking on air.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsuLsb-jrt0

Inlets- Inter Arbiter

Singer/songwriter baroque pop that layers vocals and incorporates more fanciful instruments in a way that distinguishes themselves from the typical lounge act.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2RSoJn-DN4

Family Cactus- Come Howling

Slower, darker vocals match on top of faster paced rock songs. They range from light to heavy in sound, and this breaks the album away from what could have been rather mundane.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwdWnmqAYzM

Kate Nash- My Best Friend is You

More relationship enraged pop. This time Nash diversifies her sound well. She mixes high energy pop songs with cynical and jealous lyrics to create another fun experience.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqV-embx_tA

The Pack A.D. – We Kill Computers

We Kill Computers

Think White Stripes. Garage rock duo who are unapologetic and take no prisoners especially on their instruments. A showcase of spill out your guts vocals, distorted guitars, and relentless drumming that rarely lets up.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV0cYFjULmw&feature=related

Sally Seltmann – Heart That’s Pounding

Heart That’s Pounding

Verging on FROU FROU, this album is a JEM and pretty FEIST-y. Sally is a bright and sunny Australian who warms your heart from the start and invites you to listen to the rest of her album. I feel like she was in wistful love when she wrote all these cheerful pop melodies. Play on a pretty day!

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mYUAh0WdTk&feature=related

Wesley Wolfe – Storage

Storage

A very short and seamless collection of acoustic songs played mainly by Wolfe himself. The lyrics and melodies contradict themselves somewhat – introspective vs upbeat and it totally works! You might think he’s just another songwriter making music to complain, but check it out and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Cate le Bon – Me Oh My

This album creeps up on you. Beginning with a slow bass line and then added dark layers of crystal clear vocals and psychedelic guitar riffs, Cate really likes to mix things up but the albums main sound is folky. A Welsh version of Nico, even looks wise, Cate’s sometimes weird and awkward vocals have created a hauntingly beautiful album.

Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History

Me Oh My

This could quite possibly become the anthem for your summer. Catchy, upbeat, synthy… could be categorized as electro-pop. You can’t help but bop your head and pretend to know the lyrics when listening to this. Not quite sure if these guys have their own sound  just yet, but this debut is very promising.

[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcmlshqyQ_s

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Catch So So Def’s Dondria on Saturday Night Soul and R&B 4/17

The Princess of So So Def records, YouTube singing sensation, Dondria aka Phatfffat will be interviewed on "Saturday Night Soul and R&B" this coming Saturday 4/17. Tune in to hear Dondria discuss her new single “You’re The One”, upcoming album Dondria Vs. Phatfffat, working with Jermaine Dupri and so much more.

Originally discovered on YouTube, Dondria is fastly becoming one of R&B’s most promising stars, with her soulful voice and empassioned delivery.

To find out more about Dondria visit here or here and follow her on twitter.

“Saturday Night Soul and R&B” with host Mir.I.am airs weekly from 9 to 11 p.m.

Categories
DJ Highlights

Due to NC State Baseball, no Local Beat 4/16/10

It is a beautiful day for baseball and because of that there will be no Local Beat this Friday evening, April 16.  Barring weather and field conditions the NC State Baseball team will be playing Maryland at College Park, Md.  The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with broadcast starting at 5:30 p.m. right here on 88.1 WKNC.  Typically, games last around 3 to 4 hours.  If the game does end earlier then feel free to listen in to local music up until 8 p.m., but the Local Beat will not be broadcasted.

Categories
Concert Review Local Music

LBLB Photos from April 15

Bellefea

Created with flickr slideshow.

In the Year of the Pig

Created with flickr slideshow.

Categories
Music News and Interviews

DJ Ones’ Five Music Facts from the past week

1. The Antlers have announced that they are releasing a free ep. The two track ep is entitled, “New York Hospitals” and includes a brief introduction to their popular song, “Sylvia.” Alongside the free ep, the band have released a music video for their song “Sylvia.” (via Pitchfork)

2. Crystal Castles have announced that they are set to release their second full length. Just like the first album, their second will also be titled “Crystal Castles.” The new LP is set to release in North America on June 8th through Fiction records. (via Pitchfork)

3. Wavves’ front man Nathan Williams has announced on the band’s blog that they are currently in the mixing process for their sophomore album. Williams enthusiastically wrote on the blog, “SOUNDS CARAAAZAAAAAAYYY AND WILL BE OUT THIS SUMMER. SEEEEEE YA!” (via Pitchfork)

4. Supergrass has sadly announced that they will be breaking up. Jokingly the band cited a “17 year itch” for the reason for breaking up. They were working on a new album before the announcement of their breakup. No plans have been announced if they will release this material. The band will make the split official after their upcoming tour is finished. (via NME)

5. Rumors that Rob Pattinson will be playing the role of Kurt Cobain in the biopic about the 90s grunge rocker. Courtney Love’s manager has since denied rumors that the part would be going to the “Twilight” actor. Love told the Canadian Press, “Isn’t that so stupid? Who would cast him?” When given her direct opinion who would be best to play Kurt, Love mentioned both Ryan Gosling and James McAvoy. (Spin)

Categories
New Album Review

Cannibal’s Corner I: Inaugoreation and Arkaik

Arkaik - Reflections Within Dissonance

I know exactly what you’re thinking, you brutal metal freaks out there. What the heck should you expect from the inaugural post by Cannibal Cory? Well I’m here to firstly warn those weak of heart and easily disturbed to look elsewhere. The following just might, maybe, cause a heart attack – especially if the idea of gore like Scattered Remains, Splattered Brains makes you want to heave your ripening meal all over the keyboard.

To start, I’ve thoroughly been enjoying waking up to the sound of Arkaik’s debut album “Reflections Within Dissonance.” Let me be the first to tell you that there’s nothing quite like waking up headbanging, pumped with fresh glass scraping my inner eardrum. I’m not a man of genres – in this day and age it can mean a gruesome, bloody death (preferably by Beheading and Burning, but fingernail removal is fine too) – so know that the bloodier my descriptions are, the higher the recommendation is.

The title track Reflections Within Dissonance definitely rips your intestines out via bellybutton by sheer force once it lulls you into a false sense of “I’m only gonna lose a leg listening to this one.” They keep grinding at your teeth with a sander up until about halfway, when they break it all down and cause your gums to bleed. In fact, they manage to do a great job of balancing shredding your arms with a cheese grater and shattering your ears with an icepick and technicality all the way to the end.

Another one of my personal favorites, Obscured Luminosity, keeps things more in the technical realm compared to other songs, meaning each brutal stroke of the guitar and pounding of the bass pedal is like a sledgehammer to a kneecap. When it does get brutal, they’re merely taking a table saw to your jaw. The ultimate climax comes when the bassist decides that the table saw isn’t enough and rips a short – but eyeball popping – solo. After that, you’ll never look at the album in the same way again.

Then there’s Elegy for the Disillusioned, where you feel like there’s wave after wave of sewing needles being shot at your face. They keep the thrashing and breakdowns transitioning so rapidly smooth you won’t even notice you’re being swept away by a tidal wave made of acid – be sure to hang on to your skin.

There you have it – it’s up to you to decide whether you can go without a couple spare limbs for a while. Overall, the album gets a gore cleanup rating of an hour and a half in my book. Still a couple of stains that won’t come out of the carpet, but I don’t mind the maggots.

Now, for the question of the week: “If you could go to any concert, and could time travel, what would it be?” Three people replied with their responses:

“Dude, if I could time travel I’d go to  the future and watch Dethklok destroy everything!"  – DJ Nick
"I’d have Overkill and Kreator start the concert, then have Motörhead and Manowar. Even though it’s pretty much impossible.” – Metal Commander
“If I could choose… it would be Nile.” – 9th Priest

There you have it, cannibals. Check out the next show to hear the question of the week, and come back to read a review of Borknagar’s “Universal”. You might even get lucky and see pictures of the Cannibal Corpse concert at Volume 11! To end on a lighter note, I leave you with this:

Categories
Music News and Interviews

WKNC launches new music podcast

WKNC 88.1 FM announces the debut of SoundOff, a new music-related podcast from the student radio station at N.C. State University. The 40-plus minute program divides its time between dissecting a handful of music news and reviewing a new album.

“The idea for the show was clear, take some of the most interesting news articles to discuss and do one in-depth review of an album that had some real weight to it,” said the podcast’s producer Michael Jones, a freshman in history and one of WKNC’s assistant indie rock music directors. Jones hosts the show with fellow DJs Sarah Hager, a sophomore in management, and graphic design sophomore Kirsten Southwell.

“SoundOff goes beyond the brief time we talk about music during our time on the air,” Jones said. “We’re able to give people who listen to WKNC on a regular basis and those who just love the type of music we play a greater understanding of what we DJs think about some of the biggest releases.”

The first SoundOff episode discusses Modest Mouse front man Isaac Brock contributing music for a Cartoon Network show, the Libertines reunion and how The White Stripes almost didn’t release the single “Seven Nation Army.” The album review is of Matt Pond PA’s “The Dark Leaves” from Altitude Records.

“SoundOff is a great opportunity for our listeners to receive the full musical package,” Tommy Anderson, WKNC general manager and a senior in political science, said. “You get the background and commentary of an album or news story, rather than just a sound bite.”

The podcast also represents a milestone for WKNC, as it will be the station’s first program designed specifically for the Internet rather than traditional over-the-air delivery.

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Back to back interviews this Friday!

At 3 p.m. Friday, I will be interviewing Once and Future Kings about their show with Embarrassing Fruits on Saturday, April 17 on Lee Field on NCSU campus.  The event is  in celebration of the upcoming Earth Day. Embarrassing Fruits play at 6 p.m. and Once & Future Kings go on at 7 p.m.

Next, I will interview Mor Aframian at 4 p.m. Friday.  We will be discussing the Redress Raleigh event which takes place Saturday, April 17.  Redress Raleigh is an ecologically conscious and forward thinking fashion show that challenges designers to think about impact on the environment in the development of their concept. Redress aims to showcase eco-friendly designers with accessible and innovative collections as well as showing that “green” is in all aspects of life, including fashion. The clothing selected for this show will have a strong emphasis on eco-friendly design. Eco-friendly can be in the form of recycled or remanufactured garments, as well as using eco-friendly fabrics and production processes. The focus of Redress Raleigh is to promote wearable eco-fashion, meaning fabrics and textiles that would be commonly found in clothing articles, rather than non-clothing items such as cardboard, paper, plastic, etc.  This year’s show will be held on Saturday, April 17 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Flander’s Art Gallery, 302 South West Street, Raleigh.

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Local Beat Mini Exclusive: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Myspace music player

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This week I sat down for yet another Local Beat Mini Exclusive as there will once again be no normally scheduled Local Beat (due to baseball programming).  Rob Koegler and Jason Kutchma came in to chat about a really interesting and unique concert happening this Friday evening at the ETC Auditorium of the North Carolina School of Science and Math titled “Deliver Me From Nowhere- A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.”  A collaboration of different musicians from Red Collar, Midtown Dickens, COW, Mount Moriah, and the Rosewood Bluff are coming together to play the entire album in it’s entirely.  The show is only $10 and all proceeds are going to benefit the Coalition to Unchain Dogs and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.   The concert begins at 9:30 p.m. though a free showing of Terrence Malick’s 1973 film, Badlands, will begin at 7:30 p.m.  The screening of the movie is free of charge.

In this Local Beat Mini Exclusive, Jay, Rob, and I chatted about the bands playing the show, the charities, and the reason behind throwing this concert.  Jay also brought in his acoustic guitar and a harmonica and played two tracks from Nebraska for us which you can listen to in the music player to the left.

Take a listen to the podcast below and feel free to download the covers at the Local Beat ReverbNation page.
Local Beat Mini Exclusive for Deliver Me From Nowhere