Category: Blog

Drughorse First Friday at Tir na nOg

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date November 1, 2010

Remember the last time The Light Pines played Tir na nOg (or anywhere)? Holy smokes that was awesome. Well, they along with two of their Drughorse brethren will be rocking the pub’s thatched roof yet again this Friday.

You know the Light Pines, right? If you don’t, well, come to the show and you’ll be glad you did.

TWELVE THOUSAND ARMIES: Fronted by Justin Williams, the surging and recently rejuvenated (see: opening for Vetiver tonight at the 506 and recently for the Love Language at Motorco on Oct 23) Twelve Thousand Armies will fill the two-spot in this lineup with their shimmery, nostalgic 60’s pop ballads. The melodies are playful and tickling, and the lyrics range from mature and serious to downright poignant.

NUDEHUES: You wouldn’t guess that the eerie, lingering and hard-for-me-to-classify compositions of the mysterious Nudehues came from the same brain that spun Max Indian’s hook-laden toe-tappers for over a year. Carter Gaj (Max Indian frontman emeritus) and Tom Simpson (Light Pines percussionist) may leave you scratching your head, but they will certainly leave you wanting more. Compelling and thought-provoking stuff.

This show starts at 9:30, and it costs a conveniently meager five dollars.

Tags first friday, local, nudehues, The Light Pines, tir na nog, Twelve Thousand Armies

DJ Highlights Local Music

Local Beat Roundtable: Series 2 preview 10/29/10

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 29, 2010

Tonight on the Local Beat we begin our second installment of the Local Beat Roundtable Series. If you remember from back in August when we had our first in the roundtable discussions with Betsy Harris, Karen Mann, Jake Seaton, Linnie Green, and Bryan Reed the focus on these roundtable discussions is not to focus on the music that make up our scene but the people who promote it and document it.

This evening we are having several exemplary characters in on the program for what should turn out to be some great conversation.

Ross Grady has been the most prominent local music documenter probably ever in our region. It seems his dedication to the scene knows no bounds. In addition to running Triangle Rock and starting up Alt Music Chapel Hill Ross is also the guardian of his radio program on WXDU that happens every Sunday from 4pm-6pm. Be sure to listen in on 88.7 or stream it live on the internet!

Ryan Sweeney is another radio personality who was the general manager at 89.3 WSOE in 2009. He is now living in Cary and the Director of Communications at the popular website Choose Local Music. In addition to other things Ryan is a great local music connoisseur who should have plenty to share.

Glenn Boothe is the main man at one of the most significant local venues in the Triangle, the Local 506 in Chapel Hill. Commonly the central hub of local music in our area, the Local 506 is commonly mentioned by bands and fans alike as their favorite place to watch live music in our area. I can’t wait to chat with Glenn about his thoughts on the music in our area.

Another music venue owner, Chris Tamplin is stopping by. Chris was the main organizer for Local Beer Local Band and booked shows at Tir Na Nog before starting his own venture with Durham’s newest local venue, Motorco. Chris should have some fascinating insight into the different cities and their relationships to the music surrounding them among other things.

Eric Chen is also dropping by. You might have heard Eric on WXYC for nine years or seen him at many Hammer No More The Fingers shows (as well as others) with his video camera in tote. Eric has been documenting the music in our area for some time now and I am sure he will have plenty to add to our convseration. Check out his Vimeo Account here.

Hammer No More the Fingers + Phil Cook @ Trekky House 5/24/10 from Eric Chen on Vimeo.

It is certainly a special treat to have each of these amazing individuals on the show all at once. It is not going to be a Local Beat you will want to miss. Be sure to tune in at 5pm on 88.1 or listen live online. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and ReverbNation.

Tags Adam Kincaid, Choose Local Music, Chris Tamplin, Eric Chen, Glenn Boothe, hammer no more the fingers, local, local 506, local band local beer, motorco, Ross Grady, Ryan Sweeney, the local beat, tir na nog, Triangle Rock, WSOE, wxdu, wxyc

Music News and Interviews

We have Troika Music Festival passes!

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 28, 2010

For 3 days, from November 4-6, Durham comes alive with music and art. Troika Music Festival began in 2002 and is still going strong. Bands featured this year include Birds & Arrows, Veelee, Old Bricks, I Was Totally Destroying It, Red Collar, The Small Ponds, Americans in France, Phil Cook and His Feat, Chatham County Line, Mount Moriah, Gray Young, Spider Bags, and even more! They’ll be performing at venues around Durham and WKNC has 3-day festival passes to give away!

Just be the correct caller when the DJ asks for it now through November 3, and you could win a pair of 3-day festival passes!

Tags Americans In France, birds and arrows, chatham county line, daytime, giveaways, Gray Young, i was totally destroying it, local, Mount Moriah, Old Bricks, phil cook and his feat, promotions, Red Collar, spider bags, The Small Ponds, Troika Music Festival, Veelee

Non-Music News

EOT47 Chancellor Woodson 10/26/10

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 27, 2010

Technician’s Amanda Wilkins talks to Chancellor Woodson in advance of his formal installation. Mason profiles interesting classes and professors, Chris talks to State Fair eco-magician Steve Trash, Mark highlights local ethnic markets, and Tyler and Taylor preview the big FSU game.

Listen to episode 47.

Tags Chancellor Woodson, eot, eot podcast, eye on the triangle, NC State, north carolina state university, podcast, Public Affairs, State Fair, triangle, wolfpack

Music News and Interviews

–> GIVEAWAYS!

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 27, 2010

This week we’ve got some golden giveaways on WKNC!

Be the right caller when the DJ asks for it and you could win tickets to:

10/27: MiMOSA at Lincoln Theatre

10/29: Jason Isbell at Casbah

10/30: Blonde Redhead at Cat’s Cradle

10/30: Howlies at Slim’s

10/30: Mantras at the Pour House

10/31: Caribou at Cat’s Cradle

10/31: Marxtravaganza (featuring Bright Young Things, Tomahawks, Brett Harris, and more!) at Slim’s

annnnd

11/3: MGMT at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

Remember, you have to listen to win!

Tags Blonde Redhead, Brett Harris, Bright Young Things, caribou, Casbah, cats cradle, giveaways, Howlies, Jason Isbell, Lincoln Theatre, Mantras, Marxtravaganza, Memorial Auditorium, MGMT, MiMOSA, promotions, Slim's Downtown, the pour house, The Tomahawks

Non-Music News

EOT46 16th District Senate Candidates 10/19/10

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 25, 2010

John interviews the three candidates running for the 16th district of the North Carolina Senate: Incumbent Democrat Josh Stein, GOP challenger Michael Beezley, and Libertarian challenger Stephanie Watson. Taylor talks about the Wolfpack’s tough loss to ECU, Mark shares his fall recipe ideas, and Chris brings you another Gardening Minute.

Listen to episode 46.

Tags Campaign, Candidates, election, eot, eot podcast, eye on the triangle, NC State, north carolina, north carolina state university, podcast, politics, Public Affairs, Senate, triangle, wolfpack

Concert Preview Local Music

LBLB October 28… Halloween Style!

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 25, 2010

Get spooky, baby! This Thursday WKNC and Tir Na nOg bring you the scariest bands to hit the Raleigh scene: Left Outlet, A Rooster for the Masses, and The Alcazar Hotel. I know you’re heart is racing with fright already! n all seriousness, Local Beer Local Band Night is FREE, 21 and up, and the nightmare starts at 10 p.m. Keep an eye out for Big Boss’s pumpkin beer. AHHH!!!

Left Outlet

Easily the hottest gay band in Raleigh, this band features: “T.Lemuel…soothe sayer from another place; D.Smith….dulcet notes stolen from siren songs; L.Bennett…aural massaging with ivory and circuit; St. Anthony…self-destructive plunges into the deep and; C-Tron Bravo…booming pounding grooving." This band is most likely to rock your face off and steal your boyfriend. Yummmmm

A Rooster for the Masses

This band is too good. You might have caught them at Hopscotch during our Local Beer Local Band day show at Tir Na nOg. Their album review by Grayson Currin in the Independent Weekly said, “The Rooster still sings truth to power over angular guitar lines and hi-hat pulses, whether riffing on the downtown void King’s Barcade left behind on ‘No Party Downtown’ (the band released Rojo there in 2006) or territorial tendencies on ‘Headwaters.’” Well thankfully, Kings is back (was anyone there this past Saturday?? Luckies…), A Rooster for the Masses is playing music, and everyone will be happy.

The Alcazar Hotel

"Inspired by the music and philosophies of such seminal bands as The MC5, Morphine, and The Violent Femmes, The Alcazar Hotel play straight up Rock & Roll, no qualifier (indie, alternative, punk, etc.) necessary. Their first release “Songs from The Alcazar Hotel” (Knockdown South, 2005) was a widely received hit in Amsterdam, The Netherlands after Dawson moved there in 2006. After a year of squatting and busking, Dawson returned to the states to record their follow up album, “Come ON! Dig The Unified Theory!” “…The Unified Theory” was recorded with a blistering set up of 2-string bass, electric guitar, and vicious drums at Delta Recording Service in Como, Mississippi. It features guest appearances by Jimbo Mathus of The Squirrel Nut Zippers and Luther Dickinson of The Black Crowes & North Mississippi Allstars.”

There will be a really scary interview on Thursday from 7-8pm starring myself and Left Outlet. Be sure to tune in on the creepyness.

Tags A Rooster for the Masses, Alcazar Hotel, Left Outlet, local, local band local beer, tir na nog

Concert Preview

Design Council Halloween Bash sure to entertain

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 20, 2010

The NCSU College of Design has a lot going for it: the prettiest slice of campus, convenient juxtaposition with Pullen Park and the railroad tracks, the coolest bikes, an awesome-looking dean…and the list continues. In short, the cool place to be is rarely far from Brooks Hall. This Saturday (October 24th) will be no exception, as the Design Council will be throwing their annual Halloween Bash.

This year’s shindig features treats from different poles of the local music spectrum: the always-charming, Dylan-scented indie troubadours Lonnie Walker, the exceedingly talented hip-hop monarch King Mez, as well as DJs The Biters and Holygrailers.

Tickets are ten bucks; full event info is available here!

Tags Design council, Halloween Bash, Holygrailers, king mez, local, lonnie walker, The Biters

Concert Review

Local Natives bring in fans from all over

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 20, 2010

This past weekend, October 16, marked the longest drive to see a single concert for a large amount of people, including myself. Some fans journeyed over 5 ½ hours, if not more, all to see a few bands—Local Natives, The Ruby Suns, and The Union Line—at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. Once the show began, I understood why.

The Union Line, a five-piece from California, started off the night. Creative drum beats were a staple in each song laced with pretty guitar and Natives-esque vocals. While most shows’ opener band encourages a crowd to linger at best, The Union Line had the crowd engaged and dancing within the first song.

The Ruby Suns followed with a poppier set; think Toro Y Moi if they ate too much sugar. Regardless of the slight genre change, it kept everyone energetic.

Following was the headliner for the night, Local Natives. With only one LP out, Gorilla Manor, I was surprised to see a sold-out show. The fanbase was incredible, especially for such a new band. It was shoulder-to-shoulder and impossible to move as far front as I would have liked. The set started off strong and hit every song on the album. Another pleasant surprise was Local Natives actually sounds better live, in my opinion. Everything—vocals, drums, guitar, etc.—was on point, in addition to crowd interaction. Another very unique aspect of this band is each member alternated instruments every song or so.

One of my (many) favorite parts of this show particularly was how eager the bands were to meet the fans. Every member from the three bands took time to hold a conversation with fans, sign autographs, joke around, and take pictures with the best college radio station in NC.