WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student Radio| Artist | Album | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | SLEIGH BELLS | Treats | Mom and Pop |
| #2 | CRYSTAL CASTLES | Crystal Castles II | Universal |
| #3 | RATATAT | Lp4 | XL |
| #4 | LCD SOUNDSYSTEM | This is Happening | EMI |
| #5 | RUSKO | O.M.G.! | Mad Decent |
| #6 | M.I.A. | XXXO: The Remixes | |
| #7 | BORGORE | Borgore Ruined Dubstep [EP] | |
| #8 | NINJASONIK | Art School Girls | Green Owl |
| #9 | UFFIE | Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans | Because |
| #10 | N.E.R.D. | Hot N Fun The Remixes |
The Local Beat last Friday was the first full three hour program since February and my first evening back behind the board in a month after throat surgery. I felt a little rusty behind the microphone but my guests to the show triumphed to make the three hours fly by with great conversation and some really cool new songs that had never been played before.
While waiting for the Trekky guys to come in, David Mueller of Birds of Avalon came by to drop off the pre-release of the Heads On Sticks album entitled Mocking Bird. Heads On Sticks is David’s solo project that he has been working with off and on for the better part of four years. In fact, his Marsupial’s EP was one of the first local albums I ever came across and really pushed me into the local music scene here. We debuted his first new track in two years, a song called “Two Clicks.” David will be back on the Local Beat on the 9th to talk more about the album, so be sure to listen in then!
Will Hackney and Martin Anderson, the owners and masterminds behind Trekky Records, dropped by a little late after being stuck in traffic to pump up the third annual TrkFest, which happened Saturday, June 26 at Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, NC. We spent the majority of an hour and a half talking about the day-long festival, the differences between this year and the previous two years, playing music from bands signed to Trekky, and other bands involved with the show. Will and Martin are also in numerous bands in the area themselves and two of the busiest guys I know, so I had to ask them about their time management and how they run their business. In all, we had a fascinating insight into a remarkable record label and the guys behind the scenes. You can check out some of the pictures from TrkFest here.
TrkFest on the Local Beat 6/25/10
Local favorites Bombadil stopped by for the last hour of the show to debut some brand new material and play live for the first time in a year. As many of you know, Bombadil had to take a break last summer as pianist Stewart Robinson went back to school and Daniel Michalak had to take time to recover from a serious health problem, while James Phillips moved to Oregon and Bryan Rahija went to work in Washington D.C. However, the band has still made time to write music and admitted that they now have enough new material for an entire album. We discussed the difficulties with being so far apart and still trying to be a band and the frustrations with not being able to tour. We also touched on their most recent album, Tarpits and Canyonlands, which was released last summer. The band was unable to promote the record despite raving reviews, and I had to ask them how that made them feel. Despite the down turn in events, the group seemed exceptionally positive and upbeat for the future and even played two brand new songs for us, which you can download through our Local Beat ReverbNation page (you can listen to them in the music player to the left).
Bombadil on the Local Beat 6/25/10
Saturday, at the Piedmont Biofuel facility in Pittsboro, was the third annual TrkFest put on by Trekky Records. TrkFest has quickly become one of the most important local music events in the area and a group of WKNC folk made it out in full force. It was terribly hot and humid outside while the sun was out, but not one single person complained, and I believe everyone had a fantastic time. I was lucky enough to sit next to Rich and Mimi McLaughlin of the Pneurotics, and we had a fine view of both stages.
We missed Vibrant Green and Ezekiel Graves but got there just as Yardwork started up, and those guys put on a fantastic set to start our day.
After a excruciatingly hot but fascinating tour of the entire Biofuel center, we caught the last half of Ryan Gustafson’s set. I have seen Ryan about six times now, but this was only the second with a full band, and he was awesome, as usual.
We had to escape the heat, so we headed into the shade during the Butterflies set.
Veelee went on next. Their sound has evolved so much in the past year while still keeping with their same general style. One song that stuck out to me was a new track named “T’morrow;” that was the first in their set.
Mount Moriah went on next and, as usual, played an incredible set. I cannot describe how much I love this band and how excited I am for their new album to come out.
Midtown Dickens played one of my favorite sets of the evening. Megafaun came on for a couple of songs, and Kym and Catherine are always entertaining but even more so for this event. Fun, outgoing, and fresh is the best way to describe them.
It has been awhile since I saw Embarrassing Fruits play, but with a new album in the works, theses guys were as tight as ever as expected.
Hammer No More The Fingers has never been anything but a pleasure to see. They are one of the most technically sound and entertaining groups in the area. For a couple of songs they brought up Drew Anagnost and Leah Gibson from Lost in the Trees on the cellos and Brad Cook of Megafaun jumped on bass.
Lost in the Trees literally blew the crowd away playing second to last. I was surprised that they could cram onto the smaller of the two stages, but it ended up being truly magical. I feel like every time I see them live they sound different, which is always refreshing.
Megafaun ended the show as they always do: reeling the crowd in with their unique charisma and then putting them into a manic frenzy with their exceptional live performance. I took several videos of the group playing some brand new songs with a variety of different musicians, all off of their upcoming album, but the sound quality came out too poor to post them. Needless to say, every time I see Megafaun play, they retake the top of my list of local bands.
On 6/26, Mir.I.am had the chance to talk with R&B legend T-boz of the number one
selling female group of all time, TLC, to discuss the first anniversary of Michael Jackson death and his contributions to the entertainment world.
T-boz, along with countless others, was deeply influenced and inspired by Jackson and called in to give her thoughts on the music icon.
In the revealing interview, T-boz explains the indelible imprint that Michael Jackson has left on music, society as a whole, and herself personally.
T-boz also recollects what it was like meeting Michael Jackson for the first time, shares her favorite songs and videos, and explains what Michael’s overall legacy should represent.
Check out the interview below and feel free to leave a comment.
“Real RnB Radio” with host Mir.I.am airs weekly from 8-11pm.
Many of you may have thought you had heard the last of the Brooks Wood Band after they called it quits awhile back in 2008 when Brooks Wood decided to move up to NYC to try the solo thing. However, the band is putting out a brand new album titled Good Timing, which the group has been working on for the better part of the last two years. Local Music Director Nicole Kligerman sat down with the group to talk about the new album, hear some live songs, and chat about the album release party/reunion show tomorrow evening at the Pour House. Full Proof and Jordan Lee are also playing the show, which begins at 10 p.m. The show is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Take a listen to the interview and be sure to check out the show:
Local Beat Mini Exclusive: Brooks Wood Band 5/25/10
Also, be sure to download the two live songs the band played in the Local Beat ReverbNation page.
Tir na nOg and WKNC bring you Local Beer Local Band night!! This week we are featuring Static Minds and A Tin Djinn! Of course it is free, and of course the local brews are on special. 21+ people!
Static Minds
You know their song “Time Bomb” because you’ve heard it on the awesome local music compilation Hear Here. Experts have been quoted saying, “Their live performances are an intense blast of sweat, volume, and freedom with lots of songs about high times, bad girls, and living it up no matter what life throws at you.” Nod your head to these guys this week!
I have a feeling these guys are hilarious. I’m having a look at their page right now (see link above) and, in short, there is Eliot, “enforcer of paisley;" Gary, "the young zulu warrior;” and Clay, the “Japan-crazed boogie tambourine mad man.” Overall, the band feats delicious glam rock with an indie twist.
Hooray for local music and local beer. Who wants to hear these bands with a Highland Gaelic pint? I do!!!
Raleigh music venue, The Pour House is now a strictly 21+ venue. This applies to all giveaways done for The Pour House on WKNC. In the past those 18+ had been able to pay a surcharge, but this will no longer be the case.
It has been longer than a month since we have had a live Local Beat, and, since February, we haven’t had a full, three hour show (mostly due to NC State Baseball). I have spent the past month recovering from throat surgery and also doing some summer traveling, but it is finally time to get back into the amazing local music scene here, and tonight’s show is going to be one for the ages.
We are dedicating the first two hours to Trekky Records and their kickass annual summer event TrkFest. The event happens tomorrow, June 26, and this year there will be two stages of live music as well as the usual crafts, food, and beverages including:
I know I am going to get a haircut that I so desperately need and jam out to my favorite local musicians that include:
This is the 3rd annual TRKFest, and tonight, on the Local Beat, we will be chatting about all of the old and new things about the festival, the bands, and hearing some live music from some of the performers tomorrow.
At 7 p.m. my favorite local band Bombadil will be dropping by for what is the first time in well over a year. As many of you may know, Bombadil has been on recent hiatus as some of the members have moved away and Daniel Michalak has been dealing with some health problems. With that said, this is their first interview as a group in quite some time, and one of the first since their Tarpits and Canyonlands hit the streets back in 2009 (If you remember, the album was my #1 album of the year). The entire band is going to try to make it and and perhaps play their first live music together since last summer. It is seriously going to be awesome.
Beginning this week until the show on July 1 at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion, WKNC will be giving away pairs of tickets for Phish. Just be the correct caller and you could win tickets for you and a friend! Tickets are also available at Livenation.com.
| Artist | Album | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | TAME IMPALA | Innerspeaker | Modular |
| #2 | CASIOKIDS | Topp Stemning Pa Local Bar | Polyvinyl |
| #3 | LIGHT POLLUTION | Apparitions | Car Park |
| #4 | GRAND LAKE | Blood Sea Dream | Hippies are Dead |
| #5 | PEGGY SUE | Fossils and other Phantoms | Yep Roc |
| #6 | VILLAGERS | Becoming a Jackal | Domino |
| #7 | PETER WOLF CRIER | Inter-Be | Jagjaguwar |
| #8 | PONTIAK | (single) | Living |
| #9 | WILD MOCCASINS | Skin Collision Past | Self-Released |
| #10 | HOORAY FOR EARTH | MOMO | Dovecote |
