Friday, June 27, 2014

Bombadil to Headline Triple C Summer Folk Festival

CLTure announced ‘Triple C Summer Folk Festival’ today which features a lineup of nationally recognized musicians including Bombadil, River Whyless, Sinners & Saints and Caroline Spence. 

Headliner and Ramseur Records artist, Bombadil, is a chamber/pop/folk North Carolina-based band. The trio just released (June 24) its highly praised-album Tarpits and Canyonlands for the first time ever on high-quality vinyl, and re-released the CD to finally give the album the touring attention it deserves.  To learn more about Bombadil, check out The Triangle Beat's recent interview with drummer, James Phillips. 

Asheville-based River Whyless, local favorites Sinners & Saints, and Nashville-based Caroline Spence round out the lineup.  The festival will take place at Triple C Brewery in Charlotte on Saturday, August 2 from 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.  Tickets for the event are $15. Proceeds from the festival will benefit DrumsforCures.

About CLTure
Founded in 2012, CLTure is a cooperative business collaborative that utilizes the most artistic and creative minds in the area to produce superior media, print, video and web content. As a full service boutique marketing, advertising and entertainment company, Clture helps businesses market their products through creative interaction with their target market by utilizing their exclusive network of creators. The company is proud to be advocates for independent business, music, arts and culture.

About DrumsforCures
DrumsForCures events raise awareness and funds for cancer organizations globally through awareness and education. Through their DRUMSTRONG events the organization has expanded its reach to 70 cities in 25 countries to help local cancer initiatives.


*Information Courtesy of CLTure.org

Rainy Forecast Changes Cary Concert Plans



Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Town of Cary and PineCone have changed the location of tonight’s Starlight Concert Series with the Church Sisters and the Town of Cary’s & PineCone's Bluegrass Camp. 

The concert will be moved indoors to the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue. It will still start at 6:30 p.m. and remains free and open to the public. 

For a full list of fun things to do in Cary, check out our Meetings & Events Calendar at www.townofcary.org. And for a information about upcoming bluegrass and roots music concerts and programs happening around the Triangle, visit www.pinecone.org.


*Information Courtesy of PineCone

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Raleigh Celebrates America with The 'Works Event



Thousands of people from around the Triangle will gather to celebrate America with local brew, great eats, contests, music and fireworks.  Join in on the fun at City Plaza and Fayetteville Street; the party starts at noon and will last until about midnight. 

Of course for us at The Triangle Beat, music is the most important part of any celebration, so let's check out the details on the music scene. There will be three stages covering music from every genre:


Red Hat Amphitheater
      5:00 Doors Open
      5:30 – 6:30  Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic  (Blues/Folk)
      7:15 – 8:30  US Army Ground Forces Band – Loose Cannons (Bluegrass)
      9:50 – 11:00 Toubab Krewe (Headliner – World)

Morgan Street Stage
      1:00 – 1:45 Slinger Francisco (Indie Rock)
      2:15 – 3:00 Youma (Indie Hard Rock/Hip Hop)       
      3:30 – 4:15 Apples and Airplanes (High Energy Alternative)
      4:45 – 5:30 Nuclear Honey (Indie Jam)     
      6:00 – 6:45 Monika Jaymes (Female Rock)
      7:15 – 8:00 Milagro Saints (Poetic Roots Rock Americana)      
      8:30 – 9:15 Outside Soul (New Funk)
     
10:00 – 11:00 Young Cardinals (Grunge Rock)

City Plaza Stage
      12:00 – 1:00 Clockwork Kids (Neo-Psychedelic Rock)
      1:30 – 2:15 Ed Stephenson (Nuevo Flamenco)      
      2:45 – 3:30 Acoustic Manner (Up Beat Bluegrass)
      4:00 – 4:45 Amanda Daughtry (Country Pop)      
      5:15 – 6:00 Archbishops of Blount St (Ska/Pop)
      6:30 – 7:15 Four Founders (Easy Listening across Multiple Genres)       
      7:45 – 8:45 Crucial Fiya (Reggae)
      9:15 – 11:00 Kaira Ba (Headliner – World)


If music isn't the highlight of your life like it is ours, no worries, there are plenty of other things to keep you entertained.  Let's talk food.  Several food trucks will be on hand, ready to serve up delicious treats from sweet,  to exotic,  to good ol' American.  Raleigh's favorite spots such as The Oxford, Busy Bee, and Raleigh Times will also be serving food, tailgating games, and live music.  

If it's competition that you crave, downtown Raleigh has you covered.  Show your talents in any of the food-eating contests; choose from watermelon seed spitting, ice cream eating from Lumpy's, and the hotdog challenge. Also, see performances by Gouge wrestlers and King's BMX bike stunt performers.

Fireworks will be presented in two different locations:  Red Hat Amphitheater will have a 9:30 display as well as the south end of Fayetteville Street in front of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Just like the beer and wine provided in the beverage tent, the festivities flow endlessly.  Check out the full list of events and map here

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Merge 25 Festival Update


We are edging ever so closely to the Merge 25 Fest on July 23-26, so Merge Records has just released some new information about this celebratory event.

Who doesn't like a good party?  Merge is offering you two dates to celebrate right, even if you don't have tickets to the festival; on July 24 and July 25, get your party on behind Cat's Cradle. Both events are free and open to the public (until capacity is reached) with beer and food available for purchase. According to Merge Records, "Think of these events as tasty appetizers before each evening’s six-course meal inside Cat’s Cradle:"

Thursday, July 24, 4–6pm
behind Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
(FREE & open to public)

Amor de Días
Hiss Golden Messenger

Friday, July 25, 4–6pm
behind Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
(FREE & open to public)

Radar Brothers
Saint Rich

The Thursday and Friday shows inside of Cat's Cradle are sold out, but act fast, and you still might be able to get your hands on tickets for Wednesday's show at Baldwin Auditorium in Durham and Saturday's big outdoor blowout in Carrboro.

Merge celebrates so hard, they need a separate website just to keep all of the details straight.  To help music fans keep track of the Merge 25 Fest events, Merge Records and Squarespace created this website; visit it, bookmark it, share it with all of your Merge-loving friends. 

We'll be sure to keep you posted on the updates and festivities for this Merge event.  Stay tuned!




Additional Artists Announced for the World of Bluegrass Festival


 
Additional artists have been announced for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival, which takes place October 3-4 in Raleigh, North Carolina; the list includes Yonder Mountain String Band;  Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester with Shawn Camp, Tim O'Brien, Johnny Warren, Charlie Cushman and Barry Bales;  Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn;  Balsam Range;  Lonesome River Band;  Chatham County Line;  Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan;  Della Mae; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out;  The Grascals;  Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice;  Special Consensus; Town Mountain;  The Deadly Gentlemen;  James King Band;  Larry Stephenson Band;  Mustered Courage; The Roys and The Davidson Brothers. Of special note in the WOB lineup are two legendary bluegrass artists: Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Jesse McReynolds, from Virginia, and North Carolina’s own Bobby Hicks, a ten time Grammy award winning fiddler who recently received the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council. For his set, Hicks will be joined by musicians Tony Williamson, Ron Shuffler and other special guests.

These artists will join the previously announced Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, Hot Rize (with Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull, The Kruger Brothers with Kontras Quartet’s world premiere of new concerto “Lucid Dreamer” and the Wide Open Jam, featuring the superstar lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan as the performers for the ticketed portion of the two-day music festival.

“We’re so pleased that, once again, Wide Open Bluegrass will present such a diverse, acclaimed lineup of artists at both Red Hat Amphitheater and the Raleigh Convention Center this fall,” said William Lewis, Executive Director of PineCone (the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music) and Wide Open Bluegrass producer. “And, in the weeks to come, we may have an additional guest or two to add to this esteemed roster.”

Performers for the free Street Festival portion of Wide Open Bluegrass will be announced in the coming months.

Wide Open Bluegrass is part of International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2014 event, which takes place September 30 – October 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, an annual bluegrass music homecoming, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 30 – October 2; the 25th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 2; Wide Open Bluegrass, October 3-4 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 30 – October 2 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Those wishing to obtain tickets for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass (which takes place at Red Hat Amphitheater and Raleigh Convention Center Ballroom Stages), Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration, IBMA Award Show tickets and hotel reservations should go to IBMA’s website, ibma.org. Single day general admission for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass starts as low as $50, with a three-day Bluegrass Ramble pass available for $75. Additional details and pricing information are available at the website.



Press Release Courtesy of IBMA, Nashville, TN

Friday, June 20, 2014

Wide Open Bluegrass Art Market Seeks Entries

 Application Deadline: July 14, 2014
 
Visual artists and fine crafters interested in displaying their wares at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Art Market have until July 14, 2014 to submit their artwork for consideration. Complete guidelines and criteria are availble on the Artsplosure website: artsplosure.org; applicants are required to complete the application process online via entrythingy: http://artsplosure.org/get-involved/payment/entry-thingy/

Artsplosure will present The Art Market as part of Wide Open Bluegrass, a major public festival component of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass. The event is presented in partnership with IBMA, the City of Raleigh, Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, and PineCone-The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music. It will be held Friday, October 3 through Saturday, October 4, 2014.
The WOB Art Market is an intimate showcase, designed to recognize North Carolina’s talented and enthusiastic arts community and feature unique artisans from across the United States. Local artists and crafters, and those who sell works that will appeal to a music-loving audience, are encouraged to submit an application. The World of Bluegrass event will attract over 6,000 national and international traditional music performers, presenters, and fans — in addition to over 75,000 local attendees anticipated for the two-day Wide Open Bluegrass festival.
 
IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, an annual bluegrass music homecoming, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 30 – October 2; the 25th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 2; Wide Open Bluegrass, October 3-4 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 30 – October 2 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Center.
 
IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the professional trade organization for the global bluegrass music community. The organization’s six-year stay in Raleigh is the result of a partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, PineCone—The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, the City of Raleigh and a local organizing committee. 
 
Artsplosure is an independent nonprofit organization that has presented arts festivals in Raleigh since 1980.

*Information Courtesy of PineCone Press Release 
 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Bombadil Plays 'Tarpits and Canyonlands' at Cat's Cradle

There are simple moments in childhood that are sometimes taken for granted; like dancing in the living room or learning to play the recorder in elementary school.  For James Phillips of Durham's own Bombadil, these typical moments eventually led to a passion for music and the need to share that passion with others.  Phillips chatted with The Triangle Beat about his love of music, the band's journey, and the future of Bombadil. 

Bombadil got started when Bryan Rahija and Daniel Michalak attended Duke University together.  Their friendship started when studying abroad in Bolivia.  They later added Stuart Robinson and James Phillips to create a completed four piece.

Bombadil's first full length album, A Buzz, A Buzz, was released in 2008 and caught them just that: buzz.  They were invited to play alongside other impressive acts at festivals such as Bonnaroo and FloydFest.  Their second album, Tarpits and Canyonlands, was released in 2009.  The album received an abundance of praise, but a hurdle was presented to the group.  Daniel Michalak, the bass player, suffered excruciatingly painful nerve pain in his hands.  He got to a point where brushing his teeth was impossible, so playing an instrument
was simply out of the question. 

While this experience sounds devastating with no silver lining, each group member managed to find a way to turn this moment into a time of growth.  Michalak visited countless doctors to learn ways to mange his new condition, Phillips spent time living in Oregon, while Robinson and Rahija collaborated on new music. Eventually, the musically gifted friends found themselves working together once again and Michalak learned to control his nerve pain.


In 2011, the newly bonded Bombadil gathered in a barn in Oregon to record All That the Rain Promises.  This is the same Oregon barn on the Pendavavis Farm used by The Decemberists to record The King is Dead.  Bombadil completed the entire recording in just eight days.  Phillips states that the album, "could've been more polished, but they wanted to prove they could do it."   While they don't regret recording the album this way, they did not take the rushed approached with 2013's Metrics of Affection. It was recorded in Old Durham by Phillips himself.  These days, the band is working on a new album in the North Carolina area, mostly Durham and Lake Gaston. It is expected to be released around January 2015.

Bombadil plays on the Cat's Cradle stage this Saturday, June 21.  Ramseur Records is releasing Tarpits and Canyonlands on vinyl and to celebrate, the album will be played in its entirety at Saturday's show.  According to Paste Magazine, the album, "often sounds like a college glee club covering The Village Green Preservation Society: The melodies are chipper, the hooks prominent, the performances energetic, the arrangements full to bursting with ideas." Phillips calls the album, "...a young man's record" due to the fact that it "reflects a year on the road with four dudes spending too much time together."


Even though Bombadil has had some roadblocks, they haven't let that slow them down.  Phillips reflects on their accomplishments like playing at Hopscotch and seeing people in the crowd sing along to their songs for the first time.  This band has accomplished a great deal in a short period of time with their quirky style and they don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Experience Tarpits and Canyonlands again with these hometown boys.  River Whyless will get the night started at 8:30 with an appearance by DJ Neat Freak.  Get tickets at the Cat's Cradle website


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Grouplove: Meeting People and Experiencing Places

Watching the most recently released video by Grouplove, "I'm With You," the energy and chemistry between the members reveals how the band's name came to be.  It would seem that this group's love has existed since childhood, however, the band originally developed after all members attended an artist residency in Crete in 2008.


 After meeting and spending a few weeks together in Greece, Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Sean Gadd, Ryan Rabin, and Andrew Wessen, decided to make some music together just for fun.  They gathered in Los Angeles and recorded an EP for nothing else but the love of music.  Unexpectedly, local music lovers quickly became Grouplove fans, and the demand to create more eclectic music transformed this group of friends into an official band.


Never Trust a Happy Song, the band's first full length album, was released in 2011.  "Colours" and "Tongue Tied" reached instant popularity with spots in commercials and TV shows.  "Tongue Tied" went platinum on the charts and quickly became the most recognizable song from the band.  The album is proof that not all music can be labeled under one genre.  According to guitarist, Andrew Wessen, the band pulls inspiration from all types of music ranging from the Pixies to 90's hip hop, and it can all be heard throughout the record. 

With the success of their first album, Grouplove was asked to tour with Florence and the Machine, play with Foster the People, and join the lineup of some of the most respectable music festivals, such as Lollapalooza.  Among all of the touring, they managed to develop their second album, Spreading Rumours, in 2013.  From this album, "Ways to Go" was chosen to appear on the premiere of the HBO series, "Girls".


 The success of the their two records has resulted in constant touring for the past 2 years, but according to Wessen, they wouldn't want it any other way.    They've had the fortune of performing all over the world; Japan, Australia, and Germany, just to name a few.  When asked about a highlight of this experience, Wessen recalls a show in a very small town in Germany: "We stayed on a reindeer farm and the venue had a stage that was too small to even fit all of our equipment.  We kept wondering why management had booked us there."  Eventually, the place was packed full of genuine music lovers that went crazy with excitement when Grouplove took the stage.  "The energy of those fans was unbelievable and made us realize why we do this and why we were booked at that unlikely place.  We had to play a triple encore because the people couldn't get enough!"  It's these moments that Wessen and the rest of the group are most thankful for; "meeting people and experiencing places" is a luxury that this hectic lifestyle allows.


Before Grouplove prepares to perform at Firefly, they'll be gracing the Haw River Ballroom stage.  They'll be joined by Sleeper Agent who is best known for their catchy and danceable tune, "Waves".  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Haw River Ballroom website.  Doors open at 7 and the show begins at 8.  Check out Grouplove's energy in the "I'm With You" video below and rest up now for a big dance party this Wednesday!


Monday, June 9, 2014

The Battlefield Plays a Free Show at The Pour House Tonight

L.A. based Americana band, The Battlefield, will perform a free show at The Pour House tonight.  Three singer-songwriters, Matt Ducey, Jenny Weaver, and James Addison make up this folk three-piece.  The show brings home Raleigh native, James Addison, to share the group's music with friends, family, and all Triangle music fans.

The band was formed in June 2013 and has since released two singles, "Smoke and Maze" and a cover of "I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen.  In only a year's time, they have toured and performed in six states and fourteen cities, gaining recognition and praise with each new performance.

The Battlefield's sound is reminiscent of folk and gospel artists of America's past, containing alluring harmonies, thoughtful lyrics, and angelic melodies. The group is currently creating their debut full album and beginning their second Eastern U.S. Tour.  See them tonight for free at The Pour House.  Doors open at 8, the show starts at 9.


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Andrew Bird Releases New Album


Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of...
Andrew Bird

After previously touring with the Handsome Family, an Americana duet out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Andrew Bird is releasing a collection of songs originally performed by the spirited couple of Brett and Rennie Sparks on his newest album, Things are Really Great Here, Sort of...  Bird is known for masterfully incorporating an assortment of instruments into his music and this record capitalizes on his ability to create a sound that is seldom replicated in music today.  Joining Bird on the album and on his upcoming tour will be Hands of Glory, a collection of talented musicians that includes Tift Merritt, Alan Hampton (bass), Eric Heywood (pedal steel) and Kevin O'Donnell (drums).

Andrew Bird is a musician/songwriter out of Chicago, Illinois.  Bird got involved in music at a very early age by learning to play the violin.  Focusing primarily on classical music as a young musician, he slowly began to study and incorporate other genres of music into his already skilled classical background.  Bird emerged as a solo artist with the release of his first recording, Weather Systems in 2003. In the years that followed, Bird has been featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 film, Norman, and assisted in the production the soundtrack for The Muppets.  Such versatility in music production and lyrical creativity has propelled Bird in popularity with each addition to his already impressive collection of recordings.

The release of Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of....hopes to bring similar success to that of his previous two albums, I Want to See Pulaski at Night and Hands of Glory.  Unlike the mostly instrumental, I Want to See Pulaski at Night, this record encompasses all of Bird's talents as both a musician and a singer.  From the a cappella start of the record in "Cathedral in the Dell," Bird establishes his presence by captivating listeners with his dynamic voice.  Followed by the playful "Tin Foiled," which was pre-released by Pitchfork before the album released on June 3. It provides an upbeat toe-tapping rhythm that focuses on the unique fiddle playing that has become a trademark for Bird over the past 11 years.  Through the progression of the album, Bird utilizes the tremendous talents of each individual in Hands of Glory to create a harmonious collaboration from start to finish.  For a conclusion to the record, Bird covers the Handsome Family's "Far From Any Road," which may sound familiar from being featured as the theme song for the show, True Detective.  Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of...was released on June 3 and is available on iTunes or can be purchased by visiting Andrew Bird's website.

Andrew Bird and Hands of Glory will begin their tour with a special performance in New York City on June 6.  The Triangle is featured on Bird's tour with a performance scheduled for Cat's Cradle in Carborro on Tuesday, June 10.  Tickets for this event are already sold out and promises to be a special evening for those fortunate to have a ticket.  Other popular stops for the tour include major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Telluride, and Summerfest Music Festival in NYC.  You can find more information on Andrew Bird and future tour dates check out www.andrewbird.net.



2nd Annual NC Fresh Catch Raleigh

Get your summer started right this Saturday, June 7, at Raleigh's 2nd Annual Fresh Catch event in Moore Square.  This is a Caribbean-style seafood feast that combines local art, live music, craft beer, and delicious seafood. 

Plates Kitchen, Tir Na Nog, and other local restaurants will mesh with master chefs from the Outer Banks, Kingston, Jamaica, and commercial fisherman for an onsite cooking and eating extravaganza.  On the menu will be an OBX clambake, island style fish 'n chips, Jamaican peppered prawns, Jerk chicken, and more.  Bring your own seats and blankets for a family picnic experience.

No Caribbean celebration can be complete without music.  Sharing authentic Reggae is The Kata Band, followed by the country acoustic sounds of Rissi Palmer, Winston Salem's The Heritage, and local band, Urban Soil.  Hosting the event is the funk-rock and soul band, The Dye Wells.  DJ Pangean will keep the party going in between sets with music from the past and present. 

Bring your appetite and your dance moves to Raleigh's 2nd Annual Fresh Catch event this Saturday in Moore Square.  Tickets may be purchased here

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Panama Wedding Releases Debut EP

Panama Wedding put on an impressive opening show for Dan Croll at Cat's Cradle last month.  With the release of their high energy debut EP, Parallel Play, they will soon be headlining their own shows.

The New York based band took over the internet with their track, "All of the People," and instantly gained recognition from music blogs and radio stations.  WXPN of Philadelphia describes the track as an, "electro jam with a chorus you want to loop over and over."

"All of the People" has been played on Sirius XM Alt Nation's New Music Radar and has climbed to the #1 spot of the AltNation charts on their weekly countdown.

Parallel Play can be purchased via iTunes starting today.  Take a listen to "All of the People" posted below and watch for upcoming tour dates.