Just announced, Cat's Cradle presents the return of Langhorne Slim & the Law to the Haw River Ballroom on April 29. Tickets are $16-$18 and go on sale this Friday, February 20.
The band has been working on their fifth album and just finished recording a few days ago. The title and release date are unknown at the moment, but we'll keep you posted.
The Haw River Ballroom has quickly become one of North Carolina's premier music venues, located just minutes outside of the Triangle in the town of Saxapahaw. Maintaining just under 2,000 total residents, this quaint town has music lovers making the short journey into the country to witness performances from some of today's finest acts. This week promises to provide much of the same as The Haw River Ballroom presents The Lone Bellow on Wednesday, November 5.
The trio of Zach Williams, Brian Elmquist, and Kanene Pipkin got their start in 2010 out of New York and soon after became known as The Lone Bellow. It wasn't long after that the group decided to start touring and released their self-titled debut album in early 2013. Since then, The Lone Bellow has continued to build upon their success by bringing their inspiring and soulful message to the stage as they relentlessly tour across the states.
Recently, Kanene Pipkin spoke with The Triangle Beat about The Lone Bellow's upcoming show at The Haw River Ballroom and more:
The Triangle Beat: Is this the bands first time at Haw River Ballroom? If so, what have you heard about the venue? Kanene Pipkin: This will be our first time at Haw River Ballroom, and we've heard great things about the venue and the town. There's always a sense of excitement when you're coming to play a new town for the first time, when you have no idea what's in store for the evening, and the music culture of the room is a mystery to you.
TTB: For those who may be hearing you for the first time at HRB, what can they expect from a Lone Bellow performance? KP: We have a pretty intense, dynamic show. Lots of emotions and sweat. The guys sweat a lot so be prepared if you are the kind of concert goer that likes to stand close to the stage.
TTB: How has the band evolved in what has been a relatively short time since starting in 2010? KP: We have been touring for about two years straight, so we have played a lot of shows and become a much better band. We know each other so well, we've been through hell and high water together, and I think it shows in our writing and in our performing.
TTB: As a band or as an individual, what is the most rewarding part of gaining in popularity and getting to perform all over the country as The Lone Bellow? KP: Touring full time is not easy. We all leave our homes and families behind, and we constantly revisit our motivations for doing music professionally. Every time someone comes up to me at a show and tells me that our music helped them through a difficult time, or that they played our song at their wedding, or that they are truly comforted and inspired by what we're doing with our lives, it reminds us why we're out on the road in the first place.
TTB: As musicians, what other artists do you draw upon as inspirations in creating your own sound? KP: We try to draw from every genre that we personally enjoy, from Kris Kristofferson to Otis Redding to My Morning Jacket to Robyn.
TTB: What was the inspiration for the song, "Then Came the Morning," your newest released single? KP: The song is about a defiant hope, and the vision was always to channel a lot of Vegas era Elvis and the gospel music we all grew up singing.
TTB: What are your goals as a band in regards to what will come next for The Lone Bellow? KP: We want to continue doing good work for the right reasons, write great songs, become better musicians, provide for our families, all lifelong goals. I lived in Beijing, China for a long time and I would personally love to get to take the guys there and play a few shows.
TTB: The last time Lone Bellow performed in the Triangle, you managed to get everyone to slow dance during one of your songs and covered Boyz II Men's, "End of the Road." Are there any such surprises planned for your show at HRB? KP: HA! We don't really plan any of that nonsense, but we always try to read the room and tailor each show for that night, for those people. If the crowd seems like they might enjoy spontaneous 90's R&B covers, we just might oblige. We're only human.
As a preview of the great things to come on Wednesday, check out the video of The Lone Bellow's most recent release, "Then Came The Morning." Joining The Lone Bellow will be Foreign Fields and Kristin Diable. Tickets are still available and more information on The Lone Bellow, Foreign Fields, and Kristin Diable can be found by visiting The Haw River Ballroom website. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8.
Hundreds of people flocked to the Haw River Ballroom on the eve of Halloween for night one of two sold-out Sylvan Esso shows. The electropop duo from Durham, NC have been touring with noteworthy bands such as tUnE-yArDs and Foster the People to promote their impressive debut album, Sylvan Esso. Fortunately for locals, they were able to make a pit stop at their old stomping grounds for two unforgettable Halloween shows.
Skeletons, lights, and pumpkins decorated the walls of the ballroom while staff shared candy with the crowd. Guests felt the spirit of the season, donning masks, feathery headbands, and ghostly face paint. With high audience anticipation, Sylvan Esso took the stage dressed as legends Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood.
Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn broke into their debut album with acceptance and excitement from the crowd. Meath's intoxicating voice crooned through each hit, her body gyrated as though the music pulsed right through her. Sanborn rarely took his eyes off his partner, listening to her every breath, never missing a cue. The two have a provocative stage presence; it's fun, playful and endlessly interactive.
It seems obvious that the pair are only getting started. They have existed for merely a year and have already received high marks for their captivating live performances and recorded masterpieces. The album itself is artsy and bouncy, but unlike a lot synth-pop music, genuine emotion is ever so present and contagious.
For more Sylvan Esso, NPR streamed a June performance from Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club. Enjoy!
Lia Ices, a dream-pop goddess, took the Haw River stage as the opener for Phantogram. Ices performed several of the tracks from her most recent album, Ices, which was released through Jagjaguwar.
Ices has a natural and engaging stage presence; her tone is mesmerizing with an impressive range. The songs from Ices provide a span of sounds with middle eastern rhythms and trip-hop atmospherics. Her live performance and catchy tunes create happy vibes and an upbeat mood.
The self-proclaimed "street beat/psych pop" duo, Phantogram, brought a high-energy and a visually-pleasing performance to the Haw River stage. Phantogram, named after a type of optical illusion, consists of upstate New Yorkers, Sarah Barthel (vocals/synth) and Josh Carter (vocals/guitar). The pair have a natural and contagious chemistry on stage that transfers to the audience.
Endless time and forethought have obviously been put into the duo's live performance. The songs from their latest album, Voices, have been reworked to translate more effectively in the live setting; tempos have been changed, songs restructured, and Barthel intensifies her strong voice to sync cohesively with the synth-pop rhythms.
Aside from entrancing vocals, the band doesn't take the term "performance" lightly. They increase the impact of their danceable beats with multi-colored lights and flashing strobes. At one point, Barthel dons a sequined robe that reflects the light, transforming her into a human disco ball.
This type of music genre brought a different vibe to the scenic Haw River Ballroom, but it seemed to be well-received with a high-energy crowd and sold-out show. Phantogram knows how to perform and please their audience with audio and
visual surprises. Seeing them live transforms their already energetic
music, turning audience members into long-term fans.
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!
Surrender, the act of completely giving in and relinquishing all resistance; this is the concept behind Langhorne Slim's latest song, performances, and life. He discovered the best way to surrender himself was through writing. In Langhorne Slim's eyes, he didn't choose the life of music, it chose him because he was "born this way."
His writing is comprised of everything that makes him Langhorne Slim; his childhood, mistakes, and successes have all lead him to his current world of traveling and performing. In his recent travels, Slim revisited his younger years by returning to his alma mater, Solebury School in New Hope, PA. He credits the arts school with feeding his creativity because traditional curriculum didn't challenge him and he "...acted out in school." Drama productions and
playing guitar kept him focused with teachers that encouraged him to explore his artistic talents. During his visit, the students and faculty were treated to an intimate show. Slim says it was a, "...surreal and
gratifying moment" to return to the place that helped shape him.
Messages of rebellion and releasing the inner freak within us all can be heard on each of Langhorne Slim's albums, but this message is even more pronounced in "Animal," his most recently released single. In this song, Slim encourages everyone to release the inner beast and live life as an individual; the message of nonconformity is loud and clear. This is how Slim feels his life needs to be lived, as a nomadic musician, making connections through his lyrics.
Slim's sound is tough to nail down. His earliest influences come from Nirvana, but many of his songs are punk-rock with an Americana twist, or a "folk explosion" as he would describe it. The most recent and successful album, The Way We Move, placed him with his current band, The Law. Slim's sincere lyrics about strength and exploration meshed with The Law's raw sound with sharp edges creates a genuine sound that awakens the soul.
Slim struggles to choose just one most memorable moment from his travels these past 12 years. For him, the culminating experience makes him feel fortunate and fulfilled. According to Slim, the act of performing "...is indescribable. Something takes over and I'm no longer aware of my consciousness." There are plenty of notable moments to choose from. Slim has performed with stellar acts like The Avett Brothers, The Violent Femmes, Drive-By Truckers, and The Lumineers. He also pleasantly recalls his appearances with Conan O'Brien because he grew up watching the talk show icon.
Langhorne Slim and the Law are excited to return to the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw this Sunday, May 18. They want everyone to join them for one large dance party, along with co-headliners, Deer Tick, and openers, The Districts. Come out and get your dance on to start your week off right for an $18-$20 charge. The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8.
The anticipation is great as the instruments are being tuned and arranged on stage; the sold-out crowd can barely hold back their excitement. Scattered instruments cover the stage; maracas, chimes, a harmonica, and tambourines. These tools will be used to transform the location from a beautiful music venue in Saxapahaw to somewhere out west, back in time, to the middle of an old western novel. Finally, the fans are appeased with the thunderous sound of the drums, exotic world music, and the whistling of the wind. The five members of Lord Huron enter the stage, ready to take the crowd on a musical adventure titled Lonesome Dreams.
Lord Huron creator, Ben Schneider, leads the group in an energetic set. The chimes start ringing, mixed with upbeat drums and electronics to create the lively "The Man Who Lives Forever." The crowd feeds off of Schneider's energy, and the room is alive with singing and dancing.
One song fluidly flows into another while the scene changes and blue lights are cast about the room. A more reflective mood takes over the crowd as Schneider sings "The Ghost on the Shore" with the lyrics, "Die if I must/ Let my bones turn to dust/ I'm the lord of the lake, and I don't wanna leave ya." Schneider provides the perfect balance of verve and emotion to carry the crowd through this sentimental piece.
For the final song before the encore, Lord Huron rolls into "Time to Run." The crowd has been anticipating this moment all night. Excitement moves through the fans as the drumbeat intensifies and the more pop-indie side of the band shines through. The song continues with extended instrumentals, and the crowd sings and moves along with the beat. The band plays with the same energy as the first song, not willing to disappoint the crowd. Schneider dances about the stage, interacting with his band mates, making sure each one gets credit for the combined effort of this flawless show.
Lord Huron's latest album, Lonesome Dreams, is a work of art. Seeing them perform it live is an authentic experience. Schneider ensures that everyone feels his lyrics and sees his vision through his vivacity and raw emotion. Lord Huron is well worth the ticket price if the opportunity arises.
Chapel Hill's Superchunk will play in Saxapahaw at the Haw River Ballroom Thursday, April 10th. The band has taken nearly a decade off from recording and touring, but they're back in the game just in time to celebrate the
twenty-five year anniversary of Merge records. Considering the group's members, Mac and Laura created the label in 1989, they will certainly play a role in celebrating Merge's success and growth through the years.
Merge Records is scheduled to reissue Superchunk's out-of-print album, Indoor Living (1997) on February 25. The reissue will include a recorded 1997 concert at Duke University.
Superchunk released I Hate Music in 2013. It is a highly energetic album that takes a more mature look at life's larger questions, dilemmas, and triumphs. For more details, check out the official Superchunk website.
Tickets are on sale now for the Saxapahaw show via Ticketfly.
Just announced, Cat's Cradle presents the return of Langhorne Slim & the Law to the Haw River Ballroom on April 29. Tickets are $16-$18 and go on sale this Friday, February 20.
