Since The Ritz Raleigh was purchased by Live Nation in the fall of 2014, the venue has experienced a much needed and noticeable makeover that is attracting better known artists to the Triangle. While Raleigh has no shortage of local talent to keep live music enthusiasts content, the Ritz Raleigh has welcomed acts that traditionally would have bypassed the state's capital for the more established Fillmore in Charlotte, also owned and operated by Live Nation. If you've been waiting to check out the new and improved Ritz or if you're looking for an opportunity to return, we are here to highlight one of the upcoming shows that is guaranteed to be an unforgettable night!
On Tuesday night the rocktronica duo of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast, better known as Ratatat, will be stopping in to play alongside Jackson and His Computer Band. Based out of Brooklyn, NY, a live Ratatat performance is certain to be unlike any other show you've ever experienced. From Stroud's masterful guitar playing to the tightly orchestrated beats and graphics provided by Mast, the energy in The Ritz is one you'll not want to miss. Most recently the XL Recording duo released their first album in five years, Magnifique, after performing at major festivals in 2015 such as Coachella and Governor's Ball in NY. The show is set to start at 8pm and tickets are still available at LiveNation.com. For a preview of the funky good time to be had on Tuesday, check out "Cream of Chrome," from their newest album. Get your tickets now and we'll see you there, Raleigh!
The Raleigh venue formerly known as Disco Rodeo has undergone a name change and venue renovations thanks to the recent takeover by Live Nation. Under the new management and facility upgrades, The Ritz has played host to several larger acts in recent months, most recently Mat Kearney and the Just Kid's Tour. With the assistance of opening acts, Judah and The Lion and Parachute, Kearney entertained the crowd with tracks from his newest album, Just Kids, in addition to popular tracks that have generated his following over the years like, "Hey Mama" and "Ships in the Night." Check out The Triangle Beat's footage from The Ritz and be head over to Mat Kearney's website for his new music and more.
In 2011, the three members of CHVRCHES came together to create electro-pop music with lyrical depth. They decided to take a chance and release their music via the internet, nervous about the way it would be received. They quickly learned that there was no need for such nervousness because their new music was welcomed with warm acceptance.
Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty have since released their first full album, The Bones of What You Believe. The group has traveled all around the world, sharing their music and working with other incredible artists.
Lead singer, Lauren Mayberry, took some time to chat with The Triangle Beat about their first album, most memorable moments, and hopes for their future.
The Triangle Beat: The
group has hit recent popularity with some pretty passionate fans. How do you
react to having such loyal fans suddenly?
Does it ever get a bit overwhelming?
LAUREN MAYBERRY: We have
been very lucky to have had so much support from fans, especially online
when we first became 'a real live band', rather than a writing project
between the three of us in the studio. Most people are really respectful
and polite, and it's cool to see that our band appeals to lots of
different kinds of people and crowds are always varied, from middle-aged
guys who loved synth pop the first time round to teenagers.
TTB: You all have been touring around the world
to plenty of different places.
Would you say there is a difference between fans and their reactions in
different parts of the world?
LM: We
have been lucky to play so many different places this early in our
career, and it's great to see different places and make notes on where
you'd like to go back to when you're not working... There are subtle
differences between crowds depending on the culture but music is a thing
that can often communicate regardless of the native tongue, I think.
TTB:What changes have you had to
make to your songs when preparing them for a live performance?
We
worked hard making sure that we could translate the studio sound live
and now have a pretty solid rig and gear set up so we haven't changed the
substance of the songs themselves. We try to make sure a live show
is just that - live - and not a play back party where everything is
just played off a laptop. We play as much as possible on the synths,
bass and guitar, and then use Abelton Live for beats and samples.
TTB:Is there one main songwriter for the
group or is it all collaborative?
Is there a particular process for writing?
LM: The
songwriting is a three-part collaboration. No one ever comes into the
studio with a completed song; we write everything in the studio
together. We'll usually start with a beat or a sample or a new sound and
then get an instrumental sketch of the song, before adding a vocal
melody and lyrics last.
TTB: Who are the band’s strongest musical
influences?
LM: The Cure, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, 1980s movie soundtracks and lots of stuff in between.
TTB: You have played quite a few festivals at
this point. Who are some of the bands that you have enjoyed watching perform?
LM: It's been great
to see bands we love playing at festivals when we get a chance to.
Arcade Fire at Coachella was a highlight, as was St Vincent and David
Byrne when we saw them last year.
TTB:How did you come up with the name CHVRCHES?
LM: The
'V' is actually a Roman 'U', and it's based on the logo design that our
friend Amy Burrows made for us when we first started the band. Amy does
the designs for all our LP and single covers, as well as the band merch
too.
TTB:What can we expect next from
CHVRCHES? LM: We'll
be playing a lot of festivals over the summer and continuing to tour
whilst hoping to get a bit more time to write new material in the
breaks...
The Bones of What You Believe is now on sale, visit the CHVRCHES' website for more information about the band and to see their full tour list. CHVRCHES will be playing a sold-out show at The Ritz on Monday, April 28, with support from The Range. Doors open at 7, the show starts at 8. It'll be a great start to the week!
