Win Tickets to the Scythian CD Release Show at Lincoln Theatre

Dance-inducing Celtic rock and American folk band, Scythian, will once again bring the party to Lincoln Theatre and we're giving away two free tickets to the show.  To enter, head over to our Twitter and Facebook pages to retweet and share for your chance to win.  

Saturday, July 15th at 9pm Scythian will be doing an ALL-AGES CD Release of their new album "Dance All Night." The album is a "best of" but features previously unreleased tunes which will be performed that night. "Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian merges Irish, gypsy, and Americana with thunderous energy, technical zest, and soulful songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance rock concert experience."  

For those of you who are new to Scythian, you can expect a show that has you up on your feet dancing while hoisting glasses. Scythian headlined First Night Raleigh a couple of years ago, has rocked the Bluegrass Fest, and is a perennial favorite at the MerleFest Dance Tent. Head over to the Lincoln Theatre website to get your tickets. Check out the 60-second preview below: 

Don't Miss Manila Killa with Louis the Child and Imad Royal at Lincoln Theatre

Born in the Philippines but based in Washington DC, Manila Killa is a versatile musician known for creating down-tempo, relaxing, and melodic beats, sometimes referred to as "tropical house."  Manila Killa has a diverse knowledge of music, ranging from the cello, to the drums, and the sweet strum of the guitar. He graduated to spinning tunes as a DJ at the young age of 14 and started making music-producing magic shortly thereafter.  

Many Soundcloud hits later, Manila Killa is supporting Louis the Child on their tour in several U.S. cities.  See him locally at Lincoln Theatre on February 23 also with the support of Imad Royal. Stay tuned for a live review of his much anticipated set.  Go ahead, add to those Soundcloud hits below, you know you want to. 




Photo Courtesy of STruong Photography

The Music Freak's Guide to NYE

Just like all big decisions in life, choosing where to ring in 2016 should be based on music.  Raleigh has plenty to offer this New Year's Eve, the tough part will be deciding which acts to see.  Check out our top picks for the most amazing start to 2016.

The Ritz

Thankfully, The Ritz and Live Nation have finally brought EDM to the Triangle.  Disco Donnie presents Brillz to ring in 2016.  We had the great fortune of catching Brillz in Charlotte last month and the show is nothing short of spectacular.  If you're looking for a hype night with electrifying beats, the place to be is The Ritz.  Brillz brings an energy to his performance that will undoubtedly surge through the crowd and will welcome 2016 in an unforgettable way.  The party starts at 8 at the very affordable cost of $20.

The Pour House

The Pour House has done an amazing job of creating a lineup to please all lovers of live music.  With The Love Language, Zack Mexico, Faults, and DJ Clickdat, it's pretty near impossible to not have a memorable night filled with singing, dancing, and great company.  This mixture of unique artists offers an evening of indie rock hits and psych pop beats.  Of course, it wouldn't be a New Year's Eve party without a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  The music begins at 9, doors at 8.

Kings

Kings always knows how to throw together a fun lineup and New Year's Eve is no exception.  The highly creative and energetic TOW3RS will be joined by garage psych band WOOL and Heads on Sticks, creating the perfect recipe for shoulder-poppin' dance moves.  $12 at the door will also get you a champagne toast at midnight.  Doors open at 9 with music starting at 9:30.

 

Lincoln Theatre

Bring in 2016 with a great fusion of funk, rock, and pop with Big Something and Groove Fetish.  Named Best Rising Artist of 2014 by Live Music Daily, Big Something meshes guitar riffs, synths, and horns to provide a party with every song played.  Tickets are $25 and the fun begings at 9.

First Night Raleigh 2016

 
Artsplosure has assembled a great mixture of activities and music for people of all ages for this year's First Night.  The music acts include Johnny Folsom 4, Jonathan Byrd and Sea Gulls.  TOW3RS will also make an appearance at the Vintage Church at 9:30.  Bluegrass punksters Scythian will play both the early countdown from 6-7 and the classic acorn drop at midnight.  There's a lot happening at this event, so be sure to check out the complete schedule at the First Night website. 


Now all you need to worry about is who to kiss at midnight...choose wisely.  Happy start to 2016, folks!

2015 Favorites - Big Wild

It's that time of year again; that time where we take a look back on the year that is close to ending and reflect on the highlights.  2015 has been a memorable year musically and several moments stand out in my mind.  One of those moments is the GRiZ show at Lincoln Theatre in October.  The night headlined GRiZ, who we already know is amazing.  If you need further proof, check out our show preview and our coverage of the Imagine Festival.  Traveling with the great and powerful GRiZ were two lesser-known, but equally impressive acts, Muzzy Bearr and Big Wild.

Big Wild is an L.A.-based producer who has had the great fortune of touring with not only GRiZ this year, but with ODESZA as well.  I didn't know what to expect from Big Wild as it's hard to find detailed information about him in the cyber world.  His performance made me remember the joy of discovering something unexpected and brand new.

Big Wild includes live drumming and the keyboards mixed with booming beats.  The live instrumentation allows for an intoxicating sound that soars the listener to the top of a musical roller coaster and drops back down for a climactic thrill.  Big Wild mixes familiar classics such as OutKast's "Rosa Parks" and Sylvan Esso's "Hey Mami." He also shares his own single, "Aftergold," which takes the listener on a whole new journey with its sweet tinkling of the chimes, subtle hand claps, and the intense drop of the bass. The audience reacts in favor of every mix that Big Wild spins, whether original or familiar, he is clearly a crowd favorite. 

The night in general can best be described as a true party.  GRiZ, Muzzy Bearr, and Big Wild each share their individual talents one-by-one, but by the end, they are a combined powerhouse meshing hip hop, jam bands, booming beats, funk and an endless supply of energy.  This was certainly one of my favorite shows of 2015, with Big Wild being the most pleasant surprise.  He will most definitely be taking over the festival circuit in 2016; unless you have a strong aversion to fun, check out his website to stay connected. 

Turnpike Troubadours and The Black Lillies Take On Lincoln Theatre

Turnpike Troubadours will perform with special guest The Black Lillies at Lincoln Theatre on October 29 in support of the September 18 release of their third album, The Turnpike Troubadours (Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers). Hear the exclusive premiere of the album's lead track, "Down Here" via Rolling Stone Country .

The self-titled album contains 12 songs featuring the quintet’s signature blend of roots rock, folk and raw country played with grit, passion and conviction. Word of their fiery live performances has spread throughout the U.S. making them a “must-see” act. However, the true strength at the core of Turnpike Troubadours has always been their songwriting. The new album is yet another testament to that point. Songs such as “The Mercury” and “Bossier City” showcase the bands raucous energy and proficiency as musicians, while their more poignant and melodic side shines on “How Do You Fall Out Of Love” and “A Little Song.”

Turnpike Troubadours epitomize terms such as “DIY”, “blue collar” and “indie”. Formed in 2007, the group has built a rabid and loyal fanbase that is ever expanding. This is evident, as the band has gone on to sell over 200,000 records. Turnpike Troubadours went from playing small bars to headlining venues of 10,000+. On any given night, they will pack venues of 1000 – 4000 from Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado to Chicago, St Louis and Washington, DC.  They have sold out The Troubadour in Los Angeles and venues in New York City. Turnpike Troubadours have become somewhat of a phenomenon for those in the know. 

The Turnpike Troubadours is the follow up to the band’s breakthrough 2012 sophomore release Goodbye Normal Street, which debuted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200 and #14 on the Billboard Country Chart. The album received major coverage ranging from The Wall Street Journal  to a 3-song acoustic performance on CMT's Concrete Country to The Washington Post, who called it “The most unjustly overlooked Americana album of 2012...” Based on what this little band from the Sooner State has built since then, with honest songwriting, great live performances and hard work, The Turnpike Troubadours are not likely to be overlooked in 2015.

Join us tonight for a spectacular lineup with the Black Lillies and The Turnpike Troubadours.  The doors open at 7, show starts at 8.  

*Information courtesy of All Eyes Media

GRiZ Brings the Funk to Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln Theatre will be bouncing tonight with vibrant lights and rhythmic beats.  GRiZ has recently launched his Super Shagadelic Tour  and Raleigh is fortunate enough to be one of his stops.  GRiZ is promoting his fourth studio album, Say It Loud, released on his own record label, All Good Records. 


GRiZ is known for infusing high-energy rhythm with soulful melodies and of course, the sweet sound of the saxophone.  It's obvious that GRiZ has been influenced by several genres of music, including hip-hop, soul, and blues.  He takes it one step further by layering these rhythms with dubstep, creating his own fresh flavor of funk.  The Triangle Beat had the pleasure of experiencing two GRiZ sets at Atlanta's Imagine Festival and that only makes us more excited to see what else he has to offer. 

Joining GRiZ on tour are two impressive acts that are each quickly gaining attention in the EDM world, Big Wild and Muzzy Bearr.  Big Wild hails from Venice, CA and will be dropping beats with  both GRiZ and ODESZA this fall.  Just like GRiZ sets himself apart with his sax-playing skills, Big Wild lays down keys and drums on stage. The result of colliding these two worlds is a realm of colorful sounds and uptempo rhythms.  Big Wild most recently released"Aftergold" via Foreign Family Collective and has reached over 2.3 million streams on Soundcloud.  Join the masses and see what his music is all about:




Also supporting GRiZ is Muzzy Bearr, who is a part of the All Good Records fam.  This party is definitely more suited for the weekend, but you know what they say about the club on a Tuesday.  Join the fun at Lincoln Theatre on October 20 and call in sick on Wednesday, because this will be an unforgettable start to the week.  This is an 18 and over show with doors opening at 8, music at 9. 

Jack the Radio's New Album and Release Show

Raleigh, North Carolina's rising indie-roots-rockers Jack the Radio will release their first studio album in over three years on October 20th, 2015. The album, entitled Badlands, is a twelve song, two-act musical journey inspired by sci-fi Spaghetti Western themes, and features guest vocals from Elizabeth Hopkins and BJ Barham.

The album will be released as a limited pressing on 12-inch colored vinyl (in bone white or splatter blue). Each record will come with a digital download card, and the first 100 pre-orders will also include limited edition posters.

Jack the Radio has worked their way to the upper-tier of Triangle bands, playing some of the areas biggest stages with acts including Hall & Oates at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, George Thorogood at Memorial Auditorium, and the Cold War Kids at Red Hat Ampitheatre.

The band will celebrate the Badlands release at Lincoln Theatre on Friday, October 16th and have teamed up with Band Together, a volunteer-led non-profit organization, to give a portion of tickets sales to charity.

Jack the Radio plays Lincoln Theatre Friday, October 16th, 2015 
Doors 8 p.m. / Show 9 p.m. - Tickets $10 Adv / $15 DOS 
http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8942715/jack-the-radioalbum-release-party-raleigh-lincoln-theatre

Check out the music video trailer for "Midnight" and see it live on October 16. 

Rubblebucket and Vacationer Play at Lincoln Theatre

Rubblebucket will once again visit Raleigh this Thursday when they take over Lincoln Theatre.  This Brooklyn-based band creates a unique and quirky show by mixing horns, synth, guitar, and harmonies.  The creative energy of the band keeps the audience wondering what will happen next.

Rubblebucket is led by Alex Toth (trumpet) and Kalmira Traver (vocals, sax) who met at the University of Vermont.  The group has since performed at various festivals such as High Sierra, All Good Music Festival, and Bonnaroo. In 2014, Rubblebucket released Survival Sounds via Communion Records.  The album caught the attention of NPR's Music and was featured on the Tiny Desk Series.


The band is spending their summer touring through the States with the support of Vacationer and Happy Abandon.  See these intriguing bands at the Lincoln Theatre for an energetic show that promises the opportunity to use your dance moves.  The event takes place this Thursday, May 14 for $12/$15 and starts at 8. See the creativity of Rubblebucket in their official video for "Carousel Ride."

New Year Celebrations in the Triangle

It's time to say good riddance to one year and welcome a new one.  The Triangle always knows how to party and the New Year is certainly no exception.  In addition to First Night Raleigh, there are some other great options for catching tunes and enjoying friends.
                                            
                                                      


KINGS:
Relive the joys of Hopscotch and party to stimulating beats created by Body Games and T0W3RS at Kings.  The multi-instrumentalists of Body Games will keep you moving well beyond the drop of the acorn with heavy electronic textures and lurching beats.  Add in the whimsy of Derek Torres of T0W3RS and the result is a memorable New Year's Eve for the small cost of $12.50-$15. 



LINCOLN THEATRE:

Big Something will keep things moving on Cabarrus Street at Lincoln Theatre.  Their dance-grooving space-rock anthems create an unforgettable experience perfect for celebrating a new year.  The band's unique mix of rock, jazz, funk, and reggae pushes out beats to please every lover of music.  Big Something will be supported by Big Daddy Love, a five-piece rock and roots band that creates a unique sound they refer to as, 'Appalachian Rock'.  The party starts at 8 and is well worth the $20/$25 ticket.

THE POUR HOUSE:

For the local rockers, The Pour House has designed a lineup that won't disappoint.  Corrosion of Conformity headlines the night.  Decibel Magazine stated that COC serves as, "a crucial stylistic lynchpin in the bridge between metal and punk" that "irrevocably reshaped crossover's sonic possibilities."  Supporting COC are two other heavy hitters, Bedowyn and Demon Eye.  These three bands will get you ready to kick some serious ass in 2015.  Show starts at 9 and $20/$25 will get you in the door with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. 


THE AVETT BROTHERS:

Of course we can't possibly forget that The Avett Brothers will celebrate the New Year in Raleigh with a performance at the PNC Arena.  These North Carolina favorites have been doing some intense touring all year promoting their latest release, Magpie and the Dandelion.  Ticket and traveling packages are available at the Avett Brothers website.         

My Brother, My Sister Returns to Play Deep South

Deep South the Bar is known for bringing in great local acts on any given night and this Thursday night promises to uphold that reputation.  Most recently you might have caught My Brother, My Sister opening for Matrimony at Lincoln Theatre, but this time around the Raleigh based folk-punk rock group is joining two other NC based bands for a special night of music.  As indicated in the title, the brother sister combo of John and Anne Tomasevich create a delightful sound with the assistance of Jon Sebastian on the drums and Jason Rehm on the bass.  Check out My Brother, My Sister's self titled album by visiting their website prior to Thursday's show.

In addition to My Brother, My Sister, Aim North, also out of Raleigh, will be featured at Deep South.  Aim North may look very similar to another local band, Jack the Radio, as band members Chris Sayles, George Hage, and Danny Johnson have joined together with Chris' younger brother Jamison to create a unique Americana band that is quickly catching the attention of local music fans throughout the triangle.  In less than a year, Aim North has already released an EP titled, Chasing Birds, and featured in a video spotlight by the popular local Raleigh news source, Indyweek.  

Rounding out the lineup, Roseland from Greensboro, NC is also an Americana band that has been heavily influenced by classic rock and country music artists of recent years.  Roseland released their own self-titled album in September of 2013 and have been featured at several major venues throughout North Carolina over the past year.  Be sure to make it over to Deep South the Bar this Thursday to catch some of North Carolina's best musicians at work! Doors open at 7pm with the show slated for 9pm.  Tickets are still available and the cost of admission is $7.  

Hopscotch '14 Review

The much anticipated Hopscotch Music Festival is beyond a week behind us and recovery is just now being reached.  This three day musical carnival for fans and artists was full of surprises, fun, and endless music.  It was of course impossible to catch all of the acts, but we have some highlights of the shows that were experienced.

Music from of all different genres were absorbed on Thursday, but there was one performance in particular that really made an impact:  Museum Mouth.  They played at an intensely packed Slim's to a crowd that was excited to get Hopscotch underway. This indie punk rock trio held nothing back as they made their way through their latest album, Alex I Am Nothing, and some of their older fan favorites.  The crowd sang and bounced along to every beat of the drum of this high-energy show.



After some extreme hydrating, it was time to experience all that Hopscotch had to offer on their Friday lineup.  There were so many notable bands on this schedule that it was like choosing between a best friend and significant other.  Ultimately, Sinners and Saints won as our first show of the night, after the stunning sets from St. Vincent and Spoon, of course.  Sinners and Saints is a two-piece from Charlotte, NC.  They bring together folk and bluegrass with genuine lyrics that reach every soul. Couple this singable music with Perry Fowler and Mark Baran who both have a subtle yet remarkable stage presence.  Being a part of their audience was like making two new friends.  Between songs, they'd share stories, interact with the crowd, and partake in whiskey shots purchased by fans.  Sinners and Saints are only getting started in the area, so catch them when you can.  Check out their website for upcoming local shows.




Also playing at Lincoln Theatre Friday night was the Durham band, Loamlands.  I didn't know too much about this group before seeing them, so I was delighted once the sweet sound of the guitar paired with the southern charm of lead singer, Kym Register, started.  The band is comprised of Register and Will Hackney who bring in alternating members to complete the group.  Register's lyrics are purely heartfelt and she delivers them with an intense vulnerability that leaves her emotionally exposed. This is gritty southern rock at its finest.




On Saturday I ventured out to The Pour House for some day partying.  This is where I experienced my absolute favorite performance of the weekend.  Landlady, coming to us from Brooklyn, played a set that took the audience on a mystifying musical journey.  After a highly entertaining and comedic sound check, lead singer, Adam Schatz broke into "Under the Yard", singing of sheep, girls, and tomato seeds, and somehow it all made perfect sense.  The dramatically captivating lyrics meshed with the fierceness of the drums created a show that was mesmerizing.  Few bands have the ability to reach  such an array of emotions, but Landlady exhibits every sentiment from laughter to sorrow to excitement.  Experiencing a Landlady show live is essential, no music bucket list is complete without it.

While the expansive offering of new and unique music was the highlight of Hopscotch 2014, the most memorable aspect was the combined respect of the music community; bands and fans came together nightly to appreciate the hard labor of artists from every background and genre. For us at The Triangle Beat,  it was a surreal moment to stand alongside the same people that we've reviewed and interviewed this past year, and to finally meet photographers and venue owners that we normally only communicate with via social media. Now, we lie in wait with great anticipation for year six of the Hopscotch Music Festival and can only imagine the great memories that experience will provide. Until then, relive Hopscotch '14 through our amazing slideshow provided by our photog in training, Chris Jones. 

Hopscotch 2014 - Video Maker

Matrimony Returns to Lincoln Theatre

With the recent release of their new full length album, Montibello Memories, Columbia Records' Matrimony will return to their home state of North Carolina to play at Lincoln Theatre Friday, August 22.  Led by the talented couple, Jimmy Brown and Ashlee Hardee Brown, Matrimony brings a sound that is certain to appeal to North Carolina natives and folk-rock fanatics alike.  Joined by Jordan and CJ Harde, Matrimony combines the couple's dynamic vocals with the musical talents of Ashlee's brothers on the drums, mandolin and banjo.  

After the success of their first EP in 2010, The Storm and The Eye, this Charlotte based band set out playing together and quickly gaining notoriety.  With popular songs from their first album like, Last Love, the melody created by Jimmy and Ashlee, is an example of how their chemistry both in their music and in their relationship could lead to great success for the band.  Soon after, Matrimony would go back into the studio to record, Montibello Drive.  This song capitalized on the unique blend of folk and Irish inspired beats as displayed in The Storm and The Eye, but also highlighting the bands own maturation as artists in deeply felt songs like, Giants and Obey Your Guns.  With the assistance of Jay Joyce, who is responsible for working on albums with artists such as Cage the Elephant and Eric Church, Matrimony was able see their popularity expand over the past year.  After playing at music festivals like Bonnaroo and Bela Chere, Matrimony is looking to capitalize on their success from relentlessly touring throughout 2013 with the release of their new album. Recently, Matrimony was featured on CMT Edge for their music video "Golden City."

Lincoln Theatre Hosts Scythian and The Moore Brothers

On an overcast afternoon in western North Carolina, hundreds of people gathered on the Hillside Stage at this year's MerleFest Festival.  Some patrons of the festival knew exactly what was about to happen, but for others it would be an unexpected performance to say the least.  Within moments of taking the stage, Scythian had every member of the audience dancing and jumping to the beat of their Celtic music.  For the duration of the performance, it became apparent that Scythian thrives on getting engaged with their audience and maintaining that connection from start to finish.  Including instruments like the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and even an accordion, Scythian provides an experience for music listeners that you can't resist being a part of.   

Prior to greeting old and new fans alike at the conclusion of their performance, Scythian announced they would be returning to North Carolina in order to play at Lincoln Theatre on May 23.  Lead singer Danylo Fedoryka, spoke with The Triangle Beat recently about their Merlefest experience and their upcoming show in Raleigh.   

The Triangle Beat: Scythian has a unique blend of musical influences in the sound they create.  How or where did that originate?

Daniel:  We all shared in a love for Irish music and our parents are from the Ukraine, though we all grew up in the Shenandoah Valley.  Once we started making music, our goal was to start including all aspects of our upbringing.  It seems perfect for our goal in playing music and hopefully our fans continue to enjoy it.  For us it has always been about being who we want to be as musicians and part of that is never trying to play into a certain genre.  We are not bluegrass, we are not rock, we include elements of a lot of genres but you can’t really label us one genre.

TTB: What brought Scythian together?

Dan:  It all started with Joe and Alex living together out of college.  We attended Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and together we made up the founding members of the band.  Ben-David’s dad taught at the same school as my parents, so we met him through our parents.  Tim, our newest band member, also attended the same school that we did.  My sister is in the process of finishing up her doctoral degree and will be joining us as a member of the band when that is complete.  Since college though, we've all settled in Alexandria, VA just outside of D.C., which seems to be a great fit for all members of the band.   

TTB: You’re in your 10^th year as a band, what has changed the most for Scythian during those 10 years?

Dan:  It really takes a while to find out what your sound is.  For us, we started as street performers in college and certainly didn’t envision being a full time band and doing so without a record label.  It is always a work in progress, but it is the spirit of our shows that has allowed us to continue to produce things we are proud of.  It has been a natural evolution over time, that we intentionally took our time with.  Now we are in a position that we can share what we want with our listeners. 

TTB: Building off of those years together, where does the band envision going in the future?

Dan: Most directly we are taking fans on a 10 year reunion trip to Ireland.  It is going to be really special for us to go out with our fans on a bus as we perform all over Ireland, but we also get to be tourists with our fans as well.  We will spend most of our time on the West Coast, but we are so excited for the trip.  10 years has been a big deal for us.

TTB: You’ve now played at Merlefest several times, what has that experience been like over the years?

Dan:  Having played Merlefest several times now, we have been able to witness the growth of the experience through our music and the other performers.  This past year, the dance tent was off the chain.  To summarize that experience there was body surfing bluegrass at the dance tent. There were also twice as many performers for the midnight show.  Surprise appearances really made a difference and going into this year there was a lot bigger interest from musicians, wanting to be a part of the whole experience.  Bluegrass Situation co-hosted and that certainly helped to get a lot of bands to join in the action.  That experience was quite intense to have so many talented musicians on one stage.  So it is nice to see the festival evolve and to be a part of that experience.

TTB:Can you tell me what producing Jump at the Sun was like and who does most of the writing for the band?

Dan: Jump at the Sun is our newest album and it encompasses what we feel is a true representation of what we want to sound like.  It pre-released at Merlefest and was well received from the crowd there.  As an album, it incorporates all elements of our unique sound and we wanted it to represent the energy you'd experience from one of our live shows.  Typically I write some of our music, but my brother is the main writer for the band.  Something unique about Jump at the Sun, Ben-David Warner, our banjo player, wrote 3 songs for this album and we are really excited to bring this all together on the album. 

 TTB: Is this Scythian's first time playing in the Triangle?  What do you want people to take away from the experience they have during a Scythian concert?

Dan:  We've actually played a couple of times in Raleigh, we originally played at the Berkley Café and this past year we hosted the IMBA festival dance tent.  For the people who catch our show, we are constantly switching instruments throughout our show and so it really is a testament to the musical talents of our band members.  We want to engage our fans and get people to start dancing.  Our main goal is to get fans to forget about their worries for a short amount of time and just enjoy good music.  We are also excited to have the Moore Brothers opening for us.  We met them at Merlefest when they were 11, 14, 16 years old and they completely blew us away.  They are awesome young musicians featuring a mandolin, bass, and guitar player that you don’t want to miss.

More information about Scythian, upcoming tour dates, and the 10 year reunion trip to Ireland can be found by visiting the Scythian website. Scythian is made up of Danylo and Alexander Fedoryka, Josef Crosby, Ben-David Warner, and Tim Hepburn.  Scythian and the Moore Brothers will be taking the stage this Friday night at Lincoln Theatre.  Doors are set to open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.  The show is open to all ages and tickets can be purchased by going on the Lincoln Theatre website.

Leopold and his Fiction - Third Eye Blind After Party Headliner

Leopold and his Fiction are bringing their high-energy and dramatic show to Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, May 10.  The band's name is fiction itself considering no one from the band is actually named Leopold.  Rather, he's a fictional entity created by frontman Daniel James that allows him to create a story that comes to life on stage.

 James moved from his birthplace of Detroit to attend San Francisco State to study writing.  On leaving his home, James says, "I was born and raised in Detroit for 20 years of my life. It has influenced every part of everything I do. There is most certainly something in the water."  While polishing his writing craft, his stories started developing into lyrics and soon became full length songs.  Eventually, his solo work turned into a complete band with a thunderous garage-rock sound.  Now, his vivid stories are being told through song, live, and on stage.  

We recently spoke with James about his work and the process for creating musical art.  He says that every aspect of it is, "entirely inspired, nothing forced or fabricated.  My method is allowing clarity and seeing life as it really is.  It used to be about reaching for life through an alternative view, variations in complexity. Not so much anymore.  Today is today."

The group has had plenty of practice for perfecting and sharing their work.  They have performed over 230 shows in the past ten months.  James says this is the highlight of his career because sharing his work is what he enjoys most.  They've also had the fortune of performing at notable festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits.

Leopold and his Fiction are currently working on completing their fourth album and hope to have it released next fall.  To learn more about the band, visit their website.

Leopold and his Fiction will perform on the inside stage at Lincoln Theatre this Saturday, May 10.  Also performing will be Honor by August and Third Eye Blind on the outside stage.  There will also be food trucks available for your dining pleasure.  The doors open at 6 and the show starts at 7.  For ticket information, visit Lincoln Theatre's website. 

   
    

Local Spotlight: Jack the Radio Plays Band Together NC

 This Saturday, May 3, Band Together will throw their main event of the year with headliners Daryl Hall and John Oates and special guests, Robert Randolph and the Family Band.  Band Together is an organization focused on raising money for several different charities with the help of volunteers, sponsors, and board members.  They use music and fun to lift up our community by providing extra funds where needed; this year the funds will go to the community schools of Durham and Wake Counties.  Band Together refers to themselves as "the mullet:  business (and social good) in the front, party in the back."


In March, four local bands competed at Lincoln Theatre for the opportunity to open for Hall and Oates at Walnut Creek.  The last band standing was Jack the Radio, a southern-indie rock band based in the Triangle.  The group consists of A.C. Hill (vocals, acoustic guitar), George Hage (vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, keys), Danny Johnson (lapsteel, baritone guitar, keys, vocals), Chris Sayles (bass, vocals), and Brent Francese (drums).  The Triangle Beat spoke with the group about their experiences as a band, their latest album, and opening for the legendary Hall and Oates. 

The Triangle Beat:  How did the band come together?

Jack the Radio:  A.C. and George met while attending NC State University.  The two lived together for part of a summer and during that time started writing and recording. They released an EP in 2005 but took several years off to pursue other projects.  In 2009, the two started writing again and brought in drummer, Brent Francese and a bassist to fill out the sound. In 2010, after playing a show with his former band, we brought in Danny Johnson on lap-steel and later keys and baritone guitar.

TTB:  Who/what are your strongest musical influences of the band? 

JTR:  Early on we were heavily influenced by bands like Spoon for their musical and rhythmic pulse and instrumentation. Also local boys, the Avett Brothers for their passionate roots sound and use of acoustic instruments.  

As our band developed and we added members the sound evolved.  We were influenced by the soul and rhythm and blues of bands like the Black Keys and the Raconteurs, and even the sounds and tones they created.  Our members have all played in other groups with varying styles over the years which creates a great dynamic in our approach at times.

TTB:   How would you describe your latest album and how does it compare to previous albums?

JTR:  Our latest release, Devil In Here was released in August, 2013.  We approached this album in a unique manner, which made it completely different from our other releases.  It allowed us to explore a lighter side and reach a new audience who may not relate to our louder-swamp-rock sound.  The album was recorded live and unplugged with a string section on the majority of the songs.

TTB:  How do you feel about having the opportunity to open for Hall and Oates? 

JTR:  It's a huge privilege to be able to perform on one of the biggest stages in the region with newly inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Hall and Oates and of course the incredibly talented Robert Randolph and the Family Band.  We have to thank the amazing team at Band Together for putting on such an epic and charitable event and for the opportunity to connect with thousands of local show goers.  As the local boys, we hope to make NC proud.

Photo Credit: Jeff Reeves

TTB:  Who is the main songwriter for the group? What is your process for songwriting?

JTR:  Generally George and A.C. will bring song ideas to the band.  It could be anywhere from an idea for a riff or a more fully planned out song that already has melody and lyrics.  From there George and/or A.C. will get the vocal melodies and lyrics together and the band will work on additional instrumentation for things like lap steel, keys and bass parts.

We've definitely had songs that worked out great the first time and came together pretty seamlessly, but we've also had songs we've been working on for years that have only recently made sense for the band.  But that seems natural for us.

TTB:  What have been some of the most memorable highlights in your musical journey so far?

JTR:  In 2005, we started out writing music for ourselves.  It was really to see if we had the ability to get these ideas in our heads translated to (digital) tape. We were recording ourselves on an out of date desktop computer and writing digital drum loops.  That lead the sound to grow from being a duo into getting full band ideas down.  

Listening back to the songs we hit a point where we realized this wasn't just for our ears and a few of our friends' ears and we decided to create our debut, full length, Pretty Money and released it out into the world in 2011.  

TTB:  What would you like the public to know about you and your music?

JTR:  We our proud to say since then we have released another studio album, Lowcountry, as well as a live/stripped down album, Devil In Here, with the DVD, Live at Amplified Art.  Our music has also been licensed on several national and international radio commercials and TV spots since 2011.  Hearing 3 of our songs for the first time on television on a single episode of Anthony Bourdain's: No Reservations was for sure a surreal moment for the band. 

TTB:  How did you come up with the name, Jack the Radio? 

JTR:  Before the band started, George had a list, or more of a brain-dump, of band names.  "Jack the Radio" was the one he kept going back to and ultimately became the name of the band when he and A.C. first started writing together.  At first it was more of a call to action, but later the name developed into a character or metaphor Jack, the Radio who the band battles with music.

TTB:   What are your goals and hopes for your future as musicians? What will come next for Jack the Radio? 

JTR:  We are constantly writing and we are currently working hard in the studio tracking for the next release.  We are discussing the idea of releasing a split album or perhaps an EP or two in the next year.  We are also continuing to play regionally and focus on publishing and licensing our music in film, radio and television.

Join in the fun this Saturday while supporting the community schools of Durham and Wake Counties.  Ticket information and band information can be found at the Band Together website.  They are always looking for volunteers, so get involved, enjoy great music, and help the community.  Don't miss Band Together NC 2014!

The Lone Bellow Performs at Lincoln Theatre

The theme of Wednesday night at Lincoln Theatre was: "expect the unexpected."  From the moment The Lone Bellow took the stage, the trio of Zach Williams, Kanene Pipkin, and Brian Elmquist provided an energetic and unforgettable performance for the nearly sold out crowd.  After driving through the night from Brooklyn, NY, the band opened with "Won't You Come Back to Me," as a preview of the dynamic harmony the band utilizes in most songs from their first self-titled album, The Lone Bellow.

As for the unexpected events of the evening, it all started with a cover of the John Prine original, "Angel From Montgomery."  While the music faded, Williams requested a member of the audience to join the band on stage only to appear with his girlfriend seconds later. After a quick adjustment to the microphone and pulling a ring from his pocket, the band gave way to the young gentleman getting down on one knee and asking for her hand in marriage.  As you might have guessed, the proposal was quickly accepted, to which the crowd emphatically applauded.  Then as the newly engaged couple exited the stage, Williams challenged every man in the audience to find someone special to dance with as they played, "Looking For You."  Within moments the majority of the crowd was clinging onto someone and slow dancing as the the band continued to play.  It was certainly unlike any other scene from a live performance.

The surprises only kept coming as the band played popular tracks from their first album, such as "You Never Need Nobody" and "Tree to Grow."  As they announced their final song of the evening, Williams and Elmquist broke into a playful cover of the Boyz II Men hit, "End of the Road."  Despite the popular 90's R&B song being quite a contrast to the typical folk sound of The Lone Bellow, the trio made it their own, much to the crowds delight.  As an encore, "Teach Me To Know" made for a fitting end to the evening as the members of the band graciously applauded the crowd for their energy before taking their bow to exit the stage.  The show provided everything you would hope for and more to those that came out for The Lone Bellow's first appearance in Raleigh.  If you get the chance, make plans to catch them when they are back in town, but in the mean time, check out their website for music, news, and more at www.thelonebellow.com

Delta Rae Energizes Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh was overflowing with anxious music fans that lined the walls, cascaded up the stairs, and encircled the balcony.  The anticipation was high for the American folk rock band, Delta Rae, to play in their hometown once again.  Looking around the venue, there was no doubt this group has loyal fans and strong support.

The six-piece band enters the stage, wearing all black, and breaks into "Morning Comes".  Energy exudes
from the group and the crowd yells with excitement and sings along with the band. Following their opening songs, the group welcomed the audience and expressed their excitement to be home and playing where their success began. 

One thing becomes very clear when watching Delta Rae on stage, there is a complete absence of rock star ego.  One member does not try to overshadow another member; in fact, they take turns spotlighting one another, rotating around mics and instruments, so that everyone has a chance to share their talent.

It's rare for a band to have four primary vocalists, but this is what makes Delta Rae stand out from other bands. Siblings Ian, Eric, and Brittany Holljes take on the singing responsibilities along with longtime friend, Liz Hopkins.  Grant Emerson supports the vocals on the bass and Mike McKee provides the drums.  These moments prove that band rapport has a lot to do with the success of Delta Rae; the six of them together make perfect musical soul mates.

The night takes a haunting twist as the words, "Hold my hand, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river" echo through the building.  "Bottom of the River" is a percussionist's dream with sounds of rattling chains, booming bass drum beats, and intense bluesy vocals.

In the middle of the show, the band takes it down a few notches with the heartbreaking song, "If I Loved You".  This power ballad about unrequited love is sung by Liz with her raspy roar, filled with pure depth and emotion.  She takes center stage for this piece and the crowd is immersed in every second of the performance because Liz isn't singing to the crowd, she's singing with them.  "If I Loved You" is a different type of love song because it describes love lost through the heart breaker's eyes, rather than the heartbroken.

The show could not possibly end without playing "Dance in the Graveyards".  Encores are supposed to leave the audience wanting more and this performance does just that.  This song is all about keeping those we have lost with us at all times; not to mourn them, but to celebrate and allow them to live through our own lives. The energy builds both on stage and in the crowd with this percussion-heavy piece.  The crowd sings along and dances with the powerful bass drums.  Delta Rae makes their appreciation known through their respect for the crowd and each other and the show ends with a strong positive vibe. 


Throughout the show, Delta Rae shared several new songs with the crowd, announcing that they are currently working on the their new album and that it's been a "painstaking process".  The pain will no doubt be well worth it for the band's success and for the fans who simply can't get enough of what Delta Rae has to offer.

If given the opportunity, be sure to see Delta Rae live. Their music sounds amazing at all times, but seeing the them  come alive on stage takes it to a new level.  The energy of these six people playing and singing together cannot be easily matched and one show will turn you into a lifelong fan of this local success. Stay up to date with all things Delta Rae by visiting their website. 

Check out the official video for "Bottom of the River" featuring the Phi Beta Sigma Step Team:

Delta Rae Returns Home

Most bands dream of that magical moment when they are discovered and signed to a major record label.  For the Triangle's own Delta Rae, this dream has come true and has surpassed all of their expectations.  Bassist, Grant Emerson, took the time to talk with The Triangle Beat about the band's journey to success and the hopes for their future.

The makings of this American folk rock band started years ago in the home of the Holljes family.   Siblings Eric (vocals, guitar, piano, and keys), Ian (vocals and guitar), and Brittany (vocals) started making music together from a very young age thanks to their parents who raised them with a mix of James Taylor, Cats Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, and Paul Simon.  They gathered further musical influences when moving around from Durham, NC, to the San Francisco Bay, then to Nashville, and Georgia.  Along these travels, Brittany developed a life-long friendship with current band mate, Liz Hopkins.  The siblings always admired Liz's raspy, soulful voice and the way it meshed with Brittany's powerful brassiness.

Fast forward a few years and Ian and Eric move back to Durham, NC to attend Duke University.  In the meantime, Brittany was working toward graduating early from Cal-Berkeley.  After all three siblings completed their schooling, they gathered in a small house in the woods, along with Liz, to settle on the group's sound.  First, they had to choose a name and they quickly decided on Delta Rae.  According to Grant, the band's name comes from the main character of a mythological story that is being written by the siblings' mother. During this time, the group focused on harmonizing together, writing strong lyrics, and practicing for live shows.  In 2010, Durham natives Mike McKee (drummer) and Grant Emerson (bassist) made the band complete.

Once the group was settled, the focus turned to crafting outstanding live performances.  Through trial and error, they learned how to communicate the emotion and strength of their lyrics, written mostly by Ian and Eric, and how to improvise at small venues with less than stellar audio.  Their music is powerful on its own, but the group gained a strong following through their genuine and energetic live shows.

A series of events and local success eventually led the group to New York City in 2011 to meet with music executive, Seymour Stein of Warner Bros. and Sire Records.  As Grant recalls, they endured an awkward elevator ride on the way to Stein's office with the executive himself who did not yet know who they were.  The group was filled with nervous excitement and the moment did not seem like it could be real life.  Once in Stein's office, he asked them to sing for him.  They belted out the love struggles of "Hey, Hey, Hey" and didn't even make it to the chorus before getting cut off.  Stein called his assistant on the phone, but when he couldn't reach anyone, he opened the door and yelled, "You gotta hear these people, they sound so beautiful!"  Delta Rae took a collective deep sigh of relief and continued to sing for the label's employees.

Since then, Grant says that he's been crossing one item after another off of his personal bucket list.  The group has been fortunate to perform at several music fests including Bonaroo.  For Grant, his highlighted moment was meeting one of his strongest musical influences, Don Henley.  These surreal moments are going to continue to happen for Delta Rae as their musical career is only getting started.  They are currently touring to promote their debut album, Carry the Fire.  The band will return home for two shows, the first is at Cat's Cradle on March 6 and at The Lincoln Theatre on March 7.

To support this local talent, join us for their upcoming shows and check out the merchandise on their website. 

Matrimony to Play at Lincoln Theatre

With the announcement of an upcoming release of their new full length album, Montibello Memories, Columbia Records' Matrimony will return to their home state of North Carolina to play at Lincoln Theatre this Wednesday.  Led by the talented couple, Jimmy Brown and Ashlee Hardee Brown, Matrimony brings a sound that is certain to appeal to North Carolina natives and folk-rock fanatics alike.  Joined by Jordan and CJ Harde, Matrimony combines the couple's dynamic vocals with the musical talents of Ashlee's brothers on the drums, mandolin and banjo.  

After the success of their first EP in 2010, The Storm and The Eye, this Charlotte based band set out playing together and quickly gaining notoriety.  With popular songs from their first album like, Last Love, the melody created by Jimmy and Ashlee, is an example of how their chemistry both in their music and in their relationship could lead to great success for the band.  Soon after, Matrimony would go back into the studio to record, Montibello Drive.  This song capitalized on the unique blend of folk and Irish inspired beats as displayed in The Storm and The Eye, but also highlighting the bands own maturation as artists in deeply felt songs like, Giants and Obey Your Guns.  With the assistance of Jay Joyce, who is responsible for working on albums with artists such as Cage the Elephant and Eric Church, Matrimony was able see their popularity expand over the past year.  After playing at music festivals like Bonnaroo and Bela Chere, Matrimony is looking to capitalize on their success from relentlessly touring throughout 2013 with the release of their new album. Recently, Matrimony was featured on CMT Edge for their music video "Golden City."

Joining Matrimony will be Raleigh's own New Reveille.  Drawing upon the talents of other Raleigh based acts in Saints Apollo and Jack the Radio, New Reveille is an alternative country/Americana band that features an all female front and the unique sounds of the steal guitar and cello.  After forming in 2013, New Reveille has enjoyed instant success after producing a music video for their song, Babylon, and selling out their first live premier at Deep South on January 31.  New Reveille will also be performing at Brewgaloo 2014 on April 26 in downtown Raleigh.

 

The doors are set to open at 7PM with the show starting at 8PM.  Tickets are on sale for $8 at www.lincolntheatre.com or $10 on the day of the show.

Weekend Happenings

Friday, January 31, 2014

The Pour House	Clockwork Kids, Jonas Sees in Color, Ghostt Bllonde
Cat's Cradle	Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power
Kings Barcade	Holygrailers with Blursome and TZYVYX
Deep South	New Reveille, The Arcane Heart, Rachel Hirsch
Local 506	No shows posted
Lincoln Theatre	Big Head Todd and the Monsters feat. Ronnie Baker Brooks and Hazel Miller
Southland Ballroom	Cool John Ferguson
Haw River Ballroom	N/A

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Pour House	Benefit for Brisco feat:  Kenny Roby w/ Hank Sinatra
Cat's Cradle	Maria Taylor Must Be the Holy Ghost
Kings Barcade	Superlove Highway, Autumn to May, Custom 10
Deep South	Apples and Airplanes, Four Founders, Erik Smallwood, Mark Cloos, Richie Turner
Local 506	No shows posted
Lincoln Theatre	The Ringers feat. Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, Michael Landau, Etienne Mbappe, and Gary Novak and Oil Brown
Southland Ballroom	Blatant Disarray