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 

 

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. 

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!

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.

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. 

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.