Stellar line up for the Tom Cushman benefit

I just wrote something about this on New Raleigh. Check it out!

Quick updates!

Had a blast in Montreal, and even managed to see a little bit of the Pop Montreal Festival, though honestly I spent most of my time eating delicious food and sightseeing. I got video of Montreal's Jain Vain & the Dark Matter, who I liked quite a bit. I love how the Montreal hipsters are sitting politely and eating ice cream.

Jain Vain & The Dark Matter from Mann's World on Vimeo.

On the local news front, I just published an interview with my old pal Snüzz, an amazing musician who is dealing with lymphoma. His friends are holding a benefit for him (he's uninsured) on Monday at Local 506. There are also details about a benefit for Raleigh musician Tom Cushman. Both of these are going to be great events.

Merry Christmas from Karen, plus cool show this Saturday

Here's a repost from the folks in I Was Totally Destroying It (above). They're playing a benefit show this Saturday for a friend who inspired one of their songs. Here's what they sent out earlier today on Myspace: Merry Christmas Eve, y'all- We need all the support we can get at this one, so please join us at the benefit this Saturday for our friend Conrad Zaborowski. If you've heard our album you've heard the track "Conrad"- this was written late this past spring, right after Conrad was in a terrible car accident, sending him into a coma for months. Conrad is now awake and doing astonishingly well, but he and his family have massive medical bills that will continue to pile up over the years to come. Please come out and by doing so you will be donating to this good cause. We play first, early, so be there at 8, this will be a quick show- watch the 3 great bands and head out on the town and enjoy the end of the year with your friends... SATURDAY DECEMBER 29 -Ships -Will Donegan & The Apologies -I Was Totally Destroying It @Cat's Cradle 300 E Main St Carrboro, NC 8pm. $6/$8. All Ages.

Massive show tonight at the Cradle

I considered doing a blog post about all the Christmas songs I hate, but the thing is, I hate just about all of them (With "Little St. Nick", "Santa Baby" and "Jingle Bell Rock" being the top three). I have a feeling all those songs will be much better sung by the Trekky Yuletide Orchestra, which is playing tonight's Christmas at the Cradle show in Chapel Hill. If that doesn't excite you, check out the list of supporting artists. More info here. Portastatic Annuals Ivan Rosebud (of The Rosebuds) The Moaners Midtown Dickens I Was Totally Destroying It Schooner Hammer No More the Fingers Robo Sapien Sweater Weather Doors open at 7:30, and all proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Music for a good cause

Folks, this is an awesome charity that I wholeheartedly support. The Coalition to Unchain Dogs goes to homes where dogs are being kept on chains and offers to build fences. Please support them by checking out the concert below. Here's the info straight from one of the Coalition's members: Enjoy an evening of music and help raise money to unchain dogs. 100% of the proceeds will go to buy supplies to build fences for dogs that have been chained. To date, 30 dogs are now free and happy. Help us free more dogs! Saturday, October 13, 2007 5:00-6:30PM $10 in advance $12 at the door Cash ONLY at door Bands performing: Competent Drummer, Sequoya, Beloved Binge, Jon Shain, Jamie Purnell and Bull City Bring lawn chairs/blankets No coolers or pets For tickets or concert information go to www.unchaindogs.net

"Pneumonia" at the Carolina Rollergirls benefit

OK, so my intention was to go to the Carolina Rollergirls benefit yesterday at Sadlack's and FINALLY get some footage of The Cartridge Family. But as it turned out, their bass player, C.J., was out of commission with a combination appendicitis and pneumonia. My mother had to have an emergency appendectomy last year, and all I have to say about that is, it really, really, really sucked. Not my most eloquent description, but to the point. Mom would agree. Anyway, pianist Greg Rice took over the bass playing duties for the show, and after one practice earlier that day, they were good to go, and performed under the name "Pneumonia." Greg claims he's never played bass before, which I just don't believe. Surely, during his years as a musician, he's picked up a bass somewhere and jammed with someone. If not, then he's got a mighty impressive knack for it. What he can't do, though, is compete with Joe's rock face in this second photo. In fact it even looks like Greg is turned away in shame, knowing he can't feel the rock the way Joe is doing right here: I should note that this video is particularly strange because I just couldn't find a good spot. When I stood near Joe, the light was in my eyes. When I walked over near Greg, some dude started juggling beside me, which freaked me out. So enjoy the perspective on this one; it's like being everywhere at once. (Video removed)

CRG benefit at Sadlack's TODAY!

Help the Rollergirls go to their tournament in Columbus, Ohio, and hear some great music at the same time today at Sadlack's. The party is from 3 - 9 p.m., and the line-up is as follows: David Wilson The Wayves Regina Hexaphone ROBO SAPIEN The Cartridge Family

Local metal band to donate show proceeds to Nielsen fund

Folks,
I'm sure you've all heard about Jenna Nielsen, the 8-months-pregnant newspaper carrier who was killed as she delivered USA Today last month. Her killer has not been found, and a fund has been set up to keep awareness of this case in the public eye. Local metal band Pivot is going to play a benefit show this Saturday at Volume 11. Kudos to both Pivot and Volume 11 for doing this.


From the press release:

A personal note from Jenna's father:
I am the father of Jenna Nielsen who was murdered in Raleigh on June 14, 2007.
We were approached last week by a local Rock Band named Pivot that practices around the corner from where Jenna was murdered. They asked us if they could donate their proceeds from their show at the Volume 11 Tavern on Saturday July 21st to the Nielsen Family Fund. Needless to say I was amazed that a young bunch of guy's would want to do something as great as this to help a family they don't even know.
I wanted to bring this to your attention. I just thought that something like this should be shared because throughout this terrible time the community around us just keeps steeping up and helping out. Truly amazing!
Thank you,
Kevin Blaine

Here are more details from the press release:

Justice 4 Jenna Benefit Concert planned for
Saturday, July 21


Volume 11 Tavern and Pivot team up to support Justice 4 Jenna


Raleigh, NC – July 17, 2007 – Volume 11 Tavern and the progressive rock band Pivot will hold a “Justice 4 Jenna” benefit concert for the family of Jenna Nielsen on Saturday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m.


Pivot, a progressive rock band from Raleigh, Transient, also from Raleigh, and Agents of the Sun out of Baltimore will be performing. Volume 11 Tavern is located at 658 Maywood Ave in Raleigh.


Brian Kelly, lead singer of Pivot, approached the Nielsen family with the idea to shift the focus of the July 21 event, which had been planned for months, from a regular Saturday night concert into a support/fundraising event that has been titled the “Justice 4 Jenna Benefit Concert.”


“Myself and the rest of the band wanted to know how we could help,” said Kelly, “This incident happened in our back yard so to speak. We rehearse and record at Volume 11 Studios located off Maywood Avenue, and this is the best way we can think of to show our support in this time not only for family and friends, but for the community.”


Kevin Blaine, Jenna’s father, was excited about Pivot’s plan, “This could work out to be very beneficial for all,” said Blaine, “Most importantly giving the family a way to keep our efforts in the media with the hopes that someone will recognize the person of interest and call the police so that we can get this killer off the streets.”


Jenna’s family will be at the event in hopes of raising more awareness in finding the identity of the man in the composite sketch that has been in the news and is posted on flyers all over Raleigh and the surrounding areas. The benefit concert is open to all ages.


The State Fairgrounds along with the State Farmer’s Market will advertise the event on their marquees.


For more information visit www.Justice4Jenna.org