I am terribly sad and disappointed to announce that Caltrop will be unable to play the Mann's World Day Party at Kings on Sept. 11 because drummer John Crouch broke his hand! Best wishes and a speedy recovery to John. I'm bummed that they won't be able to play, but not nearly as bummed as I'm sure he is about breaking his hand.
Thankfully, the totally awesome Death Came Down the Mountain has agreed to step in at short notice. This is still going to be an amazing show, and I hope to see you all there soon! The digital poster will be updated, and hopefully I can get some new ones out around town.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Bandway! Kings!
Last night Raleigh witnessed two of the most highly anticipated events in recent memory: Kings and Bandway both returned from the dead in one magical moment. I don't have to tell you that Bandway ruled (though I wish they'd played "Are You Mad at Me?"), and that the sold out audience pretty much went crazy over it. Check out the videos of "King Kong" and a new song that had something to do with recycling. See more photos.
Bandway - "King Kong" from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Bandway - "Recycling is Here to Stay" (?) from Mann's World on Vimeo.
We ended up hanging out at Remedy beforehand, so we only caught the last bit of the Dynamite Brothers.
The Dynamite Brothers from Mann's World on Vimeo.
But the big news, for those of you who weren't there last night, is that the new Kings sounds amazing. Seriously. I understand that a good bit of the work that was done in that space was done to improve the sound, and that the club owners invested in top notch sound equipment. All that work and money paid off because everything, even the Billy Joel CD being played beforehand, sounded amazing. And it's true that no matter where you are in the club, you can see the band. In fact, there's a slight step up at the back of the club, so even back there you can see perfectly. But watch out for it because I ended up tripping on it.
And it looks good too. It was so packed there last night that I didn't get a chance to really look around, but I will tell you the old Kings wooden crown is on the wall over the new bar, and the lit "KB" sign is back. But everyone was talking about the two gigantic Statler and Waldorf Muppets dolls (I had to look them up to find out their names) hanging to the right of the stage, seemingly ready to heckle the band. I was told that they actually move, too, but I didn't see that.
But the best part of the night was seeing just about every person I know in Raleigh, together again and happy. I'm looking forward to many more shows there.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Weekend wrap-up: Bad videos from Ragnarock
I have to say, maintaining this blog, and taking photos at shows had made me appreciate light men (and women) everywhere. Seriously, there are a lot of clubs in this area that take great care with their sound (and some who don't) but few who bother to make sure the band looks good on stage. Now, by saying that, I don't mean to completely rip apart Reservoir, because they are hardly the only club in this area with bad lighting, but as you can see from these videos, their lighting is pretty godawful.
I caught much of the Saturday Ragnarok show at Reservoir, mainly so I could check out MAKE (above). As you may know, they're one of the band playing my day party during Hopscotch. And I had booked them simply on the strength of their recorded output. I am glad (and thankful!) to say that they rock just as hard live as they do on their recordings. Their show Saturday was amazing, and thanks to the fact that the lights were left all the way up during the show, it's the only video that even halfway decent. The others are almost pitch black and good for listening only.
MAKE from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Following MAKE were In the Year of the Pig, Systems and Ruscha. Ruscha didn't do it for me (though i'll give them another try), and Systems grew on me during the show. In the Year of the Pig was great, especially Dave Cantwell's super powerful drumming.
In the Year of the Pig from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Systems from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Ruscha from Mann's World on Vimeo.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
... and another day party to report!
This from Chris Tamplin at Tir na Nog. When he says "This Friday" he means Sept. 10:
Hopscotch weekend brings us the chance to party all day without needing an excuse! We are doing a day party at the nOg this Friday with five great NC bands! New Raleigh and Aviator Brewing are sponsoring the party as well ans we are throwing a twist in it. We also be doing a Local Record Label rock n shop event where the each label will have a table set up selling artists from their respective labels. The show is free so it should give you a chance to buy some killer music. The show goes as follows
12:45- Cellar Seas
1:30- Veelee
2:15- Filthy Bird
3:00- Temperance League
3:45- A Rooster For The Masses.
Hopscotch weekend brings us the chance to party all day without needing an excuse! We are doing a day party at the nOg this Friday with five great NC bands! New Raleigh and Aviator Brewing are sponsoring the party as well ans we are throwing a twist in it. We also be doing a Local Record Label rock n shop event where the each label will have a table set up selling artists from their respective labels. The show is free so it should give you a chance to buy some killer music. The show goes as follows
12:45- Cellar Seas
1:30- Veelee
2:15- Filthy Bird
3:00- Temperance League
3:45- A Rooster For The Masses.
Check out the Hopscotch Speakers' Series!
Yet more interesting stuff from Hopscotch. The fest and Edward McKay Books are sponsoring an author series, taking place the afternoons of Sept. 9-11 at Raleigh City Museum. Check it out:
Partnering with local staples Edward McKay Used Books and Raleigh City Museum, Hopscotch Music Festival proudly announces its Edward McKay Artist & Author Series, featuring discussions with Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, bandleaders and some of the best music critics in the country.
During three late afternoon sessions on Sept. 9, 10 and 11, musicians like Andrew Whiteman of Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle and hip-hop producer 9th Wonder will talk about music’s cultural and social impacts with critics and authors like Spin and Village Voice writer Christopher R. Weingarten and acclaimed author and Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal. Other guests include Dolph Ramseur of Ramseur Records, Phil Cook of Megafaun and Charlie Smarts of Kooley High, with more panelists to be added as Hopscotch Music Festival approaches.
“Writing about music often feels like such a vacuum. It’s someone tucked behind a keyboard with their thoughts and their headphones, ultimately sending some message out into the world,” says Independent Weekly Music Editor and Hopscotch Curator Grayson Currin about the series. “My goal with this series is to break that vacuum by putting artists and their analysts in the same room and letting them talk about inspirations and ideas.”
Each discussion is free and open to the public, though seating capacity inside Raleigh City Museum is extremely limited. Early arrival is recommended. Tickets for Hopscotch Music Festival—Thursday, Sept. 9–Saturday, Sept. 11 in 10 downtown Raleigh venues—are still available in very limited numbers atwww.hopscotchmusicfest.com.
ABOUT THE PANELS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 9 (Free/ 5–7 p.m.)
North Carolina’s Musical Heritage: Past, Present and Future
From the old-time music and bluegrass that’s moved from the state’s mountains to the litany of jazz and soul icons that have called North Carolina home, this state has a tradition of fostering musical innovators. Several careful students of those lineages will gather to discuss the state’s musical past, how it’s being preserved, and why it has such an important influence on the music being made here now.
The speakers include Durham’s PHIL COOK of Megafaun, a band that blends folk sounds of the past with adventurous experimentation; Concord’s DOLPH RAMSEUR of Ramseur Records, who has helped turn both The Avett Brothers and Carolina Chocolate Drops into international emissaries for the sounds of North Carolina; Raleigh’s MARSHALL WYATT of Old Hat Records, a Grammy-nominated, Bob Dylan-approved label that collects historic recordings and curates them into rich compilations; and Chapel Hill’s AARON SMITHERS, who has traveled the state recording under-documented artists. Hopscotch Curator and Independent Weekly Music Editor GRAYSON CURRIN will moderate the discussion. Cook will also perform as his one-man band, PHIL COOK & HIS FEAT, to begin the discussion.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 (Free/ 4–6 p.m.)
Black Mountain College: Legacy and Inspiration
Andrew Whiteman writes, sings and plays guitar in the Canadian bands Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle. Not long after Broken Social Scene confirmed their co-headlining Hopscotch set, Whiteman approached festival organizers about an event that would honor Black Mountain College, the influential interdisciplinary school that opened in western North Carolina in 1933. Whiteman will read his own poetry, as well as that of several Black Mountain acolytes, and discuss the school’s importance with a panel of local poets.
The speakers include Toronto’s ANDREW WHITEMAN, a Broken Social Scene staple who will read from his forthcoming book, Tourism; Durham’s KEN RUMBLE, an installation artist, musician and the author of Key Bridge (Carolina Wren Press, 2007); Durham’s MEG STEIN, an installation artist and musician working and playing in the 715 Washington art collective, along with Rumble; Durham’s CHRIS VITIELLO, a poet and artist and the author of Irresponsibility(Ahsahta Press, 2008); and Raleigh’s CHRIS TONELLI, a professor at N.C. State University, the author of four chapbooks and the founder of the So and So Series. Pitchfork Media Critic and Paste Senior Contributing Editor BRIAN HOWE, an accomplished poet himself, will moderate the discussion. Rumble, Stein and Vitiello will also present a performance inspired by the Black Mountain College happenings of John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg at the start of the event.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 (Free/ 4–6 p.m.)
Hip-Hop Planet: Music and Its Work in the World
When people talk about the political importance and immediacy of hip-hop, perhaps no group gets mentioned more than Public Enemy, and perhaps no records more than their It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. With Public Enemy headlining Hopscotch Saturday night, we decided to talk about the social impact that hip-hop has historically had and if that role might be changing.
The speakers include Durham’s 9TH WONDER, the Little Brother cofounder and Grammy winner who has gone on to make music with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, David Banner and Murs; New York’s CHRISTOPHER R. WEINGARTEN, “the last rock critic standing” and a scribe for Village Voice,Spin, Rolling Stone and the author of a new book on Public Enemy; Durham’sMARK ANTHONY NEAL, a Professor of Black Popular Culture at Duke University and the author of several books on music and culture; and Raleigh’sCHARLIE SMARTS, a member of the exuberant, emerging hip-hop crew Kooley High. Hopscotch Director GREG LOWENHAGEN and CuratorGRAYSON CURRIN will moderate the discussion. Weingarten will spin his tribute set to It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back before the discussion begins.
Partnering with local staples Edward McKay Used Books and Raleigh City Museum, Hopscotch Music Festival proudly announces its Edward McKay Artist & Author Series, featuring discussions with Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, bandleaders and some of the best music critics in the country.
During three late afternoon sessions on Sept. 9, 10 and 11, musicians like Andrew Whiteman of Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle and hip-hop producer 9th Wonder will talk about music’s cultural and social impacts with critics and authors like Spin and Village Voice writer Christopher R. Weingarten and acclaimed author and Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal. Other guests include Dolph Ramseur of Ramseur Records, Phil Cook of Megafaun and Charlie Smarts of Kooley High, with more panelists to be added as Hopscotch Music Festival approaches.
“Writing about music often feels like such a vacuum. It’s someone tucked behind a keyboard with their thoughts and their headphones, ultimately sending some message out into the world,” says Independent Weekly Music Editor and Hopscotch Curator Grayson Currin about the series. “My goal with this series is to break that vacuum by putting artists and their analysts in the same room and letting them talk about inspirations and ideas.”
Each discussion is free and open to the public, though seating capacity inside Raleigh City Museum is extremely limited. Early arrival is recommended. Tickets for Hopscotch Music Festival—Thursday, Sept. 9–Saturday, Sept. 11 in 10 downtown Raleigh venues—are still available in very limited numbers atwww.hopscotchmusicfest.com.
ABOUT THE PANELS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 9 (Free/ 5–7 p.m.)
North Carolina’s Musical Heritage: Past, Present and Future
From the old-time music and bluegrass that’s moved from the state’s mountains to the litany of jazz and soul icons that have called North Carolina home, this state has a tradition of fostering musical innovators. Several careful students of those lineages will gather to discuss the state’s musical past, how it’s being preserved, and why it has such an important influence on the music being made here now.
The speakers include Durham’s PHIL COOK of Megafaun, a band that blends folk sounds of the past with adventurous experimentation; Concord’s DOLPH RAMSEUR of Ramseur Records, who has helped turn both The Avett Brothers and Carolina Chocolate Drops into international emissaries for the sounds of North Carolina; Raleigh’s MARSHALL WYATT of Old Hat Records, a Grammy-nominated, Bob Dylan-approved label that collects historic recordings and curates them into rich compilations; and Chapel Hill’s AARON SMITHERS, who has traveled the state recording under-documented artists. Hopscotch Curator and Independent Weekly Music Editor GRAYSON CURRIN will moderate the discussion. Cook will also perform as his one-man band, PHIL COOK & HIS FEAT, to begin the discussion.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 (Free/ 4–6 p.m.)
Black Mountain College: Legacy and Inspiration
Andrew Whiteman writes, sings and plays guitar in the Canadian bands Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle. Not long after Broken Social Scene confirmed their co-headlining Hopscotch set, Whiteman approached festival organizers about an event that would honor Black Mountain College, the influential interdisciplinary school that opened in western North Carolina in 1933. Whiteman will read his own poetry, as well as that of several Black Mountain acolytes, and discuss the school’s importance with a panel of local poets.
The speakers include Toronto’s ANDREW WHITEMAN, a Broken Social Scene staple who will read from his forthcoming book, Tourism; Durham’s KEN RUMBLE, an installation artist, musician and the author of Key Bridge (Carolina Wren Press, 2007); Durham’s MEG STEIN, an installation artist and musician working and playing in the 715 Washington art collective, along with Rumble; Durham’s CHRIS VITIELLO, a poet and artist and the author of Irresponsibility(Ahsahta Press, 2008); and Raleigh’s CHRIS TONELLI, a professor at N.C. State University, the author of four chapbooks and the founder of the So and So Series. Pitchfork Media Critic and Paste Senior Contributing Editor BRIAN HOWE, an accomplished poet himself, will moderate the discussion. Rumble, Stein and Vitiello will also present a performance inspired by the Black Mountain College happenings of John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg at the start of the event.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 (Free/ 4–6 p.m.)
Hip-Hop Planet: Music and Its Work in the World
When people talk about the political importance and immediacy of hip-hop, perhaps no group gets mentioned more than Public Enemy, and perhaps no records more than their It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. With Public Enemy headlining Hopscotch Saturday night, we decided to talk about the social impact that hip-hop has historically had and if that role might be changing.
The speakers include Durham’s 9TH WONDER, the Little Brother cofounder and Grammy winner who has gone on to make music with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, David Banner and Murs; New York’s CHRISTOPHER R. WEINGARTEN, “the last rock critic standing” and a scribe for Village Voice,Spin, Rolling Stone and the author of a new book on Public Enemy; Durham’sMARK ANTHONY NEAL, a Professor of Black Popular Culture at Duke University and the author of several books on music and culture; and Raleigh’sCHARLIE SMARTS, a member of the exuberant, emerging hip-hop crew Kooley High. Hopscotch Director GREG LOWENHAGEN and CuratorGRAYSON CURRIN will moderate the discussion. Weingarten will spin his tribute set to It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back before the discussion begins.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)