Musicians do a lot to get their name out to an audience these days, sometimes a little too much. Florida rapper Flo Rida has made a desperate attempt to really reach his fans. He’s made his cell phone number (305-528-2786) public, so they can give him a jingle.
Read more about it in the CNN article below. (more…)
To mark its anniversary of 20 years in the music biz, the Chapel Hill-based Merge Records is doin’ it big with XX MERGE, a five-day music festival from July 22-26, to be held for four nights at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC and for one night at Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill, NC on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s campus. Keep in mind, it’s not that far of a drive! Among the many musicians to perform is Conor Oberst, the front man of Bright Eyes (who has gone solo and is scheduled to release a new album on May 5th via Merge Records) and Spoon. Read more in the announcement from Paste Magazine below.
A few months back, we made a promise that we’d dole out more information on the super-promising XX Merge Festival as soon as we got it. Well, it’s three months later and we’re finally delivering.
Five-day passes run at $150 and will grant you access to all XX Merge festivities. Passes go on sale April 8th. You can buy them here.
Merge announced the initial lineup for the five-day festival, which features Merge alumni and currents including Superchunk, Spoon, Conor Oberst, Spent, M. Ward, The Rosebuds, Destroyer, Guv’ner, Polvo and Pipe & The Broken West (with many more to come if the label owns up to its promise of more than 25 bands).
The fest, which is happening July 22-26 in Merge’s hometown of Chapel Hill, N.C., is a celebration of the label’s 20th year in the music biz.
Tonight local Charlotte indie experimental rockers Flagship Brigade will perform with The Influence at The Evening Muse. Expect to hear spacey sounds from Flagship Brigade, reminiscent of Icelandic experimental music pioneers, Sigur Ros. The show starts at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.
Flagship Brigade
Gregory Douglass
Battler
Emote Records; Release date: March 3, 2009
The Deal: Singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass releases seventh studio album, titled Battler.
The Good: The album is deeply melancholy with lots of layers. It starts with the melodic, piano-driven track “Broken Through,” and leads to the album’s second track “Cathedrals,” which offers some loaded lyrics about religion and sex. Highlights on the album include, “Devotion” a ballad with orchestral elements and soulful vocals (reminiscent of Gavin Degraw) from Douglass, “Day of the Battler” a chaotic mix of sounds with a melody similar to one of Fiona Apple’s song concoctions, “No Apology” a short but touching a cappella hymn and “Stay” a sad, yet soothing track. In addition, kudos also are in order for guest appearances by Righteous Babe Records’ Anais Mitchell on “Sadly” and soul gal Grace Potter (of the Vermont-based blues/soul/rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals) on the album’s final track “Ordinary Man.”
The Bad: Songs on the album were decent, but didn’t really possess any strong, catchy hooks.
The Verdict: Gregory Douglass’ album Battler is worth checking out. It’s soulful with harmonies that will take you on a ride down a melancholy road, and from time to time, it might even pick you up a little too.
Sam Quinn and Japan Ten with Jimmy Brown
Visulite Theatre
March 5, 2009
The Deal: Knoxville-based folk band Sam Quinn and Japan Ten perform show at the Visulite Theatre, along with opening act Jimmy Brown.
Jimmy Brown
CD Review: Coconut Records
Davy
Young Baby Records; Release date: Jan. 20, 2009
The Deal: The Los Angeles-based actor/musician Jason Schwartzman (You know him from his roles in movies like The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore, I Heart Huckabees, Shop Girl and Slackers) releases sophomore album for his indie pop musical project Coconut Records. (more…)
Ben Folds
Ovens Auditorium
March 1, 2009
The Deal: Despite the bad weather, fans of Ben Folds packed into Ovens Auditorium for his show. Opening acts included Miniature Tigers and The Spartones. (more…)
Check out the music video (below) of Ludo’s single “Love Me Dead.” Ludo will perform tonight (Tues., Feb. 24) at Visulite Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14.
Check out the video (below) to see what you can expect from the band Luminescent Orchestrii, who will perform at the Visulite Theatre tonight. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
