Cat's Cradle in the Commons sponsored by Cat's Cradle and the Town of Carrboro

Cat's Cradle & the Town of Carrboro are presenting a free concert at Town Commons featuring Tift Merritt, Megafaun & Mandolin Orange on Friday September 21st from 5:30-9:00

The concert is part of Carrboro's effort to promote the vibrant arts community within our fair town.

While the concert is free to the general public, vouchers guaranteeing entry are available at www.catscradle.com and at local businesses including Tyler’s Taproom. There is a limit of two vouchers per person and the voucher guarantees entry to its holder before 6pm. A little birdie whispered in my ear today that 4,000 of the 6,000 vouchers are already spoken for.

Gates Open at 5 PM/ Music Starts at 5:30

• No coolers/ No backpacks/No lawn chairs, please
• All attendees (adults and children) require vouchers
• Limit two vouchers per person, please. 
• Parking is very limited/ please walk, bike or ride the bus!
• More details on parking and shuttles forthcoming

Carrboro Town Commons is where we hold the Farmer's Market, next to Carrboro Town Hall at 301 West Main St.

Concert vouchers are available through:
- CD Alley
- Schoolkids
- Jessee’s Coffee House
- The Cat’s Cradle
- Online though eTix/Cat’s Cradle Site

What does Carrboro have in common with NYC, Chicago, SF and Montreal?

Places where Gaslight Anthem will be playing in support of their new album. Way to go Cat's Cradle! More info at the terrific Triangle Music blog including a streaming song off the new album, Handwritten, to be released July 24th, just a few days after the July 19th show at Cat's. Ticket info to follow.

The Gaslight Anthem tour dates

06.23.12 - Atlantic City, NJ - Orion Music & More

07.05.12 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent

07.07.12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater

07.08.12 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe

07.11.12 - Minneapolis, MN - Fineline

07.12.12 - Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck

07.13.12 - Firebird St Louis, MO

07.14.12 - Cincinnati, OH - Bunberry Festival

07.16.12 - Toronto, ON - Opera House

07.18.12 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge

07.19.12 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle

07.20.12 - Washington, DC - U Street

07.22.12 - Boston, MA - Middle East

07.24.12 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

09.11.12 - Quebec City, QC - Agora Port Of Quebec

09.12.12 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre

09.13.12 - Ottawa, ON - Ce Centre

09.15.12 - Chicago, IL - Riot Fest 

YepRoc Records 15th Year 3-day celebration, Oct 11-13 2012

Yep Roc Records, in Haw River a bit west of Carrboro, is one of those record companies (like local Merge Records) that rarely has big platinum sellers but consistently works with new and established musicians who bring honesty and talent to their work. And occasionally they do hit the big(ger) time with bands like Arcade Fire, M. Ward, Josh Rouse and Fountains of Wayne.

Merge Records 20 year celebration back in 2009 was a big success and I'm betting that Yep Roc's 15th coming up in Carrboro and Chapel Hill in October will be too.

Yep Roc Records, the artist-driven label that proudly refuses to be labeled, will celebrate its 15th anniversary with Yep Roc 15, a three-night concert blowout October 11, 12 and 13, at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC, featuring once-in-a-lifetime performances, collaborations, and recording sessions by current and past Yep Roc artists.

Hard to beat the lineup (with more to be added)

Dave Alvin, Chatham County Line, John Doe, Liam Finn, Fountains Of Wayne, Robyn Hitchcock, Los Straitjackets, Nick Lowe, Chuck Prophet, Eleni Mandell, Mayflies USA,Cheyenne Marie Mize, The Sadies, Sloan, Jim White

Plus John Wesley Harding will be the MC. Most of the music will be at Cats Cradle.

For more info and tickets go to the Yep Roc 15 Celebration website. Three-day tickets start at $80 with the Premier Fan Bundle at $170. (Warning, there are only 100 Premier tix and I already splurged for one leaving only 99 other lucky fans.) Here's a Paste online article on the event.

Been away such a long time...but now Mandolin Orange

On the wonderful website (formerly magazine) No Depression comes an article and interview on Chapel Hill's Mandolin Orange. From the article:

Mandolin Orange, a duo consisting of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, is based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The prolific songwriters have crafted batches of memorable tunes which fuse their infectious harmonies with a wide variety of instrumentation such as acoustic and electric guitars, fiddle, and mandolin.

Copyright No Depression, 2012

Paul Simon Kicks Ass at the DPAC

Great seats BTW

Okay whine about your age all you want. Just don't bring your complaints to 70-year old Paul Simon.

Instead he brought his A-game to the wonderful Durham Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Dec 1. What a setlist: a great selection of originals (including three from the new album) spanning nearly 50 years with a few choice covers performed over 2 hrs. Take that Mick Jagger.

It's difficult to pick a favorite from the show but it's hard to beat Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes which got the respectful but reserved crowd on their feet. I'm not sure I'm ready to go as far as David Menconi in his N&O review of the show, who called the band one of the best he'd ever seen, but he's not far off. Not only are they all multi-talented but everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives (and why not?)

If you get a chance to go see this tour -- do it!

Sweet Baby James Taylor in Cary next Friday to support President Obama!

From my email:

Chris --

One of North Carolina's favorite singer-songwriters will be back in the state for a special concert in support of President Obama. On Friday, November 18th, James Taylor will be joining us for an evening in Cary -- and you're invited.

James has been a long-time supporter of the President. He gave five concerts during the 2008 election and performed at the Presidential Inauguration. That's why he's stepped up to help build this campaign again, with just a year to go.

Can you make it? Here are the details:

What: Obama Victory Fund 2012 - Concert with James Taylor

Where: The Cary Arts Center
101 Dry Avenue
Cary, NC 27511

When: Friday, November 18th, 2011
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Not only will this be a night to hear some great music from a five-time Grammy award winner and North Carolina native, it will also be an opportunity to get together with other campaign supporters and talk about the year ahead.

We're gearing up all over the country -- including in North Carolina -- to build the grassroots structure and neighborhood teams that will lead us to victory in 2012.

That means opening up field offices, hiring field staff, engaging volunteers, and hitting the streets to share why we need to protect our progress and re-elect President Obama.

Help support that work and enjoy the music of James Taylor by joining us in Cary on November 18th:

https://donate.barackobama.com/James-Taylor-NC

Thanks,

Rufus

Rufus Gifford
National Finance Director
Obama for America

This just in! Free show tomorrow, Thursday Sept 1 at Cat's Cradle!

Yesterday as I arrived at WCOM 103.5 FM for an interview I had with Georges le Chevallier (more on that later), I noticed a bunch of construction over at the front of Cats Cradle and the old Visart.  I just figured it was renovation for the arrival of Fleet Feet which is leaving Carr Mill Mall for this larger space.  Maybe that is part of it but more importantly from this humble blogger's point of view is the news that Cat's Cradle is undergoing renovations.  I leave the details for the Triangle's best music site. The specific post is here. (Hint: you'll now enter from the right side of the building, not the front.)

Renovations are nice but that's not my purpose today.  To celebrate Frank and the Cradle are hosting a free show tomorrow night, Thursday Sept 1 with Old Ceremony (yeah!) and the Tomahawks.  Be there at 8 and remember, the door's to the right.

UNC Community Chorus Project performing REM's "Everybody Hurts"

32 local high schoolers performing the REM song on YouTube. We've got talent here!

Carrboro Music Festival lineup announced for Sunday, September 25th 2011

The Carrboro Music Festival is always a fun event.  It is staged all over Carrboro, indoors and outdoors with an incredibly diverse lineup and it's.....free!  Be there, Sunday September 25th starting at 1 pm.

Find some good background info here and here.  A PDF of the lineup is here. 

My recommendation?  Walk around a lot, find something that sounds good and hang out.  Drink a beer.  Rinse and repeat. Here are a couple of things on my list:

3:00 Magnolia Klezmer Band- Eastern European Jewish party music at the ArtsCenter

5:00 The Kingsbury Manx at the Milltown patio

5:00 Tim Smith and Eileen Regan and Friends- the Big Celtic fun at the Town Commons- Weaver Street Realty Stage 

6:15 Tim Smith Band- Original World Soul Music at the Weaver Street Market

8:00 Mike Babyak’s Triple Fret- Rock, World, & Jazz at the GlassHalfull/Fifth Season Gardening lot

9:00 Triangle Jazz Orchestra- Big Band Swing also at the ArtsCenter 

and how about:

9:00 New Town Drunks- Stream of Consciousness Folk Rock  (Just because I like the name and the description of the music!)

Ron Liberti gets a 20-year career retrospective at the Ackland Museum Store

Ron Liberti posters, mostly for concerts at Cats Cradle and other Triangle clubs, are legendary in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. It's great to have a retrospective of his work showing at the excellent new Ackland Museum (UNC-Chapel Hill) store in downtown Chapel Hill. The Independent has a nice feature and here's a small sample.

Liberti's technique has steadily improved over the years—pivotally, he switched over from photocopying to screen-printing—but his essential vision has been remarkably consistent, blending hand-made care, punk energy, mischievous humor, and high-impact contemporary design. He favors manipulated faces, audacious fonts, space-warping background textures, and bold color blocks of electric neons and creamy pastels.

Camera Obscura -- Courtesy Ron Liberti

A wonderful show and a sad goodbye

Last night I attended the Joe Ely show at the ArtsCenter.  The medium sized crowd (for what should have been a sellout) was remarkably enthusiastic and brought Joe and his top-notch band back for two encores.  The combination of a terrific musical retrospective of his long career was used as a way to showcase some wonderful new tunes from his latest cd available at Amazon or iTunes.

From http://www.ely.com/

Town of Chapel Hill Locally Grown Rooftop Music and Movies

We (Carrboroites) have music on the grass at Weaver Street Market.  For those in the little town to our east their is music and a movie at Wallace Plaza on top of the Wallace Parking Deck at 150 East Rosemary Street.  Here's what they say about it:

It's official, folks!  This summer Locally Grown brings you an excellent line up of the areas most talented bands and sensational films guaranteed to spice up your Thursday evenings all summer long.  Pssst!  It's always free.

Bring a chair or blanket and come early to find your perfect seats.  Concerts and movies will begin June 23rd and run through August every Thursday night.

REMINDER: Tix available for the Love Language & Old Ceremony show in Sax

May 27th is the day!  This is a must go show to ring in the new Haw River Ballroom.  Go here for tickets or stop in at the Saxapahaw General Store.

In a bit of self promotion.....I went to the Ticketfly site where you can buy tickets.  I scrolled down a bit and found the section describing Love Language.  It has a "Watch" button which opens up with my video (recorded on my iPhone) of LL doing "Brittany's Back" at Cats Cradle!  This is the link to the Ticketfly page or go straight to YouTube. 

A one off on Superchunk

Here's an interview with Mac McCaughan of Superchunk and Merge Records fame on his and the band's love for the cult band The Misfits. 

Another great story on people in the arts in the area: Heather Lagarde

Anyone who knows Saturday afternoon in the summer in Saxaphahaw also knows Heather Lagarde and her bright yellow plastic swan.  As the crowd, newborns to elders, sits on the grass listening to the music, snacking and drinking wine (well, not the newborns), Heather walks around with the swan taking offerings to the band.  It takes Heather quite a while to make the rounds and she does it several times.  It takes time for two reasons.  First, the event has become popular so there are many offerings to be accepted. Second, Heather knows everyone and everyone wants to chat with her, find out what's up and just say hi.

Call for musicians for the 14th Annual Carrboro Music Festival

The 14th Annual Carrboro Music Festival will be held on Sunday, September 25th, 2011.  If you'd like to apply to perform go here for both a printable PDF or online submittal. Whatever type of music you play, it likely fits the bill for Carrboro!

Please note:  applications are due by July 10th.

Here's a video by my talented friend Nic Berry from 2005:


Carrboro Music Festival - BeeryMedia.com from BeeryMedia.com on Vimeo.

Two great music shows coming up at the Artscenter

Joe Ely on June 18th brings the best in Americana and David Wilcox on July 11 the best in singer-songwriter folk.  Tickets links: Joe Ely and David Wilcox. 

Joe Ely on Flickr

Good news, bad news (but the good kicks ass on the bad)

Old Ceremony, one of my favorite bands, wanted to tour Europe but one little old thing got in the way. Cash. Moola, Greenbacks. Coinage. Dough. Bread. Scratch. Mazuma. They needed not one but $4,999 smackers to be exact.

So they went to Kickstarter and setup their own little piggy bank.  What exactly is Kickstarter you say? Ask and I deliver:

Wow: The Haw River Ballroom opening on May 27!

With Love Language opening for the New Ceremony. Two of my favorite bands playing in my old stomping grounds/home out in Saxapahaw.  Nothing much on the website yet but bookmark it anyway.

If you're on Facebook go and click the Like button at their page.

If you've been following me you know I love "The Love Language"!

One of favorite new bands and by far my fave new local band.  They just finished playing Coachella and then an opener for frickin' Arcade Fire in frickin' Santa Fe!   They topped that off by stopping by at the topnotch indie music website HearYa's studio in Chicago to lay down some live tracks which you can download here.  The Love Language website has a list of their upcoming tour dates that includes May 3-6 at Slim's in Raleigh but according to the always reliable Triangle Music blog only the 3rd and 4th are still available.  They're blowing up people!

Here's the vid of them doing Two Rabbits originally released on their self-titled debut:

The Love Language - Two Rabbits from HearYa.com on Vimeo.