This mini-roadtrip with Mama had three purposes: look at art on barns; hang out with Mama; and eat at a few more places on the Our State list of 100 things in eat in North Carolina’s 100 counties. We hit three in two days, and they were all interesting. From top to bottom, the Hot…
Author: brandnewkindof
cameron, nc: painted barns
On a tiny roadtrip with the Maternal Unit, we stopped in Cameron, NC (a small town between Sanford and Southern Pines) to check out the crazy painted barns in the area; they were originally commissioned by David Ellis, a Cameron native and artist who brought street artists from New York and Japan to his hometown…
favorites: boys with guitars
There are things that always make me happy, and I have three things to share from three people who bring me great joy today. One: Josh Ritter’s genius double record Live At Iveaugh Gardens is free on NoiseTrade today. If this album fails to make you happy, please check your pulse. Two: Brian Fallon says…
the gaslight anthem @ the lincoln theatre, raleigh
I wrote about last night’s Gaslight show for Speakers In Code. Brian Fallon is still my favorite forever and ever amen. Charlotte’s Matrimony and Bloodshot Records’ Cory Branan opened; Matrimony was really enjoyable, but a little less electric guitar-y than I expected from a Gaslight opener. Cory was genius as always, and closed with “Girl…
the backsliders @ cat’s cradle
well i coulda been a saint and not a rank backslider standing on the tracks with a bottle of wine trying to find something that’ll never be mine The first time I heard those lyrics, it was BJ from American Aquarium singing them; BJ takes credit for a lot of things, but he’ll never take…
song share: radiation city – fly me to the moon (astrud gilberto cover)
Radiation City’s dreamy retro girl group fuzz garage pop debut, The Hands That Take You, really flew under the radar when it came out in 2011, and that’s a shame, because it’s a fantastic soundscape of harmony and guitar feedback and thick Phil Spektor shivers. Everybody’s getting ready for SXSW (no, I’m not going; I’m…
drive-by truckers @ haw river ballroom
I hadn’t seen the Truckers in almost 18 months — Hopscotch 2011 — and when Patterson launched into “The Living Bubba” last night, even as I was deeply exhausted and irritated at the crowd, it felt like a physical relief to see the band. They have meant so much to me for many years, and while…
show preview: dragonette @ cat’s cradle
Things I love: bands from Canada, electro-pop, ladies making kickass music. Here are some things that Dragonette is: a kick-ass female-fronted electro-pop band from Canada. They’re currently touring with Major Lazer, a sold-out show at the Cradle on Thursday, and I’m going to implore you to get there early enough to see Dragonette, because I…
album review: josh ritter – the beast in its tracks
Josh Ritter — The Beast In Its Tracks. Out tomorrow, but streaming on NPR today. I am in awe of Josh Ritter; I have been for many years, because he’s the most literate songwriter working today, and he’s funny and awkward and genius, and he’s probably sincerely a complete charming weirdo, and he smiles on stage like…
bombadil & the tender fruit @ cat’s cradle
Another magical Bombadil show at the Cradle; a full, sweet, lengthy set, and the new songs sound so fantastic. I can’t wait for their new record in July, and it is always a pleasure and never a chore to shoot their shows. They’re always warm, lovely affairs, full of good people and friends. Had a…