Album Review: "Kaputt" by Destroyer

"Kaputt" was released on January 25, 2011 on Durham's
Merge Records

Destroyer's Dan Bejar is a man that doesn't stick with one sound for much too long, and the one that he's created on "Kaputt" is one that leaves you completely entranced throughout the entire album, wondering quite frankly what will happen next.  There's moments where you could swear you're listening to new wave and then these easy listening esque saxophone riffs start playing and you're swayed in a completely different direction.  New sound aside, this album is something that kicks the year off right for Durham's Merge Records, as it's a truly great album.

"Kaputt" is Destroyer's fifth release on Merge Records, based out of Durham, North Carolina.  Dan Bejar, the vocalist for Destroyer, has also collaborated on multiple albums with The New Pornographers and is a member of Canadian supergroup Swan Lake as well.

Lonnie Walker, Veelee, Schooner and more show support for Moving Island Buoyancy Benefit

Moving Island is a non-profit organization based out of Raleigh and started by some of the Triangle's favorite musicians, and on January 28th and 29th they're bringing quite the array of Triangle favorites out to show their support and help jump-start Moving Island for their opening in March.  Moving Island is a performance and education facility that will focus on "emerging arts, empowering technology, and the business of living" that was founded by Chris Riddle (Motor Skills/Old Bricks), Adam Crane, Kelly Crisp (The Rosebuds), and Maria Albani (Schooner).

Moving Island's Buoyancy Benefit is scheduled for the night of Friday January 28th and Saturday the 29th, with music from some of the top names in the Triangle's music scene and DJ sets, comedy and dance.  The lineup is as followed:

The Mountain Goats release new song + tour dates w/ Megafaun

All Eternals Deck will be released on Merge Records March 29
Image courtesy of Stereogum

Today The Mountain Goats dropped a brand new track entitled "Damn These Vampires" from their upcoming LP, "All Eternals Deck".  The track was released for streaming and downloading on Stereogum.

But this wasn't the only announcement that The Mountain Goats dropped today, they also announced that they'd be embarking on an east coast tour with Megafaun!  Not to mention there's two North Carolina dates, one in Chapel Hill and one in Asheville!  Check below for tour dates

Americans in France release new single "Crawling"

Americans in France have released a new single entitled "Crawling" from their forthcoming LP of the same name.  "Crawling" will be released in April 2011 on Odessa Records.  "Crawling" is Americans in France's sophomore effort, with their first album "Pretzelvania" also being released on Odessa Records back in 2009.

After seeing the band's live show for the first time at Troika I became ensconced with the band, so needless to say "Crawling" is one of my most anticipated releases in 2011.  You can check out the new song below or you can download it for free from their bandcamp at http://americansinfrance.bandcamp.com/

WKNC's Double Barrel Benefit Lineup Announced

Hammer No More The Fingers will be headlining Night 2
of WKNC's Double Barrel Benefit

WKNC's Double Barrel Benefit is making it's return to Kings Barcade in Raleigh on February 4 and 5. Double Barrel Benefit is a benefit show used as a fundraiser for WKNC, one of the worthwhile radio stations left in the area.  WKNC provides an outlet for local musicians in the Triangle area and beyond, and this is a great way of helping support the station and your local music scene. Plus you're getting to see some of the finest local artists around! This year's lineup is one that's got me very excited for the weekend of February 4, both nights consist of very diverse genres, making for one great weekend in Raleigh.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here through etix.  A one day pass is $10 and a two day pass is $18.  Also included in the ticket price is a compilation CD of all eight of the bands, featuring a previously unreleased song from each one.  Do yourself a favor and check these shows out, you definitely don't want to miss them!

Looking Ahead: What To Look Forward To In 2011

Hey there everyone, hope you all had a great holiday season!  Now that a new year is upon is, we've got loads of new things to be excited about, especially here at The Bottom String!  This year is going to mark the first full year of our Bottom String Presents series in New Bern, held at Journey Cafe.  We had a successful first show of the series back in December with Butterflies and Monsonia, and we've got even more exciting shows in the works for this year!  Not to mention more Bottom String Sessions are already being planned.  But enough about TBS, heres what I'm most excited for about 2011 in NC!