Hear Here: November 4 - November 12

Bombadil @ Hopscotch
Photo Credit: Agatha Donkar

It's been quite some time since our last Hear Here, our regular piece updating you about the shows we're most looking forward to around the state, but alas we're back to spread the good word of all of the great shows going on.  These past few months it's been hard to turn in any direction without having an awesome lineup to check out, and that goes for Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Asheville, and even Wilmington has been stepping up their show game.  So without further ado here are the shows that we're most excited for in the upcoming week.

Show of the Week: Bombadil w/ Future Kings of Nowhere, Jason Kutchma @ The Cat's Cradle on November 12, 2011



Raleigh
Friday, November 4
Skyler Gudasz & The Ugly Girls w/ Lizzy Ross Band @ Witherspoon Hall (NCSU)
FREE
The much awaited return of Fridays on the Lawn, WKNC's free show highlighting some incredible local talent as well as providing the crowd with delicious treats (Tacos from Chubby's Tacos this go-round) and an all around excellent night spent indoors, away from the cold.  Granted it's not so much of Friday on the Lawn anymore, but getting to hear the excellently woven folk stylings of Skyler Gudasz & The Ugly Girls is something  worth braving the potentially rainy and cold weather to spend it inside of Witherspoon with the folks of WKNC, great local talent, and free tacos.  Did I mention free tacos, already?

Friday, November 11
Mandolin Orange w/ Josh Oliver (of The Everybodyfields) @ Berkeley Cafe
$10
Celebrating the release of their new double album Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger, Mandolin Orange is bringing Josh Oliver of The Everybodyfields along with them to Berkeley for what's sure to be an excellent and intimate performance, the first Mandolin Orange will have after their official album release.  While the band has a release show back in September at The Cat's Cradle, the album's official release is November 8, and it's certainly one to check out as I'm anticipating it as one of my favorites of the year.  The blending of two soothing and beautiful folk artists at such an intimate venue is guaranteed to make for an incredible show.  I'm devastated at missing this, but I'll be off in Chapel Hill for a double header of shows that's equally exciting.

Carrboro/Chapel Hill
Friday, November 11
The Sea and Cake w/ Brokeback & Butterflies @ Local 506
$14 in advance/$16 at the door
The Sea and Cake are a band I slept on for far too long, with a career that stretches out to nine albums already and including opening slots for bands like Broken Social Scene, the band shows no signs of slowing down.  Their unique blend of jazzy elements, post-rock vibes, and indie guitar pop all mesh together brilliantly and are topped off with the hushed and almost intimate vocals of Sam Prekop.  It's a show I've been looking forward to for weeks now as I've absolved myself more and more in this band, especially when you couple it with the fact that one of my local favorites are opening.  Butterflies will serve as the perfect introduction into this night of meticulously crafted pop tunes with a bit of inspiration strewn about from countless genres throughout each of these acts.  A night sure to be filled with infectious tunes and excellent vibes, I for one can't wait for next weekend's batch of shows.

Saturday, November 12
Bombadil w/ Jason Kutchma & Future Kings of Nowhere @ The Cat's Cradle
$12 in advance/$15 day of
This is a show I've been looking forward to since September, the Bombadil album release.  All That The Rain Promises is already one of my favorite releases of the year for the short time that I've had it, it's a new beginning for this excellent North Carolina band and this show at The Cat's Cradle is going to be one phenomenal outing.  Local favorites of Jason Kutchma and Future Kings of Nowhere are going to be a joy to check out for the first time, however Bombadil is what I'm all antsy over.  Their set at Fletcher Opera Hall at Hopscotch was nothing short of incredible and left me aching for more live Bombadil.  I can't remember the last time I was this excited for a local show, so mark it on your calendars and get your asses out to The Cradle next Saturday because this is going to be one of the highlights of this year's shows in the Triangle.

Durham
Saturday, November 12
Youth Lagoon w/ Young Magic @ Motorco
$8 in advance/ $10 day of
Another show I can't believe I've got to miss, its downright depressing.  Youth Lagoon caught my attention after there was so much buzz over his Hopscotch performance, since September I've absolutely immersed myself in the sounds of his debut full-length on Fat Possum The Year of Hibernation.  It's lo-fi pop excellence filled with luscious textures, nostalgia tinged lyrics, and an interesting peek into the mind of twenty-two year old Trevor Powers.  If it weren't for my sheer excitement over Bombadil's release show I'd be at this show without a doubt.  If you're in the area then be sure to check out this excellent act with a live show that's sure to be an enlightening experience.

Wilmington
Saturday, November 5
Kaki King @ The Soapbox Laundro Lounge
$12 in advance/ $15 day of
A show that will be nothing short of tantalizing, Kaki King is a visionary on the guitar.  It's not hard to get lost in her unique style of guitar playing, she's got a sense of mastery of the instrument that makes it hard to turn away from her.  Her lyricism almost takes a back seat, but that doesn't mean that it's lacking in any sense of the word.  Kaki King boasts wrenching lyrics with intricate melodies and even more intricate guitar lines.  A stellar show for the eastern parts of North Carolina to check out.

Thursday, November 10
Megafaun @ Brooklyn Arts Center
$15 in advance/$18 day of
The name that won't seem to leave the lips of many Carolinians and for a good reason, Megafaun give a breath taking live performance that is sure to encapsulate the ears, minds, and hearts of Brooklyn Arts Center's attendees.  Ranging from rustic anthems to invigorating experimentation with rhythm and melody, the boys of Megafaun stray from the normal folk rock sounds that you'd expect from three bearded dudes equipped with a banjo, acoustic, and drums.  Not to mention they've got some damn fine harmonies.  Another stellar show for Wilmington that I'd highly recommend checking out, you certainly won't be disappointed.