Show Review: Cass McCombs w/ Frank Fairfield

I've got to admit that going into this show I was more excited for my first show at Haw River Ballroom than I was for the sets I was getting ready to see, however between the absolutely stellar performance from Frank Fairfield and a spot-on set from the Cass McCombs band led to an incredible evening.  For starters though it needs to be made clear how incredible Haw River Ballroom is, the aesthetics are phenomenal and the sound is just as great.  From the kids running around before the show to the attached general store, you walk through the doors and feel at home.  With only one show Haw River has become one of my favorite venues in the state,  I'd recommend going to a show there at your absolute earliest availability.  You won't be disappointed.

Hear Here: January 18 - 28

There's some must-see shows coming up in these next couple of weeks, so a Hear Here seemed fitting for return yet again!  Between a Haw River Ballroom set from Cass McCombs, Free DiggUp Tapes show at Kings, and the amazing Save Our Arts Benefit at Motorco, the Triangle has got a lot to be focused on.  So here's the shows that we'll be checking out in the next week:

Show of the Week: Save Our Arts Benefit: Megafaun w/ The Beast, Mount Moriah @ Motorco in Durham, NC on January 28, 2012

Around The Triangle: Some Army, Red Collar, Akron/Family

Akron/Family @ The Pour House
January 7, 2012

Another exciting set of captures from recent shows around the Triangle are coming to you courtesy of myself and Aggie Donkar.  It seemed like every corner I turned someone was talking about the stellar debut from Some Army last week with their self-titled 7" that was greeted with rave reviews.  Aggie was out at the Some Army show at Local 506 on Friday as well as Red Collar's on Saturday taking photos which can be found below.  Also included in this week's Around The Triangle is a video of "Everyone is Guilty" from Akron/Family's absolutely incredible performance at The Pour House as a part of the Hopscotch Presents series.  Check it all out after the jump!

WKNC Double Barrel Benefit 9 Announces Lineup

WKNC's Double Barrel Benefit 9
will be held on February 3 and 4
at The Pour House in Raleigh, NC

This afternoon DJ Kligz and Adam Kincaid from The Local Beat announced the lineup to WKNC's 9th annual Double Barrel Benefit, to be held on February 3 and 4 at The Pour House.  WKNC is NC State's student radio station and it has become quite the staple in the Carolina music scene between all of its outlets for local talent such as The Local Beat, Fridays on the Lawn, and Double Barrel Benefit.  Double Barrel is always one of the most exciting collection of local artists sharing the same bill, all helping to give back to the station for WKNC's biggest fundraiser of the year.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't biased about how excited I am for this event because I volunteer for KNC, but it sincerely has an excellent array of some of the Triangle's finest talents.

The Bottom String's Top 10 North Carolina Albums of 2011

It was a fantastic year for the Carolina music scene in 2011 and after taking a bit of time to let it all soak in I think I've fumbled the list around enough to have determined what I feel are the ten best albums to be released in North Carolina from 2011.  In a year that saw both of North Carolina's newest and brightest festivals garner massive national attention thanks to picking up some of the hottest and most talented artists in the national scene, we also saw the local scene continue to pump out fantastic releases.  Between Mount Moriah's long awaited full-length, a sophomore smash from Carolina rap favorites Kooley High, the return of Bombadil and much much more, we have had an incredible year of music in the tobacco state.  So without further ado, let's get down to the Top 10!

Some Army releases 7" self-titled debut

Some Army will be releasing their self-titled 7" @ Local 506
on Friday January 13, 2012 w/ Fan Modine & Prypat

With a show coming up with Fan Modine at Local 506 on Friday night you've got no reason to not go check out what has to potential be one of 2012's most promising local acts.  Some Army is a six piece band comprised of members of Honored Guests, Aminal, and JKutchma led by songwriter Russel Bagget of Honored Guests.

Bagget's soothing vocals serve as the perfect compliment to the ethereal sounds of Some Army's instrumentation.  It's slow brewing psychedelic rock music with brilliant melodies that give it a bit of a folk/pop twist to make for an incredibly interesting listening experience.

Lost in the Trees announce new album "A Church That Fits Our Needs" + releases new song, "Red"

Lost in the Trees @ Fletcher Opera Hall
at Hopscotch Music Festival 2011

The darlings of North Carolina's music scene, Lost in the Trees, have finally announced their much awaited follow up to All Alone In An Empty House, the masterpiece of a record re-released on ANTI back in 2010.  The re-release thrust Lost in the Trees into the spotlight, even leading to their addition on Jeff Mangum's ATP Festival in Europe.  The wait for another album is finally over though as it was announced today that A Church That Fits Our Needs will be released on March 20, 2012.  This wasn't the only delicious nugget of information that Lost in the Trees dropped for us today though, as the album announcement coincided with the release of a new song, "Red" which can be found on NPR's All Songs Considered, check out the link after the jump.

Around The Triangle: The Big Picture BSS, Automatic For The Joshua Tree, Mandolin Orange, Wiley Hunter & The Cazadores

Birds & Arrows performing at Automatic For The Joshua
Tree @ Local 506 on Jan. 6, 2012

The year has just begun and shows continue to roll right along in the great tobacco state.  This edition of Around The Triangle includes the wrap-up of last years captures from Aggie with the Mandolin Orange Christmas show and Wiley Hunter & The Cazadores at Local Beer, Local Band, as well as our first Bottom String Session of 2012 with The Big Picture (featuring the always awesome Tunnell brothers).  Cap that off with some pictures of last weeks REM/U2 cover show with shots of Birds & Arrows, Magnolia Collective, and much more.  Check out all of the aforementioned media after the jump and welcome to the new year!