Ears to the Ground: "Trading Love For Gold" by Morning Brigade

Morning Brigade are celebrating the release of
"Grow Around The Bones" on Sat. April 26 at Local 506
w/ Look Homeward and Birds & Arrows

For the past few years Chapel Hill's Morning Brigade have been slowly but surely building quite the reputation for themselves. Though they're still fresh-faced college students, they've performed at some of the area's premiere festivals including Hopscotch, Shakori Hills and the Eno River Festival. Their debut full-length Above Our Heads was released back in 2012, but they're already a week away from the release of their heavily anticipated follow-up Grow Around The Bones.

I spoke with Peter Vance, the band's vocalist and songwriter back in 2013 and noticed how clear of a vision the band seems to have for itself. Morning Brigade isn't clouded by visions of pomp and fanfare like one may expect from a young band that's gathered such a large local following, instead they're headstrong, focused on advancing as musicians by creating engaging and thought-provoking songs all their own. Vance said that he didn't want the band's follow-up to be a sequel to Above Our Heads, but instead something new and exciting. From the early sounds of Grow Around The Bones, it'll be just that.

Although the core of "Trading Love For Gold" was written by Vance before Morning Brigade had even formed, the collaborative aspects of the band shine through. The song has been a staple of live performances, growing over the years into an inquisitive and expansive track that tackles the reaches of love and what it's truly worth. "Trading Love For Gold" serves as a brilliant stepping stone for Morning Brigade, it's proof that they've grown markedly as an act since the release of Above Our Heads, mostly because it feels like a far more realized version of the grandiosity on display in their debut. Each instrument fits snugly into the mix and serves as a vital element to the song's structure, subtly layered harmonies and gently swelling strings give way to emotional shouts and abrupt rhythmic shifts.

Grow Around The Bones was recorded at Nightsound Studios in Chapel Hill and was produced by Chris Wimberly and Morning Brigade (with local icon Chris Stamey mixing "Trading Love For Gold" and "Elemental," the album's first two singles). Grow Around The Bones will be released officially on Saturday, April 26. The band is celebrating with a performance at Local 506 in Chapel Hill alongside Look Homeward and Birds & Arrows. With a sold-out 506 performance under their belt, I'd jump on some advance tickets for this one if you want guaranteed entry, you can purchase them at local506.com for $10, with a free CD included with admission. They'll also be performing on Friday, May 2 at Kings Barcade in Raleigh with Saints Apollo and The Walking Sticks. You can listen to "Trading Love for Gold" below:

Ears to the Ground: "Let Me Out" by Clockwork Kids

Rememory will be released on April 3

Within the past year or so it's become a bit overwhelming as to how many stellar local acts are putting out album after album, it becomes a bit hard to stand out amongst the crowded scene. However, when you're putting out your first full-length you've got to find something people can latch on to, and holy hell have Clockwork Kids done so. To celebrate the release of Rememory, their forthcoming full-length album set to be released on on April 3, the band will be performing the album in its entirety at Morehead Planetarium on UNC Chapel Hill's campus. Accompanied by a string and horn section, the group will be play beneath the stars for a synchronized light show like no other, serving as a top-notch opening for the ConvergeNC Southern Music Festival.

But looking past the release show antics, there's plenty to get excited about with Rememory. Clockwork Kids combine the dreamy aspects of shoegaze with the straightforward melodic tendencies of college rock, topping it all off with the deep, resonant vocals of Justin Ellis. "Let Me Out" gets off to a slow start, slowly rolling along with smoothly strummed guitar lines accentuated by sly overdubs. However, the song gradually builds into a brilliantly robust track, reaching its precipice as Ellis and his three guitar crew reach an emotive crescendo, bringing all of the rich layers together in one dazzling moment of clarity.

The interplay between the band members keeps this six-minute track as fresh and entertaining as a three-minute pop banger and quite frankly should get fans prepped for a night of immersive tunes at Morehead Planetarium. It's rare to see a band that packs in three guitars into one track and it doesn't just feel over the top, but Clockwork Kids' dynamic approach allows each part to shine on its own rather than muddling things up. Combine that with the guest spot from guitarist Chris Petto's father, Frank Petto further fleshing out the track with some slick organ work and you've got a pretty fantastic glance into what you can expect from the band's full-length debut.

Clockwork Kids' Rememory will be released on Thursday, April 3. Rememory was mastered by Thom Canova (The Love Language, Old Ceremony, Dex Romweber Duo) and will performed in full at Morehead Planetarium on Thursday, April 3. Admission is $10 and the show will serve as the opening event for the ConvergeNC Southern Music Festival.

Album Review: "As For Martinton" by Manna Frost Trio

As For Martinton was released on July 30 and is
available on Manna Frost Trio's Bandcamp

Manna Frost Trio are a band that's likely to take you by surprise. When I first listened to the band I'm not quite sure of what I expected, but I can guarantee you that it wasn't this. The Manna Frost Trio is an amorphous project that seems to straddle between the one-man band of Stacy Harden and an array of talented Carrboro area musicians. Though the band may not actually be a trio--Harden records these tracks by himself--nobody here is arguing semantics when they pull off their sound as brilliantly as they do. As For Martinton grasps the listeners attention from the opening note to the closing croons, with gorgeous folk rock roots guiding the band along the way.

The album opens with the wistful "Waste I Will,"a track that feels like a conglomeration of Dawes and Fleet Foxes, the track is fueled by its strong, passionate lyrical content but has been built upon a shuffling foundation of fingerpicked guitars and effervescent percussion. "How could I be lonesome here?/There's only time to waste, and waste I will," the words have the capacity to seep into your core while you find yourself mesmerized by the rich harmonies that fill the album. As For Martinton is filled with plaintive lyricism that's brightened by fantastic harmonies, making for an experience that's just as emotionally fulfilling as it is aurally.

Hopscotch Highlight: Morning Brigade

Morning Brigade will perform at Deep South The Bar
on Friday, Sept. 6 at 12:00 am

Last week's piece on Sylvan Esso marked the first Hopscotch Highlight for this year's festival, it focused attention on a band that's still in its infancy but has covered an astounding amount of ground in the year that they've been together. This week's spotlight shines on a band in quite the similar situation. Morning Brigade is a bright young act based out of Chapel Hill that has blossomed from humble beginnings into a full blown sextet that straddles the fine line between simplistic structure and grandiose embellishments.

The band is comprised mostly of UNC students, ranging from a freshly graduated keyboardist to a handful of upperclassmen from various backgrounds. However, one would never know that this band has only been together for a few years, they're a passionate crew of musicians that have achieved a cohesiveness that takes years for many folks to craft.

Songwriter and vocalist Peter Vance constructs literary folk tunes that produce vivid images of the worlds inside of and around us. There's an equal amount of focus on internal struggles as there is on the beauty of nature and the hope for change. Tracks like "Rough Patch" equate eternal hardships with a patch of pesky weeds and a broken heart with a neglected garden. Vance's songwriting has an intrinsic quality about it that makes it easy to relate to, it's all filled with clearly personal moments but they've been shrouded with enough mystery for listeners to create their own interpretations. Just the way Vance intended. The songs are straightforward, driven by acoustic instrumentation and rooted in earthy undertones.

Virgins Family Band debut "Honeylion" on The Bottom String w/ a new Bottom String Session

Honeylion by Virgins Family Band was released on
February 8, 2013.  The band will be celebrating
their album release on February 22 at Local 506
with Baobab.

Virgins Family Band are one of the most surprising acts to come from the Triangle in recent memory.  As I was scouring the web for local shows I found the Baobab double album release show with Virgins Family Band and knew that I'd be in for a treat.  However, when I first listened to Honeylion there was a visceral reaction that I wasn't expecting.  Their sweet harmonies and unpredictable melodies make each listen through an experience in which you can peel back new layers and find new moments in this music to connect with.  Ranging from frenetic soul to jazzy indie rock, Virgins Family Band have a sound unlike any other band in the state.  It's one of those bands where you can genuinely start to realize the depth of the Carolina talent pool, because seemingly from out of nowhere I've grown incredibly attached to this band.

Honeylion is as strong a statement that any band can wish to make with a debut, they've crafted a sound that's entirely unique and filled with melodic masterpieces.  Tracks like the album's opener, "Moon Breath" display the dynamic breadth displayed within this 8-track album.  Powerful rhythms drive these tunes, and they're capable of changing direction on a dime and delivering a brand new addictive melody that's filled with adventurous originality.  The best part about Honeylion though is that it always leaves you guessing, Virgins Family Band combine elements from jazz and pop music in a way that creates an inviting yet still complex soundscape that's filled with gorgeous musical moments that create for an invigorating listening experience.  The entire album is packed with fantastic musical endeavors, from the croons of "Eyes Like Troubled Dreams" to the shiver-inducing shouts that close the album in "Lily Molusco", Virgins Family Band display a mastery of dynamics and pacing.

Honeylion feels like a truly cohesive piece of work, it's difficult to not listen to this all the way through as each track beckons the listener to continue on.  The flow of Honeylion is as smooth as the title implies, this release is filled with seamless transitions and brilliant resolve.  Honeylion soundtracks my winter days and will soon do the same for my spring, mostly because it's a ubiquitous piece of music that truly feels timeless.  Honeylion has given Virgins Family Band my complete attention.  They're one of the most talented acts I've seen from North Carolina in years and I take great pride in being able to debut their first full-length.  Check out the Bottom String Session I filmed with the band below and purchase their album Honeylion on Bandcamp:

Jeff Mangum announces more tour dates, stopping through Chapel Hill

The legendary Jeff Mangum shocked the music world when he announced new tour dates in 2011 and returned from his lengthy hiatus, but his comeback doesn't seem to be over just yet.  Mangum recently announced more new tour dates for the US as well as some rescheduled European shows as well.  As this news gradually spreads I'm sure you'll be able to hear the fanboy shrieks throughout the Triangle (myself included) for days to come when they find out that  Mangum will be stopping through the beautiful Memorial Hall at UNC-Chapel Hill on January 30 with tickets going on sale this Friday, November 11 at noon.

The rest of Mangum's tour dates are as followed: