Holy Ghost Tent Revival To Release An Album Of Previously Unheard Recordings, "The Blood Beneath"

The slow rise of Holy Ghost Tent Revival has been filled with many ups and downs, members have come and gone, their sound has evolved and fans have cheered and jeered at the developing sound of these raucous performers from Greensboro.  While some applaud the natural progression of this former rag-time folk group, many have found themselves yearning for the bluegrass days of Patrick Leslie and Mike O'Malley.  Well yearn no longer, as Holy Ghost Tent Revival have announced the June 10 release of a The Blood Beneath, a "lost album" from 2010 that highlights the group's beloved beginnings.

Along with this announcement the group has released two of the fifteen tracks to be featured on The Blood Beneath, "Shadow Rag" and "Hopelessly Longing".  Both songs immediately take me back to the packed-out, sweat-filled shows of the group's past.  Stephen Murray and Patrick Leslie's smooth harmonies fill "Shadow Rag", packed tightly into a mix that's bursting with soaring horns and vivacious rhythms.  "Hopelessly Longing" begins with a slow build and Leslie's lone vocals, but erupts into the group's familiar call and response trade-off of vocal duties.

The album features an early recording of Sweat Like The Old Days' "Young Black Hair" and various other tracks from the early days of HGTR.  While the album won't be getting a physical release, it will serve as a digital glimpse into the past of a dynamic group of North Carolina musicians. Holy Ghost's unfiltered sense of self has always led to powerful songs capable of commanding listeners to lose themselves to the timeless twists and turns of their infectious sounds.

You can pre-order The Blood Beneath for $10 on the group's Bandcamp and receive a download of "Shadow Rag" and "Hopelessly Longing".  But for now you can also preview the tracks below:

Music on the Mountaintop brings Railroad Earth, Dr. Dog and some stellar locals to Grandfather Mtn.

Music on the Mountaintop brings Dr. Dog,
Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Railroad Earth, and
more to Banner Elk, NC on August 24-26

Music on the Mountaintop is celebrating its 5th anniversary in a big way, bringing in the highly esteemed Railroad Earth as a partner in curating and hosting a Superjam on the last day of the festival.   Headlined by Railroad Earth and the fantastic indie folk rockers Dr. Dog, Music on the Mountaintop is a quaint but expanding event held near the college town of Boone, NC.  The three-day festival held at the foot of Grandfather Mountain from August 24 through August 26 is currently selling tickets at an early bird price of $85, allowing you to enjoy three days of music and two nights of camping in one of the most gorgeous festival locales in the state.

Held at Grandfather Mountain Campground, the festival offers satellite parking at a lot under 5 miles away and requires festival goers to take the golf cart shuttle or the free Boone/App State shuttle.  With a low price and some stellar local acts filling out the line-up, MOTM looks like it's going to be an absolute blast.

Radiating nothing but good vibes, Music on the Mountaintop is held in Banner Elk, NC roughly 10 miles from Boone and already features a diverse lineup of talented North Carolina musicians along with some highly revered international acts as well.  Beginning in 2008, the festival has grown from humble beginnings and has continually supported local non-profits such as Appalachian Voices throughout their history.  With last year's attendance at 5,500 the festival has since expanded to three days, and with artists like The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Sam Bush, MOTM continues to fill their expanding lineup with an eclectic blend of musical styles that makes for their best lineup yet.  Local standout artists like River Whyless and Naked Gods of Boone return to the festival along with the beloved Holy Ghost Tent Revival make for an excellent snapshot of North Carolina's music scene.  Be sure to check out the rest of the lineup thus far after the jump!

Shakori Hills Spring Festival Line-up Announcement

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival is from April 19-22, 2012
in Pittsboro, NC.  Tickets are $95 in advance for
a 4-day pass

We're just under a month away from one of the semi-annual highlights of living in North Carolina, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival.  The four day festival of music, dance, art and much more  kicks off this spring on April 19 and lasts through April 22.  Pittsboro will once again be packed full of phenomenal local acts as well as promising up-starts from all over the nation.

Headlined by the legendary Leftover Salmon and filled with grassroots favorites like Donna The Buffalo and Greg Humphreys, Shakori Hills is going to be an absolutely magical weekend as per usual.  While the festival lacks the powerful draws that Fall 2011 did (with a phenomenal lineup including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings as well as a reunited lineup of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones), the lineup more than makes up for that problem with the plethora of amazing local acts and swiftly rising touring bands.  Locals like Justin Robinson & The Mary Annettes, Midtown Dickens, Mandolin Orange, Bombadil, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and The Beast are huge stand-outs amongst the lineup.

Locals aside, the festival is bringing in some familiar names like Dirty Bourbon River Show (an absolute powerhouse of a band from New Orleans bringing a unique blend of zydeco-swing with a bit of a carnival esque touch to it), Driftwood (the band that seemed to be on everyone's lips at the end of Fall Shakori last year), and Shakori mainstays with Donna The Buffalo.  Other touring acts that I'm already giddy with anticipation to check out include Rubblebucket (with a late-night Thursday set that's sure to kick the festival off with a bang), Elephant Revival, and Dark Water Rising.  The full lineup can be found after the jump.