Show Review: The Mountain Goats w/ Megafaun at The Cat's Cradle 4/8/11

The Mountain Goats at The Cat's Cradle on April 8, 2011

A barefoot John Darnielle entertained the sold out Cat's Cradle with a phenomenal double encore set that spanned over the Mountain Goats illustrious catalog with songs for the diehard fans and songs for the casual listeners as well.  But the joy of seeing Megafaun was still one of the brightest moments of the night, their set also tinged with old favorites like "Lazy Suicide" but some great newer songs like "Volunteer" and a song from their newly recorded record as well.  This sold out show at The Cat's Cradle is definitely my show of the year so far, the energy was fantastic and as a Mountain Goats fan through and through I walked away with an overwhelming feeling of joy from seeing one of my favorite bands absolutely kill it with another of North Carolina's best acts.  It was truly a showcase of the diverse yet breath taking array of music that North Carolina provides, and it was a night to remember.

Album Review: "The Huguenots" by The Huguenots

The Huguenots are a four-piece indie-pop band out of Durham. Since 2008 they have entertained crowds in the Triangle with their famously energetic and fun shows, and now you can finally take that energy home on their eponymous debut. Singer Sam Logan has admitted that The Huguenots are a “live band,” but that doesn't mean the band's strengths don't shine through on their album. In particular, Logan is concerned about the band's image. The band has certainly grown a lot from their early demos, and anyone willing to give the album a listen will realize that.

Justin Townes Earle, Chatham County Line, Onward Soldiers, and more to play Beaufort Music Festival

Justin Townes Earle will be headlining the free Beaufort
Music Festival, held May 13-14, 2011 in Beaufort, NC

Beaufort Music Festival has always had their finger on the pulse of the music scene in North Carolina, picking some of the finest local acts for their festival, and this year will be no different.  For the 23rd year, Beaufort, NC will be home to an incredible and free two-day music festival that will be held on May 13 and 14 this year with day one being headlined by Chatham County Line, the Raleigh based bluegrass group, and day two being headlined by Justin Townes Earle, the incredibly talented son of legendary Steve Earle.

The headliners aren't the only prominent names sticking out on Beaufort Music Festival's lineup though, Wilmington's Onward, Soldiers, the indie rock band that's oozing with Americana and country will also be playing on day two.  Acts such as Jeanne Jolly, the Carolina singer-songwriter with a jazzy voice that's been featured as a vocalist with Grammy winning trumpeter Chris Botti, will be playing on Friday night before Chatham County Line graces the stage.  This is just covering the tip of the lineup, with more acts to be announced on the Local Stage as well it will be interesting to see who the festival brings to the already solid lineup.  The lineup can be found below:

Swans to play at Hopscotch

Swans will play Sept. 10 at Fletcher
Opera Theater at Hopscotch in Raleigh

For the first time ever, post-rock icons Swans will play a show in Raleigh, NC.  This year's Hopscotch Festival announced Swans as their first lineup addition today, announcing that the band was in the works to play at last year's event but didn't start rehearsals until the week after Hopscotch.  After a year of waiting and working, Grayson Currin announced the lineup addition on Hopscotch's website today.

The Bottom String Session w/ The Charming Youngsters

The Charming Youngsters at Spazz Fest
Photo credit to Daniel Ely Rankin

The Charming Youngsters are leading a new breed of Greenville bands, and that was pretty evident when I saw the band at Spazz Fest for the first time since the name and lineup change.  With an EP coming out soon and a big show with Annuals at Motorco, The Charming Youngsters are steadily gaining ground on some of Greenville's finest to have come from the east and make a name for themselves in the Triangle.  The Charming Youngsters were kind enough to record a few songs inside of East Coast Music and Video during Spazz Fest weekend, and I got in a little chat with Nolan about the beginnings and the future of the band.  Check out the band's performances of "Friends and Foes" and "Dirty Feet" below or on The Bottom String's Youtube channel.

Hear Here: Week of April 4

A new month and an insanely busy week around the state for music, numerous awesome releases and numerous awesome shows whether they be in the Triangle or out west (or both!).  North Carolina based Mountain Goats and Megafaun are stopping through and giving the state a one-two punch with The Cat's Cradle and The Grey Eagle, and Destroyer and War on Drugs are doing the same.  But with some heavily anticipated album release shows and awesome tour stops as well, there's a plethora of shows to hit up this week so lets get to it.

Show of the Week: The Mountain Goats w/ Megafaun @ The Cat's Cradle on Friday, April 8

Album Review: "Black Shark" by Hammer No More The Fingers

"Black Shark" by Hammer No More The Fingers
is being released on Friday April 1, 2011 at
Motorco in Durham.  "Black Shark" is being released
on Churchkey Records

The Durham indie-rock trio of Hammer No More The Fingers have been tearing up the Triangle music scene for years now, but with the release of their new full length "Black Shark" it feels like the band has really fallen into their stride.  With a highly anticipated album release show tonight at Motorco in Durham, with a special brew and pizza to boot, Hammer No More The Fingers are about to unleash "Black Shark" onto the world, and my guess is that it'll devour us all.