Local Music Update

Over the past few months I have really tried to jump into the local scene. It took me a while to realize how many GREAT bands are coming out of Chapel Hill and Durham these days. Next year, on B-Cuts, we are going to try to focus on bringing the local scene to WSOE. This year was great with Luego and Bombadil coming into the studio, two amazing bands that I just found out about this year. I'll start with those two, and reveal some other bands that you all might hear on B-Cuts next year.

Luego is an alt-country-ish band featuring acoustic guitar, cello, viola, drums and a vocals that fit seamlessly. Luego is made up of some very nice people who really just love making and playing music. You can find the interview and in-studio podcast on iTunes if you search for WSOE.

Bombadil is a hard band to describe. One of the members, Bryan, actually asked me at a show how I could best describe them and I couldn't. Now that I look back on it, if you combine Beulah with Bob Dylan fronting the Decemberists... that's Bombadil. Even that's a stretch. Bombadil is a fun band to see live because almost everyone plays almost everything. I've never seen some instruments played in a live show before and in certain ways. Daniel played his bass with a drum stick at one point, and it made some cool sounds. They keep it fun and switch it up and they are just one of North Carolina's greatest neo-folk bands.

Bands to look for on future B-Cuts (these will be shorter because we haven't interviewed them yet-sans Old Ceremony and Roman Candle because I saw them live):

Early Morning Swimm is what I can best describe as Joseph Arthur meets Iron & Wine. They are a dark and beautiful folk group. They will be in the studio in early Feb, so listen up!!

American Aquarium takes their name from a Wilco lyric. It fits. American Aquarium is more of a folk version of Wilco, and they do a good job of not being Wilco, which is key in this kind of situation. American Aquarium makes some beautiful music that will bring out your emotions.

Erie Choir is what you get when Elvis Costello makes a pop-indie band or if the Super Furry Animals played folk music. Either way, check them out because they'll grow on you... fast.

The Future Kings of Nowhere is a band that I fell in love with the first time I heard them. They are an anti-folk/acoustic-punk band and their sound is so catchy. Perhaps if you just gave Ted Leo an acoustic guitar and a bit of early Against Me! energy, you'd have Future Kings. The music is very upbeat and fun.

Red Collar or... The Clash of North Carolina. These guys are an interesting punk band in the classic punk sense. They make rock music, and it's great.

The Old Ceremony puts on one hell of a live show. My best way to describe them... is if the Who made Americana music and formed up with Fastball. Again, that's a stretch. If these guys made music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be freaking huge right now.

Roman Candle is what you get if you take Wilco's current "we're just a rock band" mentality and have them re-make A.M. or a more rockin Bob Dylan and the Band. Just like Old Ceremony, if these guys were making music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be huge. Roman Candle is proof that rock is in fact... still alive. For the sake of your life, check out the song "Why Modern Radio is AOK" because it's one of the best songs I've heard all year.


Keep on listening to the B-Cuts next semester to hear these great bands in the studio. Do yourself a favor, go out and support local music at your local venues and you might be surprised at the bands putting on some amazing shows.

Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive

I'm Very Confused Right Now...

To see my latest rant of confusion about how good bands are finally being supported yet some things never change, go to Before the Culture Dies

Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive

DJ KRA's Best of the Year

1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
This album flows beautifully and there isn't a bad song on it. The concept behind everything In Rainbows is brilliant, but it doesn't outshine the amazing sounds they make.

2. Soulsavers - It's now how far you fall, it's how you land
Very depressing, very very beautiful album that just makes you break down in emotion. I don't think I've ever felt this way because of an album before. It's so dark and beautiful. Lanegan's voice shines.

3. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
This record is just plain solid. The songs are clever and catchy and the delivery is perfect.

4. The National - Boxer
I'm new to The National. I had no idea who they were until this album. They blew me away. The vocals work perfectly with the lush instrumentation.

5. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
It's Porcupine Tree, 'nuff said. The album is solid. I feel that it lacks in certain areas, but it's a great album as far as production, instrumentation and lyrically. Breathtaking album competing in a year full of great releases.

Honorable Mentions:

Andrew Bird
Dinosaur Jr.
Winterpills
Three
Autumn Defenses
Devin Townsend
Wilco
Blackfield


Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive!!!