This Week in Music - January 9-16

Mid January Music Guide

Hideaway is on its way out, but the music scene in Raleigh beats on.  Instead of losing three music venues in 2008, let’s hope Raleigh gains at least three more.  Here are a couple of concerts that shouldn’t be missed this week to start off the new year on a high note.

Thursday January 10, 2008

If you don’t have tickets to see Yo La Tengo and Lambchop lead singer Kurt Wagner at The Artscenter in Carrboro (which is Sold Out), Tir Na Nog will be the place to be to hear some great local live music.  Goner and The T’s are both local rock bands that are continuing to play as many shows as they can in the area.  This is a great thing for the local scene and with another free show sponsored by Big Boss and WKNC, Tir Na Nog looks serious at keeping the Local Band, Local Beer Thursday night tradition rocking Raleigh into the new year.  All music swans and booze hawks should start flocking to the front door around 10pm. 

Saturday January 12, 2008

I was handed Bettye LaVette’s 18th (at least) album, The Scene of the Crime, a couple of days ago.  After a bit of research into the album’s history and a couple of listens, I was convinced that LaVette is definitely a soul icon all should know about. The album has an interesting story behind its title.  25 years ago, LaVette recorded a separate album called Souvenirs at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1972.  Atlantic failed to release the album, instead putting it in a storage bin.  It was dug out in 2000 and boosted LaVette’s career to the status it is now.  The latest album finds LaVette and southern rockers Drive By Truckers returning to FAME studios (aka The Scene of the Crime) to record.  The new sound resonates somewhere between Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge and Aretha Franklin.  She covers songs by Elton John, Ray Charles and Willie Nelson on the album and recently appeared on WHYY’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.  LaVette will be in Cary Saturday evening for a special performance which shouldn’t be missed.

Don’t miss your chance to hear one of the greatest soul singers in American music history when Bettye Lavette performs in Cary on Saturday, January 12, 2008 during the Marvelous Music Series. Beginning at 7:30 p.m.  at the Herb Young Community Center , 101 Wilkinson Ave. , the concert will also feature a one-man dramatic interpretation by Mike Wiley and the annual ONE SONG presentation.  Tickets are $18 (adults), $16 (seniors 55 and older), and $15 (12 and under) and are available at the Community Center or at Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (919) 834-4000 .  For more, call (919) 469-4061 or visit Marvelous Music Series at www.townofcary.org.

Wednesday January 16, 2008

The Loners at White Collar Crime
If you go to The Loners’s myspace page, all the songs are from 2001-2003.  This is because they took a three year hiatus and played their first show back together at Kings in 2007 just before it shut its doors in April.  Since they started playing shows again in the Raleigh area, they haven’t slowed down.  The Rosebuds (see below) name them as one of their favorite bands and with only a listen one would think there are more than only two band members.  But with only drums, a guitar and two microphones, The Loners make more noise than the average four piece rock band.  Show up around 10 to make sure you catch some of the tunes.  Rocket Cottage open and the show should be free.

The Rosebuds at Cats Cradle

Although this show is not in Raleigh, The Rosebuds are from the capital city.  The band stated in a recent web bulletin that it would be their last show in the area until the fall (and have even been taking write-in requests for it as well).  There were rumors of the band breaking up, which would be disappointing since their last album, Night of the Furies, was applauded by various high profile music sources, as was their tour with The National and appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas.  Considering the statement “until fall”, it looks that Ivan and Kelly may be back with a new album and more shows, but in the meantime a trip to Chapel Hill would in a roundabout way give money back to the Raleigh music scene.  The Honored Guest and Lake Inferior open.  Show starts at 9:30pm and the tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show.

And Finally…...

Add to Your Calendar:  Monday, February 18th, 2008

Bon Iver had one of the best albums of 2007. Although not officially released yet, the album garnered fabulous reviews from the music rags throughout the year and allowed him/them to sign with Jagjaguwar, a great independent rock label. 

Justin Vernon, architect of the Bon Iver project, has Raleigh ties with various bands (and also lived in Raleigh for a while).  He was, at one point, a musician and producer with the band DeYarmond Edison who had a brief stint in the Triangle area.  Around the same time he participated in Ticonderoga and recently has toured with The Rosebuds (as well as produced and co-engineered Night of the Furies). 

This is one of the better shows that The Downtown Event Center (formerly Raleigh Music Hall) has booked

.(This show is now at Local 506 in Chapel Hill, if Bon Iver does play a show in Raleigh that weekend, we’ll be sure to let you know)  Bon Iver will perform on Monday. February 18th and his album will officially be released the next day.  He also starts a national tour with Black Mountain on that Tuesday.  Expect the soothing sounds of Vernon locking himself in a cabin for weeks in the cold, Wisconsin woods, very reminiscent of Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy).  It should be a fantastic evening of music.  Check Downtown Event Center Dot Com for more info at some point, whenever they decide to update their website next.

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