APRIL 16, 2009 ISSUE
Brewer’s Briefs
Do people care about the radio anymore? When’s the last time you got in your car or went home and turned on the radio just to relax and listen to whatever came over the airwaves? Can you even remember?
I’m not trying to guilt trip anyone out there—I’m merely posing some questions about the average person’s listening habits to gauge whether or not radio actually has any sway over your music choices. Once upon a time, radio was king and people tuned in by the millions to hear the stars of the day. Then video killed the radio star. Actually, radio had declined quite a bit by the time MTV arrive on the scene, but that’s a whole other story.
Sometimes it seems like turning on the radio is a less attractive alternative to plugging in your iPod or listening to a CD, as if it were the last resort after you’ve become tired of the more obvious choices at hand. It’s as if we reach for the dial thinking, “go ahead; surprise me.” Which, in a way, seems ridiculous. With thousands of songs able to fit on an iPod, you’re as likely to be surprised by a long lost tune buried deep among the ones and zeros than by something on commercial radio.
Where some radio stations continue to succeed is by plugging into a community by way of the live music scene instead of just playing the lame hits of the day. If only there were more stations like WNCW that served their surrounding areas by playing an eclectic mix of tunes and regularly featured live performances by local, regional and national bands…
At least there are a few folks out there fighting the good fight. While some of its programming is questionable (namely its beach music show), Magic 94.1 in Lexington features a show called Locals Only with Lisa Dames, which plays music from bands all over North Carolina. It seems like a simple idea, but we need a lot more shows along those lines to really stimulate the state’s overall music scene.
This Week…
-The time has finally come for the French invasion of the High Country! This Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, funky fusion power trio Mörglbl will be back in action at Canyons. Mixing jazz, funk, metal and sheer virtuosity, Mörglbl will undoubtedly leave you slack-jawed as they rip through some serious improv rock.
-While all but bassist Ben McPherron have left the High Country for greener pastures, the boys from Wiseapple haven’t left each other. This Saturday, April 18, the jazz-inflected bluegrass outfit, which also features the talents of Brian Swenk, Tim Marsh and Jon Hill, will return to Boone Saloon to dispense their signature brand of roots music.
-This Saturday, April 18, the Dragonfly Theater & Pub will be the place to be for spring’s hottest hip-hop/soul/funk dance party featuring Winston-Salem’s Solos Unit, Boone’s BPL and Wilmington’s Organix. If you’re not trying to get your dance on, don’t even bother showing up.
Next Week…
-There is a rumor circulating around town that sensual Brazilian jazz trio Banana da Terra might host a CD release party at Boone Saloon on Thursday, April 23. Unfortunately, bassist Tim Salt could not reach his band mates by press time to confirm or deny the rumor. Regardless of whether or not the disc is ready, Salt and company will do what they do best along with openers Groovenauts.
-Livingston Taylor actually sang on the phone to me during an interview on Tuesday. The brother of James, who I now know is an tremendously gifted singer-songwriter and performer in his own right, will play Blowing Rock’s Hayes Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 25.
-Although it’s not as common as cancer, most people know someone who’s suffered from Alzheimer’s. On Saturday, April 25, bands Simplified, Do It To Julia, Vice on Victory, The Arrival, Company Cowboy and more will join together at Rock 2 Raise, an Alzheimer’s benefit at the High Country Fairgrounds. If you’re not headed to MerleFest, go rock out and support a great cause.
On The Horizon…
-On Wednesday, April 29, local soul/funk/rock/blues outfit Soul Benefactor will host a reading day blowout at Canyons in Blowing Rock. The band will be joined be a few special guests including blues vocalist Laura England and a new horn section.
-There’s no better way to get rid of a case of the Mondays than by heading to Green Eggs and Jam for an early week triple bill featuring Joe Buck Yourself, Captain Sean and The Malamondos. If a dose of punk-abilly and sleazy rock doesn’t get your week going, just go back to bed.
-On Saturday, May 23, Durham indie darlings Bombadil will team up with Boone faves Do It To Julia for an evening of quirky and melodic rock at the Dragonfly Theater & Pub. Come on out and have a beer. We’ll talk. No big whoop.
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