Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Katharine Whalen

katharinewhalenWhen it comes to local musicians that need little introduction, vocal luminary and founding Squirrel Nut Zipper, Katharine Whalen is perhaps tops on that list.  She’s done her share of musical adventuring, storming with the Zippers through some raucous fusion of Delta blues, Gypsy jazz, Klezmer and beyond and musing the possibilities of 60s’ pop, trip-hop beats, and torch songs on other personal projects.  So, it’s not so much introducing her that’s the trick as it is unraveling the layered and experimental sounds that crowd her musical catalog.

With her latest outfit, Lucky, Whalen turns the page once again, this time toward surf-tinged rock’n’roll thick with 4-part harmonies and pop melodic sense.  The cast of characters  for this venture is rounded out by Will Dawson (of The Squirrel Nut Zippers), Ken Johnson, Darrell Young, and Steve Newton, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch them out live as they ramp up to a debut release due sometime this spring.

And now all that’s left are the five hardest questions in faux business:

1. If your band were a sitcom, what would it be?the-andy-griffith-show

The Andy Griffith Show.

2. When did you decide to start this new project?

I heard the first version of the song “Lucky” in a trailer behind “The N Club” in Greensboro before a snz show about 3 years ago. It was a punk-rock song originally, and I thought it would make a great country song.  We stole the rhythm section of our favorite bar band and the rest is history.

3. Describe the last time you felt really lucky.

This past month, when I was snowed in for 3 days with my family and lots of supplies (and cats) and I wrote 4 songs.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?

Mr Tater the Greatest Music Maker Alive, Tasha Tudor, Dare Wright, and John Steinbeck.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)

Veterinarian.  I do have a lot of several cats.

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Be sure to check back for the next furious five question assault to hit the blogosphere.  Keep tabs on Lucky shows and their upcoming release here.  And be sure to give Katharine a high five when you see her!

Categories
Miscellany

PDF version of today’s Citizen now up!

Here’s the link:

http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/citizen030410.pdf

Categories
Community

Free flu vaccine clinic set up in honor of Tom Robinson

The Orange County Health Department is going to hold a free flu (H1N1 and regular seasonal) vaccine clinic at Carrboro Town Hall on March 13 in honor of Tom Robinson who died last week (see Citizen story and editorial)
Here’s the official release:
For Immediate Release:

THE ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, in cooperation with the Town of Carrboro, will offer a free flu vaccine clinic dedicated to well-known Carrboro merchant Tom Robinson, on Saturday, March 13 at Carrboro Town Hall. The clinic will be open to the public from 9 am to 1 pm. No appointment is necessary. Both H1N1 and Seasonal flu vaccines will be available. All vaccine will be offered free of charge.

Robinson, 58, who died March 19 at UNC Hospitals, operated Tom Robinson’s Carolina Seafood Market in Carrboro for four decades.

Despite diminished media attention, the H1N1 virus is still actively circulating. Seasonal influenza normally peaks in February but significant illness can occur throughout the Spring It is not too late to receive both vaccines.

Vaccine is available to all persons 6 months of age and older, without regard to residence. The vaccine supply is currently plentiful in both the injectable form and the nasal mist.

The Orange Count Health Department operates walk-in clinics, weekly, on the following schedule:

Tuesday: 2 – 6 pm, Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
Wednesday: 9 am – 1 pm, Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
Thursday: 2 – 6 pm, Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill
Friday: 12:30 – 4:30 pm, Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel ill

There is no charge for the flu vaccine. Some young children will require two doses, and may receive the booster dose from the OCHD or local providers.

For more information, call the OCHD nurse line at 919-605-2051.

Categories
Arts & Music

Advance Notice: The Week in Happenings 3/1-7

Chin up, cheer up, go see something.

Tues-Fri – 3/2-7

  • Spring Awakening @ DPAC – This groundbreaking rock musical based on an 1891 German play but retooled by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik (yes, that Duncan Sheik) won 8 Tony awards (including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score) and pretty much changed my life. Go. $25 – $70

Tues – 3/2

  • Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore / Lizzy Ross and the Little Bear that Barks @ The Arts Center in Carrboro – Two Kentucky boys and rising stars join forces (along with producer Yim Yames) to make beautiful music for an important cause–namely to raise awareness about the horrible destruction of our landscape through the use of mountaintop removal coal mining.  Learn more about MTR mining and what you can do to help end it here.  $13 adv / $15 day of the show

Wed – 3/3

  • Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt / The Shakes / Mad Happy @ The Pinhook – If that first name throws you, allow me to explain by saying they are signed to David Byrne’s label, and you can read about them in The New York Times.  Better now? $5

Thurs – 3/4

  • Big Fat Gap / Feeding the Fire / Rocket Surgeon @ Local 506 – $FREE!
  • Ben Davies and the Jetts / Inspector 22 / Gross Ghost @ The Nightlight – $5
  • The Graveyard Fields / Alcazar Hotel / Come Hell or High Water @ The Pinhook – $5

Fri – 3/5

  • Brian McGee and the Hollow Speed / John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff @ The Cave – $5
  • North Elementary / Aminal / Caustic Casanova @ The Pinhook – $5

Sat – 3/6

  • Spring Break Forever: Jenny Owens Young / Bess Rogers / Allison Weiss @ Local 506 – $8 adv / $10 at the door
  • Nightlight’s 7th Anniversay Party! featuring Future Islands / Wizzerds of Rhyme / Dj MothersBrothers / DJ Family Vacation @ The Nightlight – $?
  • Django Haskins / Austin Lucas / Mary Johnson Rockers @ The Pinhook – $5

Sun – 3/7

  • Cymbals Eat Guitars / Bear in Heaven / Freelance Whales @ Local 506 – $8 adv / $10 at the door
  • Cross Canadian Ragweed / Reckless Kelly @ Lincoln Theatre – $20 adv / $25 day of the show

Anywhere else of note? Let us know.

Categories
Miscellany

PDF version of today’s Citizen (with Mill!) now up!

Here are the links:

Regular section: http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/citizen022510.pdf

Mill: http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/printedmill/mill0310.pdf

Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Juan Huevos

treasurebathcoverThe likelihood of telling a story about a cancer-surviving butcher who spends his free time throwing down beats and spitting rhymes is, I would think, incredibly rare, like bleeding, bright pink filet minion rare.  Puns aside, it’s also the incredible true story of Juan Huevos, a hip-hop madman who’d probably rather be known for his stage presence than his medical history or side occupation.  The only problem with that being that it’s hard to separate that dim past from his gregarious stage presence and bright recording future.  Anyone can struggle, but only certain people can come out of something like that vowing to party and providing the soundtrack.

That aggressive creativity has so far produced two full lengths (2008’s MC People Magazine and 2009’s Treasure Bath), an EP (Golden Shower: High Class Demos), and a fliptape (which he describes as an evolution of the mixtape). On the latest, Treasure Bath, Huevos shines at his most earnest yet—which for him translates as a dizzying display of beat-conscious bravado and wit with a healthy dose of self-awareness thrown in.  He’s as likely to offend with dirty jokes, as he is to stun with the intimacy of his reflections. Mostly, he provokes— humor, disgust, amusement, thought, dancing.  On record and live, he is nothing if not present, in the moment, and in your ear insisting you party while he supplies the tunes.

And now the answers to these five mind-boggling questions:

1. If your music were a fashion accessory, what would it be?
Larry Blackmon from Cameo’s red codpiece because I’m cocky but I blush easily.  Can’t I be shy, too?

2. What does it mean to be a briefcase rocker?
Being a Briefcase Rocker means you are going to find yourself in crev situations on a regular basis, which can be a curse or a blessing depending on your mood.  But the best part is having people all over the world that you get to collaborate with, play shows with, party with, crash with … some of whom you may have never even met in person until that moment.  We got a lot of talented artists in the crew who deserve serious attention, I’m stoked to be in their company.

3. Describe the last time you totally jammed out to a song.
I was working on a song with Missy Thangs and we were laying down keyboard parts.  We were super hype on what we were coming up with and we couldn’t stop bopping around.  We haven’t worked on the song since, but we were dancing our asses off.

virgin_suicides4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?
I think most of my influences and inspirations are painfully obvious.  Once, in 1999, I wrote a poem about Kirsten Dunst.  I had just seen The Virgin Suicides and I thought she was super cute.  I wanted to send it to her.  Maybe i can post it on her Facebook page?  Just kidding, I’m over it.  KD doesn’t do it for me anymore.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
For a week I wanted to be a professional football player.  I was a Chicago Bears fan and I wanted to be like Walter Payton.  Seeing as how he raps and dances in the video for The Super Bowl Shuffle, I guess it came true.  Even if I look more like Steve Fuller.

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Check here for more on Juan Huevos’ music and upcoming shows.  And please, do give the man a high five when you see him!

Categories
Arts & Music

Advance Notice: The Week in Happenings 2/22-28

See you there.

Mon – 2/22

  • Leslie and the Lys / Christopher the Conquered @ Local 506 – Please send a representative and wear your best gem sweater. There’s no way Leslie Hall won’t win you over with her craft talk.  How many hints do I have to drop? Just click my hyperlinks and go to the show, already. $9 adv / $11 at the door

Tues – 2/23

  • Cage the Elephant / As Tall as Lions / Morning Teleportation @ Cat’s Cradle – $14 adv / $16 day of the show

Wed – 2/24

Thurs – 2/25

  • Old-Time Jam @ The Nightlight – Round up your best guitar slingers and banjomen for the first of what will hopefully be a monthly gathering of picking and grinning on last Thursdays. There’s apparently free ping pong too.  What’s not to love? $FREE!
  • State Radio / Big D and the Kids Table / Cobalt and the Hired Guns @ Cat’s Cradle – $15
  • Lucky / Birds and Arrows / Mandolin Orange @ Local 506 – Mandolin Orange will throw down their cheery old-time licks, Birds and Arrows will float on top a gauze country haze, and Katherine Whalen’s Lucky will pop/rock you till you’ve had your fill of fun.  Ain’t a bad way to spend an evening. $7
  • Tender Fruit / Nervous but Excited / Humble Tripe @ The Pinhook – $5
  • The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling and Russell Malone @ Carolina Theatre – $42-45

Fri – 2/26

  • Wooden Toothe with Wild Wild Geese @ The Cave – Wooden Toothe’s the next in that lovely line of bands slamming together punk brash and country wailing with just the right touch of indie rock-we’recoolerthanyou.  Lord bless ’em. $5
  • Sam Bush / Missy Raines and the New Hip @ Cat’s Cradle – $20 adv / $23 day of the show
  • Americans in France / Whatever Brains / Invisible Hand @ The Nightlight – $6

Sat – 2/27

  • Felix Obelix CD Release Party! with The Strugglers @ The Nightlight – $8 (with free CD!)
  • The Whiskey Smugglers / Aminal / Saint Solitude @ Local 506 – $6
  • John Harrison / Doug Keith @ The Cave – $5
  • Second Annual Tisch Brain Tumor Center Benefit featuring The Moderate, John Pringle and Trances Arc @ The Pour House – $10

Sun – 2/28

  • North Mississippi Allstars / City Champs @ Cat’s Cradle – $16 adv / $18 day of the show

Anywhere else?

Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Reese McHenry of The Dirty Little Heaters

dirtylittleheatersSpend any amount of time listening to The Dirty Little Heaters and you’ll see why their new record heralds them as The Champions of Imperfection. This quartet’s ferocious garage rock sound is an expert balance of fever and fervor built on ragged riffs, charging percussion, howling vocals, and (a fairly new addition) zealous keyboard runs.  The music is as sincere as it frayed, which in a way mirrors the band’s own evolution.

These Durham based rockers have faced their share of tumult, going through near break-ups and lineup changes that have left lead singer Reese McHenry as the only stalwart of the original lineup.  Despite that quaking beginning (or perhaps because of it), the current crew— McHenry, keyboardist Doug White, drummer Dave Perry, and bassist Rob Walsh— have clearly decided to channel their creative energies into a caterwaul of rock. Lingering frustrations are dispelled in song, minor aggravations are howled, and love is laid bare with the same vehemence some would ascribe to hate.  In short, this is a band that demands, not asks, for your attention and you can give it to them this Saturday, February 20th at the Local 506 when they celebrate the release of Champions of Imperfection along with local rockers Red Collar and Pink Flag.

And now the five most troublesome questions Reese McHenry’s faced in at least five minutes:

reesemchenry

1. If your band were a breakfast cereal, what would it be?
I hope Lucky Charms because that would be magically delicious but the truth is this band is more like Wheaties drowned in whiskey.

2. When exactly did rock die and what are The Dirty Little Heaters doing about it?
We all know that Starship killed rock and roll.  How one band can fall from Surrealistic Pillow/White Rabbit to Knee Deep in the Hoopla/We built this City is seriously beyond me.  As a band we struggle and truly try  to write the greatest songs on the face of the earth -  being a balls heavy rock band comes naturally. Hopefully we’ll be able to write really good songs before we get to “We Built This City” – but we’ll see what happens.

3. Describe your feelings toward Kiss.
I desperately love Kiss!  Kiss was the first band I really took to by my own volition – and I first liked them by physically seeing a copy of the record Kiss Alive 2 that my friends older brother had. If there was ever a movie about my life that moment, when I was 7 years old, would be the pinnacle (because it led me to this set of questions, see?).

cover_alive2_large_rear

Seeing the live pictures of that band and the blood (I now realize fake but then…) truly blew my mind. I complained until my mom bought it for me and –  the booklet!  The Tattoos!  Now, mind you, I had yet to hear any music from Kiss.  I put every tattoo on, covering my arms, and put side 1 on the turntable.  My life was transformed.  My mom made me wash my tattoos off before dinner (still unforgiven by me) and I would not answer to anything but Beth from then on.  My grandma called me Beth until the day she died – not always but as a nickname.  I still listen to and love this record.  I defend my love of Kiss quite frequently.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?
Rob loves Lady Gaga and Karaoke – this whole band really loves (or will sing) karaoke.  My favorite kind of music is 50s and 60s pop but I really am drawn to anything with a catchy chorus.  Rob likes early 90’s grunge and Doug was influenced by Prog/Noise rock.  We all listen to Supertramp at top volume in the van and we talk about food incessantly.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
I always wanted to be a happy rocker.  I am a happy rocker.

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Catch Reese and the rest of The Dirty Little Heaters at the release show for their new disc Champions of Imperfection this Saturday, February 20th at the Local 506 and be sure to give ’em a high five while you’re there.

Categories
Miscellany

PDF version of today’s Citizen now up!

Here’s the link:

http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/citizen021810.pdf

Categories
Arts & Music

Advance Notice: The Week in Happenings 2/15-21

No excuses, just plenty to do. Get on it.

Mon – 2/15

  • “The Love Hangover” @ The Pour House – Get over your Valentine slump with a lineup featuring Caitlin Cary & Matt Douglas, Sara Bell & Phill Cook, Alexandra Day and Hunter MacDermut, Karen Kletter & Aly Khalifa, and Rachel Hirsh & John Booker. $7

Tues – 2/16

  • Harry Connick, Jr. @ DPAC – $48-95

Wed – 2/17

  • American Aquarium / John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff @ Local 506 – $8
  • Dean & Britta “13 Most Beautiful People: Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests” @ Reynolds Theater – $28 / $24 / $5 for Duke Students

Thurs – 2/18

  • Laura Veirs and the Hall of Flames / Old Believers / Cataldo @ Local 506 – With a heralded new record and one hell of a track record as one of Portland’s smartest troubadours, it’d be a shame to skip seeing Miss Veirs in action. $9 adv / $11 at the door
  • Transmography / La Snacks / K_niv_es @ The Cave – If you like your music one part experimental one part early 90s post rock, then this is the lineup for you and they’ve come all the way from Austin just to prove it. $5

Fri – 2/19

  • Dirty Little Heaters CD Release Show with Red Collar and Pink Flag @ Local 506 – $7
  • SWASO / Violet Vector and the Lovely Lovelies @ Cat’s Cradle – $5 adv / $7 day of the show
  • The Punch Brothers @ Reynolds Theater – Apparently sold out but worth tracking down a ticket to see Chris Thile and his new best mates tear down some bluegrass in proper fashion. $32 / $24 / $5 for Duke Students

Sat – 2/20

  • Bull City / The Dynamite Brothers @ The Pinhook – $5
  • Carrboro Home Brew Fest featuring The Whiskey Smugglers, Popsie’s Field, Lizzy Ross and the Little Bear that Barks, and Black Swamp Bootleggers @ The Nightlight – Head out to sample the very best of what Carrboro’s home brewmasters have to offer and hear some local faves kick it into gear while you ramble. $10 suggested donation

Sun – 2/21

  • Dark Star Orchestra @ Lincoln Theatre – A primer for those who have never heard of these guys, they recreate Grateful Dead concerts solo for solo, note for note, flub for flub. American Beauty reignited, indeed.  $20 adv / $24 day of the show

See you out there! (and where else?)

Categories
Miscellany

Chapel Hill Town Council agenda 2/15/10

It’s public hearing night in Chapel Hill.
Agenda Items

1. Chapel Hill-Carrboro 2035 Long Range Transit Plan. (R-1)
1. Introduction and recommendations by the Manager.
2. Comments by citizens.
3. Comments from the Mayor and Council.
4. Motion to recess public hearing.
PRESENTER: Steve Spade, Transit Director and David Bonk, Long Range & Transportation Manager
RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Council receive public comment at tonight’s public forum and refer the comments to the Manager.
2. Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment – Jordan Watershed Riparian Buffer Protection. (R-2)
1. Introduction and recommendations by the Manager.
2. Comments by citizens.
3. Comments from the Mayor and Council.
4. Motion to recess public hearing to September 20, 2010.
PRESENTER: Sue Burke, Stormwater Engineer
RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Council and authorize Town staff to submit the draft ordinance to the State for review and approval.