Megan Jean & the KFB
Halloween is the perfect time to catch this nomadic married
couple who recently converted a cargo van into a “livable apartment” in order
to spread their macabre but fun vaudevillian, gypsy folk-punk year-round. With
theatrical songs populated by dancing skeletons, fortune tellers, and martians,
they make fantasy poignant.
Chatham County Line
On its fittingly titled sixth studio album, “Tightrope,” the
Raleigh quartet evolves further into the gray area of new acoustic, chamber
rock, and folk-rock while never abandoning the traditional bluegrass anchors of
banjo and mandolin that it built the band on over a decade ago.
USNWC Fall Finale
Following an obstacle trail race, the Whitewater Center closes
its concert season with the recently reformed Canadian new grass band the Duhks
who reunited with soul singer Jessee Havey (although original fiddler Tania
Elizabeth is now touring with the Avetts). Bluesman Jamie McLean and fast
rising Utah rock band Desert Noises also play.
Old 97s
Ten albums in twenty years isn’t bad for a band whose frontman
Rhett Miller has kept up a busy solo career. The country-rocker’s latest, “Most
Messed Up,” is definitely more of a rocker charging ahead with loud guitars, punky
furor, and balancing twang and distortion like the Replacements, whose Tommy
Stinson makes a guest appearance.
Chase Rice
On the heels of his first No. 1 album, “Ignite the Night,” the
rising country star partly responsible for writing Florida Georgia Line’s hit “Cruise”
returns to his old stomping grounds. The versatile Asheville-raised former
University of NC linebacker and “Survivor: Nicuragua” runner-up also once
worked at Hendrick Motor Sports.
Macy Gray
The Grammy winning soul-pop singer released her eclectic eighth
studio album, “The Way,” earlier this week. On it she delves into her existence
as a single mother of three and spikes world blues-rock tunes like the single
“Bang Bang” and the uplifting pop single “Hands” with bright energy and that
signature raspy voice.
The Secret Sisters
Those who arrived early for Chris Isaak’s show at Knight Theater
last winter caught the sublime, simple harmonies and charming banter of Alabaman
sisters Laura and Lydia Rogers. Their T-Bone Burnett-produced sophomore album,
“Put Your Needle Down,” is still rooted in tradition, but finds the vocalists
breaking out as songwriters too.
Marketa Irglova
The actress and Oscar winning singer-songwriter (for “Once’s”
“Falling Slowly”) hits town right after the musical version’s Charlotte run.
She just released her second solo album, the ethereal “Muna” - a spiritual
merger of folk, classical and world music built on layered vocal harmonies, European
churches, and the search for self from within.
Nick Carter & Jordan Knight
Having previously collaborated on the NKOTBSB tour, the boy band
favorites (34 and 44, respectively) teamed up earlier this year for the very
grown-up “Nick & Knight” album and now pair those duets with solo material
and their group’s biggest hits.
Soulfly
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