WKNC launches a podcast!

Check it out here

They also have a Twitter stream. 
Here's more info:
WKNC 88.1 FM announces the debut of SoundOff, a new music-related
podcast from the student radio station at N.C. State University. The
40-plus minute program divides its time between dissecting a handful
of music news and reviewing a new album.

“The idea for the show was clear, take some of the most interesting
news articles to discuss and do one in-depth review of an album that
had some real weight to it,” said the podcast’s producer Michael
Jones, a freshman in history and one of WKNC’s assistant indie rock
music directors. Jones hosts the show with fellow DJs Sarah Hager, a
sophomore in management, and graphic design sophomore Kirsten
Southwell.

“SoundOff goes beyond the brief time we talk about music during our
time on the air,” Jones said. “We’re able to give people who listen to
WKNC on a regular basis and those who just love the type of music we
play a greater understanding of what we DJs think about some of the
biggest releases.”

The first SoundOff episode discusses Modest Mouse front man Isaac
Brock contributing music for a Cartoon Network show, the Libertines
reunion and how The White Stripes almost didn’t release the single
“Seven Nation Army.” The album review is of Matt Pond PA’s “The Dark
Leaves” from Altitude Records.

“SoundOff is a great opportunity for our listeners to receive the full
musical package,” Tommy Anderson, WKNC general manager and a senior in
political science, said. “You get the background and commentary of an
album or news story, rather than just a sound bite.”

The podcast also represents a milestone for WKNC, as it will be the
station’s first program designed specifically for the Internet rather
than traditional over-the-air delivery.

Why Max Indian is my new favorite band

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that last night I tweeted that "Max Indian makes me feel like I've just discovered music." That wasn't the PBR talking. Max Indian is my new favorite band, and I believe the best band in the Triangle, because they make me feel the way I felt at about age 11 when music became something more than something I heard on the radio in the car with my mom. It became something something comforting and energizing. Something to analyze and obsess over. Something to inspire me to read the liner notes of my brother's and uncle's records, to learn the connections between bands, and read magazines like Creem and Rolling Stone.

For me that happened around 1977, which is why I still unappollogetically love Kansas, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Hall & Oates and Boston. If Max Indian had been around during that time, my brother and my uncle (may they both rest in peace) would have worn out more than one copy of the band's 8-track while cruising the Circle in Atlantic Beach. And I, wanting to be just like them, would have thought they were the greatest band in the world. Which is why they're my favorite band now.


Max Indian - "I Ought to get a Camera" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

My old college buddy Jac Cain, soundman at the Pour House, apparently like Max Indian a lot too - or at least he really likes this song, which is what the banter at the beginning of the video is all about.

Max Indian - "Whatever Goes Up" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

At last night's Double Barrel Benefit for WKNC, I also got to experience two other bands I hadn't seen before, Bellafea, who I liked, and Light Pines, who I absolutely loved. That's not surprising considering that Light Pines is made up of three members of Max Indian and three members of The Love Language, whose debut CD was my top release of the year. Looking forward to checking these guys out again.


Two songs by Light Pines from Mann's World on Vimeo.


Bellafea from Mann's World on Vimeo.

WKNC to debut new music by Annuals and Gray Young

From the WKNC press release:

On Thursday, January 28th, WKNC 88.1 FM will debut the new Annuals' single, "Loxtep" from their up-coming EP, Sweet Sister, coming out March 30th on Banter Records. Also, WKNC will be debuting Gray Young's up-coming single, "Meridian". Tune into Local Lunch at 12pm with Tommyboy on WKNC 88.1 or stream online at wknc.org/listen next Thursday to hear these exclusive tracks. Annuals and Gray Young are releasing these songs to drum up support for a concert on February 19th at The Pour House Music Hall featuring both bands, along with Bright Young Things. Additionally, WKNC will be giving away two pairs of tickets to the show during the broadcast. We are excited to have the opportunity to debut these tracks exclusively to WKNC's listeners during next Thursday's Local Lunch.

Double Barrel Benefit lineup announced

And it's a good one. I was musing about Roman Candle to someone last weekend. Will be good to see them again. From the press release:

WKNC 88.1 FM will hold its annual Double Barrel Benefit Friday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6 at The Pour House Music Hall. The station’s seventh installment of the two-night concert will be feature Max Indian and Roman Candle.

The Light Pines open Friday’s show, followed by Veelee, Bellafea and Max Indian.
Saturday’s line-up consists of The Tender Fruit, Midtown Dickens, Spider Bags and Roman Candle.

Double Barrel benefit line-up announced, and it's a doozy!

Don't make plans for Feb. 6 and 7, because you'll be spending both nights at the Pour House for WKNC's Double Barrel benefit. Check out the line up:

Friday: Lonnie Walker, Lost in the Trees, Schooner and Bowerbirds.

Saturday: Polvo, Birds of Avalon, Violet Vector and the Lovely
Lovelies and I Was Totally Destroying It.

WKNC launches blog!

Talk about starting the new year off right. WKNC has started a new music blog that features a nice design and some actual news. Check it out here.