WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
Eleisha Eagle Taking a chapter out of the Ben Folds piano-led pop songbook, Eagle’s songwriting is thoughtful, subtle and heartfelt. Her fluid piano-playing and voice puts to shame most overproduced, undertalented divas infesting the airwaves. Somber, jazzy, big city pop is the modus operandi here, where the songs get in your hair and muss it up a bit, in a good way. With Fernadina. The Evening Muse (Samir Shukla)
The Lee Boys The Miami sextet, three Lee brothers and their nephews, drop infectious blues-gospel that’ll get even the most lethargic folks dancing in the aisles. Feel free to sashay, jump and even shout along with the energetic combo’s R&B, gospel, funk, rock and pedal steel country. The Boys’ music transcends boundaries and the multi-hued vibes bridge secular and spiritual worlds. Sure they’re a jam band, but with street cred that can only come from classic sweat-drenched black gospel. Double Door Inn (Shukla)
THURSDAY, MAY 28
Stephen Marley A son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Stephen spent his early years with elder brother Ziggy and the Melody Makers and many more behind the boards as producer and idea generator on numerous reggae, hip-hop and R&B recordings. Stephen Marley’s debut solo from a couple years back, Mind Control, showcased his love and understanding of roots reggae infused with dancehall, rap and soul. Amos’ Southend (Shukla)
Pride Parade This is some heeeavyyy rock. Could be the triple guitar assault kicking ass with an unholy mix of garage, punk, and psychedelic hard rock. The Athens, Ga., outfit’s barrage is honed with just the right shade of growly vocals and rhythm. The band’s recording from last year, Descendants, is a six-string rock monster further unhinged with the help of Harvey Milk’s Kyle Spence’s engineering touch. With Reverser and Chamelon. Milestone (Shukla)
Benji Hughes Charlotte scenesters have known of Hughes’ considerable songwriting chops since his days in Muscadine (alongside his co-Alice in Indieland, Jonathan Wilson, who’s also doing quite well for himself these days) and the slow-honkin’ The Goldenrods. Why, then, is Hughes just now beginning to get his just rewards (late night TV, Chuck Klosterman articles in Esquire, solid-if-unspectacular record sales)? To these ears, it’s because the Pete Seeger of Plaza Midwood’s artistic and musical boundaries, ever loosely-penned, are now sketched completely in invisible ink. Having spent time in LA’s hipster-thick Silver Lake neighborhood, Hughes, freed from need, followed his muse outside the bar and up the spiral stairs into his own head. His lyrics, always as well-penned as any this town has ever boasted, are now matched with an eclectic musical ear that isn’t afraid to use all the crayons in the box – or, if you will, records in his record collection. Long may he languidly lounge. Petra’s Piano Bar and Cabaret (Timothy C. Davis)
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Red All Over After taking some time off to pursue individual interests and other groups, the Charlotte trio of Red All Over has reunited. Lead singer Eliza Grey, bassist Jarrett Bury and guitarist Josh Featherstone combine elements of Radiohead, Garbage and U2 for their unique brand of rock. Not too long ago, the band went on an 80-show tour of the East and Gulf Coasts. Might as well catch them while they’re in town. Amos’ Southend (Jeff Hahne)
SATURDAY, MAY 30
The Helio Sequence Following the release of the still-underrated Love and Distance, its 2004 debut on Sub Pop, Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel toured the world like mad, sharing stages with the likes of Blonde Redhead, Kings of Leon, and their pals Modest Mouse (whom Weikel has also drummed for). Summers’ voice was soon hopelessly shot, and the doctor prescribed bed rest and no daytime chatter. Fast-forward a couple years, post-“rehab,” to 2008’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead, a lovely pastiche of the band’s texture-tronic keyboard-driven folk jangle, as effortlessly warm and wit-filled as ever, and remind yourself of how lucky we are – were it not for the two-three year hiatus, there’s little chance we’d still be able to see the Sequence in a venue this intimate. With The Lights Fluorescent, Ultimate Optimist. Milestone (Davis)
Blueground Undergrass w/ Reverend Jeff Mosier Now 10 years into things, the Jeff and Johnny Mosier-led Blueground Undergrass have managed to unite both grassheads and jambanders alike with their “sonic wall of twang.” There’s a little of the late, great Southern band Sea Level in here too, along with some jangly/Django-esque jazz riffage. If all that sounds like The Avett Brothers, it ain’t; BU is somewhat lighter in both sonic and emotional delivery, though both bands have more stores of energy than a well-fed camel. Sylvia Theater, York (Davis)
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Little Feat The latest incarnation of the band has been touring for more than 20 years, including founding member Bill Payne. Shaun Murphy, who played with the band since 1993, appearing on five albums, left the band this past February and will not be replaced. While her sound will be missed, it’s going to be more interesting to see how her presence is missed on stage. Either way, I’m guessing you’ll hear “Dixie Chicken.” Amos’ Southend (Hahne)
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2009.
