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Wednesday, August 24, 2016
News Jon Lindsay’s NC Music Love Army Battles Bigotry with New CD
Posted By Pat Moran on Wed, Aug 24, 2016 at 4:53 PM
Back in 2013 when Pat McCrory and his gerrymandered government were dragging North Carolina back to Jim Crow with a litany of unconstitutional legislation, Jon Lindsay and the North Carolina Music Love Army recorded “Dear Mr. McCrory," a protest song lambasting the state’s restrictive voter ID requirements. The United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently struck down the discriminatory law.
Now, with voter suppression on the ropes, Lindsay and the Love Army return to take on trans-phobic House Bill 2 with "When You Were a Young Man,” a new song addressed to the governor which Lindsay calls “a sequel to ‘Dear Mr. McCrory’.”
Featuring Pierce Freelon, JSWISS, and Topiq the Smooth Prophet, the tune is a teaser for a new six-track EP, Happy Old Pictures, which will be released on Love Army Records on Friday, Oct. 7, one month before the national and state election.
Recorded with a collective of tarheel musicians including Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown), Kenny Roby (Six String Drag), Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops), BJ Barham (American Aquarium) and a host of others, the new disc pairs two older tunes - “Dear Mr. McCrory” and anti-lynching indictment “The Ballad of Lennon Lacey" – with four new songs penned by Lindsay.
The Gospel-infused “Zebulon," is a character portrait of a McCrory’s supporter, “ a guy who feels his world is slipping away from him and never coming back,” Lindsay says. The title tune, “Happy Old Pictures," acknowledges that progressives also need to let go of nostalgia. “Maybe we can never get back to the progressive past we’ve lost,” Lindsay maintains, “but we can get out in the streets with our sisters and brothers and make it something better.”
The EP’s release coincides with Stand Against HB2, “a powerful concert series that has been touring statewide,” says Lindsay. The all-star show, boasting a rotating roster of tarheel performers, comes to the Neighborhood Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 24th with Carey, Six String Drag, The Houston Brothers, The Loudermilks and many more joining Lindsay onstage.
Lindsay is donating money raised by his music and shows to a slate of progressive candidates running for public office across the state. He’s heartened that the right wing’s racist voter suppression has been checked, but adds that McCrory’s administration will have a lasting effect for generations. “It will take a long time to undo the damage they’ve done,” Lindsay says.
Happy Old Pictures tracklist:
1. Zebulon
2. Happy Old Pictures
3. NCGOP
4. When You Were A Young Man
5. Ballad Of Lennon Lacy
6. Dear Mr. McCrory
Stand Against HB2 at the Neighborhood Theatre lineup:
Caitlin Cary/Tres Chicas
Six String Drag
The Houston Brothers
Alternative Champs
The Loudermilks
Jeffery Dean Foster
Jack The Radio
Ancient Cities
Rapper Shane
Someone's Sister
Christy Snow + many others
Now, with voter suppression on the ropes, Lindsay and the Love Army return to take on trans-phobic House Bill 2 with "When You Were a Young Man,” a new song addressed to the governor which Lindsay calls “a sequel to ‘Dear Mr. McCrory’.”
Featuring Pierce Freelon, JSWISS, and Topiq the Smooth Prophet, the tune is a teaser for a new six-track EP, Happy Old Pictures, which will be released on Love Army Records on Friday, Oct. 7, one month before the national and state election.
Recorded with a collective of tarheel musicians including Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown), Kenny Roby (Six String Drag), Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops), BJ Barham (American Aquarium) and a host of others, the new disc pairs two older tunes - “Dear Mr. McCrory” and anti-lynching indictment “The Ballad of Lennon Lacey" – with four new songs penned by Lindsay.
The Gospel-infused “Zebulon," is a character portrait of a McCrory’s supporter, “ a guy who feels his world is slipping away from him and never coming back,” Lindsay says. The title tune, “Happy Old Pictures," acknowledges that progressives also need to let go of nostalgia. “Maybe we can never get back to the progressive past we’ve lost,” Lindsay maintains, “but we can get out in the streets with our sisters and brothers and make it something better.”
The EP’s release coincides with Stand Against HB2, “a powerful concert series that has been touring statewide,” says Lindsay. The all-star show, boasting a rotating roster of tarheel performers, comes to the Neighborhood Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 24th with Carey, Six String Drag, The Houston Brothers, The Loudermilks and many more joining Lindsay onstage.
Lindsay is donating money raised by his music and shows to a slate of progressive candidates running for public office across the state. He’s heartened that the right wing’s racist voter suppression has been checked, but adds that McCrory’s administration will have a lasting effect for generations. “It will take a long time to undo the damage they’ve done,” Lindsay says.
Happy Old Pictures tracklist:
1. Zebulon
2. Happy Old Pictures
3. NCGOP
4. When You Were A Young Man
5. Ballad Of Lennon Lacy
6. Dear Mr. McCrory
Stand Against HB2 at the Neighborhood Theatre lineup:
Caitlin Cary/Tres Chicas
Six String Drag
The Houston Brothers
Alternative Champs
The Loudermilks
Jeffery Dean Foster
Jack The Radio
Ancient Cities
Rapper Shane
Someone's Sister
Christy Snow + many others
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Live Reviews / Photos Live photos: Charlotte Pride, 8/20/2016
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Charlotte Pride f. K. Michelle, Eden XO, Vassy and more
Uptown Charlotte
Aug. 20, 2016
Tens of thousands of people swarmed downtown on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, for the first day of the Charlotte Pride festival. An array of sonically diverse performances took place on one end of Tryon Street as artists covering a range of genres from pop and hip-hop to rock and folk entertained the masses.
Headliner K. Michelle had the crowd singing along to her heartfelt R&B, while Eden XO and Vassy both got the crowd moving and grooving.
Local bands Lovesucker and Dust & Ashes were highlights with strong songwriting and performances.
Singer Trey Pearson shared his story of coming out with the crowd, while emcees Big Mamma D, Delighted Tobehere, Joanne Spataro and Malachi kept the audience entertained between acts.
The overwhelmingly happy mood of the day wasn't deterred by protesters, and one couple even got engaged on stage. Though HB2 has made it difficult for some venues and events to find music acts, Charlotte Pride continued to showcase a strong variety, showing that love can conquer all.
Uptown Charlotte
Aug. 20, 2016
Tens of thousands of people swarmed downtown on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, for the first day of the Charlotte Pride festival. An array of sonically diverse performances took place on one end of Tryon Street as artists covering a range of genres from pop and hip-hop to rock and folk entertained the masses.
Headliner K. Michelle had the crowd singing along to her heartfelt R&B, while Eden XO and Vassy both got the crowd moving and grooving.
Local bands Lovesucker and Dust & Ashes were highlights with strong songwriting and performances.
Singer Trey Pearson shared his story of coming out with the crowd, while emcees Big Mamma D, Delighted Tobehere, Joanne Spataro and Malachi kept the audience entertained between acts.
The overwhelmingly happy mood of the day wasn't deterred by protesters, and one couple even got engaged on stage. Though HB2 has made it difficult for some venues and events to find music acts, Charlotte Pride continued to showcase a strong variety, showing that love can conquer all.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Live Reviews / Photos / setlist Live review: Dixie Chicks, PNC Music Pavilion (8/13/2016)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Dixie Chicks
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 13, 2016
In the age of social media, when you think about the comments people make about presidents and presidential candidates, it seems kind of silly that the Dixie Chicks were so harshly viewed for making the statement, "we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas" about then-president George W. Bush.
It's been a rocky 10 years since that statement was made — a decade that saw the Dixie Chicks playing shows here and there but hesitating to hit the road for an extended run. Singer Natalie Maines, a big fan of Howard Stern, would often appear on his Sirius XM radio show and say she felt unsure about how fans would receive them after the 2006 blacklisting by country radio.
Now, as time has passed and fans have constantly turned out for sporadic shows over the years, the Dixie Chicks are in the midst of a 40-date run during which the ladies are being welcomed back with open arms by their fan base and the Charlotte show was no different.
Fans and the band alike were all smiles throughout the more than two-hour performance that included a handful of cover songs, plenty of hits and a short tribute to Prince.
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 13, 2016
In the age of social media, when you think about the comments people make about presidents and presidential candidates, it seems kind of silly that the Dixie Chicks were so harshly viewed for making the statement, "we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas" about then-president George W. Bush.
It's been a rocky 10 years since that statement was made — a decade that saw the Dixie Chicks playing shows here and there but hesitating to hit the road for an extended run. Singer Natalie Maines, a big fan of Howard Stern, would often appear on his Sirius XM radio show and say she felt unsure about how fans would receive them after the 2006 blacklisting by country radio.
Now, as time has passed and fans have constantly turned out for sporadic shows over the years, the Dixie Chicks are in the midst of a 40-date run during which the ladies are being welcomed back with open arms by their fan base and the Charlotte show was no different.
Fans and the band alike were all smiles throughout the more than two-hour performance that included a handful of cover songs, plenty of hits and a short tribute to Prince.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Live review: Slipknot, PNC Music Pavilion (8/2/2016)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Aug 4, 2016 at 10:18 AM
Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Of Mice & Men
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 2, 2016
With so many bands canceling gigs in North Carolina due to the HB2 law, a good number of artists who are performing are addressing the issue in one way or another. Part way through their set on Tuesday night, Slipknot singer Corey Taylor addressed the packed PNC Music Pavilion about the issue.
"We thought about canceling this gig due to HB2, but we feel it's a problem that you have to deal with like family — from the inside," Taylor said. "And I'll guarantee you we'll be back, even if that fight continues."
Not only were Taylor and the other eight members concerned about politics, on this night, they were concerned with everyone having a good time. Often referring to the audience as "family," Taylor and Co. offered a wide range of songs from the band's extensive catalog.
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 2, 2016
With so many bands canceling gigs in North Carolina due to the HB2 law, a good number of artists who are performing are addressing the issue in one way or another. Part way through their set on Tuesday night, Slipknot singer Corey Taylor addressed the packed PNC Music Pavilion about the issue.
"We thought about canceling this gig due to HB2, but we feel it's a problem that you have to deal with like family — from the inside," Taylor said. "And I'll guarantee you we'll be back, even if that fight continues."
Not only were Taylor and the other eight members concerned about politics, on this night, they were concerned with everyone having a good time. Often referring to the audience as "family," Taylor and Co. offered a wide range of songs from the band's extensive catalog.
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Live review: Fiona Apple, The Fillmore (9/26/2012) 16
Fans ate it up, but it was a trainwreck of tragic and frustrating proportions.
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Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
