“I was always hoping to get a mentor,” singer-songwriter Max Frost says of Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick of Fitz and the Tantrums. “It’s sort of like ‘The Karate Kid’: learning from Mr. Miyagi, in this case, the older, wiser, more experienced artist. . . . He acted more as a compass for how I was putting it all together.” Frost tapped Fitz to help produce … Continue reading PURE GOLD: Max Frost is a one-man spectacle
It doesn’t get much more metal than naming a band Bible of the Devil (BOTD), but this Chicago-based outfit has more rock ‘n’ roll layers to their sound than just hardcore, pulsating punch. Made up of lead singer Nate Perry (guitar), Chris Grubbs (guitar, backing vocals), Darren Amaya (bass, backing vocals) and Greg Spalding (drums and loathing), they’re celebrating 20 years together with … Continue reading ROCKIN’ WITH THE DEVIL: Bible of the Devil steer away from modern metal
Justin Lacy gets to play with his dream band Thursday at Bourgie Nights: a 10-piece folk ensemble, made up of LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne (vocals), Hillary Flowers (cello), Billy Heathen (mandolin), Jon Hill (drums), Annie Jewell (violin), Nick “Bear” Loeber (bass), Farrah Roberts (vocals), Brent Trubia (viola), and Laura York (clarinet, bass clarinet). “I can’t overstate how amazing it is to play with these musicians live,” … Continue reading ALONG FOR THE RIDE: Justin Lacy debuts ‘Weeds’ stop-motion music video
As encore celebrates 35 years of covering Wilmington’s entertainment, arts and community news, it only makes sense to celebrate long-standing musicians who have been around just as long (or longer). There’s easily a century’s worth of songs between bands like Polar Bear, The Wolfe Gang, (formerly Michael Wolfe and the Wolfe Gang), singer-songwriter Laura McLean, and gospel-jazz pianist Stephen Bradley. “I began playing the piano … Continue reading LOOKING BACK: Two musicians talk more than 30 years of music in ILM
“We don’t like life, we love life,” Inner Circle’s Ian Lewis says of his band’s 50-year run in reggae. “It’s simple, there ain’t no complexity to it.” Like the blues, Lewis says reggae music should be like a Picasso—painted in different hues of colors and influences. The Jamaican quintet has been around since the mid ‘70s—picking up Grammys, playing alongside reggae legends like Bob Marley … Continue reading Whatcha Gonna Do? Inner Circle celebrates 50 years of reggae at festival
Slomo Dingo’s Jamey DuPlanquer talks punk-rock in ILM and his band’s full-length album “Fever Dream,” which they’ll release Saturday night at Reggie’s
42nd Street Tavern. Continue reading BENEATH THE SURFACE: Slomo Dingo releases ‘Fever Dream’ album at Reggie’s on Saturday
The trio of Team Player is among several bands making their mark on Wilmington’s thriving music scene. Continue reading PLAY HARD: Team Player hits Palate stage on Sunday with latest rockin’ riffs and rhythms
Locals on the music scene know the name Anna Mann—not because she’s in a band but because she tends to put bands in front of Wilmington audiences. She is behind local festivals like Alt-Zalea and the Carolina Pines Music Festival, which she started with Will Daube and bluesman Randy McQuay in May 2015. It began as a one-day event at Satellite and featured nine bands. … Continue reading BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Carolina Pines will return in 2019 with a comeback party this Saturday at Waterline Brewing
The next event Modern Legend’s Catherine Hawksworth is gearing up for is Emo Night with The Pour House on Tuesday, June 11. Continue reading BEYOND THE MUSIC: Taking the pulse of ILM’s music scene with Modern Legend’s Catherine Hawksworth
Hosted by City of Wilmington and sponsored by Wrightsville Beach Brewery, Jam to Help the Kids features three bands at GLA. Continue reading COMMUNITY IN CONCERT: Jam to Help the Kids will rock GLA this Saturday for United Way Cape Fear and NourishNC
Shannon Rae Gentry 