VOCAL PROWESS: Leme Nolan brings her brand of jazz and funk to Tails

“Music is powerful and can reach billions, no matter the genre,” singer Lemetrius “Leme” Nolan says of her preference for eclectic sounds. Don’t be fooled by her quiet demeanor and low-speaking voice offstage: Nolan knows how to belt it out when it comes to entertaining an audience. Her vocal prowess can be traced to her musical foundation in gospel. At 8 years old, she started … Continue reading VOCAL PROWESS: Leme Nolan brings her brand of jazz and funk to Tails

CREATING CONCEPTS: Water Wingz release concept EP, play Modern Legend

  “I like the idea of concept albums,”  Water Wingz’s Adam Fenton muses. “One of my favorites, actually, is tattooed on me: ‘Animals’ by This Town Needs Guns.” With song titles like “Chinchilla,” “Baboon,” “Pig,” “Zebra,” “Animals” was what the  singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist had in mind (if only subconsciously) when making his debut EP, “Sick Songs.” Each of the EP’s six songs undercuts the one … Continue reading CREATING CONCEPTS: Water Wingz release concept EP, play Modern Legend

ADDED DIMENSION: Instrumentalist Andrew Kasab returns to Fermental

  “Big stages are fun,”says string instrumentalist Andrew Kasab, “but I love the intimate, right-next-to-your-audience shows. There’s nothing quite like making jokes with folks while entertaining the pants off them.” True to form, the Raleigh-based musician is returning to play Wilmington’s Fermental on January 4. He describes Fermental as a home away from home, where he can share belly laughs and good times. While Kasab … Continue reading ADDED DIMENSION: Instrumentalist Andrew Kasab returns to Fermental

DECADE IN MUSIC: Shannon looks back on memorable people, moments and music in ILM

  Just like the beginning of the decade, the idea of writing a reflection on roughly 10 years of conversations in music started off as an exciting endeavor. Just like actually living through the decade, I’m exhausted. Once I started shuffling through my mind’s filing system and scribbling down names of musicians, I quickly realized: “I’ve talked to a lot of fucking people.” Don’t get … Continue reading DECADE IN MUSIC: Shannon looks back on memorable people, moments and music in ILM

QUIET MEDITATIONS: Patrick Carr set to play solo show at Ted’s

“When the Road Darkens” is an apt title for singer-songwriter Patrick Carr’s 2017 EP. While not a sad collection, per se, there’s a soberness to his folksy storytelling and instrumentals. An English major and self-described “book nerd,” Carr’s songs are filled with literary references. One will recognize the nod to the green light from “The Great Gatsby” in “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart.” “I … Continue reading QUIET MEDITATIONS: Patrick Carr set to play solo show at Ted’s

ENHANCED DREAMS: Outtake 13 trio play Gravity Records, prep for spring 2020 release

  In 2017 encore spoke with twin sister duo Michaela and Annabelle Sanchez of Entangled Dreams about their second full studio album, “Afterthought.” Their goal at the time was to make an impact with their music. Wanting to move away from session collaborations and find a permanent full band, the two added drummer Calen Barbour and changed their name to Outtake 13 in 2019. Settling … Continue reading ENHANCED DREAMS: Outtake 13 trio play Gravity Records, prep for spring 2020 release

SWEET ‘GRASS: Sweet Potato Pie kicks off 20th anniversary tour with UNCW holiday show

    It’s Thanksgiving week, which means sweet potato pie time! While most folks will gobble up a slice for Turkey Day dessert, they’ll be able to have leftovers of a different kind come Sunday, December 1. The all-female bluegrass band, also known as Sweet Potato Pie, will make their way to UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium this weekend. Now going on 20 years of making music, … Continue reading SWEET ‘GRASS: Sweet Potato Pie kicks off 20th anniversary tour with UNCW holiday show

VISUAL POETICS: G Yamazawa joins Shirlette Ammons and Kid Ethnic for Cucalorus’ Visual/Sound/Walls

“I actually came up and was raised by the poetry community in Durham and North Carolina,” says poet and emcee George Masao Yamazawa Jr., a.k.a. G Yamazawa. “So I can kind of speak a little bit more toward  that community, as opposed to the music community. There’s a lot of intersections but it’s just a very tight-knit, family-oriented experience.” Now living in Los Angeles, Yamazawa … Continue reading VISUAL POETICS: G Yamazawa joins Shirlette Ammons and Kid Ethnic for Cucalorus’ Visual/Sound/Walls

COMMUNITY TIES: Carolina Pines Fest returns after three-year hiatus

  Carolina Pines Fest is back in full swing this weekend after a three-year hiatus. Having made it official with a comeback party in June, followed by a series of house parties and small shows, Carolina Pines relaunches with two days of live music Friday at Satellite and Saturday at Waterline Brewing. While original festival cofounder Anna Mann says she’s a little nervous about this … Continue reading COMMUNITY TIES: Carolina Pines Fest returns after three-year hiatus

LIVE FEARLESSLY: Andy Frasco & The U.N. headline show at BAC

  Andy Frasco & The U.N. aren’t just a soulful rockin’ party band; they are the band that brings the party. “I love entertaining,” Frasco says over the phone before his October show at the Brooklyn Arts Center was moved to Sunday, November 3. “That’s what keeps me alive, I think. It’s like all this horrible stuff I do to my liver, and my body … Continue reading LIVE FEARLESSLY: Andy Frasco & The U.N. headline show at BAC