TOP GOAT: Folk and friendship are at the center of Capricious

Here’s something to really get your goat … in a good way. Vanessa Lynch (vocals, guitar) and Cole Mancini (vocals, violin) officially call their duo Capricious, but their motto (and website) is “two goats and a dream.” Both Capricorns, they have long used their astrology sign (a goat) in their literal and figurative branding. “When we were just starting out we used to tell … Continue reading TOP GOAT: Folk and friendship are at the center of Capricious

Shannon Rae GentryAugust 27, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

BEYOND ONE ROLE: ‘Shakespeare in Love’ opens this week at Thalian Hall

Many of us hear “Shakespeare in Love” and automatically think of the 1998 movie with Joseph Fiennes playing a young Bard, and Gwenyth Paltrow as Viola de Lesseps, an aspiring actor forbidden to take her place on stage. As its title promises, Shakespeare falls in love with Viola and sets into motion an Elizabethan-era romantic comedy. Making matters worse, the famed playwright is dealing … Continue reading BEYOND ONE ROLE: ‘Shakespeare in Love’ opens this week at Thalian Hall

Shannon Rae GentryAugust 27, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Concerts, Music

EMBRACING THE WEIRD: Eyeball brings psychedelic neo-space rock to ILM

“A band like ours doesn’t have too many choices of places to play because we are so weird,” says drummer Trey McLamb of his band Eyeball. Since he and Myriam Martian (guitar, art-noise) founded the Raleigh-based psychedelic project in 2015, they’ve mostly played near or west of the Triangle in venues catering to artsy, outside-of-the-box music. Wilmington’s Juggling Gypsy fits the mold and will … Continue reading EMBRACING THE WEIRD: Eyeball brings psychedelic neo-space rock to ILM

Shannon Rae GentryAugust 20, 20191 Comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

20-YEAR HAZE: Umphrey’s McGee preps for sold-out show at GLA

Now that hemp production is legal in North Carolina (as part of a state pilot program allowed under federal law) and CBD becoming a growing industry, NC seems prime to climb aboard the “Green Rush.” At least we’re reaching a point of normalizing conversations about CBD, hemp and marijuana. “I use CBD pretty regularly and it helped my mom quite a bit in her … Continue reading 20-YEAR HAZE: Umphrey’s McGee preps for sold-out show at GLA

Shannon Rae GentryAugust 13, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

PURE GOLD: Max Frost is a one-man spectacle

“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

Shannon Rae GentryAugust 6, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

ROCKIN’ WITH THE DEVIL: Bible of the Devil steer away from modern metal

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

Shannon Rae GentryJuly 30, 20192 Comments

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

ALONG FOR THE RIDE: Justin Lacy debuts ‘Weeds’ stop-motion music video

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

Shannon Rae GentryJuly 23, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

LOOKING BACK: Two musicians talk more than 30 years of music in ILM

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

Shannon Rae GentryJuly 9, 2019Leave a comment

EXTRA & FEATURES, Feature

SAFETY AND SKILLS: Women’s class teaches about firearms and gun safety

“Buying a gun is like buying underwear: You’re not sending anyone else out to do it, so why are you going to take some guy down the street’s word on which gun to buy for yourself?” Mary Anne Peters rhetorically asks over the phone last week. Peters has taught conceal-carry courses since 2013 and was an instructor at BullZeye Shooting Sports before cofounding Pro Gun, … Continue reading SAFETY AND SKILLS: Women’s class teaches about firearms and gun safety

Shannon Rae GentryJuly 9, 2019Leave a comment

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Music

Whatcha Gonna Do? Inner Circle celebrates 50 years of reggae at festival

“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

Shannon Rae GentryJuly 2, 2019Leave a comment