Music Picks for Week of Feb 14

Tuesday, Feb 15:

The Love Hangover – Kings Barcade (variety)
The latest installment of local musicians pairing up to perform songs that will mend broken hearts and break whole hearts – will happen at Kings on Tuesday. Scattered at 5 locations around the Eastern Half of the US, what started as a simple performance has now become and annual tradition and seems to grow as the years go by. Now in its 12th year, this edition features 10 musicians from 9 different bands. Expect a mixed bag of songs for this evening jam session – it’s a nice relaxing “let your guard down” evening of music… A “love hangover”…
** 9pm Show, $8 cover

Natalia Zukerman & Garrison Starr – Berkeley Café (Roots/Folk)
Brooklyn based Natalia Zukerman has a voice and sound more associated with Delta Blues than Big City Blues. Her smooth vocals draw strong comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Amy Winehouse – quite a compliment. Her sound is genuine and it’s remarkable that a city girl can capture the tone and feeling of country blues within the confines of the 5 boroughs… She is also a very talented guitarist and has numerous accolades for her blues/folk/country abilities utilizing a picking and slide style that singularly is hard to master… This is truly a treat to catch her on this national tour….

Los Angeles based Garrison Starr began her career in and around the Memphis area – and that bluesy/rock has stayed with her – as she has added a contemporary flair to her sound that give the root/blue/folk sound a neu-indie edge to it. Check out “40 Days” for a sample of her unique sounds – and the vocals that can be compared to Sharon Van Etten…. Garrison brings and energy and a style to the stage that really rounds out the music experience. If you like the “Indigo Girls” – you most certainly will not be disappointed…
**8pm Show $12 Cover
http://www.myspace.com/nataliazukerman
http://www.myspace.com/garrisonstarr

Wednesday 2/16

Lubriphonic – Pourhouse (Funk/Blues)

Chicago based Lubriphonic ranks right up there with New Orleans greats Karl Dennison’s Tiny Universe, Greyboy Allstars or Dumpstafunk. In fact, they have played with all of them and more over the years… What more can you say – horn infused blues/funk with an electro pop edge… It doesn’t get much better than this. It’s been a while since these guys have been in town and they have been quite busy, touring the world and putting out a new album that features none other than Ivan Neville….
This is truly a great night of music and a rare treat for us here in Raleigh to really experience some of the best blues/funk on the scene right now…
**10pm Show $8 cover
http://www.myspace.com/lubriphonic


Thursday 2/17

Seven Nations – Berkeley Café (Celtic/Folk)

If you are a fan of Scythian, Enter the Haggis or The Battleground Band, This Orlando based band will most certainly impress you. Their blend of Celtic and folk/rock ties all the best of the genres together. With a mellow vocal approach that is reminiscent of The Tragically Hip, Seven Nations brings a pop edge to a timeless classic style of music. Raleigh is fortunate to catch a show while these guys are on an Eastern Seaboard tour. This is a great night to listen to some great Celtic music with a contemporary and upbeat flair… It will truly be an interesting night of music and dancing.
**8pm Show $15 Cover
http://www.myspace.com/sevennations

I was Totally Destroying It & The Baker Family (Acoustic / Indie)

We are in for a treat! Local Indie Rockers – I was Totally Destroying It will play an acoustic set – which is a rare treat given their masterful instrumental talents. There is no telling what we will get – but it will most certainly be great! Anyone who has seen them in U2 cover mode or at a prior acoustic set will most certainly be there… The Baker Family balances out the sound with their mellow indie sound that oscillates from Postal Service to Yonder Mtn String Band (albeit with a Texas Hillcountry Flair)….. Able to balance the indie rock sounds of percussion and guitars with the Roots/Country sounds of Steel Guitar, Banjo and Fiddle is proof positive of their range and talent. I am thoroughly impressed with their sound and am most certainly looking forward to their show.
** 9pm Show - $5 Cover
http://www.myspace.com/iwtdi
https://www.myspace.com/thebakersnc


Friday 2/18

Peter Lamb & The Wolves – North Carolina Museum of Art (Jazz)
Local favorites Peter Lamb and Co. come out to jam on a Friday evening. For those of you missing traditional Lounge Jazz, this is the perfect opportunity to get your fix… Fresh off their new album and their awesome performance on NPR’s “State of Things” these guys are ready to play some great music.
** 6pm show - Free

Soul Psychedelique – Amras (Jazz Neo-soul)
At first glance, this band might not be taken seriously – but I strongly suggest a 2nd glance – no, a hard look and listen…. This Raleigh based band is a powerhouse – and most certainly under the radar… Johanna Boberg is a star with a top notch voice… A former teen star who has toured the world with the best of the best, she now makes her home here in the Raleigh area and gives us the opportunity with neu-wave soul/blues/trip hop lounge style – which is pulled off on the back of her amazing vocal talents. Their sound is truly unique for this area – as the sound is a contemporary Seal or Stephane Pompougnac with lots of clubby electro pop within... Catch them for a couple of sets this Friday and be amazed…
**10pm Show – N/A Cover
http://www.myspace.com/soulpsychedelique

Punch Brothers – Lincoln Theatre (Bluegrass)
Royalty of the Bluegrass world, the Punch Brothers are truly some of the best in the business. They have toured the world over with some of the best in the industry – regardless of genre. True musicians and entertainers, this promises to be one hell of night of music – despite the pricey cover… The Punch Brothers are to Tennessee what Steep Canyon Rangers are to Western Carolina. If you a Bluegrass itch to scratch, this will most certainly do the trick….
** 8:30pm Show $24 Cover
http://www.punchbrothers.com/

Thank You – Berkeley Café (Punk/Indie)
What week would not be complete without a little Punk? This Baltimore band is not to disappoint… Lots of driving punk, but also some Neu-Punk/Indie stuff that keeps you off-balance and allows you to catch your breath. This will be an interesting and entertaining evening from this talented group. Oulipo and Fifty Bird Step open the show.
**9pm Show TBA Cover
http://www.myspace.com/wethankyou

Saturday, 2/19

Old Habits – Kings (Folk)
Local Folk Favorites, Old Habits will grace the stage at Kings for a night of excellent music. The Thompson brothers (believe that was the name of their original band) possess an excellent level of talent and chemistry and this carries to their sound and stage presence. This is a highly recommended show for anyone who enjoys a folksy Wilco or Avett Brothers…. These guys are some of the best we have in the area region for folk sounds… Be sure to check out their songs Fried Green Tomatoes or The Creek.. The Clay Pigeons will open the evening.
http://www.myspace.com/oldhabitsmusic

**10 show $6 cover
The Mercators – Deep South The Bar (Garage/Roots Rock)
Local boys making good, the Mercators keep it real and bring an easy-going garage rock sound with a folksy bent…. Great listening and perfect for starting the night or making it your night… Roberto, Lee, Eric and the boys will entertain you… This is a cross between The Backsliders and the Avett Bros. The Separate and Pink Flag will also be on the bill.
9pm show - $5 cover
http://www.myspace.com/themercators

Sunday, 2/20

The Movement – Lincoln Theatre (Reggae)
The perfect band to get your Reggae fix. Mixing original songs with covers, this band is a party band and top notch time to be jamming… Again, one of the better Reggae bands in the business and perfect time to scratch that itch… Expect a large crowd as this band is immensely popular with the college crowd…
Shinobi Ninja will open the evening….
** 8pm Show $10 Cover
http://www.myspace.com/themovementvibe