Picks of the Week
Wednesday 6/8
Sweet Leda – The Black Flower — 9 p.m. | $5
Baltimore-based Sweet Leda makes their Triangle Debut tonight at the Black Flower. Powered by the most excellent vocals of Julie Cymek, this band is masterful in bending and blending of several genres and their sound/tone changes between songs quite markedly. Prepare to be very impressed with this band and come to know what others in the Baltimore/Annapolis area have come to love – powerful vocals, solid musicianship and a great sound that will keep captivated for the entire set. Need more encouragement? Check out their song “Can’t Stand” and you will be convinced.
Thursday 6/9
The Archbishops of Blount Street – Tir Na Nog —10 p.m. | Free
Part of the Local Beer, Local Band Series, the Triangle’s only Funk/Ska band is going to blow the doors off the place! Mixing some of their own songs in with old favorites, this band is brass heavy and reminds me of a Cross between Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes and the Pietasters. Bottom line: these guys are amazing and I cannot think of a better way to start the weekend off on the right note (no pun intended).
Friday 5/27
Beach Blanket Burlesque – The Brewery — 9 p.m. | $5
An interesting evening of Burlesque featuring up to five performers in at least three different performances. This is a great chance to catch a revitalized art and music form as it graces one of the original venues in our town.
Clay Pigeons, Troubel – Deep South — 10 p.m. | $5
This is an interesting combination of two different bands in the same evening, but in a strange way, they share a similar energy and it creates a night of music with a little something for everyone. New York City’s Clay Pigeons has a indie sound that has a bit of a retro feel. Maybe it’s the echo vocals, but whatever it is, it’s a great hook and thankfully it doesn’t stop there. Solid driving guitars and good vocals round out the sound and it will make for a great set of music. Boone-based Troubel brings a unique folk/bluegrass/Americana sound that wanders between the genres but seems tied together with excellent solo and harmonized vocals. A shade on the upbeat side, these guys will certainly get the crowd warmed up for Clay Pigeons.
Tiny Boxes, Electric Soul Pandemic, The Morning After – Southland Ballroom — 9 p.m. | $8
Get ready to be funky with the set at Southland. Tiny Boxes and Electric Soul Pandemic are ready funk it up with a heavy jazz/jam overtone. And as a perfect warm-up, The Morning after plays their version of folk/funk/jazz fusion to get you all ready. If you have a hankering for Jazz, Funk, or Jam, this IS the show for you.
The Kingsbury Manx, Birds and Arrows – Kings Barcade — 9:30 p.m.
Two Chapel Hill based bands highlight the night at Kings and make for a great night of music. Trio Birds and Arrows start the night with their Indie Acoustic sounds. One can draw similarities between Andrea Connolly and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls. The crisp, clear, powerful voice that seemly floats above the music is simply mesmerizing. Add the percussion and the strings and it’s a great mellow start to the evening and a perfect segue to the headliners. The Kingsbury Manx bring a retro approach to their sound. Mellow vocals and mult instrumentation, rounded with harmonized melodies, keep you captivated the entire set. If you are craving good indie, acoustic with the feel of an old sweater – comfort music – this will not disappoint.
Saturday, 5/14
Trombone Shorty w/ Orleans Avenue – North Carolina Museum of Art — 8 p.m. | $18-25
World-renown Trombone Shorty of Rebirth Brass Band, Midnite Disturbers and Harry Connick Big Band fame is the Headliner for the first installment of the NCMA’s “Louisiana Dance Party 2011.” Trombone Shorty is one of the best brass musicians in the world at this time and is part of the current New Orleans Royalty of Brass Musicians that includes the likes of Craig Klein, Mark Mullins, Big Sam, Ivan Neville, Kirk Joseph, Kermit Ruffins, who make New Orleans the epicenter for Brass Music in the World. A relative youngster, Trombone Shorty has left his mark and has joined the ranks after years with various brass bands and second lines – most notably Rebirth Brass Band and The Midnite Disturbers. Now with his own band, Orleans Avenue, he has proven his star power and talent with his latest album that had a long reign at No. 1 of Billboard’s Jazz Albums as well as a Grammy Nomination. Check out the Title track for a taste of what is to come, as he will wow you with his perfect blend of jazz/funk and hip-hop. This is a true treat to have someone of world-class caliber to come to Raleigh. And do not be surprised by some famous guests who will drop by and “sit in” with Mr. Shorty.
Baltimore based Sweet Leda makes their Raleigh debut tonight at The Black Flower. Come out and check out this multi-genre, multi faceted vocal powerhouse band. (Photo Courtesy of Band)
Wednesday, June 8
Big Easy – 222 Fayetteville St. – Cecil Johnson (Jazz) — 6 p.m.
Bone Daddy’s – 605 Creekside Drive – Tommy Miller & The All-Star Jam Band (Blues) — 9 p.m.
Buku – 110 East Davie St. – All Star Blues Jam w/ Josh Presslar (Blues) — 8:30 p.m.
Busy Bee – 225 South Wilmington St. – DJ WAX (Electronica) — 10 p.m.
Deep South The Bar – 430 South Dawson – Mumford & Sons Afterparty Feat: Young Cardinals (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Irregardless Café – 901 West Morgan St. – City Folk (Country/Bluegrass) — 6:30 p.m.
PourHouse – 224 South Blount St. – An Evening with Jerry Joseph (Indie/Jam) — 9:30 p.m.
Shakedown Street – 2500 Hillsborough St. – Open Mic Night – 9 p.m.
Southland Ballroom – 614 North West St. – Dub Sessions (Electronica) – 9 p.m.
The Archbishops of Blount Street are the only True Funk/Ska band in the Triangle and they bring their dynamite act to Tir Na Nog on Thursday night as part of the "Local Beer, Local Band" series. Be prepared for horn-drenched funk/ska. (Photo Courtesy of Band)
Thursday, June 9
Amra’s – 106 Glenwood Ave. – Shana Tucker (Jazz/Pop/Soul) — 9:30 p.m.
Berkeley Café – 217 West Martin St. – John Dee Graham / Sam Baker (Americana) —8 p.m.
Big Easy – 222 Fayetteville St. – Cecil Johnson (Jazz) — 6 p.m.
Bone Daddy’s – 605 Creekside Drive – Taylor Harvey (Covers) — 9 p.m.
Busy Bee – 225 South Wilmington St. – Bumble w/ DJ Thein (Electronica) — 10 p.m.
Deep South The Bar – 430 South Dawson – Zak Domogalla, Monoslang (Indie Rock) — 10 p.m.
Dive Bar – 3 Glenwood Ave. – Man Will Destroy Himself (Rock) — 10 p.m.
Irregardless Café – 901 West Morgan St. – Blair (Jazz) — 6:30 p.m.
King’s Barcade – 14 West Martin St. – All Tiny Creatures, Phil Cook & his Feat (Indie)— 9:30 p.m.
PourHouse – 224 South Blount St. – Wide Eyed Mischief, Jahman Brahman (Jam) — 10 p.m.
Sadlacks – 2116 Hillsborough St. – Open Mic Night – 8 p.m.
Shakedown Street – 2500 Hillsborough St. – Kno-ledge for Landing, Doc Verbz, Sarah Kaboom, Ani Stark, more (Indie) — 9 p.m.
Slim’s Bar – 227 South Wilmington St. – Fairweather Friends (Indie) — 10 p.m.
The Point – 1626 Glenwood Ave. – Stone Age Romeos (Covers) — 9 p.m.
Tir Na Nog – 218 South Blount St. – Local Beer Local Band Feat. The ArchBishops of Blount Street (brass funk) — 10 p.m.
New Orleans based Trombone Shortly is a world-renowned jazz muscian and has been on the scene for the better part of the last decade. He will be performing with his band Orleans Avenue this Saturday at The North Carolina Museaum of Art's "Louisiana Dance Party." (Photo Courtesy of Off-Beat Magazine) 
Friday, June 10
Amra’s – 106 Glenwood Ave. – Effigy (Covers) – 10 p.m.
Berkeley Café – 217 West Martin St. – Tristan Clopet, The Bear Romantic, (Indie) — 9 p.m.
Big Easy – 222 Fayetteville St. – Early: Cecil Johnson (Jazz) — 6 p.m. Late: Shine (Covers) — 10 p.m.
Bone Daddy’s – 605 Creekside Drive – Hot Damn Blues Band (Blues) — 9 p.m.
The Brewery – 3009 Hillsborough St. – Beach Blanket Burlesque (Performance) — 8 p.m.
Deep South The Bar – 430 South Dawson – Clay Pigeons, Troubel (Folk) — 10 p.m.
Dive Bar – 3 Glenwood Ave. – Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat (Rock) — 10 p.m.
Irregardless Café – 901 West Morgan St. – Foscoe Philharmonic (Jazz) — 6:30 p.m.
King’s Barcade – 14 West Martin St. – Kingsbury Manx w/ Birds and Arrows (Indie) — 9:30 p.m.
PourHouse – 224 South Blount St. – The Moderate, Oatmeal Conspiracy (Folk/Rock) — 10 p.m.
Shakedown Street – 2500 Hillsborough St. – Foul Mojo, The Ill Family (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Slim’s Bar – 227 South Wilmington St. – Jack The Radio, Martha Ann Motel (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Southland Ballroom – 614 North West St. – Electric Soul Pandemic, Tiny Boxes, The Morning After (Indie/Jam/Folk) — 9:30 p.m.
The Oxford – 319 Fayetteville St. – The Lawn Darts (Covers) — 10 p.m.
Tir Na Nog – 218 South Blount St. – The Dickens (Covers) — 10 p.m.
42nd Street Oyster Bar – 508 W. Jones St. – Al Williams (Covers) — 9 p.m.
Chapel Hill based Kingsbury Manx will rock out Kings on Friday night. Get ready for some solid indie rock music coupled with great vocals - this is a highlight for the indie rock scene for the week. (Photo Courtesy of Band)
Saturday, June 11
Amra’s – 106 Glenwood Ave. – Crush (Covers) – 10 p.m.
Big Easy – 222 Fayetteville St. – Early: Cecil Johnson (Jazz) — 6 p.m., Late: EG Big Chief (Covers) — 10 p.m.
Bone Daddy’s – 605 Creekside Drive – 3WB (Brass Funk) — 9 p.m.
The Brewery – 3009 Hillsborough St. – Kong, Melee, more (Rock) — 10 p.m.
Deep South The Bar – 430 South Dawson – The Decemberists Afterparty feat. Colorslide (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Dive Bar – 3 Glenwood Ave. – Dark Design, Machiniage (Rock) — 10 p.m.
Irregardless Café – 901 West Morgan St. – Jim Ferris Jazz Band (Jazz/Swing) — 6:30 p.m.
King’s Barcade – 14 West Martin St. – The Rosebuds w/ Charlie the Horse (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Napper Tandy’s – 126 North West St. – Blue Monday (Covers) — 9 p.m.
PourHouse – 224 South Blount St. – Sam Robinson and the Groove Eaters w/ Garland Mason Band (Southern Rock) — 10 p.m.
Shakedown Street – 2500 Hillsborough St. – Better off Dead, Oliver Thompson (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Slim’s Bar – 227 South Wilmington St. – Secret Cities, The Spacemen (Indie) — 10 p.m.
Southland Ballroom – 614 North West St. – U-Phonik (Indie) — 9:30 p.m.
The Oxford – 319 Fayetteville St. – Scarlet (Covers) — 10 p.m.
Tir Na Nog – 218 South Blount St. – Spiveys Corner (Covers) — 9 p.m.
42nd Street Oyster Bar – 508 W. Jones St. – Mike Mickxer (Covers) — 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 12
Bone Daddy’s – 605 Creekside Drive – Bernie Lamb & Friends (Blues) — 2 p.m.
Five Star – 511 West Hargett St – Neu Romance (Dance/Electronica) — 10 p.m.
Irregardless Café – 901 West Morgan St. – Larry Hutcherson (Jazz) — 10 a.m.
Lincoln Theatre – 126 East Cabarrus St. – Port Robinson (Dance Electronica) — 9 p.m.
Slim’s Bar – 227 South Wilmington St. – Nests, Santah, Some Army (Rock) — 9 p.m.
