Photo courtesy Anti- Records The first time I saw Lost in the Trees, there were 15 or 16 people on stage — nearly half a chamber orchestra, multiple percussionists, all backing the lush songwriting of frontman Ari Picker. Since then, Picker has changed directions and changed his sound, while never losing the lush tones of … Read more
When compiling a list of the top music destinations in the South East, Winston-Salem, North Carolina is probably not one of the first to come to mind. Despite being within spitting distance of some of the South’s hippest music spots, Winston-Salem has never established its own identity as an honest-to-god “scene.” Phillip Pledger, of Winston-Salem based … Read more
For some reason, the only thing witty in my head right now is “nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in….the twelfth year of two thousaaaand.” Does it have the same ring as the original? No, but you know what? It’s true goddammit. Our home-state boys and girls have really raised the proverbial bar, by releasing … Read more
For the sake of argument, let’s compare the current Triangle, NC music scene to the 1993 Charlotte Hornets. Both team and geographic area are bustling with talent – true. But the relationship chasm we must bridge here deals more with veterans upping their game, as true leaders do, in order to show those flashy newcomers what … Read more
Change is nothing new for Chapel Hill darlings Lost in the Trees, and after two albums of symphonic chamber folk the band has undergone its most dramatic reinvention yet. Led by the Berklee educated Ari Picker, LitT have become known for their intricate harmonies and orchestral arrangements, but it would seem that Picker developed a … Read more
I was introduced to Ari Picker’s music waaaaay back in the year 2000, when his first band, The B-Sides, opened for someone like Superdrag, or Guided by Voices, at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina. He was just a high school kid at that point, but my friends and I left that night singing … Read more
Yeah, that’s some kind of crafted dinosaur-like creature in the crowd. It’s one of Lost in the Trees’ puppets, and they had a few folks from the audience give it life. I actually hesitated to post this pic, because I don’t want you to get the wrong idea — yes, they’re a touch theatrical; no, … Read more
Photo by Graham Tolbert “Baby Missiles” perfectly illustrates everything I adore about musical juxtaposition. ’80s synth pop mixed with country-rock? Yes, please. I’ll have that. The War On Drugs frontman, Adam Granduciel, has a purposefully wobbly delivery on “Baby Missiles” that reminds me a little bit of Mark Knopfler on Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life.” … Read more
LouFest, it seems like we hardly knew ye. But, it was fun while it lasted. Thanks again to Louis Kwok of music VS man for providing us the picture proof that LouFest II kicked some major ass. To see all of the photos, head on over to our Facebook page. For more about LouFest 2011, … Read more
The Flaming Lips | Photo by Aggie Donkar The 2011 Hopscotch Music Festival is over, dammit, and I now have a new way to gauge my experience. When getting ready for work this morning, I had to move my belt to the next largest size. No shit y’all – I drank, and ate, THAT much … Read more