Diali Cissokho & Kairaba performs on Sessions at Studio B
Delta Rae will release their debut LP through Sire Records, a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group
Wylie Hunter & The Cazadores performs on Sessions at Studio B
Sinful Savage Tigers performs on Sessions at Studio B
Music video for Phonte’s “Dancing in the Reign” directed by Kenneth Price
Ben Folds was inducted into the N.C. Music Hall of Fame Thursday
William Michael Dillon performs on Sessions at Studio B
Katharine Whalen & Her Fascinators performs on Sessions at Studio B
Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls performs on Sessions at Studio B
Lost in the Trees appears on ‘Last Call with Carson Daly’
The Charming Youngsters performs on Sessions at Studio B
Wylie Hunters & The Cazadores performs on Sessions at Studio B
Once and Future Kings performs on Sessions at Studio B
Peter Lamb & The Wolves perform on Sessions at Studio B
Ben Davis & The Jett$ performs on Sessions at Studio B
Local compilation benefits the Community Music School
The Whiskey Smugglers performs on Sessions at Studio B
Katharine Whalen’s Lucky performs on Sessions at Studio B
Music video for “In Between the In Between” by The Alcazar Hotel
Guitarist Tyler Bryant performs for “This Week on MyNC”
Hall of fame honors musicians, songwriters and producers
Country music’s Jason Michael Carroll performs in studio B
Bombadil put together this doc on the recording of its new album
Lost in the Trees performs at the Pour House Music Hall
Five-year-old Liam Turnage plays the drums like a seasoned pro
Lonnie Walker performs at the Pour House Music Hall
Wild Light gives an exclusive acoustic performance on B-Sides from NBC-17′s studio B
Music video for the track “Life Like” by Raleigh-based indie-pop duo The Rosebuds
Jonas Fjeld and Chatham County Line perform at The Berkeley Cafe
WKNC hosted its sixth annual Double Barrel Benefit Feb. 6 and 7
The Great Eight gives exposure to well-reserved artists
Willie Breeding gives an acoustic performance for Music.MyNC and 100.7 the River
U2, Fleetwood Mac, Electric Light Orchestra influence Annuals
As the recession continues, people are looking for ways to cut costs
Cowboy Mouth performed back stage at the Lincoln Theatre Sunday for B-Sides
Confessor drummer Steve Shelton breaks down his drum parts
David Karsten Daniels performs “Jesus and the Devil”
Music video for “Higher Ground” by Patty Hurst Shifter
Kinnin returns with a morning show and Sunday Brunch
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals visit Letterman on Oct. 30, 2008
The Pressure Boys shot much of the video at the Carolina Theatre
The Connells recorded the video for “Scotty’s Lament” at The Pier
It’s certainly difficult to pinpoint exactly who Minor Stars is trying to be. But in all reality, it’s simple to see the band exceeds in being itself.
SetlistDeath of the Sun |
Looking at frontman Eric Wallen, one wouldn’t think there is a Duke University graduate school alum hidden beneath that mane of metal hair. In fact, Eric looks as if he was plucked straight out of the school of Zeppelin.
“I had a previous life path of being an electrical engineer,” Wallen explained.
“When it came time to graduate, all of my friends were applying to grad school because nobody really wanted to get a job. So I got into Duke on a full ride — couldn’t really say no — I came down here and pretty much knew immediately it wasn’t what I wanted to do.”
After graduating with a masters in electrical engineering, Eric turned down a cushy job to pursue a career in music. This led to a period of writing folk songs on his acoustic guitar and performing them on Franklin Street.
But hearing a single note from Minor Stars‘ debut full-length, Death of the Sun in the Silver Sea, anyone can recognize that the music Eric plays with drummer Matt McCallus and bassist Bob Dearborn is anything but folk. Rather, what he describes as psychedelic rock is an amalgamation of ’70s-era metal, early ’90s indie rock and post-hardcore.
“I used to be a metal kid — I know it’s hard to tell now,” Wallen joked. “Actually when I was a metal kid, I didn’t look like one at all.”
Wallen added, “From there … I listened to a lot more stuff from the ’60s and ’70s and then a ton of indie rock. It kind of evolved into that vein, then into this psychedelic rock, and kind of full circle, bringing back some of the old metal riffs.”
Standing behind a sea of pedals, Wallen achieves a level fuzz rarely heard from truly indie bands. The band is certainly heavy, but Minor Stars can’t be considered hardcore. And though at times soaring with three-part harmonies, Minor Stars can’t be considered indie pop.
Perhaps indie hardcore? No … just Minor Stars.
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July 2nd, 2010 at 11:08 am
Awesome! Really nice to see such a great band with such great quality production.