The heartbeat of the Triangle thrums to the rhythm of local music, from Elizabeth Cotten’s innovative folk and blues music, to UNC student bands, a new one of which seems to pop up every other week. There’s bluegrass, hip-hop, alt-rock, indie and more. It’s part of what makes Chapel Hill and UNC so special. And it’s the inspiration behind this week’s Music Edition.
Alongside last year’s inaugural Music Edition, former Lifestyle Editors Eliza Benbow and Emi Maerz created “Editor’s Notes,” a music performance video series highlighting local artists. The series was intended to expand The Daily Tar Heel’s legacy of providing accessible coverage of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro music scene, and it did just that.
“Editor’s Notes” also drew inspiration from other music performance series, such as NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” and WXYC’s “Backyard BBQ,” as well as the former DTH Diversions Desk’s live concert series in collaboration with Local 506, known as “Dive Parties.”
However, “Editor’s Notes” is distinct to The DTH’s Lifestyle Desk. The first episode featured current UNC junior Bill Moore, who performed four original songs off his debut folk album, “New Piedmont Style,” interspersed with commentary on each song. It was filmed inside The DTH office, with old print newspapers, a Carolina Blue wall and a handmade sign made by Benbow and Maerz. The video was also accompanied by a feature article on Moore, which dove deeper into his music and life story.
When I inherited the Lifestyle Desk in fall 2024, I inherited the desk’s mission and the "Editor’s Notes" music series. Among the many goals that I had for the desk, I knew that I wanted to continue “Editor’s Notes.”
But getting the series back on its feet was not an easy feat. We encountered roadblocks, including unanswered emails, a packed publishing schedule and even a baby’s birth. It also took time to thoughtfully think through our approach to the series, alongside my Assistant Editors, Nadia Jefferson and Morgan Brenner, and the Audio-Visual Desk, led by Natalie Bradin and Amelie Fawson.
After many months, I am very proud to announce the return of “Editor’s Notes!”
The format will look very similar to the first episode of the series, with local musicians performing in The DTH office underneath the original handmade “Editor’s Notes” sign. It will still highlight the Triangle’s vibrant music scene in a way that is accessible for anyone with an internet connection to see.
This iteration of “Editor’s Notes” will also include a live Q&A section with the musicians in between songs to learn more about the songs they are performing, their musical process, the musicians behind the songs and more, all in one video.
