Mike Hadreas walked to his keyboard on stage at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro like a shy schoolboy, sat down and began to play the first track from Put Your Back N 2 It, “AWOL Marine.” The lights were dimmed so low that his boyfriend and co-keyboardist Alan Wyffels faded into the red-tinted darkness, while Hadreas’ voice quivered ever so slightly.
The hip-hop powerhouse that is New York is re-emerging to its rightful place. While many may contest the idea that the gritty New York rap the 90s grew accustomed to embrace was extinct, what is true, is that the past five years have allowed for a scope of rappers from other areas in the U.S. to push the sound of their coast. Smoke DZA is one of the many budding New York artists fighting not only to dispel that notion, but embodying the proof to the contrary. He’s Brooklyn at it’s finest from his attitude, to his gear, all the way to his thick New York accent.
With broken, beautiful lyrics and mournful instrumentation, Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas crafts personal songs that are universally relatable. After struggling with substance abuse and subsequently taking time to recover, Hadreas emerged from darkness with music that helped him process his past realities. Diversions assistant editor Elizabeth Byrum chats with Hadreas even more about interacting with fans and what’s next for the band.
With broken, beautiful lyrics and mournful instrumentation, Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas crafts personal songs that are universally relatable.
The history of Yep Roc Records is a storyline that could have been lifted from a movie or a book. It’s a tale of two childhood friends who labored to do something great with what they loved: music.
Gaining prominence on the hip-hop scene is difficult no matter the city. Yet the two members of The Koolest, a youthful rap and R&B duo, are making recognizable headway and parting the sea of obstacles that lay before them in Durham — a city laden with up-and-coming rappers recording from momma’s basement.
The 14th installment in the Mountain Goats’ intimidating discography, Transcendental Youth is another exercise in poignant storytelling that should fit well among the band’s best. Dive Verdict: 4 of 5 stars
Fall always blows in abruptly, with too many chilling, rainy days that make it hard to get out of bed. Dive Verdict: 4 of 5 stars
Muse has officially left this galaxy in its sixth album The 2nd Law, which is stocked full of out-of-this-world bass-heavy guitar tones and vocalist Matthew Bellamy’s invigorating falsettos. Dive Verdict: 4 of 5 stars
The debut release by Greensboro’s Jenny Besetzt teems with fluidity, energy and nostalgia. Only is one long, euphoric ode to a lost love — or, perhaps, a love that can’t get lost. Dive Verdict: 3 1/2 of 5 stars
For fans of the alternative duo Matt & Kim, the band’s fourth album does not disappoint. Lightning is as dynamic as the title suggests, with upbeat tunes that hearken back to classic Matt & Kim singles. Dive Verdict: 3 of 5 stars
“Taken 2” is an example of a decent movie that thrives as a sequel. It does not fail to smoothly continue in the original storyline dictated by the first film. Taken 2 Dive Verdict: 2 1/2 of 5 stars
Tim Burton probably spent his childhood days doodling Gothic images in schoolbooks and watching old horror movies. For Burton, films which most celebrate suburban misfits (“Edward Scissorhands”) and horror legends (“Ed Wood”) feel like his most personal ones. They’re also his best. Frankenweenie Dive Verdict: 4 of 5 stars
Return to your high school days of first kisses, awkward dances, football games, fights in the cafeteria and lots and lots of teenage angst. As awful as that sounds, doing so through “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The Perks of Being a Wallflower Dive Verdict: 4 of 5 stars
The 2012 World Beer Festival comes to Durham this Saturday, Oct. 6 for an all day showcase of several hundred craft and specialty beers from across the country and North Carolina. Diversions staff writer Jay Prevatt talks to the Andy Miller and Tim Harvey of Triangle Brewing Company, about the upcoming festival, favorite beers and some guy named Rufus.
The 2012 World Beer Festival comes to Durham this Saturday, Oct. 6 for an all day showcase of several hundred craft and specialty beers from across the country and North Carolina. Diversions staff writer Bo McMillan talks to the Lauren Macaione of the Carolina Brewery about the upcoming festival, the background of the business and what goes into the brewery’s flavors.
The 2012 World Beer Festival comes to Durham this Saturday, Oct. 6 for an all day showcase of several hundred craft and specialty beers from across the country and North Carolina. Diversions staff writer Bo McMillan talks to the Joe Zonin of the Carolina Brewing Company about the upcoming festival, how the company got its start and some the brewery’s popular beers.
The 2012 World Beer Festival comes to Durham this Saturday, Oct. 6 for an all day showcase of several hundred craft and specialty beers from across the country and North Carolina. Diversions staff writer Jay Prevatt talks to Sean Lilly Wilson of Fullsteam about the upcoming festival, the native paw paw fruit and being a part of North Carolina’s growing local beer scene.
Washington, D.C., band The Dismemberment Plan is among indie rock royalty and has been credited for paving away for the dance-punk movement of the early 2000s.
Resident Triangle beatmaker Motor Skills has been riding high since releasing its debut album Moving Island earlier this year. The band has a gig Friday night at Slim’s in Raleigh with Lord Redbyrd.
