Aside from becoming an astronaut/actress/unicorn, my childhood self had only one dream: playing music. My life’s ultimate goal is to join a band, get big, go through a rockstar phase, break up, fade into obscurity and then live out the rest of my days in some sleazy New York City bar, reminiscing about the glory days.
In fact, this may still be my dream, but seeing as I have zero singing ability and haven’t picked up a guitar since 2011, it might be a bit of a stretch.
Luckily, in addition to visits from international acts like Ed Sheeran and Joe Jonas, Chapel Hill is home to some pretty excellent local bands from which I hope to draw inspiration. So until my first mixtape drops, here are some local bands that are currently getting me up and dancing like a fool.
SUNSHINE FACES
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Genre: Dream pop
Members: Noah Rawlings
Listening tips: To be listened to while lying in bed at 2 a.m., thinking back nostalgically on lost loves or perhaps your high school GPA. How we all miss those days. Best experienced in a dimly-lit room, staring up at the ceiling.
https://sunshinefaces.bandcamp.com / https://sunshine-faces.tumblr.com
SISTER DAVID
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Genre: Rock
Members: Jamie Mace, Kabir Kumar-Hardy, David Gilmore
Listening tips: Sister David's demo album reminds me of an indie film character that's having a bad day — can't get the girl, gets splashed by a passing car, has his bike stolen, hole ripped in his pants by a loose chihuahua, etc. — so if you fit that description, this is just the music for you.
http://sisterdavid.bandcamp.com
SEABREEZE DINER
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Genre: Garage rock/pop, indie
Members: Patrick "Sweet Baby" Stovall, L. Davis Alderson, Kevin Murphy, Chris Powers
Listening tips: The song "Wasted Summers" definitely reminds me of days at summer camp, sailing, playing in the woods, and drinking bug juice (whatever that is). Due to an incident with an incredibly hairy spider in my sleeping bag, I only went to camp one time, but I’ll definitely return to this song again.
http://seabreezediner.bandcamp.com
COY
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Genre: Indie, punk
Members: Brent Drew, JJ Storniolo, Kam Vann, Shawn Cromartie
Listening tips: Their first album, Wasted Winter, makes me think of driving fast with a group of friends in an old pickup truck in the middle of the night, hanging out in fifties-style diners and setting off fireworks in cul-de-sacs on the Fourth of July. If this album was a candle, it would probably be bonfire-and-old-denim-jacket scented.
https://dontbecoy.bandcamp.com/
ASTRO COWBOY (2012 - 2015)
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Genre: Indie rock
Members: Travis Harrington and Kameron Vann
Listening tips: Songs like “Big Blue” and “Sleeptime” of their album Hedonism Colosseum sounds like what you’d imagine being young would sound like. This album is beautiful for reflecting on life, whether you’re thinking about your angsty teenage self, your still angsty semi-adult self or all the changes and experiences you may be going through. Also, it makes for a pretty darn good dance party.
https://astrocowboy.bandcamp.com/
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