Bitchin Bajas
The next album from Bitchin Bajas — the trio of Cooper Crain, Rob Frye and Daniel Quinlivan — is near! The successor to 2022’s Bajascillators glides easily into frame, but once there, Inland See is deceptively immediate: four songs, entirely within themselves, all together forming an essential whole. Inland See is out September 26; the lead single “Skylarking” arrives today with a new visualizer featuring visuals by Nick Ciontea. With every successive Bitchin Bajas release, we see that the real key for them is a sense of discovery, that tingle that comes when you feel something breaking through. The sky opening up. Take “Skylarking”: a remarkable construction, built to and fro in the ether, but with a deceptive grasp of four-on-the-floor rhythm. A space dance that achieves completion in almost aggressive terms — aggressive like an oxygen bath! — showcasing jewels from their world music and jazz archives, then returning to their undulous source drone, riding smoothly back into silence. The stuff that fills this Inland See holds you up powerfully, as if you’re floating, saltwater or helium-wise — effervescent, effortless, elemental. This music was mostly written on the road. It’s an unusual happening for Bitchin Bajas! They were open for it, though — the landmarked Bajascillators kept them out there for a while, and when inspiration struck, there they’re rolling. When it was time to render it to tape and find the record there, they did the whole thing at Electrical Audio, recorded in Studio B by Cooper. Recording all together in the room there lent a sense of space, which they dug and captured as natural as possible. No reverb at all added after the fact. Some additional recording and mixing was done at home by the Bajas, then Phil Baljeu did up the art. Soon enough, Inland See is flowing toward you, through the hi-fi — and you’ll feel it all in the air. Bandcamp
After
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River Shook (Full Band) Album Release Tour
River Shook is an artist in constant evolution. After a decade spent making their mark on country music, River Shook is closing the door on their first project (Sarah Shook & the Disarmers) and entering an exciting new era, debuting as a solo artist. River’s reputation for writing galvanizing, strikingly honest lyrics, and their penchant for tapping elements of Indie rock and pop have forever cemented them as a country artist who energetically pushes the boundaries of their genre into a new frontier. River has delivered fiery fusions of country music and rock n’ roll all over the USA, Canada, and Europe, selling out headlining shows at home and abroad. Whether they’re backed by a full band or appearing as a duo, River Shook is hitting the road in 2026 with their unmistakable voice, a growing collection of brand new songs, smoking talent, and the promise of real, raw, unforgettable live shows. Onstage and off, River Shook isn’t just an artist – they’re a force of nature. Website
Anne-Claire Album Release
What is the current carrying us? Do we swim against it, or do we drift at its mercy? On the stunning and immersive EP Do You Dream of Me Too?, Anne-Claire delves into a dreamworld of desperation and redemption with sweeping orchestral arrangements and powerful vocal performances that trace the shape of the answers just outside our reach. On her 2018 debut I Still Look for You and the 7” follow-up Jean Jacket, Anne-Claire covered a vast pop terrain, ranging from jazz and soul to synth-drive dance floor anthems. But as the isolation of COVID lockdown set in, she felt a growing distance from the sounds that had sustained her first releases, and like so many of us she looked inward for answers. Or more specifically, backward— into her past, to the American songbook and big-band songs she was raised on. The tight composition, lush instrumentation, and dramatic scope of her influences opened a path forward for her songwriting, away from the personal coming of age focus of her early releases and into a more unsettled, exploratory balance between image and narrative. Do You Dream of Me Too? embodies this new approach with orchestral arrangements conducted and recorded live at Manifold Studio in Pittsboro, NC. The legendary Chris Stamey provided the arrangement for opening track “Night of the Hunter,” while Triangle luminary Jeff Crawford (Watchhouse, The Dead Tongues) arranged the title track. Other arrangements come from Anne-Claire’s longtime collaborator and husband Charles Cleaver and the virtuosic Sinclair Palmer (Anjimile, Tallest Man on Earth). Together, these players and composers give Anne-Claire her richest palette yet, and a fully worthy accompaniment to one of North Carolina’s truly incredible voices. Anne-Claire’s vocal performance ranges from haunting to starkly intimate to exuberant and almost recklessly playful—a range that could only find its full expression against the dynamic composition she and her collaborators have found here. Do You Dream of Me Too? is unlike any other record in recent memory from the Triangle. Studied but irreverent, composed but far-reaching, it blends genres and vernaculars into a single captivating trance, with one of our most startling and inimitable voices at its center. What is it we feel pulling us? The answer isn’t simple, but it is here.
Grand Y’all Opry
Welcome to the very first Grand Y’all Opry, a celebration of everyone’s favorite classic and outlaw country songs that made country music timeless. Inspired by the spirit of the Grand Ole Opry, this one-of-a-kind evening brings together many of your favorite local country and alt-country artists, each stepping up to the mic as a featured guest backed by The All Y’all Country All-Stars. Throughout the night you’ll hear classic country, outlaw country, and honky-tonk favorites from legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Linda Ronstadt, and more. Featuring guest performers:John Howie, Charles Latham, Max Lane, Ramona Martinez, Dave Hedeman, Nick Parker, Paco Marvellie, Hailey Brighton, Eliza Mae, Jason Bales, Jesse Fox, Savannah Samuel & More. The night kicks off with a special opening set from Ramona & The Holy Smokes, before the Grand Y’all Opry transforms the room into one giant honky-tonk filled with singalongs, surprise collaborations, and the classic country music that brings us all together. Whether you’re a lifelong country fan or just looking for a great night out, come raise a glass, sing along, and help us make history at the inaugural Grand Y’all Opry. Website
Harvey Street
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Guardin, Kennedy XOXO, Fijimar
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Magoo
Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet from Denver, Colorado, redefining the boundaries of modern bluegrass with fearless creativity and world-class musicianship. Known for their dynamic live performances, the band delivers a powerful blend of intricate arrangements, tight three-part harmonies, and extended improvisations that bring new life to the genre. Their debut album What a Life arrived in February 2026, capturing the group’s adventurous spirit and balance between heartfelt songwriting and soaring instrumental work. The record honors the roots of bluegrass while boldly exploring its modern evolution, featuring a guest appearance from bluegrass legend Sam Bush on fiddle and harmony vocals and mastering by two-time GRAMMY Award winner David Glasser at Airshow Mastering. Each member of Magoo brings a distinctive voice and musical strength to the project. Dobroist Dylan Flynn, winner of the 2024 RockyGrass Dobro Competition, adds soulful depth and melodic warmth. Guitarist Erik Hill, runner-up in the RockyGrass Flatpicking Contest, drives the band’s rhythmic pulse with power and precision. Mandolinist Courtlyn Bills injects fiery solos and inventive arrangements, while bassist Denton Turner grounds the sound with groove, timing, and subtle dynamics. Together, they form a sound that is rich, cohesive, and unmistakably their own. Magoo’s recent achievements include first place at UllrGrass Band Competition and Clash of the Strings, second at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, and a sold-out headlining show at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. Their festival appearances at Winter WonderGrass, Grand Lake Folk Festival, RapidGrass, and Huck Finn Jubilee have solidified their reputation as one of the most exciting new acts in the progressive bluegrass scene. With What a Life now out to the world, Magoo stands poised for a breakout year, bridging the heart of traditional bluegrass with the fearless innovation of a new generation. Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Spotify · TikTok
Cole Barnhill
Hailing from what he proudly calls “the music capital of the world,” Lubbock, TX, Cole Barnhill kicked off his music career at just 17 years old—cutting his teeth in local bars with his band. In the years since, he’s carved out a signature Texas Rock sound that blends raw energy, melodic vocals, and heavy guitars. The result? Millions of streams across platforms and a fiercely loyal fanbase that stretches far beyond state lines. Known for their electrifying live performances, Cole and his band deliver a high-octane, no-frills rock show that leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s a packed club in Austin or a festival crowd in Oklahoma, they bring unmatched energy that gets every crowd on their feet. After Cole exploded onto the scene with his first collaboration, “Daydreams” with giants in the scene, Treaty Oak Revival, Cole is now rolling out his first EP since his debut album, *Welcome To My World*. The first single offers a glimpse of what’s to come: “Run,” a gritty, guitar-driven anthem that showcases Cole’s sharp songwriting and undeniable momentum. With a fresh sound in an oversaturated scene, Cole Barnhill is quickly becoming a name to watch in modern rock and Texas Red Dirt country—and he’s just getting started. Website
Dillon Fence
Dillon Fence—Greg Humphreys, Chis Goode, Scott Carle, and Kent Alphin—returns in 2026 to celebrate their second album, Outside In! The band, formed as college students at UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Forest in the late ‘80s, made a splash with their first album Rosemary, with songs honed at countless beer-soaked frat parties and nightclub shows. Their follow-up sophomore album, Outside In—produced by Lou Giordano at Fort Apache Studios in Boston, MA—was quite different than Rosemary. Many DF fans consider Outside In to be the band’s best collection of songs. Outside In took the band out on tours with bands like X, Lush, and Weezer, and onto MTV’s 120 Minutes with music videos for “Collapsis” and “Black Eyed Susan.” Dillon Fence will feature songs from Outside In at this year’s run of holiday dates—along with many crowd favorites. Website · Spotify · Instagram