Daughter of Swords

Daughter of Swords is the solo project of North Carolina singer-songwriter Alex Sauser-Monnig (they/she), who has also released music with bands Mountain Man and The A’s. Their solo debut, Dawnbreaker, was a hushed folk record released in 2019; in the years since, Sauser-Monnig found a new understanding of self, personally and musically. Across the last several years, Daughter of Swords’ music has grown thornier, an unpredictable and knotty tangle of technicolor synths, heady guitar, bubbling rhythms, a sheen enveloping songs about raw human intensity writ large – crushes, desire, anger, alienation, the horrors of late-stage capitalism, the cascading paradigm shifts it seems we’re all hurtling toward. Enter Alex, Daughter of Sword’s sinewy sophomore solo record due out this spring via Psychic Hotline. Recorded at Betty’s, Sylvan Esso’s Chapel Hill studio, Alex was built out by Sauser-Monnig’s longtime friends/collaborators Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso, Mountain Man, The A’s), Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes), Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso, Made of Oak), TJ Maiani (Weyes Blood, Neneh Cherry), and Caleb Wright (Hippo Campus, Samia). There’s a sharp cerebral tension between the stories at the core of these songs and the electrifying, playful buoyancy of the sound, the wink with which Sauser-Monnig can deliver a withering observation. Reckoning with pleasure-seeking, boundary-breaking, and their place in the world, Alex heralds a fresh chapter of exploration and liberation for Sauser-Monnig, yielding the truest representation of their identity via song yet. A reassessment of inner systems, and relationships of all sorts — with art and creativity, with other humans, with gender – happened in tandem with Sauser-Monnig’s interrogation of the late-capitalist culture that makes life for working artists an inequitable grind. Forced out of their habitual ways of thinking and being, Sauser-Monnig found new energy in dissolving old limitations—be they about the music business or their concept of gender—and exploring in uncharted territory. Their priority became maximizing the mood of each track, borne out in Alex’s layers of synthetic textures and unorthodox flourishes. “Alone Together,” the standalone single released this past fall (hailed as “a playful blast of candid indie rock” by Stereogum and “a crushing hum” by Paste), was the first preview from this fresh chapter of exploration and liberation, from the kinetic collection of new work that makes up Alex. Written from the POV of someone freshly single and alone and building a new sense of identity, “Alone Together” follows that confident new sense of self and emotional protection as it bends under the physical need for sex, connection, and closeness. That specifically fresh, raw form of desire – and the peculiar sense of aplomb that comes from newfound freedom– appears throughout the record, stringing together a gritty, kaleidoscopic and unpredictable tilt-a-whirl of high-octane guitar rock colliding with some folk song sensibilities. “I feel strange/But it’s just a natural reaction/To a world coming apart at the seams,” they sing in “Strange.” These personal excavations led Sauser-Monnig to a clear personal mission, which they explain succinctly: “I refuse to let the state of the world deny me the ability to live in joy, while also trying to show up for others.” Website | Bandcamp

The Baseball Project Featuring members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate

The Baseball Project are 5 friends who are veterans of the Alternative / Indie Rock scene (and who in fact helped create it), starting in the early 80’s. The band features members of R.E.M., The Dream Syndicate, The Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows and Filthy Friends. These are just a FEW of the countless bands that Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon perform in. They come together in this “supergroup” to focus on the fascinating stories that baseball spawns – character studies of both the heroic and the oddball variety. You don’t need to be a student of the game to dig them though – often times baseball is just a jumping off point for deeper stories of triumph or failure….or hilarity – all while playing their infectious and rockin’ brand of power pop/ jangle folk / Indie Rock that they do so well! The Baseball Project formed in 2007 when all 5 band members were attending a party for R.E.M.’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve and Linda were there as guests of Peter Buck but were only passing acquaintances of Scott, who was a touring member of R.E.M. At some point in the very wee hours of the party, McCaughey and Wynn found themselves leaning against the same bar and struck up a raucous conversation that ricocheted from music talk to baseball. They both confessed a longstanding and hitherto unrequited desire to write and record an entire album of songs that would dig deeper into the game and the psyche of the more eccentric characters that have played it. Linda (drummer in Steve’s band, The Miracle 3) wandered past and heard the promises being made to “maybe one day try to do it”. Being a huge baseball fan herself, she threw down a challenge to the pair to finally do it. They immediately set about writing and sharing tracks long distance (Steve and Linda live in NYC and Scott is in Portland, OR). Within a few weeks the trio of baseball fanatics with killer record collections had booked studio time at Jackpot Studios in Portland. After a couple of short writing and acoustic rehearsal sessions in Scott’s living room (Linda played a peach crate), they commenced recording and in 4 short days completed the 13 tracks that would soon become their first release, “Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails”. The songs came together quickly but they were looking for some fairy dust, so Scott decided to call on brilliant R.E.M. buddy Peter Buck to contribute his famed 12-string sound. Despite being sick as a dog, he braved his 103-degree temperature and came down with Rickenbacker in hand (plus sitar, mandolin, etc.) and laid down tracks on all 13 songs in just over an hour. Little did he know that he’d just been indoctrinated into the band for life, even though the only baseball player he knew was Boog Powell! The subject matter covered plenty of the game’s legends (Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, for example) but also players and stories that have been obscured by time, like Big Ed Delahanty. He was a massive star in the late 1800’s but he was apparently kicked off a train at midnight for being drunk and disorderly…and brandishing a straight razor! He mysteriously went over the International Bridge and was found a week later at the bottom of Niagara Falls. THESE are the stories that really fuel the Baseball Project! Website

Insect Ark & Forn

Courting + Slow Fiction

High June

High June | Greenville, NC | IG High June is fervently engrossed in the creative process, tirelessly crafting a multitude of songs, captivating audiences with their dynamic performances at various shows, and rapidly garnering recognition within the vibrant and dynamic landscape of the rock music scene. Jameson Tank | Athens, GA | IG Hailing from the music mecca of Athens, GA, Jameson Tank is on a mission to continue the legacy of break-out rock bands from the southern college town. Only 3 years into their quest, the quartet has completed 4 tours and 180+ shows, bolstered by the overwhelming support of their Built Different EP. Bringing an incredible amount of energy to the stage, Jameson Tank performs original songs such as Smoke Me Out, No Bad Days, and Fight Fair, which have quickly become crowd favorites across the Southeast. After Selling Out world-renowned venues such as the Georgia Theatre and Smiths Olde Bar – The band has shifted its focus to expanding their territories whilst releasing a new EP that just might answer the much-asked question of… ‘WHO THE F*** IS JAMESON TANK”? Rat King | Chapel Hill, NC | IG Rat King is a rock band based in Chapel Hill, NC. Formed in early 2024, the band has made their mark over the past year all around the local scene.

Infinity Song World Tour II

Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City, comprised of 4 siblings: Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism, and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music. Homeschooled academically and musically, along with their 5 other brothers and sisters, by parents who founded the Boys & Girls Choirs of Detroit, the siblings have been performing in front of audiences since Pre-K. Raised on classical, gospel, and jazz, they draw inspiration from artists like Pat Methany, Marvin Gaye, and The Winans Family. Infinity Song’s journey began in 2006 when the Boyd patriarch, John Boyd, moved the family from Detroit to New York. The group performed all over the city, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Times Square, with Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain becoming their primary stage for the next 12 years. Over time, they turned casual park visitors into loyal fans, eventually being introduced to JAY-Z. In 2016, the band was signed to Roc Nation by JAY-Z, who encouraged them to stay true to their unique sound. In 2020, they made a giant splash with their debut album Mad Love, which, combined with several viral videos, amassed millions of views and earned the attention of Hollywood’s biggest names. Infinity Song’s recent success marks a bold chapter in their musical evolution, which they’ve described as their Metamorphosis. Their expanded sound, blending elements of soft rock, pop, and soulful melodies, has captured the attention of a global audience. The band’s breakout moment came with the viral success of Hater’s Anthem, a track that has been endorsed by Pop star Doja Cat and shared by millions of people worldwide. Leading many listeners to compare the band to legendary 70s groups such as Fifth Dimension, The Mamas and The Papas, and ABBA. But their journey didn’t stop there. Slow Burn and Sinking Boat, two additional singles from their Metamorphosis era, also became viral sensations, fueling their rise to new heights and captivating even more fans. In 2024, the band embarked on a successful world tour, playing sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Manchester, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and more. They also graced the stages of major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork Paris – further solidifying their place in the global music scene. The band’s latest achievement, a LIVE album, captures the magic of their dynamic performances and continues to fuel excitement for their upcoming tour & singles. With the momentum building, Infinity Song is poised to make an even bigger mark in the year to come. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

Logan Halstead x Willy Tea Taylor

Age is just a number, and Logan Halstead constantly reminds us of that. At just 15 years old, he wrote his first song, “Dark Black Coal,” a powerful, haunting song that depicts the struggles of a life of working in the coal mines, a lifestyle Logan witnessed many of his friends, family, and community members endure. Logan Halstead, 19 years old, is a country/folk/Americana singer-songwriter who grew up in Comfort, West Virginia. Logan pulls most of the inspiration for his music from the struggle and hardship of his own life and of the lives of those around him. Small-town living isn’t intensely stimulating, socially or economically, but spiritually, there is always a yearning for something more. Born in Kentucky and raised in West Virginia, it’s no surprise that Logan draws influence from Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, but he has also found a lot of inspiration from the work of Nicholas Jamerson and Cole Chaney. “All these folks mentioned have laid a path and shown that it’s okay to be from these parts; we’re not so looked down on anymore…” says Logan. It’s given him the ability to be proud of who he is, and it has led him to be a driving force in the scene of young artists from the Appalachian region. Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Soundcloud | Spotify There is no question that Willy Tea Taylor’s life as a singer/songwriter was predetermined – his role realized the moment he wrote his first song. His inspirations drawn from two separate wells; Living the life of a cattleman’s kid and experiencing true visionaries music like Greg Brown, John Hartford, and Guy Clark. The image of Guy Clark and friends sitting around the kitchen table loaded with ashtrays full of butts, half-smoked cigarettes, food, and booze on one Christmas Eve in 1975 burned into Taylor’s soul. Those guys, swapping songs without pretense, lit Willy Tea’s fire. And ever since, its led purpose with passion – finding a hang by curating relationships through musical friendships that get him closer to his own Clark style kitchen table.From his early days co-fronting The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, to singing solo in countless cowboy bars, to pitching countless wiffle ball games, Willy Tea has never lost the vision. Now Willy Tea Taylor has taken his vision of the “hero hang” on the road. and his talented traveling band The Fellership is made up of his fantastically talented buds who play Willy’s songs with a brand of reckless abandon and utter humility that spits in the face of pretense. The way The Fellership plays Will’s songs is the way they demand to be played and, in their short time together, they have been awe-ing every audience lucky enough to see them. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | Spotify

Cat’s Cradle Study Hall

Mazzy and the 62s was born in an upstairs bedroom in Carrboro when 3 guys with less than sober thoughts realized they could all play an instrument. After finding their singer, Mazzy, with a shot-in-the-dark Instagram DM, they quickly grew close and drew influences from Cage the Elephant, The Band, and The Black Keys. While they are on par with most in terms of musical talent, what drives their sound is the life they bring to the stage and the fun they have while doing it; sometimes breaking things in the process. Comet Face is a group of high school friends who spent their entire summer in their drummer’s barn arguing over who had the worst music taste. Their music is the result of their buffoonery. Orange County Collective is a high-energy fusion of bluegrass grit, folk soul, punk rock fire, and Appalachian tradition. Hailing from North Carolina, we’re a crew of pickers, strummers, and storytellers who blur genre lines and bring raw, foot-stomping energy to every stage. Whether it’s a front porch jam or a packed-out venue, we play like we mean it—because we do. Mush, Puppy! Incorporating complex chord progressions and methodically crafted melodies with Midwest emo and indie, “Mush, Puppy” brings a new atmosphere to a nostalgic sound. With Love is the songwriting project of Reilly Milburn accompanied by Max Levinson, Emmaus Holder, John DiSabito, Bradley Robasky, and Steve. Based in Carrboro, NC, With Love melds elements of indie, rock, and emotional hardcore. Davie Circle is an alt-country/folk-rock band based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in their tight-knit college town, the group quickly became a mainstay in the local music scene. Their name comes from a historic street where the band spent countless hours rehearsing, and it perfectly captures the spirit of their roots. Blending the free-spirited improvisation of jam bands, the lush harmonies of bluegrass, and the rhythmic groove of jazz with the storytelling traditions of Southern rock and Delta blues, Davie Circle creates a sound that’s undeniably American.

White Denim

White Denim is a freewheeling American rock and roll band formed in Austin, Texas in 2006. Over nearly 20 years and 13 albums the band has continued to energetically explore new territory, consistently delivering a musically sophisticated and inventive product both on record and on stage. James Petralli and his exceptional group put the music first. You will not see a better live band if you live to be a million. Website | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Slow Teeth (Record Release)

Slow Teeth makes original cinematic music inspired by Radiohead/The Smile, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, and many more. The band formed and started writing songs in Saxapahaw, North Carolina in June 2021, initially as an opportunity for Robert Chamberlain (drums, synthesizers), Justin Ellis (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Jeremy Haire (guitar, vocals) to start playing music with others following the pandemic lockdown while previous respective projects were on indefinite hiatus. As the band’s chemistry and highly collaborative identity coalesced, they began playing live in March 2022, tweaking and adapting their improvised post-rock compositions into finished songs and performing them all over the East Coast. Outside of their original compositions and visceral live shows, Slow Teeth has presented various music community events, including a one-off music festival (The Kraken, 2022), a month-long Durham performance residency culminating in an improvised film score to a classic silent film (“Metropolis” at Arcana March 2023), An original film score to the 1928 silent film “Fall Of The House of Usher” (Cat’s Cradle, Halloween 2024) and a headlining show at the Cat’s Cradle in August 2023 to perform Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” front to back for the album’s 50th anniversary, complete with backing musicians and interactive visuals. Slow Teeth has supported such acts as Explosions In The Sky, Xiu Xiu, A Place To Bury Strangers, Holy Fawn, Emily Wolfe, Camp St. Helene, Easter Island, and more. Notable US venues and festivals played include The Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro NC), The Ritz (Raleigh NC), Kings (Raleigh NC), Berlin Under A (New York City), Pie Shop (Washington DC), The Drunken Unicorn (Atlanta GA), The Basement (Nashville TN), The Pinhook (Durham NC), Motorco Music Hall (Durham NC), Fleetwood’s (Asheville NC), the 2022 North Carolina State Fair, the 2023 Festival For The Eno, Bull City Summit 2023, and the 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions of the Carrboro Music Festival. The band independently released their debut single “Still You Speak” in May 2023. The band will release their debut EP “I” in Spring 2025 and will tour the west coast of the US in late summer. Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook

Genre: Concerts