Although the temperatures outside remain low, the local music circuit presented by the Cat’s Cradle and the Local 506 are sufficient enough to heat up the chilly Chapel Hill evenings. The diversity of performers this month ranges from electronic jam fusion all the way to new age Americana, and there are items in the calendar that should satisfy wide range of ears. Below are a few predicted heavy hitters (based of course on my own experience) that will take the stage in the upcoming weeks.

 

February 8th- Kooley High at the Local 506

Kooley High brings their soulful hip hop sound straight out of Durham as they prepare for their upcoming album release. Their upcoming record is executively produced by nationally renowned producer 9th Wonder, also a North Carolina native. This show will find the group fresh off of the heels of an appearance in Brooklyn, NY, and is sure to have local hip hop heads bouncing.
 

February 12th- Patterson Hood at the Cat’s Cradle

Patterson Hood is most known for his role as a founding member of The Drive-By Truckers, a group he formed with his roommate in Athens, Georgia in 1996. Hood plays a sweet southern rock infused Americana sound, and it is down-right soul soothing. Accompanying Hood at the Cat’s Cradle will be Drive-By Trucker band-mates Jay Gonzalez and Brad Morgan, and this show should be nothing short of wonderfully original.
 

February 15th- Zoso at the Cat’s Cradle

Local Led Zeppelin fans should be prepared to enter the dark rock and roll Zeppelin recreation experience that Zoso will bring into town on this Friday evening. The dynamic cover group formed in 1995 and has been mastering their craft ever since. The band not only seeks to provide listeners with the best live Led Zeppelin sounds, but represent a golden era of Rock and Roll as a whole.
 

February 25th- Ra Ra Riot at the Cat’s Cradle

Vaunted 5 piece indie rock favorites Ra Ra Riot come south from Syracuse, NY to deliver a performance in what will be a highly anticipated show. Their sound is revelatory even to the untrained indie ear, and one thing to specifically enjoy at a Ra Ra Riot show is the skill of Rebecca Zeller, the band’s violinist. These alternative rockers will be supporting their newly released album entitled “Beta Love”, which was just released this year.
 

February 27th- Lotus at the Cat’s Cradle

Lotus is a trance inducing electro jam band who can always be counted on to throw down a melodic dance party late into the night. Lotus is signed onto heralded jam masters The String Cheese Incident’s record label (SCI Fidelity) and has been perfecting their live sound since 1999. Also sure to dazzle the eyes of attendees is the light show that Lotus boasts, which have been enjoyed on such large national stages as the Summer Camp, All Good, and Bonnaroo music festivals. This appearance will find the band heating up for this year’s festival season, so patrons will surely appreciate this appearance in a smaller venue.

 

Be sure to enlighten your mind, soul, and ears this February and support live, local music by treating yourself to one of the above. Information regarding these shows and many more is available at the venue’s websites, or you can always contact me.

Stay warm and see you at the show!