straybirds

Comrades and music lovers, heed a young music journalist’s call this Saturday, May 4th at Carrboro’s The ArtsCenter, as a trio of harmonious troubadours takes the intimate stage in what is sure to be an enchanting performance.  The Stray Birds, hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania will be in town and set to warm ears and hearts around 8pm.  Tickets are set at the moderate price of $14, and for those unfamiliar with The ArtsCenter (located at 300-G East Main Street in Carrboro) it really is a special place.  I can say from personal experience that the acoustics in the building are fantastic, and should lend nicely to The Stray Birds specifically.  Now, onto a tidbit about the Birds.

In a generation where music is progressively dominated by enhancements in technology, Americana has remained one of my favorite listening friendly genres.  This blend of folk, country, and bluegrass is rich; it is music for the soul.  The Stray Birds consist of Maya de Vitry, Oliver Craven and Charles Muench, and each member shares one vocal microphone in order to create angelic harmony.  The vocals are spun over stand-up baselines courtesy of Muench, and their latest album release, which is aptly self-titled, has received some strong praise, including the garnishment of being named one of the top ten Folk/Americana albums of 2012 by National Public Radio.

Unfamiliar with Americana? Let me try to jog your memory with some names you may recognize: Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Jackie Greene, Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers, Jerry Douglas, and Old Crow Medicine Show.  The list goes on, but the point I’m making is that Americana artists are special, they are storytellers and the genre itself is rooted in homey folklore; something residents of this part of the country should be keen to appreciate.  I have mentioned my attraction specifically to unique voices. They call to me more so than any other lone instrument, and this Saturday will be a chance for patrons to indulge in the type of singing that is hard to turn away from.  I implore you all to come and see an exceptional Americana group on the rise add their names to the aforementioned list of greats in their ascent to success.

Included below is a link to The Stray Bird’s “Twenty-Five to Life” — just one example of the homey melody and folk play that I have touched on above.  I hope you are looking forward to Saturday as much as I am, and as always, see you at the show!

The Stray Birds – “Twenty-Five to Life”

For more information regarding The Stray Birds or Carrboro’s The ArtsCenter, contact Charles directly at CmacFrank@gmail.com or on Twitter at @this_is_Bones.

Feature photo courtesy of The Stray Birds