The band Certain Seas (Katharine Whalen, Austin Riopel, and Danny Grewen) stopped by Live and Local last week, following the release of their new album “Ordinary Hopes.”
Follow Certain Seas on Instagram.
Certain Seas has been a prolific band in recent years – this is their third album since 2022 – but “Ordinary Hopes” represents a musical jump forward for the band, which had already established itself as a major player in the Triangle music scene. For this one, the band drove up to Richmond, Virginia, to lay down the final tracks with producer Lance Kohler at Minimum Wage Studio.
“Some buddies of mine from Virginia had been going there for a long time, I think since (Kohler) started up,” says Riopel. “He moved up from New Orleans, sometime (in the early) early aughts, I believe – and (he’s) now relocated to Stanton, (so) this record was recorded in one of the last weekends at the Richmond location. It was cool to send it off in that way.”
Listen to the album and purchase it on Bandcamp.
Now that the album is out, Certain Seas is marking the occasion with a busy lineup of shows – beginning Friday, October 24, when they officially celebrate the album’s release with an 8 p.m. show at Volume Records in Hillsborough. Other upcoming shows include Sunday, October 26, at Raleigh’s Berkeley Cafe; Friday, October 31, at the Thomas Stevens Gallery during Hillsborough’s Last Fridays Art Walk; and Sunday, November 2, at Yonder in downtown Hillsborough.
Katharine Whalen, Austin Riopel, and Danny Grewen stopped by Live & Local to discuss “Ordinary Hopes” and their upcoming shows. They also performed three of the album’s songs: “Wished It,” “Ordinary Hopes,” and “Horsefly.” Listen:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe:
Related Stories
‹
![]()
Date Night: Heading Up Yonder, For A CauseNext Friday, October 16, Aaron's organizing a concert at Yonder in Hillsborough to raise money for the SKJAJA Fund!
The Return of Noir at the Bar with Eryk Pruitt, S.A. Cosby, Linda Sands, and MoreNoir at the Bar, the long-running live literary event that combines crime fiction, cocktails, and live performance, returns to Yonder in downtown Hillsborough on Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. Hosted by longtime emcee Tracey Reynolds, the evening will feature live readings from an all-star lineup of acclaimed authors including Eryk Pruitt, S.A. Cosby, Linda Sands, Jen Conley, Russell Johnson, Morgan Sullivan, Nathan Kotecki, and Isaac Hughes Green.
Noir at the Bar Returns to Hillsborough’s Yonder on April 9On Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m., Yonder: Southern Cocktails and Brew (114 W King Street) will host its next installment of Noir at the Bar, a quarterly literary event that brings together crime writers for an evening of live readings, storytelling, and atmosphere.
Hillsborough’s Noir at the Bar Returns to Yonder with Star-Studded Lineup of Literary Talent – Oct. 16Founded in 2019, Noir at the Bar has become a cornerstone of Hillsborough’s thriving arts scene—and a compelling reason for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents to explore the vibrant cultural offerings just up the road. This free event regularly draws packed crowds and has hosted talent from across the country, all reading original or published work in quick-hit, electrifying performances.
![]()
On Air Today: Author Eryk Pruitt on 'Noir at the Bar' at Yonder in HillsboroughAuthor, Owner of Yonder Southern Cocktails and Brew, and co-host of "Howdy Hillsborough" on 97.9 The Hill spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, December 12. He discussed his recent novel, his upcoming novel, and the "Noir at the Bar" event coming to Yonder on Thursday. That event will feature readings from an all-star cast of writers, including S.A. Cosby.
Howdy Hillsborough: Episode 40 - Certain Seas!This week on "Howdy Hillsborough," Alexis and Eryk are joined by local musician Austin Riopel! Alongside Katharine Whalen and Danny Grewen, Austin is the singer and guitarist for Certain Seas,
![]()
Hillsborough: The Churton Street Project, Flush Fest Revisited, Police SummitHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 13, discussing town news and events. He recapped this week's town board of commissioners meeting, which included an update on the Churton Street Projects, which would considerably upgrade infrastructure south of downtown. He also revisited last weekend's Flush Fest, which is an annual event funding a global sanitation non profit. He discussed an upcoming police summit, and more.
Al's Burger Shack Prepares to Open New Location in HillsboroughAl’s co-owner Charlie Farris, who also owns Jersey Mike’s two units down, spoke with 97.9 The Hill about the new location.
NCDOT Announces Overnight Closures on Interstate 40 at Old N.C. 86Crews will work to repair the bridge from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. starting the night of Monday, Oct. 12 through Thursday, Oct. 15.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
›
