Todd Barry

This week : Macy Gray, Blonde Redhead, Caribou, Todd Barry

Raspy voiced soul singer Macy Gray performs this evening at the Carolina Theater in Durham. Gray's rise to fame began in the late 1990's with her hit song "I Try" which garnered 5 Grammy Awards. Gray has since offered her talents as an actress and reality television star. Behind those giant sunglasses and beneath that mop of hair lies one hell of a singer songwriter.

The Cat's Cradle welcomes no wave trio Blonde Redhead to the stage Saturday October 30th with German DJ Pantha Du Prince. Blonde Redhead's 2004 release, Misery is a Butterfly was the break out album for most listeners and in my opinion their best work.

Canadian electro - rock outfit Caribou will play Halloween night at the Cradle. I've never seen them live, but from what I understand they put on a mesmerizing performance.

Known for his deadpan delivery and mellow disposition, comedian Todd Barry will be telling jokes at Kings Barcade Thursday evening. He appeared regularly on VH1's Best Week Ever, The Late show with David Letterman, and as a guest on various sitcoms.

Jeanne Jolly, Darius Rucker, 311, and The Love Language

Alternative country songstress and Raleigh native Jeanne Jolly is sweating it out, performing 3 times a day, every day at the North Carolina State Fair October 14th - 24th. If you have not had a chance to witness Jolly, by all means take advantage of this opportunity to do so. She and her band can be seen on the waterfall stage at 12:00 , 3:00 and 6:00.

All of you Hootie and The Blowfish fans get ready! That's right, Darius Rucker will perform at the Fair on the evening of October 23rd in support of his new album Charleston, Sc 1966. In my opinion, Rucker gets points for being the first African American singer to master the "yeah" vocal styling a la Eddie Vedder and Scott Stapp. I realize comparing those two is sacrilegious as Scott Stapp is the Anti-Christ, but you get my point.

311 will perform downtown at The Raleigh Amphitheater Saturday October 30th. Hopefully your piercings from the 90's haven't healed over yet and you can locate some blue hair dye that washes out in 24 hours or before work on Monday morning. All jokes aside, 311 is an amazingly talented and influential group whose work has maintained a high level of gravitas among the musical community since their rise to fame in the 1990's

311 - "Down"

Raleigh's very own The Love Language returns from their tour of the United States to play a homecoming show at Kings Barcade ( now on Martin Street) this Thursday night. VeeLee and Laughing Man will open.

Built To Spill - Oh Yeah (Live Letterman 2009)

Deerhunter and Built to Spill at Cat's Cradle

The very foundation of Cat's Cradle will shake this weekend with a performance from Atlanta rockers Deerhunter Saturday night and a show from the immensely robust sounds of Built to Spill on Sunday. Since their debut release Turn it Up, Faggot! Deerhunter has procured a blend of gutsy rock with an infectious dose of danceable beats and thoughtful songwriting. Their live show packs a punch and which will surely be elevated with electronica outfit Casino vs. Japan and New Jersey's Ducktails opening.

Built to Spill is out in support of their latest studio effort, There is no Enemy. I saw them at Cat's Cradle 3 years ago and my ears are still ringing.