Who knew that just up the road from our fair city lies a community seeping with musicality? Saxapahaw, NC on Haw River is home to Yep Rock Records (Apples in Stereo, Liam Finn, Chuck Prophet) and the soon to be famous Haw River Ballroom. I hate to admit that I had never heard of it before this year when it was announced that former Pavement leader and alt. rock demigod Stephen Malkmus was set to perform there Saturday October 1.
Malkmus, rare bird that he is, is playing where? Not at Cat's Cradle, or The Lincoln Theater, or even the dreaded Disco Rodeo? No, the crowned prince of Pavement chose a more idyllic setting for his show in the peaceful and rural landscape just north of Chapel Hill. I personally cannot wait to experience a musician and songwriter of such magnitude at a venue so quaint.
Since the dissolution of Pavement, Stephen Malkmus has gone on to define kick-ass alternative rock and roll music with that unmistakable “yeah whatever”, back talky attitude with top shelf musicianship in each of his solo records. Since 2001, he and his newest band, The Jicks, have released 5 exceptional albums including their latest Mirror Traffic( produced by Beck!)
