Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt heat up Cat's Cradle

Photos by Justin Weber

A chilly and damp Thursday night welcomed one of the best double bills an Americana fan could ask for in Tift Merritt and Justin Townes Earle.

Merritt opened the show with a thunderous set. Those who though Merritt would be the calm counter part to Earle’s mischief were wrong. In her hour on stage, Merritt rarely let up and played big numbers that she could sink her

Win tickets to Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt at Cat's Cradle

Singer-songwriters Justin Townes Earle and Tift Merritt will co-headline a show at Cat's Cradle next Thursday, October 15, and we're giving a pair of tickets away to one lucky fan.

For a chance to win, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "JTE & Tift tickets" in the subject line no later than noon on Monday, November 12. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon.

Tickets

Video: Tift Merritt performs with Andrew Bird on Letterman

With Sandy's devastation causing chaos throughout the northeast, the late night shows based in New York have had to make some adjustments to their typical production schedules and find substitute guests for those unable to make it to New York.

With that in mind, Andrew Bird was called upon to play the show on Tuesday night and he performed a fantastic version of "If I Needed You" with Tift

Album Review: Tift Merritt - Traveling Alone

Tift Merritt’s transition to Yep Roc is off to a solid start with Traveling Alone, a record about solitude and independence that allows Merritt to shine.

On the opening title track, Merritt sings over sparse guitar in a tone that’s weary from hard lessons learned. She cuts to the chase. “I would teach him something. Say, ‘Son, you gotta hold your own and it’s good to have a taste for traveling

Justin Townes Earle & Tift Merritt to play Carrboro

After playing a big free show in Carrboro this past weekend, singer-songwriter Tift Merritt will return to Carrboro later this fall for a big co-headline show with fellow acclaimed singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle.

The pair will play the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, November 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26 via Etix for $20.

Check out the title track from

Video: Tift Merritt performs "To Myself" & "Feeling of Beauty"

Photo by Parker Fitzgerald

As we've mentioned previously, Raleigh expatriate Tift Merritt has a new album on October 2 titled Traveling Alone. She's released two videos of her performing stripped down versions of a few new songs.

Check out Merritt sitting in a window performing a solo version of "To Myself" and then sitting on a porch with Jay Brown performing "Feeling of Beauty" below. The

New music from Tift Merritt - "To Myself"

Tift Merritt's new album Traveling Alone won't be out until October 2 (check out more details HERE), but she has just released the first single, "To Myself." The song is now available via download services including iTunes and you can also stream the song below.

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, Merritt will play a big free show at the Carborro Town Commons on Friday, September 21, with Megafaun

Tift Merritt, Megafaun & Mandolin Orange to play free show in Carrboro

Three of the Triangle's favorite artists, Tift Merritt, Megafaun, and Mandolin Orange are teaming up for a free show this fall that will certainly be the talk of the town.



The three acts will play Carrboro Town Commons from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 21. Tickets are free with a voucher which you'll be able to get at the Cat's Cradle as well as other local businesses starting on

Duke Performances announces 2012-13 season, the Mountain Goats, Lost in the Trees, Megafaun & more

Duke Performances has continually presented some of the most exciting performances in the Triangle in recent years and the 2012-13 season, which was just announced, continues that tradition. Here's a roundup of some of the shows that really perked up our ears.

First, jazz trio The Bad Plus will return to for a two-night stand at Motorco Music Hall on September 21 and 22.

The Mountain Goats and

Tift Merritt signs with Yep Roc, new album out in October

Triangle expatriate Tift Merritt has signed with Haw River based label Yep Roc Records who release her new album this fall.

The album, her fifth full-length, is titled Traveling Alone and will be released on October 2. The album features eleven new songs and features guest appearances by a number of fantastic musicians including indie star Andrew Bird. Check out the complete track list below.

Racing the Cure benefit brings local music community together

Friday night was quintessentially North Carolinian. Super stars came back to their roots, The Tar Heels and the Wolfpack battled in the Sweet 16, and a music community used its powers to support Oliver Gant, a young boy battling cancer. The event raised over $45,000 from ticket sales and a silent auction.

Fans of The Avett Brothers began lining up outside Kings Barcade before noon to catch the

Tift Merritt, Bombadil and more join Racing the Cure lineup

Racing the Cure: A Benefit for Oliver Gant has added Lincoln Theatre to its roster of venues and some pretty big names in local music along with it.

Tift Merritt, Bombadil, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Small Ponds and Brice Randall Bickford will perform at Lincoln Theatre as part of the event on Friday, March 23. Kings, The Pour House and Tir Na Nog will also be hosting shows as part of the benefit,

Nick Lowe announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe and his band are hitting the road this spring on a headline tour in support of his latest album The Old Magic, released last fall via Yep Roc Records.

Lowe will play the Fletcher Opera Theater at the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 2. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll let you know once it is. Tickets will go on sale at