For this blog feature I didn’t have to look any further than the newsroom.

I knew this guy was talented, but it wasn’t until I heard the song he made about Haiti that I realized HOW talented.

Phillipe Charles is a video editor here at the Big 5. He’s a graduate of Elon and for my money a darn good musician.

When the Haiti earthquake happened, most Americans perked up and took note of the tragedy no doubt.

But for Phillipe, it hit a little closer to home. Having family members directly impacted, some even lost their lives.

I’m not sure how I would handle something like this. I can promise it wouldn’t have been nearly as creative.

I don’t know if Phillipe donated any money, but as cliché as it sounds, he donated something much better, his time and energy (as well as something inspiring and memorable).

Check out his song, and hear a little about what it means from Phillipe in this blog.

You...

When I first started this blog, I had Goner in mind.

I was finally able to track them down after running into Scott Phillips (keyboards, vocals) at trivia one night. We were able to work out a time, and now, my mission is accomplished.

I couldn’t believe how good they were the first time I saw them play. That was also the first time I’d ever even heard of Goner. I bought their newest CD, Rock ‘N’ Roll Always Forgets, that night.

It’s been one of my favorites ever since.

I honestly have a tape full of great sound from their interview. I learned more about song writing and music theory than I ever thought I would in a span of about 15 minutes. No wonder their product is so seamless, they truly understand everything they’re creating.

It was hard to condense this vlog to the length of the song they played, let alone to a comfortable length...

I’ll admit it. I’m a fan.

When the Triangle rock band, Annuals agreed to let me feature them for my vlog, I was almost as excited as when I get to fly home to see my parents in Kansas.

I think I was professional enough, at least I hope.

I might have missed a few key questions, because I kept thinking to myself, “dude, I’m interviewing the Annuals.”

The biggest surprise was that they were able to cram enough equipment into their small practice space for all six of them.

Getting the video I needed wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Neither was getting light where I needed it.

Probably time to stop making 8 pound lasagna’s.

While I was shocked that the Annuals would take time for me, I was more surprised that they plan to take a step back for a while.

As it turns out their recent success is something they say they’re lucky to have survived.

I guess that makes since.

It’s...

The Triangle freakin’ rocks! Soooo many bands!

Allow me to introduce you to Ben Davis and the Jetts!

Once again, I regret not shooting more video. I always think I have enough… I never do. I could have added more cuts, but I reused too many shots as it was.

Ben Davis and the Jetts played Precipiced, the first song off their new album, Charge It Up. I think I got busted rockin’ out more than once while putting this together.

Normally I’d be sick of a song after hearing it as many times as it takes to edit one of these pieces. This song didn’t have that effect, much like their CD.

Their practice space was pretty rad, as you can see… a vacant spot, pretty much in a shopping center. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like it, but I’m fairly new to this. It definitely made for some awesome wide-shots!

Check out their video...

Yeah, I know... my vlog is suppose to be all about local bands.

But I’m making this rare exception.

I won’t waste your time talking about how I lined up this interview.

I never saw them play live...

I have, however, listened to their CD like a billion times… and it is awesome!

Even WRAL's Ken Smith agrees! He wont stop singing one of their songs. It's to the point I have to hide the CD when he gets in my car!

Hear a little about Love Trucker from Vancouver, WA in this video clip.

Follow their links, and make sure you check them out next the time they rock the Triangle music scene!

Their name says it all.

The Carrboro, NC band, Simple, is just that.

They’ve been around about 4 years and playing music isn’t their number one priority. I can certainly appreciate that.

Simple consists of a web developer, a technician and a teacher. All great careers, but yet each member of the band looks forward to band practice (almost as much as their shows in some cases) as a way to release.

I love their sound. It’s raw, but catches my attention. Hopefully you see what I mean in this video.

They don’t play many live shows, maybe one or two a month. Hopefully with the release of some new material soon, that will change!

Hope you enjoy! And be sure to follow their links to learn more about Simple!

When I started working on this blog I didn’t really know where I was going to go with it. I figured after a few bands I would have some idea and structure, but for the most part I was clueless. Now that I have finished a few I think I am in the middle of something awesome. I guess I should get to my point.

Originally I had several bands in mind that I would profile. They were all, in my opinion, the best of the Triangle music scene. But I think of the 6 that I have worked with so far, one band that I originally wanted to talk to is actually on this page.

The rest were all recommended by other bands and it all seems to be snowballing from there.

North Elementary is no exception. Their friendship with Schooner helped us meet up, and now, they are my latest subject.

So far, NE has been around far longer than any other band I have talked to. They have a ton of great songs and albums to choose from. Not to mention,...

Man, what an awesome group of people. Even if I hadn’t heard their music, I’d like the band Schooner just by meeting them.

I was so taken by the personality and class running through this Carborro, NC quartet…I almost forgot I was on a shoot.

Then, they played a song off their unreleased album (which is coming soon), and now, I’m hooked.

That’s all it took.

Schooner is currently un-signed and will be touring in the fall.

Their next scheduled gig is July 11th, when they are one of the lucky bands to open for Joan Jett.

Check out this video clip.

Leaving everything to interpretation seems to be the goal of the Triangle rock band Gray Young.

After talking with them for a short time, I realized they aren’t a band you can just corner and get scripted answers to your questions. They want you to decide what their songs are about and even what their band name, Gray Young, means.

Dan, the bassist, even joked that he enjoyed being in a band in which he couldn’t explain the name.

I won’t bombard you with my insight into their album, "Firmanent," but maybe in this video clip, you can decide for yourself what’s going on.

After that, I recommend following the band's Web links and getting a full taste of Gray Young.

I really enjoyed working with these guys. They take their music seriously, and when it came time to play their song, "Across the Loft," I felt like they played it as hard as they would for a large audience....

Alien Rock? Campfire Rock? I’m not really sure I’ve heard those terms before.

But that is how the members of Hammer No More The Fingers chose to describe their music during my interview with them. They might have been kidding, but I’ll roll with it.

HNMTF has been hitting the scene hard for a little more than two years. These three 25-year-old Durham musicians have set out with a goal to “spread the gospel of music.”

I’m convinced. They bring imagination into their songs and live performances and are slowly catching the attention of the Triangle, as well as parts of D.C.

Durham label Churchkey Records put out the band's lastest album and is helping with its next (which they claim to be about half-way finished with). HNMTF plans to play a lot of weekend shows this summer and get out on a national tour. Go check them out!

Also, check out the video link, and then...

It’s nice to be graced by enthusiastic, talented musicians from time to time. And every member of the band I Was Totally Destroying It fits that description: enthusiastic and talented.

What a job I have to be able to sit and objectively hear the opinions of such levelheaded artists. They touched on everything from why they love what they do to how they view the range of music in the Triangle and its progression over the last 15 years.

I encountered I Was Totally Destroying It at the local beer local band night at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh. About 30 seconds into their set, I knew I had to talk to them after the show. I’m glad I did, and as it turns out they love hearing from the audience (Even if you just talk about the silly conversation that spawned their unique name). They just like everyone to say hi.

Check these guys out, their MySpace site has a ton of songs on it. They are about to put out a new EP (vinyl with a digital download, and only...