Introducing the world’s first bar + band album collaboration.
Ever heard of a brewery breaking into the rock ’n’ roll business? For possibly the first time ever (!), local brewery Raleigh Brewing Company and band Cosmic Superheroes have collaborated to create an album. … And to that, we say rock on!
An accidental band that started as a joke in January 2014, Cosmic Superheroes was founded by lead singer/guitarist Brandon McLean, who met his drummer while performing with him at a gig at a sports bar in Raleigh. The band was formed and named on the spot, later joined by notable Raleigh percussionist Bongo John.
Flash-forward to today, and both the band—and its name—stuck. And throughout its nine years of space jammin’, while Cosmic Superheroes has played gigs at festivals and venues all over the Carolinas, the band has consistently appeared at local watering hole Raleigh Brewing Company since its inception.
“I have been present at every Raleigh Brewing anniversary party,” says McLean. “They just did the ninth one last year, and Cosmic Superheroes has been booked for every single one.”
“The thing that’s the coolest about this is almost all of it happened by accident. We just keep rolling with the cosmic punches and keeping our eyes out for the next cosmic wave.”
—Brandon McLean
For Raleigh Brewing Company’s seventh anniversary two years ago, the owners wanted to go all out for a “lucky seven” party, even having McLean and his band record a radio ad on 95.7 for the event and inviting them to sit in on team brainstorming meetings.
“In the middle of a meeting, I suggested we write a song for Hell Yes Ma’am, and we literally sat there and wrote the whole song in like five minutes. It just came to us, and it was the easiest song we ever wrote,” says McLean. “A couple weeks later, we played it at the seventh anniversary party.” (ICYMI, Hell Yes Ma’am is one of Raleigh Brewing’s signature brews—and with an ABV of 9.2%, it packs a serious punch.)
One of Raleigh Brewing Company’s owners, Kristie Nystedt, loved the song so much that she wanted to record it, but McLean laughed it off, at first thinking she was joking. However, about a year later, the brewery finally joined forces and finances with Cosmic Superheroes to sponsor the recording process of the band’s fourth studio album, naturally dubbed Hell Yes Ma’am Sessions, streaming now.
To boot, Cosmic Superheroes is already slated to play at Raleigh Brewing Company’s 10th anniversary party this March. And, McLean says, “we want to keep the collaboration going beyond the music.” … With a special 10th anniversary edition of Hell Yes Ma’am in the works and another Cosmic Superheroes-themed beer brewing, it sounds like this band and brewery aren’t slowing their roll anytime soon.
“The thing that’s the coolest about this is almost all of it happened by accident,” laughs McLean. “We just keep rolling with the cosmic punches and keeping our eyes out for the next cosmic wave.” Sounds out of this world. cosmicsuperheroes.com
Since the holidays are more about spending time with the fam (um, and watching football!) and less about spending hours defrosting turkey and cooking up casseroles in the kitchen, why not let one of Raleigh’s fab restaurants do the cooking for you this Thanksgiving? Here are a few local sup spots around town to find holiday fare for family feasting without the hassle. … Just be sure to book a rez. Feast mode: activated.
Today, Oct. 20, marks the start of the 17-day early voting period running through Nov. 5 at 3pm. And, before you dismiss this midterm election, “The Next Presidential Election Is Happening Right Now in the States.” So, since this election is so important, we rounded up some answers to a few FAQs so you can aptly prep for the polls… because being an informed voter is so in. See you at the polls!
Here’s a perk of early voting. … You can cast your ballot at any early voting site in Wake County! Not registered yet? No problem. You can register and vote on the same day, which is different from Election Day, where registered voters have to vote at their assigned location. For voting sites and schedules around the city, click here.
What do you need to bring?
If you’ve previously voted in NC, you don’t need to bring your ID; if you’re a first-timer, make sure you’ve got a form of identification on hand. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license or another state-issued identification, a U.S. passport, employee ID, student ID, military ID, a copy of a utility bill, a bank statement or a paycheck.
Are there any COVID-19 protocols in place?
To help protect North Carolina’s 7 million+ voters, the State Board strongly encourages wearing masks when inside, keeping social distancing requirements in mind and following sanitation protocols. For more information, visit this site.
Hoppy Oktoberfest! Here are some local watering holes to grab a seasonal brew.
In need of a chug? It’s Oktoberfest season and local breweries are stepping up to the plate and showcasing specialty beers for the hoppy occasion. Below, find six local bars and restaurants offering Oktoberfest brews. Oh, ale yeah!
Oh, hey! We’re schnitzeld with excitement over Heyday’s limited edition beer, best enjoyed with a pretzel and beer cheese or one of the brewery’s signature ’zas.
Naturally, this German-inspired brewery and restaurant is a prime spot to sip a German beer. Float on cloud nine at its Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 29 complete with traditional German tunes from The Little German Band & Dancers, Cloudstoberfest beer and contests (how long can you hold that stein?!).
Vitis House and the NCMA team up to host a simply sippin’ wine class.
Oh, sip! It’s time to go back to school—wine school, that is. Vitis House, the North Carolina Museum of Art and Catering Works have teamed up for The Art Inside the Bottle Nov. 3, an intoxicatingly fun and educational class that explores wine history basics, wine production and the main grape varietals in conjunction with three themes that informed the reimagining of NCMA’s galleries: Identity, Place and Power.
NCMA curators specially selected works of art to feature alongside the wines—which encompass rare versions of the styles discussed in the rated “R” (for rare, natch) class. In essence, a beginners-level class with an adventurous palate. And, to boot, food pairings will be provided by Catering Works.
“To reveal the place, identity or power of a wine is to invite a crucial understanding of its excellence and significance,” says Vitis House owner/founder Doreen Colondres. “When we examine these elements together, we can truly appreciate that wine is more than fermented grape juice we pour into a nice glass.”
And, as Colondres emphasizes, “As with paint and music, wine is, indeed, another expression of art executed with feeling and passion.” Get ready to be on cloud wine.
