by Heidi Reid | Sep 19, 2023 | Do, October 2023
Tim Reynolds of Dave Matthews Band is bringing familiar tunes back to Raleigh.
A guitar is just a personal extension of the person playing it, and guitarist/producer Tim Reynolds has been offering the world this intimate glimpse for more than four decades. After releasing 20+ albums under his own moniker—and even more with international rock phenom Dave Matthews Band—Reynolds shows no signs of slowing his successful sounds down.
Last July, DMB graced Raleigh with a performance at Coastal Credit Union. Now, Reynolds is slated to play at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard Oct. 5 with his former band, TR3, merely a month before heading back on the road with DMB. Raleigh Magazine caught up with Reynolds ahead of his upcoming Raleigh show and tour to tap him on what’s currently making a mark on his sound.
Welcome back to Raleigh! What can we expect from your Bowstring show?
We have a lot of original [music], and we are working on a bunch of new acoustic songs. A record isn’t coming out until the beginning of next year, but we still like to play that music because it’s fresh. Covers are always fun because you get to go back to your roots and have a three-piece play music by bands with six or seven instruments. It’s fun to make them work with the guitar, bass and drums.
Which artists do you usually cover?
It changes every show. We have ones we’ve played for a long time. Right now, we are learning this one by Simon and Garfunkel called ‘A Hazy Shade of Winter,’ which is cool. It’s a 12-string song. It’s fun for me to play the 12-string part and the melody. That’s the kind of thing I like to challenge myself to do. It takes a minute to make it work.
Take us back to TR3’s beginnings…
This band started in Charlottesville in the ’80s. When I moved, I moved very far away so it wasn’t easy to keep that going. When I came back to the Outer Banks 10+ years ago, I hooked up with Dan and Mick, and we started playing. Now, we’re very comfortable with each other. It’s a very good fit.
Does the constant touring ever get old?
One does get tired of traveling, although traveling is awesome when you’re not tired. The reason we’re doing this is to play music and it’s all fine because of that. It’s better to travel and play music for people all over than to just live in one town and play a couple places all the time. I also just kind of got used to that. You definitely have to get enough sleep.
You are living the best of both worlds right now. Do you prefer a sold-out stadium show or a small local venue?
They’re both really great for different reasons. The Dave Matthews Band thing is huge—with catered dinner, tour buses and all that good stuff. But I also like playing small clubs because it’s a different energy. You can really feel the audience, especially in a small room. And you can actually see everybody—it’s not a sea of faces half a mile away. The energy is really the best. Small venues just sound better—in bigger places the sound is more artificial. I’ve been doing both for the past 15 years, and each venue keeps the other fresh.
Tell us: Which guitarists influence your sound?
All of them! I’ve been through so many phases of different genres: jazz, rock—and I love them all, so it’s hard to say. One that comes to mind is Paco de Lucía, the flamenco guitarist. It’s a different kind of music, that’s why I love it so much. It’s still a mystery. There is so much complex rhythm in that music. But I love so many guitarists. Who doesn’t like Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page? All the genres of great guitarists inform and inspire what I do.
What’s your go-to post-show drink and/or snack?
A margarita. Boom. No smoky tequila and preferably no salt. Just strong. And usually a double because most people make them weak. As for post-show food, anything, but I’m a big fan of pizza.
If you’re singing in the shower, in the car or anywhere without an audience, what song are you singing?
I like so many songs it’s hard to just pick one. The one that comes to mind is a David Bowie song called ‘Sound and Vision.’ When he opens up his voice, it’s such a magical sound. It’s like a quartet—it’s just different.
*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
by Heidi Reid | Sep 11, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023
Turns out, you can become a citizen of another country—but it’ll cost ya.
For those who have a little extra change to spare—anywhere from $100,000 to $1 mil—a new travel visa (ICYMI, see here) may be the last thing you have to worry about. While the extra step is being added for standard travelers, the wealthy have access to a one-way ticket to citizenship in ~22 countries. Enter, the “golden” passport.
The only commodity this (albeit extremely inaccessible and expensive) luxury calls for is an investment in property or a public benefit, a few background checks, and a short wait for approval. To wit, the holder isn’t even required to reside in the country of citizenship.
And the wealthy are jumping on this “golden” opportunity left and right. Harlan Crow, the billionaire Republican with the habit of gifting Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with expensive and secretive trips, won citizenship to Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2012. Meanwhile, Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel earned French citizenship with an exceptional mystery contribution because “he loves France.”
To many, these investments are worth it. The golden passport provides the ability of international travel without planning and without the disturbance of global catastrophes. Remember when your travel plans were ruined in 2020? Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt—who bought an EU passport while the rest of the world was on lockdown—can’t relate.
So, if you have $1 mil or so and no use for it, make a contribution to the country behind your 300-day Duolingo streak for the ultimate leisurely jet-setting experience. (We heard Turkey is so hot right now.)
by Heidi Reid | Sep 7, 2023 | Do, September 2023
Here’s the scoop on this year’s festival.
Oh, hoppy day! Hopscotch Music Festival is back for its 13th year, and this year’s lineup feels like Christmas in September for any Raleigh music fanatics—NTM, all the other fun activations and festivities taking place (hey, day parties!). Whether you’re a seasoned Hopscotch veteran or completely new to the fest, here’s your guide to making the most of your three-day rhythmic romp. Hop to it!
Who?
Nearly 100 artists will be performing, including King Krule, Pavement, Alvvays, Dinosaur Jr. and a slew of other big names from all genres. Comedians are also making their debut at the late-night shows this year, including SNL cast member Sarah Sherman (!).
Where?
Festivalgoers will hop (get it now?) between the two main stages in City Plaza and Moore Square for each set. Don’t worry, it isn’t a far walk, and the constant movement of people makes riding the rail so much easier. Performance locations for each artist are listed on the online schedule and Hopscotch app.
Tickets and Prices
GA tickets ($199) grant you access to three days of live music at the City Plaza and Moore Square stages, plus the late-night comedy sets. VIP tickets ($375) score you such additional perks as a VIP swag bag, priority access to late-night sets at participating clubs and entry to the VIP Oak Lounges at both stages.
Day Parties
Whether you want to join the fun without footing the bill or just want to pregame the headliners, the free day parties are the move. Raleigh’s best bars and breweries are hosting a bevy of local bands to watch. Pro tip: don’t miss our top day party picks, Cor De Lux at Kings, Teens in Trouble at Transfer Co. and My Sister Maura at Neptunes. The parties will even feature a few names from the main lineup (eyes on you, Truth Club and Max Gowan).
What to Bring
- Bring your credit/debit card: Hopscotch is completely cashless, and virtual payments such as Apple Pay aren’t accepted.
- Tote a small bag or no bag at all: Any bags over 13 inches by 15 inches must be clear—but let’s be honest, who wants to lug a huge bag around all day? Skip the hassle and spring for a cute fanny pack or go purseless.
- Bring an empty reusable water bottle or factory-sealed bottle: Would it really be September in Raleigh without 90+ degree temps? Hydrate or diedrate! Empty reusable water bottles are permitted and each guest is allowed one factory-sealed water bottle.
- Opt for comfy shoes: The festival will go on rain or shine, so skip the strappy sandals and opt for the most comfortable pair of boots or sneakers you own—your ’fit will still slay (promise).
by Heidi Reid | Sep 4, 2023 | Do, October 2023
Sip + shop from local artists at these bars and restaurants.
Here’s a hot interior design tip for you: Support local artists (!). Not only is it easier on your wallet, but local art cultivates a sense of identity and community—NTM originality—that you won’t find in the wall art section of HomeGoods. Skipping the screenprints and sourcing Raleigh’s top creatives isn’t difficult, with many local restaurants, coffee shops and bars around the city electing to enhance their spaces with local art for purchase. Here, we dive into a ream of spots around Raleigh selling pieces to kick (st)art your locally curated collection.
Mandolin
Feeling crabby? Longtime server and bartender Luke Marion uses oil paint to depict seasonal ingredients from the kitchen at this soulful Southern restaurant. His Monet-esque style looks good enough to eat (!), adding a tasty addition to any room. mandolinraleigh.com
Foundation
This Downtown den is the perfect spot to post up for cocktails or the whiskey of the week while perusing myriad works by rotating local artists adding some color to the moody walls. Snag ’em to recreate the edgy Foundation atmosphere in your own home (’nuff said!). foundationnc.com
William & Company
Hi, Barbie! Curl up at Oakwood’s cozy cocktail bar boasting works of bright botany and the likes of stars such as Stevie Nicks, Maggot Robbie and Jimi Hendrix, created by the brilliant and gifted Cassie Ott—known for pieces accented by bold florals and familiar faces. @willcobar
Mitch’s Tavern
There’s no shortage of art at Hillsborough Street’s popular pub—think oversize old-timey paintings surrounding the bar and unique pieces perched above the booths. Fun fact: Much of the art features iconic Raleigh landmarks, including many of the ol’ tavern itself. mitchstavernraleigh.com
Cup A Joe
Don’t forget your beans—or your art. This iconic coffee spot highlights a different artist every three months, with local art dealer Rock Kershaw’s watercolor collection and a reproduction of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss currently in the limelight. It’s brew-tiful stuff. cupajoe.com
by Heidi Reid | Sep 4, 2023 | Arts & Culture, September 2023
The Barefoot Movement brings about a fresh era with their new single.
If you aren’t barefoot, you’re overdressed. … From high school buddies to bandmates, Noah Wall and Tommy Norris have spent the last ~two decades making a name for themselves in the bluegrass world via their progressive Americana group, The Barefoot Movement.
After a forced pandemic hiatus, the dynamic duo—hailing from Oxford, NC—had to face a decision: move on or bring their music and motives through a renaissance. The power couple pushed on and just released their newest single, “Let It Out”—a “kind of battle cry for all who fight a war with anxiety and depression,” says Wall. Here, the bandmates take us back to their roots, delving into the deets of their latest song and giving us a sneak peak of what’s to come next. Play on…
Take us back to the meet-cute.
Noah: We met in high school in Granville County 18 years ago. [Tommy] brought a guitar to senior English class, and I was really intrigued by his musical abilities. At that point, we started playing together and kept it going through college. He picked up the mandolin somewhere along the way, while I’ve always been a fiddle player and singer. Throughout college, we collected different band members to support our sound on the road, and they’ve come and gone. … Now, it’s back to the two of us.
Tune us in to what you’ve been up to the last two decades.
Noah: We’ve put out three full length albums, two EPs, one live record, a Christmas album and a number of singles. We are ahead of our fourth album that comes out next year and our first single came out last week. We have gone from touring regionally and booking ourselves to acquiring a booking agency, which allows us to do more extensive touring. Now, we’ve been to most of the U.S., Burkina Faso, Africa and Canada.
Spill the tea on the new single.
Tommy: It’s called ‘Let It Out.’ I was falling asleep one night, and I had a melody pop in my head. That’s the worst time for a song to pop in your head because you have to make the decision to get up and record it, or try to remember it in the morning. Most of the time you don’t remember it. Being lazy, I didn’t decide to get up and record it. I took a risk and spent time figuring out how it would look in music notation, and, luckily, I remembered it.
Noah: Normally I would write lyrics first, but this time, the music came first. I listened to the music to see how it made me feel and what I wanted to say. The point of the song is when you are dealing with something, it’s important to let it out. You don’t want to bottle things up—there has to be a balance of knowing when you can move on.
Is the rest of the album going to follow the same tone?
Noah: We allowed ourselves to experiment a little bit more in the studio. I think in the past, we’ve been thinking more about how we would play it live, but this time we wanted to make a good record. We just followed the songs where they led. The song ‘Let it Out’ ended up being the album title as well because it works well with the rest of the songs, and now that it’s back to Tommy and I, we are a little more comfortable with our story. In the past, it’s been a band of four people. … We tried to make it more egalitarian and didn’t talk about our relationship, even though that has been the backbone of everything. We are willing to tap into some of our rock ’n’ roll influences and let go of any musical inhibitions.
Any musicians make their mark and influence your sound?
Noah: We both bonded over Led Zeppelin early on.
Tommy: Physical Graffiti or IV.
Noah: We were classic-rock kids and grew up in the grunge era. In small ways that has come out in our previous recordings, but we just let ourselves lean into that. I wouldn’t say it’s a rock ’n’ roll record—there are still a lot of folk elements in there. We definitely wanted to keep the fact that we play acoustic instruments at the center.
*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
