RM chats covers, discography and fun with Matt Nathanson.
If you’ve listened to the radio for at least an hour at any point this century, Matt Nathanson has definitely graced your ears. The San Francisco singer-songwriter has been turning out tunes for over 30 years, penning hits like “Come On Get Higher” and “Faster” that took over stereos and iPod shuffles alike in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Hitting the road with those hits and highs, Nathanson is embarking on a tour this summer alongside Train and Barenaked Ladies—including a Cap City stop at Walnut Creek July 16.
Nathanson is a self-proclaimed music nerd, which actually makes producing an original album a more intensive (and time-consuming) process, he tells RM. Thanks to the juxtaposition of wanting to make music but only wanting to produce music that’s perfect, he commonly embarks on cover albums sprinkled in with original records, creating a best-of-both-worlds sitch—and a discography that walks a hard line between intricate and fun.
“The process is super enjoyable but labor intensive, and I get itching to do something fun,” says Nathanson. “To be able to do little fun EPs where I get to celebrate the absolute magic of musicians that I love is an awesome way to exist.” The platinum artist’s recent EP took a deep dive into Billy Joel’s discography, and his past covers have ranged from Radiohead to Def Leppard.
Because the singer-songwriter is guided by his love of music rather than his fans, labels or popularity, some of his original songs never make his setlists—not because they weren’t successful, but just because he doesn’t like them anymore.
“I got into playing music because I don’t want to be told what to do,” emphasizes Nathanson. “I refuse to let my own music tell me what to do, and I refuse to let people that listen to my music tell me what to do.”
While he notes it’s a selfish quality, he appreciates that his unchained mindset allows all his mistakes to be his own. “But that’s a longer story for later,” he says. Head to the Creek for a bigger glimpse of the full picture—and a serenade of OG hits and covers alike.
ICYMI, drinking is no longer just about drinking—it’s about play. As Raleigh swaps barstools for scorecards, a new form of entertainment is making its way onto the scene. Enter Baseball Shuffle, a fast-paced mashup of baseball and shuffleboard built into a cocktail table. With anywhere from two to 16 players able to participate, the game aims to cultivate more than just competition. Unplugged Arcade founder and Baseball Shuffle creator Dan Winger says he hopes players will form friendships, resulting in a resurrection of organic community. So step onto the plate and batter up to play and unite. Play at Compass Rose Brewery, Salty Turtle; unpluggedarcade.com
The ideal vacation wardrobe really only needs one thing: fab swimwear. A true getaway = no itinerary, no overthinking—just toss in a few suits, flops and sunscreen, and call it packed. Everything else is optional.
Even if a summer vacay isn’t on the books (yet), consider this your sign to start planning your lineup. Because this season’s suit factor is, dare we say, finally free of the quiet luxury chokehold—and having a lot more fun.
Translation: Bold is back. Think multicolor stripes, animal prints and polka dots, finished with beads and metal hardware—layered onto structured, strappy silhouettes. While a sleek Lady Di-esque one-piece will forever scream chic, this summer, it’s sharing the spotlight.
In big news for surfy and sporty beachgoers, tankinis and one-pieces are also making a return to the cool category—this time with actual edge. Ideal for everything from a morning jog to swimming, surfing and sandcastling on the beach—or just looking the part—they reveal a little skin where you want it, and coverage where you don’t. So, no, it’s not the same tankini you were rocking circa 2006 with a side part.
With few opps to make a splash, swimwear is where fashion meets function—and where it actually matters (arguably the worst sitch for an outfit malfunction). Lucky for you, we’ve got local selects on lock. All you need now? A friend with a boat and a massive margarita.
As developers snag property in DTR, small businesses are being displaced.
Let us take you back in time. … It’s 2022, and Tidal Real Estate Partners just snatched up a Warehouse District plot in one of the then-most expensive real estate deals in the city. The 1.3-acre corner property at South Harrington and West Davie streets (think the now-relocated Raleigh Founded, Circa 1888 dive, etc.), is zoned for 40 stories, and the NY-based firm promises big plans for later the same year.
Hype built, businesses uprooted—and for what? Fast-forward, and the buildings sit untouched. The only difference: a mostly vacant block, rumors, renderings and unanswered questions. Not the first or last developer to overcommit and underdeliver, it’s becoming a common phenomenon around Raleigh.
Nearby, Goodnights Comedy Club’s famed move was spurred by the purchase and demolition of its former digs on Morgan Street. The lot still sits empty, and although property owner/real estate firm Childress Klein maintains the original plans for a multifamily development are still stable, the project is on pause thanks to rampant construction costs.
“Cost has moderated a bit, but recent urban multifamily deliveries have hurt occupancies and depressed rental rates,” Childress Klein Partner Randy Bates tells RM. “We will look to start construction as soon as the supply issues turn around.”
In an ideal world for developers, other local apartment buildings will fill, rent prices will rise and construction costs will fall. But, Bates says, they can’t predict when that will happen—although they hope it’s this year.
Original Morgan Street project rendering
Despite receiving the boot, Brad Grossman, COO of Helium Comedy—the operator behind Goodnights—told RM although displacement was difficult, the end result was favorable, and the developers were supportive in helping the club find the best path forward. “Business has been positive, and it allowed us to reinvent our space,” he affirms.
Adding to the list, Legends’ OG home—where the nightclub currently resides before moving down the street—was purchased by CityPlat in 2020. Now on a long-term pause, the project initially called for a 30-story mixed-use tower. In the interim, insider sources tell RM that new food and beverage concepts are likely headed to the Warehouse District site after Legends moves later this year.
Instead of waiting for the inevitable, MMA gym Gracie Raleigh chose to uproot shortly after Tidal secured the Warehouse District plot in 2022. While the developer didn’t outright force out businesses—Circa 1888 still occupies the Davie Street dead end—they raised rent and shifted tenants to month-to-month leases amid uncertainty around construction plans.
“I didn’t feel safe with the month-to-month terms because it can take three or four months just to find a space, and then another six to go through permitting,” Gracie owner Brandon Garner tells RM. The construction timeline was murky then—and years later, little clarity has emerged (Tidal did not respond to our request for comment).
Just a few blocks away, the beloved Berkeley Cafe served up sandwiches and live music in its West Martin Street digs for over 40 years, until the One Nash Square condominium project prompted the restaurant to revise plans in late 2023. Now, Berkeley sits close by on South Dawson—while the original site sits untouched and Berkeley’s OG three-story building still stands. Laura Strelau, a broker with Urban Triangle Realty, says the condo project is set to break ground at the end of this year.
For businesses, new ownership brings uncertainty at best, panic at worst. For developers, the math has to work—and until it does, some of Raleigh’s most valuable blocks sit frozen in limbo, all cracked concrete, empty storefronts and faded promises.
Despite this, most businesses don’t hold grudges. “This is a natural cycle of growth, and developers aren’t to blame for the demise of small businesses or anything,” emphasizes Garner. But for now, in some of Raleigh’s fastest-growing corridors, the future remains stuck in demo mode.
What’s summertime without a soundtrack? Regardless of your personal playlist for the season, a handful of songs always rise to the top—and during the best summers, just one track takes the crown, going down in history as the unofficial “Song of the Summer.”
Occasionally, it’s a pick that the masses can get behind. Read: Neutral pop hits like “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas or “As It Was” by Harry Styles proved agreeable, relatively undisputed anthems in 2009 and 2022, respectively. Other years, the seemingly christened song is endlessly debated (2025 is still undecided), or leaves everyone scratching their heads—think “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X in 2019. And more often than not, an unexpected late July release sweeps the charts and steals the title.
Regardless of the song, the spirit of summer holds fast: Hear the track and you’ll be immediately transported back—whether you like it or not. But it’s not just whatever happened to dominate radio roulette; it’s a swath of rising stars, superstars, and breakout genres shaping the season in real time. Think of it as a form of cultural carbon dating.
Here, we break down some of the top contenders* for the 2026 title.
“Stateside + Zara Larsson” by PinkPantheress
GENRE: Girlboss bop bordering on hyperpop Descendant of: “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter (2024) Vibe check: Pitbull’s “International Love” but for the girls Soulmate: Alysa Liu
“drop dead” by Olivia Rodrigo
GENRE: Soundtrack for closing credits of a 2000s rom-com Descendant of: “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush (2022) Vibe check: Synth-pop for Swifties Soulmate: Sofia Coppola
“Click Clack Symphony.” by RAYE and Hans Zimmer
GENRE: Show tune meets film score meets girlboss pop Descendant of: “Lights” by Ellie Goulding (2012) Vibe check: A would-be flawless fit in the Ocean’s 8 soundtrack Soulmate: Maya Rudolph
“I Just Might” by Bruno Mars
GENRE: Little bit of disco, little bit of soul Descendant of: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson (2014) Vibe check: Your middle-aged mom’s favorite song for the next year Soulmate: Christine Baranski
“E85” by Don Toliver
GENRE: Melodic rap with a touch of indie R&B Descendant of: “NOKIA” by Drake (2025) Vibe check: Mellow, high-performance + low maintenance Soulmate: Jenna Ortega
“Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson
GENRE: Sparkly dolphin electro-pop Descendant of: “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson (2015) Vibe check: Going straight from the beach to the club Soulmate: Paris Hilton
“Doors” by Noah Kahan
GENRE: Crunchy campfire folk tune Descendant of: “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers (2012) Vibe check: The optimal Subaru Outback song Soulmate: Stevie Nicks
“Babydoll” by Dominic Fike
GENRE: A little performative but very lovable indie pop Descendant of: “Circles” by Post Malone (2020) Vibe check: Sounds like it smokes cigarettes + carries a tote bag Soulmate: Paul Mescal
“SWIM” by BTS
GENRE: Emotional yet reassuring electronica K-pop Descendant of: “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee (2019) Vibe check: Slow night drive through a cityscape Soulmate: Billie Eilish
“Aperture” by Harry Styles
GENRE: Euphoric but slow-burning dance hymn Descendant of: “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals (2022) Vibe check: Charli xcx’s brat summer, reheated (sorry not sorry) Soulmate: Troye Sivan
“Going Shopping” by The Strokes
GENRE: Tears for Fears revival synth rock Descendant of: “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk (2013) Vibe check: A mild + modern take on NYC indie sleaze Soulmate: Sombr
