by Anna Beth Adcock | Apr 29, 2024 | Eat, May 2024
A new duo has the keys to Raleigh’s oldest music venue.
Say hello to the Slim’s you used to know! The storied Downtown Raleigh music venue/dive bar is now under new ownership, thus ushering in its next era while keeping its OG character. Meet Amber Turner and Bill Johnson, the duo breathing new life into the 25-year-old outpost and adding a positive vibe as the bar looks toward the future. And despite the alleged staff exodus last fall, rest assured, the drama is done.
Taking the helm this spring, the pair obtained the sacred keys by appealing to the owners’ intent to safeguard the fundamental history and culture of the space as they prepared for retirement.
“It’s a dive bar,” Johnson maintains. “We are not looking to modernize or change it—we want to nourish and bring it back [while] making it a homebase for local musicians and artists.” Essentially, the goal is to keep things at the spot consistent with the standards of an old-timer who’s been visiting since its inception, throwing back the vibes to “feel like the Slim’s of 10 years ago.”
That said, one way the newly minted owners are seeking to elevate the local music scene is through giving young or up-and-coming artists space—and a stage—to shine. And there’s lots of local musician love to go around. Currently, Slim’s has 50+ artists slated during the month of May (s/o to the staff and a smattering of locals who helped curate the stacked lineup!), with more looking to snag a spot on the calendar soon.
All in all, there’s much to look forward to as Slim’s steps into a new moment while maintaining its core essence. “In the long run, it felt right,” says Johnson of acquiring the venue. “The place deserves some nurture, love and community.” Here’s to another 25 years! slimsraleigh.com
by Heidi Reid | Apr 15, 2024 | April 2024, Arts & Culture
Raleigh local Christina Munsey is making waves in the music scene.
Prepared to be “burned”—in the best way possible. After taking a leap from singing vocal features on techno tracks to penning slow and raw Americana ballads, Raleigh alt-country artist Christina Munsey is gaining attention for her raw, melodic music on an international level. From her song “Give Me a Minute” being featured on Netflix’s Love is Blind (!) to her local spotlight on 94.7 QDR, the Raleighite is gathering thousands of listeners—despite not even having a full album out yet.
Now, the “girl singing her feelings” is dropping a brand-new Americana-meets-pop single “take them all” April 19 that’s sure to have you crooning. Raleigh Magazine caught up with the up-and-coming artist ahead of the release to chat her inspirations, living in NC and having no plan B.
Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?
Belting at the top of my lungs in a tutu to a Carrie Underwood song that was playing on a worn-out Disney princess CD player was a pretty sure sign that I knew what I wanted to be from an early age. I have had fleeting thoughts—more like what-if’s—of contemplating certain career paths, and I think earlier on it may have been hard for my parents to come to terms with me walking into a less stable career. Overall, though, I never truly had a plan B. If you have a plan B, you’re likely to fall back on it. … My dad always told me, ‘If you do a job you love, you never work a day in your life.’
What artists serve as your biggest inspo?
There are countless early memories of hearing Fleetwood Mac playing around the house. Watching Lindsey Buckingham annihilate the guitar during performances inspired me to pick it up in the first place. I was—and still am—so enamored by all the elements in their music. I’ve also been fascinated by the work of Noah Cyrus. Her approach to bringing a subtle pop twist on country and folk is genius. She has been a huge inspiration for my most recent song and the ones to come.
You’ve experimented with a lot of genres, where do you see yourself fitting in?
A lot of my earlier music was experimental, as I was trying to feel my way through where I felt I fit musically. Creating electronic music was definitely very exhilarating and fun, but my new song, ‘take them all,’ hits home. I feel the most grounded in the singer-songwriter genre, and I feel that it lends itself to creating a deeper emotional connection with people. Something about warm organic-sounding drums, raw lyrics and a somewhat flawed guitar makes the music feel human. I don’t think I’ll revert back to EDM-style music anytime soon, but I’ve flirted with the idea of making an alias project for fun. Sometimes making that type of music can feel more mindless and gives me a little mental break from my other work.
What was it like hearing your own song on Love Is Blind?!
I remember talking to one of my close friends several years ago and saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be crazy if my song was in a show like Love is Blind or The Ultimatum?’ I had never really thought that something like that was possible for me. I was sitting at a drive-thru when I saw a comment from someone on my Instagram post saying that they had Shazam-ed my song on Love is Blind and added it to their playlist. In my head, I was thinking, ‘Ha, you got the wrong girl!’ I drove back home, proceeded to run inside, jumped on my bed and started going through every episode of the show. I screamed when I heard it for the first time. It was such a surreal experience. I had put that song on the back-burner for quite some time and never planned on releasing it because it felt too raw and vulnerable, but the amount of messages I’ve received from people saying how they felt understood and found healing through my song—there truly is no better feeling. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity.
What’s your favorite part about living in NC?
Nothing beats good ’ole Southern food—sweet tea, homemade biscuits and brisket. I’m quite the foodie so of course that’s where my mind goes first when thinking about my favorite part about living in North Carolina. Also, the convenience of driving a few hours east or west to the mountains and beach is incredibly nice, although I haven’t truly taken advantage of that as much as I should.
*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | February 2023, Stuff
Raleigh-bred country music queen takes to the stage in the Country Music Capital.
“Life’s about to get good.” … So croons country music icon Shania Twain—and the same rings true for Raleigh native Kaylin Roberson as she bolsters her country career in Music City.
The 23-year-old singer/songwriter got her start in the City of Oaks when she was only 15, singing at local spots such as DTR’s Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen and 42nd St. Oyster Bar while submitting her songs to local stations like 94.7 QDR. “My experience in Raleigh was one I’ll never forget,” reflects Roberson. “It shaped who I am today, and it gave me the drive to move to Nashville.”
In November, the rising star appeared in a limited-run of musical revue She Believed She Could in Nashville—and is now primed to take the stage for the revue’s return in March (!). Starring a cast of six female artists from the acclaimed Song Suffragettes collective, the sensational show pays tribute to country music’s leading ladies—from Dolly Parton to Maren Morris—while integrating the performers’ own original music… aka the perfect collab of the classics and up-and-coming artists.
“I want to be able to change people’s lives through music—and I know that’s a big, broad goal,” says Roberson. “But if I can do that and also be able to pay my rent, then I’m doing well—that’s success for me.” Here, we go behind the scenes on our homegrown up-and-coming star. kaylinroberson.com
HOME HOODNear South Saunders Street
RALEIGH REC The Pit
RELATIONSHIP STATUS Taken by a boyfriend
BINGEWORTHY Yellowstone
ALMA MATER East Carolina University
COUNTRY MUSIC ICON Shania Twain
DREAM COLLAB
Sam Hunt
PREPPING FOR A SHOW Lots of jumping around, deep breathing and a little self-prayer
CLOSET ESSENTIALS Tall cowgirl boots, sparkly denim and a rock ’n’ roll T-shirt (think Johnny Cash or Guns N’ Roses)
NASHVILLE NOSH SPOT Mexican restaurant Cinco de Mayo
PERSONAL STYLE Concrete cowgirl. I like to mix Western pieces with modern fashion.
BEST ADVICE Be nice to everyone on your way
up because you might have to pass them on the way down.
NEW + NEXT You might hear a song or two I wrote that will be sung by a bigger artist, and I’m also hoping to release four new singles next year.
