Crash Into Me

Crash Into Me

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.

Self-Care Sunday

Self-Care Sunday

Your Sunday self-care schedule: planned

“It’s so hard to care when you’re this relaxed.” Channel the chilled-out energy of Chandler Bing in the bathtub a la Friends with a day chock-full of stretch, sip and snack seshes around the city perf for your next Sunday funday (or any day really). And since planning adds energy and effort—this is for you, Type B’s—we did the hard work for you. Sit back, relax and scroll for your ideal daylong self-care itinerary. Me time, here you come… 

8:30am: Lucky Tree

But first, coffee. Start the day with a caffeine/brekky pit stop at this eclectic and artsy coffee spot. Sit and sip within the cozy and intimate space (you’re gonna wanna grab a seat on one of the comfy couches!), or take your cuppa on the road for your next destination.

10am: North Carolina Art Museum

Opt for a quick commute by car or stroll across the street to the Capital Area Greenway trail for a hot girl (or boy!) walk to NCMA’s Museum Park. Then, soak in the rays out on the lawn or meander indoors to glimpse the exhibits. 

Noon: Dose Yoga 

For a dose of Zen, book a stretch/sweat sesh at Smoky Hollow’s uberpopular hot yoga studio. Work out that stress and head into the rest of the day with a blast of postworkout endorphins and mellow vibes to boot. 

1:30pm: Raleigh Raw + Retail

Hungry? Venture to Downtown Raleigh for gluten-, soy-, refined sugar- and seed oil-free fare via a health-conscious eatery touting toast, signature bevs, poke bowls, salads and sushirritos (translation: a sushi/burrito). After lunch, shop till ya drop with a visit to local hotspots Deco and Curate. 

3pm: Vita Vite

Ready to wine down? Order a glass (or bottle!) of bubbly at Vita Vite’s DTR or North Hills locations and enjoy a sip-sational time out on the patio or amid the artistic atmosphere inside. Cheers to chilling out! 

5pm: Woodhouse Spa

Did someone say massage?! Finish out your day at Woodhouse via the massage table for the ultimate self-care Sunday treatment (think facials, massages, body treatments and more). Spa, la, la, indeed! 

6:30pm: Dinner in North Hills

Conclude the day with a delish dinner you can feel good about from the stacked palatable ops in the North Hills area—think a signature bowl from Happy + Hale; fresh Italian fare from Vivace; or crepes, salads and charcuterie selects from Coquette Brasserie. Post grub, head home and flick on your fave Netflix show or flip open a good book before catching some beauty sleep. Sunday scaries, who?

Tex-Mex Takeover

Tex-Mex Takeover

Raleigh Iron Works’ tasty new tenant 

Ford Fry is at it again. He first hinted at his just-announced ATL standout concept Little Rey dropping in Raleigh last year on our podcast—and now this aspiration is finally coming to fruition. 

After first dipping his toes into the Triangle food scene via successful Fenton spot Superica, the celeb chef is expanding his reach to Raleigh Iron Works and once again blessing us—this time with his already-thriving Tex-Mex concept. Centered around “al carbon” wood-roasted cooking, the highly anticipated spot will serve an array of droolworthy staples such as al carbon—naturally—plus traditional street-style tacos, fresh salsas and handmade tortillas to boot. 

Ford says RIW is the perfect home for the popular restaurant, slated to bow in 2024. “The property is fresh, innovative and visionary—and well-positioned between several growing parts of the city,” he said in an exclusive chat with Raleigh Magazine this week. “Plus, we’re thrilled to be neighbors with talented friends like Brodeto, Eastcut Sandwiches and Andia’s Ice Cream, to name a few. We can’t wait for Little Rey to become part of the Triangle community.”

To complement the fiery menu, a variety of soft-serve ice cream flavors (tres leches! salty cajeta and fried peanuts!) await—or diners looking to sweeten the experience can also tuck into the concept’s cult-fave pancakes with buttermilk syrup. 

Thirsty? Enter the impressive beverage program. Masterminded by beverage VP Eduardo Porto Carreiro, the drinks will pair perfectly with the flavors of the fare. Toast to the tantalizing Tex-Mex morsels with an on-the-rocks marg or crack open a Mexican beer from the scad of handselected local and regional craft ales a la the convenient reach-in cooler. 

Impressive in both scope and scale, the expansive counter-service taco spot sprawls across 3,100 square feet via indoor and patio seating, with a walk-up to-go window affectionately dubbed Uno Mas. More casual than its Cary-based cousin, the resto exudes relaxation and zest via its rose pink, deep blue and sage color palette; old-fashioned handpainted signs; and Waylon & Willie songs on the queue. And be sure to peep vintage Mexican mementos and standout art compliments of a curated collection decorating the dining room. 

“I’m excited about [Little Rey] because I eat it all the time,” said Ford on that prophetic podcast episode, hinting it would one day come to Raleigh. He adds now: “I love the Raleigh area and have wanted to introduce Little Rey here since we opened its big sis Superica in Cary last year. I think the city will enjoy our casual vibe, friendly service, street-style al carbon tacos and cold margs—and we can’t wait to serve them soon.” … We love a full-circle moment. Give us mas!

Curated Collections

Curated Collections

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

Raleigh Relics

Raleigh Relics

Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.

There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane? 

1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC?
a. 7
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10

2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery? 
a. Mecca Luncheonette
b. The Mecca Diner
c. Raleigh’s Mecca
d. Nick’s Place

3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors?
a. Christmas Day
b. Valentine’s Day
c. July 4th
d. New Year’s Day

4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land? 
a. $825
b. $6,750
c. $7,750
d. $10,750

5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar?
a. Mickey Hanula
b. Bernie Hanula
c. Pete Jarrell
d. Gus Gusler

6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie?
a. A League of Their Own
b. Bull Durham
c. Field of Dreams
d. Moneyball

7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve?
a. Ketchup
b. Mustard
c. Chili
d. Texas Pete

8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college?
a. Baseball
b. Football
c. Wrestling
d. Basketball

9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country?
a. Egypt
b. Turkey
c. Croatia
d. Morocco

Answers: 1. C; 2. A; 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. B; 7. A; 8. B; 9. D