the dotmatrix project

I’d just like to take this moment to thank everyone who came out last night to The Blind Tiger to check out the Leeves, my band the Raving Knaves, and The Goodbye House, the new project from Matty Sheets, James Marshall Owen, Dave “Driveway” Moore and Randy Seals.

Photo by Elizabeth Lemon

The Goodbye House is a great band, combining elements of all the members’ previous musical directions, but coming together in a real organic way, kinda like one of Elvis Presley’s mashed banana and peanut butter sandwiches.

Here’s a taste:

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And of course the Leeves’ brand of jazz/punk can’t be underestimated either. It was simply a rockin’ night all the way around.

The reason I’m thanking everybody is because, as a local musician, I’ve come to realize that community will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times of no community. As part of the dotmatrix project, I’ve watched a community grow around local original music, seen more people coming out to shows — despite (or maybe because of) the bad economy — and I’ve watched musicians collaborate on some really great music.

Photo by Paula McLean

Usually I’ve seen this from behind the soundboard, but in the last few months I’ve seen it from the stage, playing with the Knaves, alongside bands such as Switchblade 85, Come Hell or High Water, the Brand New Life and so many others.

In the midst of uncertain times, to be able to get up and play your music in front of and alongside appreciative people is truly a wonderful thing.

IMHO, the coolest aspect of what we do here is our documentation of the music scene, specifically in Greensboro, where I call home. And not just individual shows, but the gestalt of the entire scene as it unfolds over different periods of time.

While some bands find a modicum of success and play for years to come, touring regionally at times, many more bands form, play out locally for a while and disappear into the ether without the notice of more than a handful of friends and family and only the most hardcore music lovers in town.

Albina Savoy falls into such a category.

And while that’s a shame on many levels — their sound was so unique, beautiful in ways that’s hard to describe — at least we have a few reminders of their sound to enjoy.

If you like what you hear in the video, be sure to check out the band’s live album on Last.fm and AmieStreet (all proceeds on AmieStreet go to Albina Savoy).

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS
Editor: Blake Faucette
Camera: Andy Coon
Camera: Blake Faucette
Camera: Sean Coon
Sound: Danny Bayer

I know it’s a Tuesday night, but c’mon, you know you don’t hit the sack until 11pm or so. Even if you show up for an hour, you’ll be doing your part to help out our neighbors in Haiti.

There’ll be great original, local music, high energy DJ’s, fantastic artists at work and a silent auction of DMP photographs from shows past.

Hope to see you there.

Early morning, February 1, 2010, as I stood in-between the driving lanes of Elm Street alongside hundreds of others anticipating the opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, I felt awestruck.

photo credit: Dan Routh Photography

It may have been the combination of moving words from Doctor Franklin McCain, Senator Kay Hagen and a host of other speakers.  Or it may have been an emotional release brought on by the lack of sleep I endured to be downtown at eight o’clock in the morning (not my usual modus operandi).  The simple truth of the matter, though, is that an integral part of History — not just Black History, or American History, but Human History — had unfolded less than a block from where we all stood.

Exactly fifty years had passed since that day, and about two decades had passed since the Center & Museum was originally commissioned.  I remember, even as an adolescent, being concerned about the future of the historic site.  It really is something in which every resident of Greensboro (especially those native to the city like myself) can find pride…and it honestly brought a few tears to my eyes.

So, on February 1, 1960, four seemingly ordinary Greensboro residents were inspired to do the extraordinary.  In recent weeks, I’ve wondered how many other “ordinary” North Carolinians have proven themselves capable of extraordinary feats.  I began searching for icons in the world of music whose origins can be found in the Tarheel State.

I ended up finding a long, long list of musicians all born here in North Carolina.  An abridged list (very abridged) is as follows:

John Coltrane (b. Hamlet, NC, 9/23/26–7/17/67)

photo by vanveen1967

Thelonius Monk (b. Rocky Mount, NC, 10/10/17–2/17/82

photo by Ben Pearce

Maceo Parker (b. Kinston, NC, 2/14/43

photo by dimervansanten

Nina Simone (b. Tryon, NC, 2/21/33–4/21/03)

Shirley Caesar (b. Durham, NC, 10/13/38

photo by Brendan Hoffman

George Clinton (b. Kannapolis, NC, 10/22/41)

photo by Pix Gremlin

Roberta Flack (b. Black Mountain, NC, 2/10/37)

photo by Sweeping Zen

Ben E. King (b. Henderson, NC, 9/28/38)

photo by Live at J&R

Max Roach (b. Township of Newland (Pasquotank County), NC, 1/10/24–8/16/07)

photo by lieberkater

The list grew to be far more extensive than I had imagined.  In the world of Jazz alone, there were a great number of influential figures born, raised, or educated in North Carolina.  I can only imagine what names and faces I might be able to add to this list — whether it’s five, ten or twenty years from now, or maybe even five, ten or twenty months from now!

(Information gathered from the following sites: North Carolina Jazz Musicians, Wikipedia)

William Dawson of The Alcazar Hotel brought high energy to The Green Burro for the October Dotmatrix show.

To see more of Julie’s work, check out her blog.

Josh Johnson’s one man band, Pinche Gringo, gets backup from Liza Jane on maracas and Jimmy Brad on guitar.

Hearing the blues Pinco Gringo style.

To see more of Julie’s work, check her blog

The Alcazar Hotel performs October 29, 2009 at the Green burro. Members from left to right: Edward Stanley (guitar), Steve Newton (drums), William Dawson (lead vocals) and Adam Dodds (bass).

William Dawson serenades Julie Welch.

Check out more of Michael Dunn’s work on his blog

Josh Johnson in his one man band, Pincho Gringo, performing at The Green Burro.

An audience member gets comfortable as he takes in the garage/blues sounds.

To see more of Michael Dunn’s work, check out his blog.

Will Dawson connects with camera and crowd.

Fans become part of The Alcazar Hotel’s performance as Will Dawson moves off the stage and into the crowd.

To see more of my work, check out my blog.

Liza Jane gets the crowd to participate in the music.

Josh Johnson makes final adjustments to his amp.

To see more of my work, check out my blog.