Trekky Records' Guide to Troika 2009

Every year the good folks of Durham do a giant favor for the good folks of the Triangle by putting on the Troika Music Festival. A weekend-long, multi-venue circus of local music, all for only $20. Pretty much every Trekky Records artist has played the festival at some point, and this year we are honored to have both Butterflies and Embarrassing Fruits involved. If you're having trouble choosing between which worthy artist you'll be catching at any given point, here's our official guide to Troika: our recommendations, or at least just where we'll be at over the course of the weekend. Also, here's a great preview video featuring music from Embarrassing Fruits:




THURSDAY

7:45PM | Megafaun (Durham Central Park)

Our dear friends and brilliant musicians who turn everything they touch to gold. Come see their warm, celebratory blend of folk, blues, old time, drone and everything that is good in this world at this lovely outdoor, nighttime show at Durham Central Park. DO NOT MISS.

11:00PM | Bowerbirds (DPAC)

Our other dear friends who compose gorgeous songs that say exactly what we are thinking about how we interact with our world. Deceptively complex music that sounds as simple and true as if it has been around for centuries. This show will be in the cavernous Durham Performing Arts Center, so it'll be quite an experience.

FRIDAY

7:45PM | Liza Kate (West End Wine Bar)

Liza Kate is actually from Richmond, VA, but since she calls excellent local record label Holidays For Quince home, she is welcomed with open arms in the Triangle. Her songs are quiet, beautiful, contemplative, precious, intimate and well worth seeing live in order to hear every little detail.

10:30PM | Embarrassing Fruits (Marvell Event Center)

Our own Embarrassing Fruits have become a cherished rock band in the Triangle, and we couldn't be happier to see people connecting with their magnetic brand of distorted pop music. They are hard at work on their new record and will be playing new songs you've never heard before. Rejoice! This will be Fruits' first year playing the festival.

12:30PM | Dex Romweber Duo (Trotter Building)

Dexter has become a legend not only in these parts, but also everywhere else through his work with Flat Duo Jets as well as his extensive solo work and collaborations. Artists such as Jack White, Neko Case and Chan Marshall have sung his praises, but don't take their words for it, come see for yourself. Dexter plays with his sister Sara in the Duo.

SATURDAY

2:30PM | Mount Moriah (Trotter Building)

Mount Moriah features Heather McEntire and Jenks Miller, who run the aforementioned Holidays For Quince label. They play pretty, slow, transcendent Southern rock and they get their name from the road right by our house. Start yr Troika day off right with this early show.

8:30PM | The Tender Fruit (West End Wine Bar)

Led by the tender voice of Christy Smith, this band is criminally unknown. One of the many undiscovered treasures teeming about in the Durham city streets. Guitar, drums, piano. Simple and powerful.

9:30PM | Veelee (Duke Coffeehouse)

Matt and Ginger of Veelee cover a lot of ground for a two piece. Drums, guitars, synths and guy/girl vocals swirl around slightly sinister pop songs. The result is both charming and meaningful. They'll sound great through the powerful sound system at Duke Coffeehouse.

11:30PM | Butterflies (Bull McCabes)

Butterflies also make their Troika debut this year, and we're excited for people to hear what Trekky's finest emo-art-jazz-pop band can do. Josh and the boys will be playing many new songs from their upcoming album, which is in the process of being recorded right now. As always, you'd be a fool not to stick around for the inevitable disco jam that Butterflies shows generally erupt into. You've been warned/tipped off.

See you in Durham!