Most of the time it’s coastal regions that are hit the hardest by hurricanes, but last week, Hurricane Helene made a fast landfall in Florida before continuing up into the mountains as a very powerful storm. Our friends and neighbors in Western North Carolina experienced a devastating impact, with historic and catastrophic flooding that has left many in a dire situation, and many more with severe damage to their homes and businesses.
Communities in the Southeast are banding together to provide aid and relief for people of Western North Carolina. There are numerous food and supply drives, and benefit events happening, which the Post & Courier and Garden & Gun have kindly gathered as a resource for Charleston locals who would like to help out.
While it is difficult to focus on other things when so much struggle is happening so close to where I’m sitting, I also have music-related news to share today.
Boogieman Halloween Festival Costume Contest
We had a blast hosting the costume contest at Boogieman Halloween Festival 2023, and I’m happy to share that we will be hosting it again this year, as part of our official partnership with the 2024 event, happening on Saturday, October 26th at The Royal American! Stop by the Extra Chill tent between 2pm and 5pm wearing your best costume. I will snap your picture and upload it to a voting page on our website, where people can vote for the best costumes at the festival in real time! Whoever gets the most votes wins a $100 cash prize and bragging rights until the end of time.
Shovels & Rope Interview
Shovels & Rope bring their new album, Something Is Working Up Above My Head to Charleston’s Music Farm on October 3rd and 4th. I had the opportunity to interview the band for the first time, which was a big milestone for Extra Chill, considering they are one of Charleston’s most well-known and beloved local bands. They also formerly curated High Water Festival before cutting ties with the event this past year. We didn’t talk about High Water, but we did talk a lot about their story and perspective as artists, their home studio on Johns Island, and the beautiful closing track to the new album, “Dass Hymn”. Read the interview here.
Carrtoons Hits Charleston Pour House Thursday: Q&A
Ben Carr, also known as Carrtoons is a unique bassist who is known for his production work and cross-genre collaboration. He gained popularity on Instagram during the pandemic with his studio videos, eventually leading to multiple appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk, and working with big-name artists like George Clinton, Usher, Freddie Gibbs, Roy Ayers, and many more. Carrtoons is currently touring as a five-piece band dubbed Carrtoons & Friends. Thursday, October 3rd they make their Charleston Pour House debut with support from Datsunn. I had a chance to link up with Ben for a quick Q&A in advance of the show. Learn more & snag tickets here.
Billy Strings Issuing Refunds for Renewal Festival
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Billy Strings any more, he yet again displays himself to be class act with the handling of the Renewal Festival, which happened this past weekend in Colorado. Billy left on short notice just before showtime on Friday night because he got word that his wife Ally had gone into labor. He rode on Ringo Starr’s private jet to be there and his son was born on Sunday, September 30th. Also notably the 60th birthday of Mr. Trey Anastasio.
The festival went on without Billy, with his whole band coming together to perform against the odds on Friday night, and then on Saturday each act on the lineup received an extended set time. Everybody was proud of Billy for doing the right thing, but understandably disappointed that did not perform.
So, this morning, Billy announced that everybody was getting a refund! What a guy! He also released his new album, Highway Prayers, on Friday, and it’s worth a listen.
More Music News & Updates
- The High Divers 10th Anniversary concert that was scheduled for Saturday, October 5th at Lo-Fi Brewing has been postponed. The band is local to Marshall, NC and is busy helping to clean up their community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
- Charleston rock band Erode the Dream have a new single, “Salt”. Check out the lyric video in the Extra Chill Community.
- What’s Your Favorite Late Night Music? TheDevilsLettuce wants to know. Share in our forum!
- “jam band” has been added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, as part of a 200-word update on October 1st.
That’s enough from me. Thanks for reading, see you next time!