RTP-area local music and culture

[jhart AT ipass.net (Jeff Hart)]

(posting this for a friend of mine at St. Philip's)


Urban Ministries of Durham Benefit:

Strings Attached announces that celebrated singer/songwriter Bill
Mallonee performs in concert Friday, February 20, at 7-10 PM, in the
Parish Hall of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 East Main Street, in
downtown Durham. Tickets for the performance, a benefit for Urban
Ministries of Durham, cost $15 for adults, $8 for persons 6 to
12-years of age and free for those five years or younger (on-site
childcare is also available). Additionally, refreshments (including
beer and wine with proper ID) and snacks will be available. Parking on
the premises is free and monitored by persons from Urban Ministries of
Durham. All profits benefit Urban Ministries of Durham. For advance
tickets and further information, contact St. Philip's at 919-682-5708,
extension 17, or by email at boxoffice AT stphilipsdurham.org. Tickets
will be available at the door on the day of the show while supplies
last.

ABOUT BILL MALLONEE¦
Like another popular singer/songwriter, Bill Mallonee grew up in
Chapel Hill. But Mallonee compares less with James Taylor than with a
who's who of cutting-edge indie rockers and rock innovators. With nods
to such groundbreakers as the Beatles, Beach Boys, Kinks, Bob Dylan
and Neil Young; underground legends Big Star, the dBs and Paul
Westerberg; and now popsters like Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Beck,
Mallonee defines the phrase "critically-acclaimed." His lyrical and
musical exploits garner praise from marquis mastheads-Rolling Stone,
Mojo, the New York Press, Q and the like. But with enough rave reviews
to pack a thick scrapbook, it's not just critics who love this angsty
singer/songwriter, such far flung artists as REM's Peter Buck,
mainstream heartland rocker John Mellencamp and Americana original
Buddy Miller all praise Mallonee's extensive talents.

Mallonee started playing music in the late '80s becoming a fixture on
the Athens, GA, music scene. He's now recorded hundreds of songs, both
solo and as longtime lyrical and inspirational leader of cult
favorites Vigilantes of Love. As the post-punk-pop of the La's, XTC,
Elvis Costello, the Clash and Squeeze filled his head, so too did such
now legendary college radio fixtures the dBs (with the great team of
Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple), Mitch Easter's Let's Active, the
Bongos, Tommy Keane and Athens' own REM. Like his musical influences,
Mallonee proudly owes a musical debt to the original British musical
invasion.

With Vigilantes of Love behind him, Mallonee is back to being "just a
guy in a college band from Athens, GA." His songs of love and loss are
still wise, wistful and full of self-deprecating humor. Full of witty
wordplay and humor, Mallonee's songs speak powerfully to the
inevitable contradictions of life: loving, but not as well as we
should; giving selflessly, but obsessing about our imperfections;
trusting in something bigger, but getting caught up in doubt. Creating
believable, engaging soundscapes, fueled by a bit of discernable
desperation, Mallonee conveys these universal battles better than any
songwriter going.

With VoL, Mallonee hit the top of the AAA and Americana charts with a
lyrical honesty, vulnerability and bluntness not seen since Marianne
Faithful's Broken English or Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. Rolling
Stone observed, "Mallonee…[has] remained fascinated with the
shadowy emotional toils and struggles inherent in the American
experience...exploring the grey thin line between hope and
hopelessness with songs that alternate from careening scorchers to
more plaintive, folkish material."

But while VoL were legendary roots-rock originators, on his own,
Mallonee moves into the realm of pure pop. With guitars recalling
George Harrison and vintage Mellotrons, Clavinovas and Moog
Synthesizers, expect a fresh, full sound. And expect Mallonee's
trademark elements for making memorable music: great hooks, meaningful
lyrics and inventive, interesting music.

Last fall's national solo debut, Perfumed Letter, was produced by
Mallonee, Tom Lewis (John Prine, Junior Brown, Love Tractor), and Paul
Wilkinson. It earned universal praise-even eliciting this giddy gush
from Gail Worley in Rolling Stone, "After releasing a dozen impressive
albums with his country-folk rock project Vigilantes of Love, Mallonee
explores a classic pop sound-Magical Mystery Tour-era Beatles meets
the Monkees. 4 STARS"

ABOUT URBAN MINISTRIES OF DURHAM¦
Urban Ministries of Durham strives to create a welcoming environment
upholding the dignity of its clients, volunteers, donors and staff.
Its mission is to provide emergency shelter, food, clothing and
supportive services to people in need in Durham County, NC. UMD
shelters 110-150 homeless people nightly, serves meals to 350-400
hungry people daily, provides groceries for in-home preparation to
350-400 people monthly and provides clothes for 180-220 people every
month. For more information about Urban Ministries of Durham, visit
www.umdurham.org/umd.

ABOUT ST. PHILIP'S¦
Since its founding in 1880, St Philip's has been a leader in Durham
and the Diocese in its service to the community. St. Philip's works to
help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, offer
hope to the despondent and dedicate its service to Jesus Christ. For
more information about St. Philip's Episcopal Church, visit
www.stphilipsdurham.org.

For more information about Bill Mallonee, visit www.billmallonee.net