DOUBLE BARREL BENEFIT 2023 ARTIST INTERVIEW MAGAZINE
A FREE PUBLICATION FROM
About the cover: BANGZZ performs on Night One of WKNC’s 18th annual Double Barrel Benefit on March 11, 2022 at the Pour House. Photo by Elle Bonet.
Juxton Roy By Eilee Centeno, WKNC Promotions Director and Assistant Local Music Director Raleigh indie rock band Juxton Roy is made up of a bunch of close friends who want to make music that really resonates with people and makes them feel heard. They described their music as “gaydium rock.” “We were previously a queermo band but now we have sold out,” guitarist Matt Graham joked. Matt and bandmate Jess Ray had played in bands together, mostly hardcore bands, for over a decade. In 2017 they decided to start their own project together, and the first time they played Juxton Roy tunes was at an open mic night in 2018. From there, they formed their band with Charles Holt, Kevin Headrick and Matthew Braswell, and started writing and playing a lot together. The band has found a great and supportive music community in the Triangle area, where they get to play with their friends and new bands, people come out to their shows, and sing along to all their songs. What was your favorite band in middle school? Jess: “Green Day or Fall Out Boy.” Matt: “Green Day and Iron Maiden.”
Photo by Charles Holt
What was the last show you went to? Jess: “Boy Named Sue at the Pour House the day after Christmas.” Matt: “HIDE at SchoolKids Records.” What is your favorite food in the Triangle? Both: “Cook Out.” If you could summarize your band in one sentence, how would you describe it? Jess: “Wanna be 1975 but can actually say the f word.” Matt: “We are the 1976 because we are one better.” Jess: “We are local band Earther.”
Fading Signal By Jaden Abrams, WKNC Chainsaw Music Director For the past three years, Fading Signal has been having fun playing shows and making themselves the champions
of the Raleigh Hardcore scene. When bands come into town and they need to f-ck up a venue, they call Fading Signal. I’ve seen them several times, and I’ve never seen a band turn an idle crowd into a sea of moshing bodies like they do. Be wary, for Fading Signal may very well make you a hardcore kid. Who the f-ck are Fading Signal? Jordy - Vocals Puffle - Guitar Bailey - Guitar Dean - Bass Jawz - Drums
Photo by Kayla Guilliams
What’s Fading Signal listening to? Jordy - King Nine (NYHC) Puffle - Dark Blue - One Step Closer (PA STRAIGHT EDGE) Bailey - endlhëd ëh aj qáshmën a ëlh vim innivte - Trhä (BLACK METAL) Dean - Overkill - Motörhead (PRIME BRITISH HEAVY METAL) Jawz - Sonic Express in its Purest Form - Crowbar (NEW ORLEANS SLUDGE)
Austin Royale By Ewan Pratt, WKNC Underground Music Director
Austin Royale is an up-and-coming hip-hop artist hailing from Durham, North Carolina. He is known for his unique blend of classic hip-hop elements with a wide range of other sounds, including rock. His music is characterized by an undeniable energy that makes it stand out. The way he combines different genres in his music makes it feel fresh and exciting. His music is dynamic and vibrant, and it’s hard not to get swept up in the energy of it. Austin Royale’s stand out tracks to us are “White Toes Freestyle” and “No Worries,” two tracks that show the range in his sound.
Chainletter
By Erie Mitchell, WKNC Local Music Director and Interview Content Creator Durham’s Chainletter is an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a bass drop. They employ a strong DIY ideology when it comes to making music; often the room they’re in heavily influences how their songs turn out. Most of these are a noisy flavor of ambient techno and they still use the same DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that they first started making beats on 20 years ago. They just wrapped up an east coast tour with former Double Barrel Benefit performer Permanent which saw them turn Brooklyn warehouses into temples of dance, and their favorite album is Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson.
Photo by Jackson Keys
Around 12 I learned some basics on guitar and keyboard, and around 16 I downloaded FL Studio and started making silly pseudo techno beats.” Weirdest fan interaction? “Omg most of them! I am so socially awkward. People come up to me after I play to tell me they like it, which feels so sweet, but I’m still learning how to take compliments in a way that doesn’t feel unnatural. So if I have a weird interaction it is almost certainly because I am the one being weird haha.”
What’s your connection to the local scene? “I love our local scene, specifically the queer music scene and I feel really protective of it. I spend a lot of time and energy working with people who throw parties to make things better and safer. I’m always seeking less traditional spaces to host events because I feel like a really good space doesn’t always fit with the constraints of alcohol sales or the desire to pack out a venue at the cost of comfort. I do my best to support people, lend gear, and teach skills.” How did you get into making music? “I grew up in a small town, without much access to music outside of pop radio and MTV. I had no idea how to find the things I wanted to hear so I started trying to make it myself. I remember finding these melted cassette tapes in a shed and would record the cool parts that sounded cool on a cassette dubber then record the parts of other songs I liked over it, just experimenting with sound till for hours, usually in my room while everyone was asleep. I guess I was making noise music before I had any idea what it was.
Photo by @rawboi_ on Instagram
Pictures of Vernon By Maddie Jennette, WKNC General Manager Pictures of Vernon is named after guitarist Page Ragan’s late dog, Vernon. They describe themselves as “beauty punk” on their Bandcamp page and “good music” on their Instagram. I have seen Pictures of Vernon live three times, as well as one show by Diva Sweetly, their side project with Karly of Wednesday. (I would have seen them live four times but I wasn’t able to get into the venue because I was 20 at the time. and I was absolutely heartbroken.) Their show at Local 506 in May 2019, presented by WKNC, is to this day one of my favorite shows. To be able to book them (at an all-ages venue, no less) to play on my 23rd birthday will rank as one of my favorite moments ever. I asked guitarist Page some quick questions about the band.
KHX05 By Spencer Grattan, WKNC Afterhours Assistant Music Director
What is Pictures of Vernon’s favorite band? “I think the unanimous favorite is probably The Sidekicks.” If you could only recommend one Pictures of Vernon song to a new listener, what would it be? “I guess I would say Sunny Happy Demons because it’s my favorite POV song that I’ve written, but it is a total anomaly in our catalog and an inaccurate representation of our sound, haha.”
Can I get a Picture of Vernon?
What is Pictures of Vernon’s favorite thing about North Carolina? “COOK OUT!!!!!!” What is Pictures of Vernon’s favorite thing about WKNC? “All the support we’ve received through the years! I feel like WKNC was the first radio station to give us air time and that is really cool! Y’all are always doing cool sh-t and helping the community thrive.” KHX05 (pronounced “Chaos”) is a rapper and dancer with aggressive delivery and hard hitting beats. Mixing elements of punk and electronic into their music, KHX05 makes hiphop that packs a punch. KHX05 at Double Barrel will go immensely hard, and you won’t want to miss it. Describe yourself, KHX05, in one word. “Anomaly.”
Photo by @SASSS.WORLD on Instagram
Photo by Kay Dargs
What is a KHX05 show like? “A KHX05 show is a spiritual experience, because everything that I do is channeling a spirit of liberation and energy that I definitely harness from my ancestors because I’m Gullah. A majority of the time you’ll feel the energy and the heat in the room once I’m performing. Plus, I love interacting with the audience, so sometimes I’m interacting with the audience and giving them a chance to get involved.”
Who are your favorite artists? “One of the people who, even before I made music when I was like, “Dang, if I ever made music, I’d want to make something that’s far out,” was Azelia Banks … System of a Down, Deftones, Incubus, Jay-Z, DMX, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot. I’m a fan of innovators. I’m not a fan of people who chase after what everyone else is doing, I’m about the expansion of music.” Is there anything else you’d like the people to know? “I always like to say that I make music specifically for queer and trans people, especially queer and trans people of color because we don’t have a lot, and it’s important that people support queer and trans artists wherever they are, especially POC’s. A majority of the culture in music and things that we see are coming from us. If you’re a person that’s like “I wanna support culture,” or “I wanna be about solidarity,” then I make music for that and to support that.”
Teens in Trouble By Tyler Farnes aka The Loaf, WKNC Interview Content Creator Frontwoman Lizzie Killian of Teens in Trouble describes her band’s sound as “fuzzed out indie rock for dog people.” However, if you enjoy cats and more of a dream-pop aesthetic, I can guarantee you’ll still love Teens in Trouble. Being able to merge the fuzzy, alt sounds of Weezer and Pixies with a pop aesthetic is what defines Teens in Trouble unique sound and feel. Overall, if dogs, cats, pop, fuzz and alt are some of your favorite things, Teens in Troubles just might be the next best thing you’ve been waiting for. What do you enjoy most about your own music? “It’s been a fun journey of self-discov-
ery and a vessel to do cool things with friends.” Favorite color? “Been feeling pink lately.” What guitar pedals do you use? “Tuner pedal (important!), Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive, Fuzz War clone, and JHS 3 Series Reverb.” Do you have a favorite flower/plant? “Really love the prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) - I have a couple at home and ready to propagate more!” What’s your favorite thing about the NC local music scene? “It seems like a tight-knit, collaborative scene. Everyone we’ve met so far have been really cool and supportive.” Photo by Grayson Simon
MEGABITCH By Rae Bandy, WKNC Public Affairs Content Creator
Hailing from Carborro, MEGABITCH is one of the latest voices in experimental bedroom pop. MEGABITCH takes on the Triangle with dreamy vocals, synthy beats, and reflections on love
and loss. Her Bandcamp page wishes you well and hugs you with personal photographs when you enter it. To get to know more about this rising voice in dreampop, we asked MEGABITCH a few questions regarding her music. If you could describe your music as a food, what would it be? “I think MEGABITCH would be a pink jawbreaker. It’s sweet, colorful and a good time when handled with care, but could do some damage if not.” Where is your favorite place to write music? “I don’t think I have a favorite place. I get a lot of ideas throughout the day so I try to jot them down in my notebook or notes app and then I’ll often go through the random pieces at home and see what comes together. I get all of my favorite ideas as I’m falling asleep.”
Photo by Fern Mitchell
What is your connection to the North Carolina music scene? “I grew up in North Carolina and moved to the Triangle for school.
Growing up I was always involved with my school band, choir, theater and played music at home. In college I started connecting with the local music scene around me by photographing bands, helping run sound at venues and generally spending most of my free time seeking out shows. When I started wanting to share the music I’d been working on, I was met with love and support from many folks in the community. This project wouldn’t exist without them, I hope I can pass on some of the warmth, love and support that’s helped it come together.” Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? “Most of the songs I’ve written so far have been tools for me to process experiences. I’m hoping, in the future, to make songs that are more narrative based and capture other people’s weird and wonderful stories but music has always been something I’ve leaned on when I don’t know how to wrap my head around what I’m feeling.”