Okay, so I’m not a huge fan of folk music as a rule. The self-titled EP from the Charlotte-based folk band Not A Sparrow changed my mind.

If you’ve ever seen the movie “Once”, you’re familiar with the beautiful male/female two-part harmonies and fiddle playing by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. The vocals by Philip Hamrick and his wife Rachel are similar, but both voices have a unique tone. Philip’s possesses a little of the Michael Stipe variety; whereas Rachel’s is an angelic soprano voice with a very clear and crisp tone.

From beginning to end, this album puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step. While not fast paced, the music is very upbeat in nature and just feels good to listen to.

The album contains eight tracks that are a delight to the ear and discuss such topics as faith and forgiveness. It starts off with a short introduction and then starts with a track called “Undone”. “Undone” really showcases Philip’s vocal ability, as his is the only voice you’ll hear. Rachel joins in on the next track, “Broken Pieces” to add the femininity that this song seems to need. The album closes with a track “Fall Asleep,” which the band says is about the common sleep disorder narcolepsy.

The entire EP was recorded in the Hamricks’ home, which I find very impressive because of the sound quality throughout. The couple is obviously very skilled in that area, as well as possessing their shared vocal gift.

I encourage you to come check them out live at Raleigh’s Six String Café on February 11th.

Raleigh, NC--Wham City collective is the umbrella over some of the Baltimore undergrounds quirkiest, nerdiest, and most creative artists, performers, musicians, and comedians. Member Lizz King will be in Raleigh on Thursday, February 11th to perform her strange, dramatic, one-woman mix of acoustic folk and beat-driven booty jams. The Whartscape veteran's odd mix of ideas and brutal honesty is sure to evoke, provoke, and twist your head up a little.

Also on the bill is Raleigh's own Red Leader, solo project of Adam Rowe, a former member of Uncomfortable. Twisting his dark musings into thread, Adam then weaves a well- crafted yet unusual song rocked out on a distortion-soaked acoustic guitar with all the skill and grace of an X-wing fighter pilot.

The show will take place at Sadlack's Heroes, located at 2116 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. It begins at 8 PM and is a free show.

For more information, visit Sadlack's website at www.myspace.com/sadlacksheroes or call 828-9190.

To hear music from Lizz King, please visit her Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/llizzking or her official website at http://ehserecords.com/ehse014.html

Raleigh, NC--The release of Thieves' self-titled 7-inch on Suburbanite Records will be fully celebrated on February 12th at Slim's downtown (227 S. Wilmington St). The show starts at 10 PM, and tickets are $5 at the door for 21 and older only.

Supported by Shards (featuring members of Whatever Brains) and DC's To Live A Lie Records band Deathrats, this promises to be a thrashin' good time. Come and get your 7- inch and your elbow bruises, and good luck keeping your feet on the ground!

For more information, please visit Slim's website at www.myspace.com/slimsdowntownraleigh or call (919) 833-6557.

Santa Monica, CA--Three-time Grammy Award winning recording artist, The Black Eyed Peas today announced dates for their 100-date headline tour. Described as the ultimate Black Eyed Peas party experience, it also marks the first time that the group – will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie – is united for a North American headline tour since their 2006 Monkey Business world tour.

The North American leg of “The E.N.D. World Tour 2010,” produced by AEG Live, will kick off at Philips Arena in Atlanta on February 4, 2010 and will include a stop at Raleigh's RBC Center on February 19. After a short break, the tour resumes in May with shows across Europe and the UK.

In support of their multi-platinum #1 album, The E.N.D, featuring the chart record-breaking consecutive #1 singles “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas will replicate the party vibe of a hot dance club (complete with guest DJs including will.i.am ) in arenas across the country and around the world. “The E.N.D. World Tour” proves The Energy Never Dies with a feast for the senses for hundreds of thousands of fans. The tour will also be “green,” with a unique charitable component to be announced in the weeks ahead.

To date, The Black Eyed Peas have sold over 27 million combined units worldwide, and have logged over 300 headline tour dates in 29 countries with over 2.2 million tickets sold.

Raleigh, NC--Legendary Who frontman Roger Daltrey will join the Eric Clapton tour as a special guest on a rare 11-city tour kicking off in February, 2010.

The tour will open up in Pittsburgh, PA on February 25, and touch down in 11 cities, including a stop at Raleigh's RBC Center on March 8.

Roger Daltrey’s band for his upcoming tour will consist of the same acclaimed players from his recent solo tour, including longtime collaborator, guitarist/backup singer Simon Townshend and a stellar crew of American players, guitarist/musical director Frank Simes, keyboardist Loren Gold, bassist Jon Button and drummer Scott Devours.

For more information visit www.thewho.com.

Wake Forest, NC--It did not take long for Warren Sumner, the bassist of Raleigh’s favorite 80s cover band to think of a way to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. He and his band mates in SUICIDE BLONDE decided to use their talents and popular fan base to present a rock and roll show with the proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Sumner rallied his friends in other bands from the area to help with the cause, and the result is a three-band package which will now perform at Crossroads in Wake Forest on Friday, February 5.

Joining SUICIDE BLONDE in "80S FOR HAITI" are other area favorite rockers, EFFIGY of Raleigh, and the all female AC/DC tribute BACK SEAT CONFIDENTIAL.