—article by David Menconi Growing up in Rocky Mount, Keenan Jenkins would hear his parents playing r&b on the radio. Hitmakers like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston seem like an obvious reference point for the smooth sweet soul music he makes as XOXOK. But his biggest inspiration for getting serious about music came from an… Read More →
david menconi
Down on Copperline with Katharine Whalen’s Jazz Squad
—article by David Menconi It’s such a natural, the only surprise is that it’s taken this long: An album of Squirrel Nut Zippers alumnus Katharine Whalen singing nothing but songs by the late great jazz chanteuse Billie Holiday. The album is To Hide a Heart That’s Blue, available on Bandcamp, and it’s the first release… Read More →
Down on Copperline: Mipso Regathers and Returns with Confidence
—Article by David Menconi For most of its existence, the bluegrass-flavored Americana group Mipso has had a steady upward trajectory. Since forming on-campus at UNC-Chapel Hill about a decade ago, Mipso cultivated a following that grew locally, regionally and nationally. They became a top draw on the live circuit, and also regulars in the top-10 of… Read More →
NC Music Magazine: David Menconi – Step It Up & Go Is “The” Book On NC Music
Down on Copperline: Orange County Music Gift Guide
—Article by David Menconi This has been an exceptionally difficult year for arts and music communities everywhere, with the Coronavirus pandemic bringing live-music and entertainment gatherings to an abrupt halt. The future remains uncertain for nightclubs and other venues. The silver lining, however, is that plenty of local artists kept right on releasing music. In fact,… Read More →