#bellafea

If you’re reading this, there’s a chance you already know of Heather McEntire as a member of a pair of North Carolina country-rock trios, Bellafea and Mount Moriah. After the latter’s third album, How to Dance (stream it here), arrived in 2016, McEntire began working with Girls Rock NC, which employs music programs for empowerment, when she met Bikini Kill founder Kathleen Hanna, who encouraged the vocalist-guitarist to work on something of her own, resulting in the first solo H.C. McEntire album, Lionheart (stream it here), out on Merge Records. The long-player arrived to some significant praise last year: “The singer-songwriter’s debut is a gorgeous devotional to the South that reshapes the traditions of country music into a powerfully queer and consequential set of songs,” raved Pitchfork. “Lionheart sounds amazing, with tasteful production and nary a note out of place,” added Paste. “In terms of songcraft, performance and message, it’s an impressive step into the solo spotlight by McEntire.” In support of the album, H.C. McEntire comes through Rough Trade NYC tomorrow night with a full backing band and Justin Wilcox’s psych-folk solo project, Monteagle, opening the show.

If you live in the NC area go support Mount Moriah. The lead singer Heather McEntire use to play for a punk band named Bellafea. Descirbed by All music as “North Carolina-based alt-Americana outfit that blends the neo-traditional indie folk of the Low Anthem with the fire and brimstone of Sixteen Horsepower.”  

If you were to categorize bands based on how long they've been around, Max Indian would be a toddler, I guess.  To continue the metaphor, they would be a toddler who paints excellent watercolors, reads Machiavelli, and tutors eighth graders on the weekends. The band's sole release, "You Can Go Anywhere You Can Do Anything," dropped in December of 2008 , and everyone who has had the good fortune of hearing it has been pining for more ever since. After releasing the record -- themselves,  mind you -- the band beat a path around the triangle that included a live performance on The State of Things, a headlining night  during the Troika Music Festival , a headlining night at N.C .State's Fridays on the Lawn Concert Series, and a number of  live shows that left a trail of satisfied and eager fans in its wake. Solicit the opinion of anyone who has seen Max Indian, heard one of their songs, or even heard someone else talk about them, and the response is always the same. These exceedingly catchy, down to earth, warm, and rusty compositions will work their way into your inner ear, buy a nice piece of land,  and set up shop.  Don't worry, though. The freshness doesn't wear off, the melodies are top notch, and the lyrics will stick. Max Indian will take the stage for night one of Double Barrel Benefit 7 on Friday, February 5 at The Pour House following The Light Pines,Veelee, and Bellafea. Say WHAT? If you miss this, well, I guess you think you have a good reason, but I would seriously question your priorities my friends. For the complete Double Barrel schedule and ticket information, click here.

Screaming Females will be playing this Sunday at the Nightlight with Bellafea and Caltrop, but first they'll be coming into the WKNC studio to talk about their new record Power Move, their DIY ethic, and their time on the road for the last month. Be sure to tune in at 4PM on Sunday May 17. Screaming Females interview

Photo by David Andrako

Heather McEntire (Bellafea) + Jenks Miller (Horseback) = all kinds of awesome.

Full song lyrics: Bellafea - While We Are Still Young

So sparse but so powerful. The repetition at the end so belies the words.