As it sometimes tends to be, it’s been a while. Exams flew by in a flurry of fury, and now we have one soon-to-be college graduate and three other suckers who’ve got one more year.

A recap: Shakori was amazing. Thanks to all the folks who came out–the stage was bouncing so hard, I could barely sing into the microphone. We are looking forward to playing again at the next festival!

We also had a fun gig at Thursdays on the Terrace and one strange but wonderful Halfcadio performance for AGRADU. Again, thanks to all who came out, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Looking to the future: tonight we play our last show before the summer! In the words of Ryan Dowdy,

“Gee whiz, I’m glad exams are over! Hey Scooter, what are you doing Saturday night?”
“Hey Biff, I’m going to The Cave to see LAFCADIO and THE WHISKEY SMUGGLERS release all their remaining musical energy in a MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA before summer starts!”

One final show before summer and Lafcadio takes summer hiatus! You won’t believe your eyes, or your ears, or your stomach capacity for PBR.”

ALSO, and perhaps with more decorum, in the words of the Independent:

INTRODUCING…

05.09 LAFCADIO @ THE CAVE

Formed just a week before UNC’s student-run Vinyl Records closed a competition to find its first three acts last September, Lafcadio scored a record deal with its first live performance and its three songs. They even rushed to pick out a name, which comes from the titular character of the Shel Silverstein fable Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back.

Initially a trio, guitarists/songwriters Liz Ross and Ryan Dowdy and drummer Steven Howell soon added bassist Eric Notarnicola. They’ve since played to a packed Local 506 for the release of its strong five-track EP, landed a slot at Shakori Hills and nearly won another competition—the Duke vs. UNC Battle of the Bands—in the subsequent seven months. Working on its full-length follow-up, the four students will take a well-deserved summer break following this show.

Don’t expect that to stop them, though: Lafcadio has been winning over audiences with its lively blend of rock and Americana, voiced by Ross’ soulful pipes and earworm melodies, which Dowdy follows in lockstep harmony. And it’s good enough to keep just doing that. With The Whiskey Smugglers. 10 p.m. —Spencer Griffith

Hope to see you there! If not, don’t despair–this isn’t the end for us. We have big plans for August, and have actually already been working on some recordings that just might leak out over the summer…

We’ll be playing from 9:30 to 10:00, rounding out a set of acoustic music and poetry readings. The show is free, and we’re playing with the very talented Austin McCall on drums of all kinds.

Hope to see you there!

For the poor, unfortunate souls who have missed this festival in the past–SEIZE THE MOMENT! You only live once. You live better at Shakori.

go to: http://www.shakorihills.org/

day pass prices vary by day, and are cheaper if bought ahead of time. For people like us, it’s possible to volunteer rather than pay for your tickets! Volunteering is a ball. You spend a day in the country, moving your body, and you’re likely to learn something and meet some new friends. Last year I learned how to use power tools … poorly .

There’s also a shuttle available for those who lack four wheels of their own. Again, check it all out at http://www.shakorihills.org/

Ryan and Liz are playing a short acoustic set at the UNC Arts Crawl on the quad from 1 to 1:30 On Friday, March 27.

Lafcadio will be playing at 9:00 on Thursday, April 2nd, at the Mansion in Chapel Hill. Lafcadio’s headlining, and this one is gonna rock! Phillip Pledger will open up the show at 8:00.

Lafcadio will be playing at Jack Sprat in Chapel Hill on Saturday, April 4th–we are excited to headline this one, too! Come give us some love. Show starts at 9 pm and we plan to melt your faces AND hearts. hot damn.

Halfcadio (bad joke. ok. actually, this is Ryan, Liz, and Austin McCall on percussion) will be playing for roughly 1/2 hour at Jack Sprat on Wednesday, April 8th. The show starts at 8:30 and will include the poetry of Brian Howe and Tessa Joseph Nicholas. Come get yo’self cultured. It’s FREE!!

for one: the UNC-Duke Battle of the Bands. Lafcadio didn’t win, but we made it to the finals (and through six hours of waiting…) UNC’s Daily TarHeel had some nice things to say about our show:

“Another standout performance came from semi-finalist Lafcadio, a UNC band represented by Vinyl Records.

The band’s sultry, twangy and soulful sound was reminiscent of rocking alt-country singer Neko Case, with lead singer Liz Ross wooing the tired audience.

“I liked Lafcadio best,” said Caroline Fisher, a UNC junior.  “I feel like they masterfully blend of a lot of music.  They switch genres effortlessly.”

from

http://www.dailytarheel.com/2.6423/online_exclusives/huguenots_win_duke_vs._unc_battle_of_the_bands-1.1623346

somewhere between school and life we dropped off the web again. Here are a few tidbits from Lafcadio in the news, and info on upcoming shows!

On the January 30th release show, from the DTH:

http://www.dailytarheel.com/news/2.6629/student_acts_improve_their_game-1.1354614

This show was (as most are) incredibly fun, and PACKED! Thanks to everyone who came out, and our apologies to all who stood in line, especially if you didn’t make it in.

There was also a slightly ridiculous article in UNC’s Blue & White’s February issue. Download it if you dare.

In other news, keep you eyes peeled for show dates at this spring’s Shakori Hills grassroots festival! We are ecstatic to be performing at our favorite festival with a boatload of fantastic acts.

We’re also performing acoustic at the Southeast Youth Food Activist Summit’s community dinner this Saturday. It will be held in The Hargraves Center at 216 N. Roberson St. on Saturday, February 14th from 6:00 – 9pm. A $2 donation is suggested, and the meal will feature sustainable ingredients from Hickory Nut Gap Farm (among others), prepared by the lovely Vimala of indian-food fame. Over 50 guests are expected, so RSVP “community dinner” to youthfoodactivist@gmail.com, or call 704.998.9672.

Also, Betsy did it again! The lovely lady herself came out to our release show and recorded the goings-on for all to see. Many thanks to Betsy for her presence, support, and encouragement!

Leave Early On:

Maria:

Voices of Women:

check out  http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=betsybetsybetsy&view=videos&start=20
for more footage from our show, as well as tons of footage from local and national acts.

After a restless month of absence from Chapel Hill, we were ecstatic to play at the Local 506 on Sunday, January 11th. Sunfold and Burroughs played as well, and Jake Seaton at Music.MyNC took some great pictures available  at http://music.mync.com/2009/01/slideshow-chapel-hills-lafcadio-opens-for-sunfold-at-506/

We’re looking forward to an upcoming interview with Adam from Annuals at Studio B, but even more to our CD release show at the Local 506 on January 30th! More info to come.

Sarah Smolen of Vinyl Records came out to take some photos with us last week. Here are a couple picks from what she sent us! Something about band photos with us felt absolutely goofy, awkward, and… well… who the hell hangs out in a field? But at least we’re not in a desert, looking at the blindingly bright horizon of our future with expressions of determination. No, we are playing rock, paper, scissors. And making terrible jokes.

Though I can only really speak for myself, I think the semester ended well for all of us. Ryan, Stevie and I were caught up in a whirlwind of catch-up, while Eric took his one exam. just sayin.

I’m looking forward to some time off, but certainly not time away–I want to be in Chapel Hill, playing with Lafcadio! More than anything, this semester has been colored by the breakneck pace that characterized our coming together. In the last four months, we wrote our first songs, unplugged the fridge to record them in Ryan and Stevie’s living room, played our first show (broke string at said show/s), went on the radio (broke string at said station), and taught Ryan how to not break strings (not one since October! Knock on wood). Now we’ve got five songs planned for release in January, and talk of a tour this spring.

Some observations: Ryan has had three haircuts in this time. I have worn boots to every show. Eric is the king of the double-pocket shirt. And Stevie only ever plays the drums with one expression: business.

love, and thanks for listening,

Liz

“Who is this Eric fellow? He sounds so strange and wonderful.”

That he is, but no longer a mystery. Courtesy of Sarah Smolen, a few pictures from Wednesday night’s show–Eric (far right), Liz and Ryan, and a full band shot

Thanks, Sarah!