I might be the least musically inclined person you’ll ever meet. I know next to nothing about notes and couldn’t carry a tune to save my life. Aside from a brief fourth grade stint with a viola and learning the opening riffs to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins on the guitar in high school, instruments confound me. But I appreciate music – I love the emotions it stirs, the memories it unlocks and the way a single song can drop you into another time and place. Most of all, I admire the stories – the ones tucked inside the lyrics and the ones we write for ourselves every time we hear them.
It’s that kind of visceral feeling that arises when I hear Sylvan Esso’s “Coffee.” I’m instantly transported back to summer 2014: my mid-20s, late nights with best friends and slow Saturday mornings wandering the farmers market, grabbing sunflowers, pastries and – what else? – coffee. The nostalgia rolls over in waves of both blissful reminiscing and bittersweet longing for those simpler times. It was captivating to read our own Renee Ambroso’s conversation with Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn (page 24) and get an update on their latest album and October’s Good Moon Festival. The pair’s immense talent, their constant evolution as artists and their consistent commitment to uplifting Durham’s artistic community continue to inspire awe more than a dozen years after their debut.
That’s the magic of music. It feels deeply personal, yet it’s also a universal connector, binding us in ways that are felt on levels far deeper than our surface differences. I experienced it standing shoulder to shoulder inside BOOM Club as everyone listened to “Inferno,” the first album released by Boards of Canada in 13 years, before its official release. No chatter. No phones. Just a room full of people quietly absorbing every sound together. BOOM Club was one of only four venues in the state to host a listening party – and the only one that wasn’t a record store – another reminder that Durham’s music scene thrives because people here keep creating spaces where art comes first. Turn to page 28 to learn more about how community-centered orgs like BOOM Club are nurturing the city’s next generation of artists – and giving the city a sound all its own.
That spirit of growth echoes throughout the issue, where you’ll find other progressions of artful endeavors. Take Durm Studio, the new venture from Runaway’s Gabe Eng-Goetz and Michael Brannon that returns to the homegrown foundation of the brand while simultaneously taking a more mature and refined approach, or Skin and Bones Theater, an independent art house cinema coming to Parrish Street – the latest vision from the minds of Jim Haverkamp and Alex Maness, the duo behind Shadowbox Studio who’ve been friends and collaborators for nearly 30 years (page 34). Time has a way of sharpening good ideas, and these stories prove that the most innovative work often comes from those willing to hone their craft.
Durham’s always had its own rhythm; this issue is just one more way to hear it. Consider it your cue to press play. – Executive Managing Editor Amanda MacLaren
THE ARTS
22 Culture, Curated
Exotique celebrates 20 years
24 On the Rise
Sylvan Esso’s Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn reflect on Durham’s artistic spirit, October’s Good Moon Festival and the cathartic, chaotic energy of their forthcoming album
28 Sound Investment
A growing network of creative spaces, industry professionals and community organizations help artists find their footing, from the studio to the stage
34 Double Feature
Two Durham duos debut new creative ventures this fall, one showcasing the art of screen printing and one built for the communal experience of the silver screen
44 Paint the Town
Downtown’s Third Friday offers an energized, walkable showcase of the city’s arts and culture
48 Fall Arts Guide
Can’t-miss concerts, exhibits and more
REMARKABLE RENOVATIONS
60 The Big Picture
Every detail in this eclectic kitchen reflects a story of family, artistry and the community that helped make it possible
68 A Room of Her Own
A second-floor space gets a stylish makeover, transforming into a charming home office suite fit for an executive
FEATURES
12 Eagle Eye View
North Carolina Central University fans flock together for food and fellowship on home football weekends
80 Branching Out
Discover what’s taking root across South Durham and Research Triangle Park
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
8 Go.See.Do.
Can’t-miss events this summer
16 Let’s Dish
at Jean’s ‘By the Sea’
20 News Bites
Now serving: the latest Bull City restaurant news
PEOPLE & PLACES
86 Emily K Center’s Mother’s Day Ball
88 Triangle Media Partners’ Women of Achievement Celebration
89 Keep Durham Beautiful’s Garden Tour
90 Animal Protection Society of Durham’s Walk for the Animals
91 Bahama Veterinary Medical Center Grand Opening
92 Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties’ Real Estate Brunch & Bubbly
92 Carolina Blaze vs. Utah Talons at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
93 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Couch Oil Company
94 Best of Durham Party at Primrose Bar & Lounge
ENGAGEMENT & WEDDING
95 Ibrahim & Russell
96 Brett & Brizel
SPONSORED CONTENT
54 Meet the Doctors
The faces of local health care
75 Builders & Home Service Professionals
Experts for every project
