Whether it’s jamming to tunes as we drive down Hillsborough Street or listening to some tracks while we enjoy a local cup of joe — we’re big fans of music that gives Raleigh vibes. Sometimes that means the music is produced by a local singer-songwriter, and other times it’s because a song’s lyrics mention Raleigh or NC.
Since summertime is upon us, and we love a sun-soaked dance party moment, we got your help making a Raleigh playlist on Spotify. Here’s a few tracks we want to call out.
“Carolina Rolling By” by Mipso: We all know the classic Carolina songs, so here’s a new pick. Mipso was formed in Chapel Hill, and the band’s indie-Americana sound feels like home to us.
“For Emma” by Bon Iver: Did you know indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon lived in Raleigh for a time? Before his debut album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” Vernon resided in west Raleigh, according to a tidbit in this concert review from INDY Week when the band came to PNC Arena in 2019.
Not one but two versions of “Wagon Wheel": We got so many requests for Old Crow Medicine Show’s original version and Darius Rucker’s cover. Whichever you prefer, we can all agree that if I die in Raleigh, at least I will die free.
Check out a whole list of artists from the 919 + beyond, including Priscilla Block, Porter Robinson, Sylvan Esso and plenty more folks repping Raleigh.
Did we miss anything? Tell us your recommendations.
