A band called the Old One Two was onstage at the Blind Tiger in Greensboro on the last Tuesday night of October. All but one of the bands on the bill are from Catawba and Burke counties, Israel Darling ringleader Jacob Darden is explaining. The room was pulsing with an early-twenties crowd of bohos, students and hedonists.

Favorite thing about being a DJ:.

Ever heard of Club Artistika? Me neither, and I especially didn't know they booked live acts - and not just any live acts, but interesting live acts to boot. They don't seem to be open most nights, but they've been working with WUAG to promote shows to go along with Salsa Night every Saturday.

As I enter the Blind Tiger for the first time I first notice the guts of pumpkins being torn out, courtesy of "Doc" Don Beck. Immediately after sounds flow from the stage where Charlie D sits in his own world, connecting to the guitar in his hands.

It's gone largely unnoticed in the United States, but there's been an American invasion of sorts going on in Europe for the past decade. There are no tanks and foot soldiers on this front, however, as this invasion is spearheaded by mandolins, banjos and four-part harmonies; an Americana.

What I play: Punk, hardcore, metal and any other music associated with the punk rock scene... with a focus on the '80s and '90s

Zombies are going to be big for Halloween this year, along with vampire, Octomom and Michael Jackson costumes. Then again, you could combine two and go as a zombie or vampire Michael Jackson. Either would be totally appropriate for the most macabre Halloween party in the Triad.

1. Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne "Down" 2. Miley Cyrus "Party in the U.S.A." 3. Jay-Z, Rihanna Kanye West "Run This Town" 4. Jason DeRulo "Whatcha Say" 5. The Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" 6. Lady GaGa "Paparazzi" 7. Taylor Swift "You Belong With Me" 8. Mariah Carey "Obsessed" 9.

In the early 1980s, the album cover of Rickie Lee Jones' 1979 debut could often be found propped up near the phonograph player of my best friend's dad, as kind of a hipster totem in his rambling Kentucky estate.

Every year the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society holds a throwdown to see who will represent the society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. And every year the gunslingers come out to show the judges what they've got.