PBS North Carolina's New Music Series 'Shaped by Sound' to Premiere Thursday, February 6
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PBS NORTH CAROLINA’S NEW MUSIC SERIES ‘SHAPED BY SOUND’ TO PREMIERE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Artists this season include Iron & Wine, Nnenna Freelon, Superchunk, Mipso and Reuben Vincent.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 1/7/25 — PBS North Carolina will launch its new original music series, Shaped by Sound, Thursday, February 6. The show, which spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, features artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Shaped by Sound will air on PBS NC as well as stream on pbsnc.org, the free PBS app and YouTube.
Shaped by Sound’s premiere on February 6 features acclaimed singer-songwriter Iron & Wine, currently on tour in support of his latest album, Light Verse. Additional artists this season include Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, indie rockers Superchunk, folk-pop quartet Mipso and hip-hop prodigy Reuben Vincent.
“North Carolina has a tremendously vibrant music scene,” said Shaped by Sound host and producer James Mieczkowski. “PBS North Carolina is thrilled to provide a platform for these exceptional artists to share their music and stories with audiences across the state. Collaborating with them to bring their vision to life right here in our studios has been a privilege.”
Presented as thirteen 30-minute episodes, Shaped by Sound weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey. The series will be accompanied by a longer-form video podcast and a host of digital extras.
Shaped by Sound is made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
“This exciting program showcases our state’s incredibly talented musicians,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Shaped by Sound enables all North Carolinians to discover some of our state’s top artists from the comfort of their home. We’re thrilled to help celebrate North Carolina music, one of our most treasured assets.”
PBS North Carolina has curated a special playlist of songs by all the NC musicians featured this season on Shaped by Sound. Listen to it on Spotify.
“Music helps shape who we are as people and as a community,” said James Mieczkowski. “Through working on this series with such a diverse group of North Carolina musicians, I’ve come to understandwe all can find common ground within sounds that offer a sense of place and belonging. We hope viewers are inspired by the series and the artists’ profound connections to our state and culture.”
Broadcast Schedule
New episodes of Shaped by Sound premiere Thursday nights at 9:30 PM on PBS NC through May 1. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information.
Episode 1: Iron & Wine
Premieres Thursday, February 6, 9:30 PM
Singer-songwriter Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam) has multiple Grammy nominations, and his songs have been included in numerous film, TV and commercial productions. Despite this exposure, he lives a quiet family life in NC. In this episode, he performs his introspective songs, including the Grammy-nominated “All in Good Time,” with a full band and shadow puppeteers from the collective Manual Cinema.
Episode 2: Sluice
Premieres Thursday, February 13, 9:30 PM
What happens when you open the floodgates to your emotions and channel them into music? Sluice’s Justin Morris and Avery Sullivan perform songs from their latest record, Radial Gate, named one of 2023’s best albums by The Guardian, as well as new unreleased tracks. They also discuss how their atmospheric music is inspired by the “beauty of living” and our deeply complex relationship with nature.
Episode 3: Superchunk
Premieres Thursday, February 20, 9:30 PM
What’s more punk rock than believing and investing in yourself? The Triangle-based indie rock band Superchunk harnesses the frenetic energy they’ve developed over decades of touring in a performance for the ages. They also discuss how their DIY mentality generated the iconic label Merge Records and share what it’s like to see both young and old fans sing their hearts out to their songs.
Episode 4: Nnenna Freelon
Premieres Thursday, February 27, 9:30 PM
Jazz legend Nnenna Freelon has seven Grammy nominations and has performed in the most prestigious venues on the planet. But for the first time in her 40-year career, she’s releasing an album of original songs. In this episode, she performs her new material and discusses how experimenting with music besides jazz standards allowed her to get “underneath the skin.”
Episode 5: Sonny Miles
Premieres Thursday, March 6, 9:30 PM
Gospel, soul, jazz, R&B and hip-hop—there isn’t much that lives outside the musical universe of Winston-Salem native Sonny Miles. In 2019, one of his musical collaborations caught the ear of President Barack Obama, who included the song on his popular playlist. In this episode, Sonny discusses Afrofuturism, being inspired by the sounds of his Nana’s house and what it’s like to be “in the pocket.”
Episode 6: Alice Gerrard
Premieres Thursday, March 13, 9:30 PM
For 80 years, Alice Gerrard has studied, played and preserved American folk music, influencing countless musicians, including Emmylou Harris and Rhiannon Giddens. In addition to being one of the foremost historians of the genre, she’s a Grammy nominee and a musical legend. Alice is joined on stage by Rebecca Branson Jones (pedal steel), Reed Stutz (mandolin) and Tatiana Hargreaves (fiddle).
Episode 7: Mipso
Premieres Thursday, March 20, 9:30 PM
On the surface, the quartet Mipso may seem like a traditional folk-bluegrass band with its exquisite harmonies, melodies and instrumentation. Zoom in, however, and you’ll also hear layers of modern sounds and influences. In this episode, band members Jacob Sharp and Joseph Terrell discuss coming back to NC to play together, crafting a live record and the Japanese origin of the band’s unique name.
Episode 8: Blue Cactus
Premieres Thursday, March 27, 9:30 PM
The cosmic country of Blue Cactus’ Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez has been likened to artists as diverse as Fleetwood Mac, Bobbie Gentry and David Bowie. Playing with a full band, they deliver a dreamy performance that will keep your head in the clouds. Plus, they share their fascination with Western wear, their appreciation for “Weird Al” Yankovic and why it’s important to look for silver linings.
Episode 9: Shirlette Ammons
Premieres Thursday, April 3, 9:30 PM
Shirlette Ammons is a Peabody Award-winning producer, poet and hip-hop artist based in Durham, NC. On her latest album, Spectacles, she blends aspects of her eastern North Carolina roots with her love for her Triangle-based community to explore the concept of spectacle: how we see, what we see and how we’re seen. Shirlette is joined on stage by a full band and Raleigh’s own Rissi Palmer.
Episode 10: Town Mountain
Premieres Thursday, April 10, 9:30 PM
More Asheville than Nashville, this country-rock outfit combines bluegrass with honky-tonk to create a rollicking sound all its own. The band’s Phil Barker and Robert Greer discuss the Asheville music scene in the wake of Hurricane Helene, “working man’s vintage” and “frying pan tunes” and the evolution of their distinctive style.
Episode 11: Blue Footed Boobies
Premieres Thursday, April 17, 9:30 PM
Strap in, folks—the Blue Footed Boobies are ready to rock. The Wilmington duo brings their raw and bombastic guitars and drums to the Shaped by Sound stage. They also discuss the electric feeling of a live show, van conversations and the importance of being in a band with your best friend.
Episode 12: Fancy Gap
Premieres Thursday, April 24, 9:30 PM
The indie duo Fancy Gap, a new musical collaboration by Raleigh natives Stuart McLamb (of The Love Language) and Charles Crossingham, aims for pure pop-rock bliss. They bring their lush and expansive songs to the Shaped by Sound stage. Plus, they discuss the Golden Age of Radio, how music can create a sense of place and how creating well-crafted songs is like making a juicy cheeseburger.
Episode13: Reuben Vincent
Premieres Thursday, May 1, 9:30 PM
Charlotte-based rapper Reuben Vincent started with a laptop and a dream. That dream became a reality when he was discovered by legendary hip-hop producer 9th Wonder at the age of 13. Reuben brings his thought-provoking lyricism to the Shaped by Sound stage and discusses his family’s Liberian heritage, the hip-hop renaissance in the Queen City and what it’s like to work with 9th Wonder.
About the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources manages, promotes and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina—its diverse arts and culture, rich history and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility and strengthens community resiliency. The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund and the Natural Heritage Program. Learn more at dncr.nc.gov.
About the N.C. Music Office
In June 2024, Governor Roy Cooper announced the establishment of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Dedicated to promoting and celebrating North Carolina’s music, musicians and music industry, the office will coordinate a wide range of music-based programming and investments across the state, enhance economic development driven by creative economies and increase awareness of North Carolina's vibrant music heritage, culture and education. Learn more at dncr.nc.gov/programs-services/north-carolina-music-office.
About PBS North Carolina
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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