L Shape Lot
L Shape Lot is an American band from Wilmington, North Carolina.[1][2] The band plays Americana/folk rock/roots rock/bluegrass music. They are noted for their four part harmonies, and lively stage show. Since 2006 the band members have been Eric Miller on acoustic Guitar, Alex Lanier on electric and acoustic guitar, Rick Williams on bass, and John Kovalski on drums. All members sing, with Eric Miller taking most lead vocals.[3]
History
[edit]In 2002 Kovalski, Miller and bassist Bob Trask began playing together casually with friends in Wilmington.[4] They formed a band and played local gigs at first, and over the years graduated to playing new cities, and larger venues.
L Shape Lot released its first full-length album in 2003. It Ain't Grass But It Is..., composed mostly of Eric Miller's original music. They have since released six full-length records of original music, both studio and live albums.
The band's music was featured on season two of the HBO series "Eastbound and Down"[5]
In 2011 L Shape Lot performed at AzaleaFest.[6] That year they were voted winners of Floyd Fest's "Under the Radar" band competition,[7][8] and returned to play the festival's main stage in 2012.[9][10][11] That year they released an album, "Blackwater Sessions".[12]
In 2013 the group was featured on the Soup to Nuts Live show on WHQR-FM radio.[13]
In 2014 Kovalski left the band to pursue a career as an applications engineer.[14] Later Eric Miller and Alex Lanier, two remaining members of the band, opened for the Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Brooklyn Arts Center in Wilmington.[15]
In 2015 the band released a single, "Beautiful Day", and for the fourth year organized a local "Toys for Tots" charitable event.[16] Bandmember Eric Miller signed on as a radio host at WUIN-FM.[17]
Discography
[edit]Full Length Albums:
- It Ain’t Grass….But it Is -2003 (Out of print)
- Live from the Slow Lane – 2005 (Out of print)
- Go ‘Til I’m Gone – 2006[18]
- Looks Like Snow – 2009
- Blackwater Sessions – 2012
- The Duo – Vol. 1 – 2013
- The Duo – Vol. 2 – 2013
Current members
[edit]- Eric Miller - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
- Alex Lanier - Electric, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
- Rick Williams - Bass Guitar & Vocals
- Mykel Barbee - Drums
- Joel Lamb - Organ & Piano
References
[edit]- ^ Dan Armonaitis (March 28, 2013). "L Shape Lot frontman finds roots after hip-hop". GoUpstate.com.
- ^ "Wilmington band wins FloydFest competition". Wilmington Star News, Aug 16, 2016 Brian Mull
- ^ "L Shape Lot, Wilmington NC – Americana Music, Roots Rock Music, Bluegrass Music, Country Music, Folk Music".
- ^ "TAKING A NEW SHAPE: L SHAPE LOT PREPARES FOR KRANKEN CHRISTMAS AND FINAL PERFORMANCE WITH JOHN KOVALSKI - - "Your Alternative Weekly Voice"". encorepub.com.
- ^ "Eastbound and Down Music - Season 2: "Chapter 13" - TuneFind". TuneFind.
- ^ Logan White (May 1, 2011). "L Shape Lot Romps and Stomps Azalea Fest - Magazine33 - North Carolina - Bringing the Local Scene to the Mainstream!". magazine33.com.
- ^ Ryan Snyder (July 25, 2012). "L Shape Lot no longer flying under the radar". Yes! Weekly (yesweekly.com).
- ^ Tad Dickens (August 17, 2011). "L Shape Lot, featuring a former Roanoker, wins FloydFest X's Under the Radar contest". www.roanoke.com.
- ^ Diane Farineau (July 27, 2012). "Friday at FloydFest". Bluegrass Today.
- ^ "Floydfest 2012". Leeway's Homegrown Music Network.
- ^ "BEST OF 2015 WINNERS' LIST - - "Your Alternative Weekly Voice"". encorepub.com.
- ^ "L SHAPE LOT— Blackwater Sessions". yesweekly.com.
- ^ "Got 'Em On Film: L Shape Lot (The Duo) at STNL!". WHQR, By Lan Nichols • Nov 20, 2013
- ^ Brian Mull (December 17, 2014). "L Shape Lot's drummer to cap time with band in final performance". StarNewsOnline.com.
- ^ Eric Rayburn. "Carolina Chocolate Drops and L Shape Lot Duo, Wilmington, NC". JamGrass.net.
- ^ "THE SONG OF HOLIDAY GIVING: L Shape Lot’s annual Toys for Tots fundraising concert continues to grow". Encore, December, 2015.
- ^ " For the love of music: The Penguin celebrates 12 years on the air with concerts". Port City Daily, By Hilary Snow on August 18, 2015
- ^ "Local bluegrass fave L Shape Lot makes a tidy transition to CD with a new album, ‘Go ‘Til I’m Gone’". Star News Varsity, By Jaclyn Piermarini, March 9, 2006
- ^ "BEST OF WILMINGTON 2011 - - "Your Alternative Weekly Voice"". encorepub.com.