Full podcast this week as we interview Carolina Indie Fest band HaHa Charade and talk to Beth List about this Saturday's POP!-Con at the Lee County Library. 

A self-styled “astral-pop” and “soul rock” artist from Delaware who has been singing her whole life, Nitro Nitra began a career in music in 2019 after having a “mystical, spiritual awakening” she says freed her from “repetitive loops of mental bondage.”

Nitra’s goal as a musician is to create a shared experience by lifting her fans up to a place where they can open their minds to new levels of existence and awakenings of their own. Her voice has been compared to Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Tina Turner and Diana Ross.

Continuing our series of interviews with artists performing at the upcoming Carolina Indie Fest, this week we're joined by Denver rock duo Addie Tonic. We also talk local news, because this is a local news podcast, friends. 

Addie Tonic:

Founding members Meghann5k and Matt Youngblood spent the last 4 years touring small venues under various names and with several lineup changes before deciding on “Addie Tonic” in 2020. After a series of singles released by Indie On Air Records, the band released their debut EP, “Crashin’ Cars & Fannin’ Flames” in 2021.

"Among the most emotionally compelling songwriters of our time." ~ NPR

"Defiant, young - powerful, and undaunted.” ~ Texas Lifestyle Magazine

This week, we interview The Accidentals, the Michigan trio who will bring their eclectic blend of indie folk, pop, bluegrass, rock and more to downtown Sanford’s Carolina Indie Fest in September. Listen to our interview and a couple of awesome Accidentals jams in our Friends of The Rant podcast.

Georgetown, Texas-based Tough on Fridays talks about their music, the music scene in Austin, the origin of their name and what Carolina Indie Fest-goers can expect from their set. Carolina Indie Fest is scheduled for Sept. 18-19 in downtown Sanford, North Carolina. 

John Cawley, co-owner of Sugarneck — one of Sanford's premiere events venues — talks about the local wedding industry, the history of his venue and his career in music management working with some of music's biggest names. 

CCCC President Dr. Lisa Chapman and Board Chairman Julian Philpott join The Rant to discuss its mission, its growing number of programs and its role as an employment pipeline for the city's and region's workforce. 

Our hosts also talk about the lifting of mask mandates, gas shortages and becoming neighbors. 

Sandra Torres and Angel Mills talk about El Refugio, a Christian organization based in Lee County working to build bridges between immigrants and established residents through cultural sharing. El Refugio is currently sponsoring the Sanford Sings Karaoke competition, a fundraising effort to support area nonprofit organizations. 

Sanford's own Bret Schaller talks about his experience (and his win) on Episode 9 of History Channel's "Assembly Required," hosted by former "Home Improvement" duo Tim Allen and Richard Karn.