Back in June, Duped Zine shared a compilation titled The Fourteen Bears in Summer and Winter. Operating out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, an area that has not gone unnoticed these past years in the world of independent music, Duped has always carved their own path of pop-centric, enduring and incredibly heartfelt musical contributions.
Playing a key role in the Big Pop Show the past two years, Duped continues to showcase some of the best artists out there. Although not all from NC, this comp focuses on the connected spirit of collaboration, friendship and fandom. Put together by the members of the band Little Chair, the comp includes artists such as The Matildas, Entrez Vouz, David T, K9, Sleep Tight Tiger, The Laughing Chimes, Sacred Heart Academy, Hill View #73, The Sourdrops, Deerest Friends, Little Chair, and more!
Written by Shea Roney | Featured Photo by Braeden Long
Across the country, on a mission from the highest order, young pop song swooners and DIY consumers embarked on a journey down to Durham and Carrboro North Carolina to be a part of history. Returning for its second year in a row, The Big Pop Show, held March 20th-23rd, was a four-day fest put on by friends Nathan McMurray, Lilian Fan, Eli Schmitt, Annie Vedder and Charlotte Kane.
Beyond the live music, BPS also hosted a discussion panel that interrogated ethical ways of engaging with art and sustaining the local communities involved in its creation. The Panels were “Beyond Aesthetics: Art, ethics and individual responsibility in times of political unrest” and “Airwaves to Algorithms: Technology, artistic consumption, and the economy of attention”.
With the help of Averi Love Little, we collected photos from Braeden Long, Kian Kermani, Shannon McMahon, Chance Venable, Audra Barbieri, Finch McGowan, and Emily Burrows, as well as quotes from the artists and organizers involved, to capture the joy, friendship and the resounding community that prospered at The Big Pop Show 2026.
Kellen and Susie of Good Flying Birds by Chance Venable
Handstand by Braeden LongCharlotte, Lilian, Eli, Annie, Nathan by Kian Kermani
“the big pop show meant everything to me. i was there for all 30+ sets and film screenings and i still feel like i missed out. there was an incalculable amount of magic and energy in the air. i could see the connections and friendships forming before my eyes, and there is nothing that makes me happier than to see people in joy, in love, in hope and empowerment together in space. every single set was some of the best music i’ve seen from these artists, and never was there a moment of envy or competition, only pure inspiration.” – Eli Schmitt (Organizer/TV Buddha)
Eilee and Evren by Kian KermaniDonkey Basketball by Averi Love Little
“Disregarding the boatloads of brilliant sets, the late-late Saturday Night / Sunday Morning Cookout parking lot tailgate was a sight that will never escape my memory. Practically hundreds of freakazoid losers like ourselves lost en masse into the quesadilla-quesadilla-quesadilla tray madness alongside a particularly great hang.” – Isaac Lowenstein(Donkey Basket/Lifeguard)
Van Goth by Chance Venable
“It felt like summer camp! I guess playing in a wooden room cemented that feeling, but so did all the amazing people from all over the country meeting in one place” – Sydney Salk(Van Goth)
“We have a lot of electronics and had to play a stripped back set with the minimal sound system – but somehow this got a rowdy bunch of young people to watch silently. Within 30 minutes sweaty mosh pits had broken out in the same room. These people were here for the music.” – Simon Schadler (Van Goth)
Piper + Kathleen by Audra BarbieriPaige by Kian KermaniPaper Jam by Braeden Long
Arm Wrestling by Kian KermaniTouch Girl Apple Blossom by FinchMcGowanLizzie by Audra Barbieri
“The Big Pop Fest has always been almost like the central point to a much larger community. It feels almost like one of those detective boards, where we could take string and connect all these bands across the country to each other and the commonality would be Pop Fest. On the surface level I would say it’s been a joy to watch so many talented artists perform and has been truly transformative for me as a musician; but on a much deeper level, it has given me some of my best friends in the world. To feel understood completely by your peers is a truly special thing and I think if nothing else, that’s one thing I gained from my years there. There is absolutely nothing like it, and honestly I don’t know if there ever will be. I’m just glad I’ve been lucky enough to witness it for myself.” – Lizzie Cooper(PARKiNG)
The Sourdrops by Shannon McMahonHenry and Braedenby Emily Burrows
“It was a grand get-together of pop heads, new and old. Many fun times were had. The second nights after party had the floor of the Duke Coffeehouse bouncing to the beat of Donkey Basketball. It is really awesome that we all got to share that weekend with everyone that was there.” – The Sourdrops
Nathan and Dad by Braeden LongLillian of Little Chair by FinchMcGowan
“My favorite memory was probably watching PIPE play, they are great friends of ours but also local legends of the triangle that I look up to. It was wholesome to dance with everyone at like a truly all ages show. Also the panel on Sunday at coffeehouse was great! Highlights were discussions around what it meant for art to be political beyond just making overt political statements, and when John Davis from folk implosion was talking about the importance of engaging with artists in real life through the merch table etc. it was awesome.” – Lilian Fan(Organizer/Duped/Little Chair)
“The whole thing was like a controlled explosion – I think Nathan and Eli have this magnificent ability to grasp the whole network of spectacular projects working right now. Streamlining it all… And our set was absolutely visceral. We played on the ground and I’d look up sometimes, see people on their hands and knees in front of me. I felt like everyone in the room could read my thoughts and their movements were responses. It was really so special.” –AJ Bond (Instrument)
“For me, it was really the moment right after I got back from the Pop Fest, I was listening to the Red Xerox Tape Expo on YouTube and going through the comments. You should read the top one if you haven’t, it summed up my feelings pretty well. Some guy from Montreal.” – Lu Bond (Instrument)
“Grass lawns with fashionable people sprawled out, welcomed us to The Pop Show. Friends from different states reunited and many new friendships blossomed around each corner.
Cole opened our set with handstands as I beat his drum. It was sanctuary to smile, a place to dance, a place to connect – what a lovely time it was!” – Angie Willcut(Artificial Go)
“Pip Says Relax” by Kian Kermani
“There was something very serene and meditative about the entire event. I was expecting a lot of rambunctious and mania, but the heat combined with the length of the show, where all of the bands started to blend into another and conversate with each other’s performance, created this ease and content that cradled our performance really well. Everyone was sat down, and engaged, I could feel the impact and the fact that people were taking something from our show, there was a true exchange.” – Kali Flanagan (Superfan)
Braeden Screenprint GFB by EmilyBurrows“Let’s go swimming” by Shannon McMahon
“Big Pop was fun as hell! Massive respect to the organizers. House party after show was like a movie, someone was walking around with a ‘Big Pop’ cake while we we’re hanging by the fire – that was a memorable moment.” – Jake (K9)
Written by Shea Roney | Photos by Averi Love Little, Braeden Long, Kian Kermani and Lauren Schmit | Video by Eilee Centeno
Taking over Chicago for two weekends, Trash Tape Records celebrated 6 years of DIY merriment with a three-part festival, bringing out an array of artists both on the label and local Chicago (and out-of-town) legends. The party started at Bricktown on Valentines Day, followed by a night of DJs at the legendary Rainbo Club on the 19th and a final set at Lowdown on the 22nd.
Originally formed in the Chappell Hill and Durham area when they were in high school, Trash Tape Records was founded by Nathan McMurray and Evren and Eilee Centeno. The vision was simple; to put out their friend’s music that they loved so much. Building off of that youthful excitement with a sheer DIY ethos, Trash Tape became a home to many artists with similar mindsets, making their art accessible, exciting and incredibly enduring.
2025 was a banner year for the label, as they shared back-to-back-back debut releases, such as the acclaimed self-titled barn burner from Motocrossed, the brain-scratching pop goodies of Welcome to the Shower by Tanner York, and Charlie Johnston’s imaginative The Firetruck is Running Late. So far this year, TTR has shared WhatThe Red Flare Meant, the long-awaited debut record from mail., bringing obsessive expositions of harsh dynamics and commanding melodies out from the dark and into the spotlight. Fan favorite Memory Card also returns with Siren Surf Hurricane, as Henry Tart continues to grow his catalog of enduring sentiments and melodically rich lo-fi swooners. Then recently, NC pop-defibrillators, gumhead, share their debut single titled “Covered”. Not to mention Oh Good! Sacred Heart Academy Made an EP, the debut EP from the Centeno siblings’ new project, Sacred Heart Academy. And keep an eye out for a new release from sects in the near future.
Collecting photos from Averi Love Little, Braeden Long, Kian Kermani and Lauren Schmit, take a look at two weekends worth of Taking out the Trash.
Watch a compilation of the whole festival recorded by Eilee Centeno.
Hill View #73 by Shea RoneyPhoto by Averi Love LittleSects by Averi Love LittleLittle Chair by Averi Love LittleSects by Averi Love LittleMemory Card by Kian KermaniHill View #73 by Kian KermaniHill View #73 by Kian KermaniLittle Chair by Kian KermaniSects by Kian KermaniHill View #73 by Kian KermaniLittle Chair by Lauren SchmitSects by Lauren SchmitMemory Card by Lauren SchmitPhoto by Lauren Schmit
Current Union by Averi Love LittleCurrent Union by Averi Love LittleReceiver by Braeden LongPhoto by Braeden LongReceiver by Braeden LongPhoto by Braeden LongPhiladelphia Eagles by Braeden LongSacred Heart Academy by Braeden LongPhoto by Braeden LongKitship by Kian Kermanimail. by Kian KermaniChaepter by Kian KermaniSacred Heart Academy by Kian KermaniSacred Heart Academy by Lauren SchmitSacred Heart Academy by Lauren SchmitSacred Heart Academy by Lauren SchmitCurrent Union by Lauren Schmit
If you happen to be anywhere near Carrboro, NC this Friday-Monday, consider making your way to The Big Pop Show. Helped put together by Nathan McMurray, this legendary festival features several TTR artists as well as the best pop bands of today.
Every Wednesday, the ugly hug shares a playlist personally curated by an artist/band that we have been enjoying. This week we have a collection of songs put together by Durham-based project Little Chair.
With sincerity smearing the colors, movement procured with off-tempo rhythms and guitars doodling outside the lines, Little Chair are not held to the parameters of a single page, but rather become visionaries for what they see their own world is capable of being. Releasing their latest EP Ladybug Cat last February, members Claire, Charlotte, Lilian, and Jack proudly display their scratch marks accumulated from growing pains and youthful quarrels with a brief, yet undeniably sincere package of off-centered melodies and loose expectations. These short songs become a type of care that comes from the little moments of imagination and childlike revertings, those of sweaty summer cloud watchings, floor-is-lava blunders or eating sticky pancakes in bed. Although distortion becomes scribbled at times, these songs play with a gentle kindness that feels uniquely intuitive to Little Chair; when it comes down to it, it’s making the effort to move the spider outside in the hopes that it would do the same if the roles were reversed.
About the playlist, the band shared;
We love watching music videos and here are some all-time favs.
the ugly hug 