Lola Oliverio

Coulture Magazine •

Southern-inspired rock music & learning to love where you're from

"A few months ago, I stumbled upon a guest essay in The Bitter Southerner written by Patterson Hood of the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers in which the musician wrote that his relationship with the South was "love/hate/love." I felt that this sentiment accurately describes the internal conflict faced by many Southern creatives who love the region, but are acutely aware of the painful, cruel history beneath their feet.

This led me to consider the rationale behind the recent boom in Southern-in-spired indie rock music, specifically in my home state of North Carolina."
Daily Tar Heel •

You can't get to heaven in a Red Kanoo: Student band makes waves

The story behind the name Red Kanoo began with a nursery rhyme that lead singer Kendall Babb heard in second grade.

“Duke is puke, Wake is fake, N.C. State is the one we hate, you can’t go to heaven in a red canoe because God’s favorite color is Carolina Blue,” she recited, adding, “And I kind of put that out there. I was like, ‘It’s kind of cute.’”

Then, when bassist Jackson McCurdy was making the band’s Instagram account, he realized  the username “redcanoe” was taken.
WUNC •

Tonya Council, granddaughter of culinary legend "Mama Dip," on keeping her family's legacy alive

Tonya Council, granddaughter of the late culinary legend Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, has opened her very own Southern-style eatery, Tonya’s Cafe. Located next to Tonya’s Cookies & Bake Shop in Chapel Hill, the cafe is the latest in Council’s string of culinary ventures. Due South’s Leoneda Inge speaks with Council about Tonya’s Cafe, Southern food and her grandmother’s influence. This encore conversation originally aired earlier in May 2025.
The Daily Tar Heel •

EmPOWERment director Delores Bailey reflects on affordable housing in Chapel Hill

In 2001, Delores Bailey was laid off from her job at a boat manufacturing company.

She had long been a resident of Chapel Hill — living on North Graham Street — but was only acutely aware of the existence of EmPOWERment, Inc.

After meeting the organization’s former executive director, Mark Chilton — who would later become the mayor of Carrboro and register of deeds for Orange County — she began working as an EmPOWERment community organizer.
Niner Times •

Album review: 'This is Why' by Paramore

After nearly a six-year hiatus, Paramore is back with "This Is Why," an album filled to the brim with angst but happier than ever. The release of "This Is Why" is the first time the band has produced two albums with the same members, as the group has been subject to frequent lineup changes. Following the 2017 release of "After Laughter"–a shimmeringly solemn synth-pop collection of songs surrounding heartbreak, divorce and hopelessness–frontwoman Hayley Williams has returned to her characteristically spunky attitude. She is once more equal parts bark and bite.
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