Silver Spring’s keys virtuoso Zo! just released a brand new solo album, ManMade, and it is some serious R&B fire. The lead-off single Count To Five, featuring Gwen Bunn and frequent collaborator Phonte from The Foreign Exchange, gets the music video treatment with a funky 70s vibe by way of Sesame Street. Zo wrote a “Studio Campfire” origin story of this track on his blog, so learn a little about his music making process after you enjoy the video.
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Monthly Archives: May 2013
Uptown XO – Everyday video
DMV rapper Uptown XO has produced a lengthy list of music videos, so it’s understandable the smooth lyricist would take a break and hand the reins over to Creative Junkfood for a unique animated take on his new single Everyday. The words veer into NSFW territory right off the bat, but what do you expect from DC rap? Put your headphones on! Cop the new full length Colour de Grey on Mello Music Group ASAP.
Imperial China – Creative License video
Imperial China‘s angular and muscular brand of math rock is deeply rooted in the evolution of DC hardcore to post-hardcore. From their home on hardworking local label Sockets Records, they carved their way into DC music history over the course of 2 full length albums, one EP and countless live shows. Sean Peoples shuttered Sockets earlier this year, and now Imperial China has decided to part ways after one final blowout show at the Black Cat Backstage tonight, supported by Tereu Tereu and May Tabol of Pree. You owe it to yourself to indulge in 30 Days of Imperial China, as the band posts a song and some interesting backstory every day. Today’s video “Creative License”, shot at the Black Cat back in 2011, comes from their final album How We Connect. Thanks for a great run guys.
Tom McBride – But I Don’t Care video & giveaway!
Scroll down for prize pack giveaway details!
This Friday night the Black Cat Mainstage hosts the DC album release show for singer-songwriter Tom McBride‘s latest full length Morning In Glen Burnie. His full band performance is supported by Richmond’s blues rock trio People’s Blues and long time DC faves Olivia Mancini & The Mates. Tom’s distinctive, clear voice and assured songwriting comes through on this live take of “But I Don’t Care”, one of the more memorable cuts from the album.
Olivia & The Mates are also set to release a brand new single, “Singing the Chorus/Ruby, Baby”, and Hometown Sounds is very excited to give away a prize pack including Olivia’s new single, Tom’s Morning in Glen album and two guestlist spots for this Friday’s show! To enter, just leave your favorite song by Tom or Olivia in the comments section below (don’t forget to leave your name too!). You can also like the post on our Facebook page or retweet our post on Twitter to enter! The winner will be announced at 5 PM on Thursday afternoon, so don’t delay!
Update: The contest is ended and Amanda is our winner! Congratulations & thanks to all who entered!
Is and Of The – Acrobatic
Short & sweet today DC. It’s almost Memorial Day weekend and most of you are probably out the door already anyway. Here’s some abstract goodness from Droo Bandos, aka Is and Of The. Acrobatic comes from the free EP of the same name.
See you next Tuesday!
Hantz – Best Friends short film feat. Nacey
Local filmmaker Hantz is quickly becoming a force in DC music videos. We recently featured his interview with low country blues-man Jonny Grave (new album out this week!), and today he released a new short film called Best Friends, which asks the timeless question “What are best friends for, if not this?” The music backing this film is “Elysian” by Nacey, producer for “aquawave” band Misun, and like just about all of this young producer’s top notch music, this song is free to download.
Phil Adé – Nas Told Me video
Hot off the presses, we got a brand new video from rapper Phil Adé. It’s been nearly a year since Adé’s last mixtape Friday II, and today’s video Nas Told Me serves up our first taste of his upcoming release R.O.S.E., dropping this summer. Sunny Norway provides the beat for this track, and man is it a killer. Adé’s deft vocals and tight hook on the chorus makes this one a dancefloor winner.
Podcast for May 20th, 2013
Featuring guest hosts Tony Porreco and Mark McInerney!
Tracklisting:
Black Masala – Trouble
Imperial China – The Last Starfighter
Mobius Strip – Sixty-Seven
Title Tracks – Piles of Paper
Dinosawh – Tide Rider
Petticoat Tearoom – Jubilee Melody
Pree – Hi Livin’
Vakirai – Oliver
Tom McBride – Song In My Heart
Peanut Butter & Dave – Ghost Strokes on the Bell
Or listen in SoundCloud:
Subscribe to the Hometown Sounds podcast in the iTunes Store
Elikeh – No Vision video
Afropop band Elikeh embodies the global cultural diversity that makes DC such an interesting place for music. Frontman Massama Dogo comes from Togo and has performed with many bands, both local and worldwide (Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, The Wailers, Vieux Farka Toure, Bombino). Elikeh’s 2012 album Between 2 Worlds appeared in more than a few top albums lists last year, and they’ve recently appeared at the Howard Theater, the Black Cat and the Strathmore. This Saturday night they headline a Global Dance Party at Rosslyn’s Artisphere, with top-notch opening sets from reggae/funk band Nappy Riddem and gypsy horn ensemble Black Masala. This is going to be an amazing night of world music!
Now look DC, I worked in Rosslyn for years and I know that it’s a bit of an odd place to go on a Saturday night. The Artisphere is a great space with some bold programming choices and an expansive dance floor. There’s a Metro station close by, and did you know that the Artisphere offers FREE validated parking on weekends? Yup, that’s right, FREE! No way you’re getting that on U Street or H Street NE. Also I hear the fine folks at ridesharing app SideCarDC are offering free rides this weekend! The $12 show kicks off at 8 PM in the Artisphere’s ballroom.
For today’s DC music video of the day, here’s the latest from Elikeh, No Vision. From their 2012 album Between 2 Worlds, the video was shot by singer Dogo’s younger brother Edouard Zucker.
Fire and the Wheel – Recording Blow Darts
If you listened to the latest episode of the Hometown Sounds podcast, you heard the newest single “Blow Darts” by indie rock band Fire and the Wheel. Today the quartet released a short video taking us behind the scenes of recording the new song at Bastille Studios in Arlington. Personally, I love this peek into the music making process and the camaraderie these four talented musicians share. Fire and the Wheel appears live next Friday May 24th at the Velvet Lounge along with an all-DC lineup including Brenda, Linsay Deming of SweetBread Jim’s and Andrew Grossman of The North Country.
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