The mellowness of DC in the middle of August provide some excellent opportunities for local musicians. Tonight DC’s blues troubadour Jonny Grave headlines the prestigious 9:30 Club with support from Derek Evry & His Band of Misanthropes and Olivia Mancini & The Mates. Jonny, Derek and Olivia are three very different musicians who share a love of the city and its musical scene. If you don’t yet know them personally, you might be surprised at the level of enthusiasm these talented personalities are going to generate at DC’s finest venue tonight. For a Friday afternoon warm up, watch Jonny Grave perform “Tear Me Down”, from his 2013 solo album The Hammer, live at the Corcoran in the Salon Doré last year. See you tonight, obviously.
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Category Archives: shows
American Television – Optimist
A lot of concert goers in DC never make it past the usual well known spots like the 9:30 Club, Black Cat, DC9, etc. When one does decide to branch out and try something new, St. Stephen’s Church is a likely choice due to its scrappy DIY spirit and long punk rock tradition of hosting fundraisers for Positive Force and other organizations. The bands that typically play shows there are enthusiastic about their craft in infectuous ways, which leads me to the new DC pop-punk band American Television. Even though they only have one song up on Bandcamp, that didn’t stop them from making this music video for “Optimist”, a still-unreleaesd track from their forthcoming EP. The band’s unbridled excitement to play a show this Saturday 8/15 is obviously no joke as they practice, flyer well known DMV record shops and beef up at the gym. This killer all-ages Saturday night show includes Baltimore’s Canker Blossom along with locals Rememberables, Six Foot Machine and Boardroom Heroes.
Wylder – Sunstroke
Indie folk band Wylder are four young & talented men recently graduated from the University of Mary Washington. Now spread between Northern VA and points further south in the Commonwealth, the band they started in college as “Save The Arcadian” gears up for the release of their debut album with a single & music video for “Sunstroke”, a feel good folk tune with snappy violin and a singalong chorus that you can download for free right now. July saw Wylder make it to the finals in Jammin’ Java’s Battle of the Bands, so if “Sunstroke” is your new summer jam, don’t miss them compete against Jocelyn Faro, Port Harbour, Calm The Waters and Aztec Sun on Saturday August 21st!
Jack On Fire – Condos
Masters of saying the wrong thing at the right time, punk provocateurs Jack On Fire bring a long-awaited overdose of snark to the Fort Reno stage tonight. As long as the rain holds off, the season of outdoor shows draws to an all-too-early close before the August doldrums/mass evacuation. From their pay what you want download Greatest Hits Nov. 2014-Feb. 2015, littered with gems like “The NSA Has My Dick Pics”, “Andy Harris Needs To Smoke Some Weed” and of course “Cocaine (Will Turn You Into An Asshole)”, enjoy one full minute of JOF’s catchy single “Condos”.
A MARC Train Home – Coarse Hairs
Last month’s announcement of the departure of lead singer Lia Pisa-Relli caused some to worry about the future of dream rock band A MARC Train Home. But never fear, DC! They quickly found Genevieve Moore to take over vocal duties and their first show with the new lineup Friday night at the Rock & Roll Hotel is getting the full stage treatment with lights and fog machine courtesy of Ramtin from Drop Electric. With These Quiet Colours, Technicians and Uptown Boys Choir filling out the bill, your Friday night DC music plans are set. Here’s the music video for “Coarse Hairs”, track 1 from their FREE debut full length album It’s Easier To Make A Mess. Be on the lookout for the hot Starfleet tattoo on video model Shoshie Sennett, if you’re a nerd like me.
Mellow Diamond – Namesake
Life and musical parnters Janel Leppin and Anthony Pirog are the secret sauce that makes a whole lot of DC music more interesting. It’s an uncommon joy to see one or both of them appearing live with a wide variety of bands including Wanted Man, The El Reys and Laughing Man. In addition to collaborating on a pair of excellent albums as Janel and Anthony, their individual outlets are equally amazing. Last year’s album Palo Colorado Dream by The Anthony Pirog Trio landed on a number of jazz critics’ year-end best-of lists, while Janel’s all-female quintet Ensemble Volcanic Ash made a solid impression with audiences at this year’s Washington Women In Jazz Festival with an instrumental lineup including harp, stand up bass and Janel’s trademark effected cello. While we wait patiently for the debut album release by her solo ambient moniker Mellow Diamond, Janel and Michael Hindert created this video accompaniment for the dreamlike song “Namesake”. And guess what! Janel and Anthony play a free show the Fringe Fest this Saturday evening with Brooklyn vocalist Marilyn Carino. Open your mind to some truly exceptional and very different forms of music.
Sara Curtin – Sweet Dreams
Singer Sara Curtin takes the title of her new single “Sweet Dreams” literally in the music video directed by Paul Abowd. Amongst the dreamy shots of Curtin singing are close ups of ingredients on their way to becoming a cake. Personally, I was a bit bummed the dessert didn’t turn out to be browines. Nothing better in this than a brownie ice cream sundae, amiright? Curtin’s new full length album Michigan Lilium drops July 24th, and everyone celebrates the release on Thursday August 6th at the Rock & Roll Hotel with openers Stranger in the Alps and The North Country. What better way to celebrate an album’s birthday than with cake for everyone? Just sayin’.
Bumper Jacksons – I’ve Got My Whiskey (I Don’t Need You)
The Garage Video Sessions is an online music video collaboration between husband and wife duo Pando Creative and the Charlottesville VA music venue The Garage, filming live takes of local and touring acts as they come through town. DC’s roots revivalists Bumper Jacksons recently breezed through and laid down this foot stompin’ version of singer Chris Ousley’s original song “I’ve Got My Whiskey (I Don’t Need You)”. If that wet your whistle for more, their new album Too Big World is streaming now on their Bandcamp in advance of the CD release show next Saturday July 25th at the Birchmere with the newly revived Junior League Band.
South Rail – Wayfaring Stranger
It’s never too late for a top quality live video, I say. Today folky Americana trio South Rail released a new music video shot during the recording of “Wayfaring Stranger”, from last year’s EP Stars produced by the legendary Don Was. This sultry, languid version of the well-known 19th century Western ballad was recorded in Santa Monica CA and features Lara Supan’s captivating vocal delivery alongside quiet, bluesy instrumentation. Fill your growlers with local beer and catch South Rail performing live this Saturday July 18th at Port City Brewing in Alexandria.
Seaknuckle – Shake Shake Shake
Many music fans bemoan the sorry state of music journalism these days. Poor research, insincere opinions and general asshattery generate page clicks and drive the state of music consumption among those that follow the trends. Frederick MD’s indie rock band Seaknuckle have struck back at this, writing a review of their own new album Get Over It for hyperlocal music blog Frederick Playlist. Who better to know every nuance, reference and backstory throughout the 11 songs than the four lads that lived through every minute of the album’s creation? And better to be too close to an artist work than too far away, I’d say. Music criticism is saved!
Seaknuckle’s lead off video for the new album “Shake Shake Shake” employs guest stars Dr. Rich Del Grande and Nurse Louie to show how hard this band rocks. Their album release show is this Saturday at 200 E Patrick St., a vacant space recently transformed into an artistic wonderland, featuring Rozwell Kid, Silent Old Mtns, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre doing live comedy improv, and a beer pong tournament. That’s one hell of a Saturday night right there.
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