As a lot of DC workers, I toil in an office every day. Members of anthemic post-punk band Tired All The Time clearly have too, and have adopted a “sterile corporate / pharmaceutical aesthetic” to cope. The single “Bone Dry”, from the sophomore EP Be Well on Flag Day Recordings, enthusiastically cheers “I got nothing / All my money’s in the bank / I got nothing / My whole culture is a prank / It’s bone dry”. This delightfully over the top music video really makes the feeling inescapable, as dancing employees celebrate the dystopian success of the TATT brand. Mark your calendars for October 5th when TATT plays the new Dangerous Pies venue with Mystery Friends.
Hometown Sounds
Showing The World How DC Rocks
Category Archives: video
Kingpen Slim – No Scrubs
On his newest single “No Scrubs”, DC rapper Kingpen Slim repeats “I’m a doctor with the drugs”. However the video appears to be generously sponsored by Arm & Hammer, so don’t believe that hype. Coming from his brand new release Trapper’s Delight, Slim had this to say about the single: “actually reminds me we meant to call it No Scrubs 2018 but I was movin too fast…oh well too late now…check it out anyway tho it’s flames…” The flow is fire and we ain’t confused.
The Caribbean – Vitamin Ship
DC is damn lucky to have the experimental indie pop band The Caribbean as our own. The densely interwoven lyrics of singer Michael Kentoff align smoothly with unhurried and pleasing sounds from Matt Byars and Dave Jones. This team has stayed consistent through a lot more years and releases than most bands manage. Their newest single “Vitamin Ship” recently got this spangly music video, subtly suggesting both storyline and mood in tandem with Kentoff’s evocative words. “The Vitamin Ship is set to attack a world where cats sun-sleep in a giant atrium and only the most privileged or security-cleared are permitted to experience the rarified state of hypoxia”, says the explanatory text via Bandcamp. The band currently tours America in search of a name for their upcoming album in 2019, so catch up with them at Galaxy Hut on Sunday October 14th and offer your considered suggestions, written on legal currency or pints of exotic craft beer.
Bacchae – Dig
Punk always works best with urgent problems to address, and the DC quartet Bacchae have no shortage of issues on their minds. “Dig”, the lead single from their new self-titled pay-what-you-want EP, addresses toxic relationships and romantic commodification with fervor, but its new music video puts a garish VHS-level spin on the topic. The band-directed vid is an 80s-era send up to home video dating, and the lest you think this horrific dystopia is alternate history, it’s as real as drug store photo developing and physical maps crammed into your car seat’s back pocket. Catch their charismatic live show next in Baltimore Friday night at the Windup Space with Malwalker, Spooled Up and Daddy Issues.
Broke Royals – Higher
The dapper gents in Broke Royals are clearly aiming for breakout success with their anthemic radio-friendly pop sound. The single “Higher” from their debut self-titled album put them on the map with a feature from Southwest Airlines. Now the single has a music video directed by Scott Hansen, with amazing aerial footage of the band at the highest peak in Georgia, possibly recognizable as the setting for recent Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters. All this attention is great, but it’s 2018 and Broke Royals what it takes to make it. To that end, they just launched a Patreon to engage their superfans in the band’s success. Direct patronage is a lot of work, but we think Broke Royals have what it takes to thrive.
SHAED – Silver Knife
Dream pop trio SHAED continue to impress with their polished sound and visuals. Their 2018 summer EP Melt is due to drop any minute now, and its first single “Silver Knife” just got this dramatic music video. DC based Director Max Haben presents dancer Anna Pinault in a mysterious scenario involving a recently bloodied knife that allows much room for interpretation. SHAED, known originally around these parts as The Walking Sticks before signing to the Photo Finish label and touring widely, play the Steppin’ Out Festival in Blacksburg VA this weekend.
Kill Lincoln – Second Cities
Kill Lincoln (what a DC band name!) keep the ska flame burning bright with big brass, peppy beats and an honest to god hype man who can’t keep his feet on the stage. Their most recent release Good Riddance to Good Advice is getting pressed to vinyl by Bad Time Records, and music like this makes everyone want to celebrate. Side A contains all 6 tracks from the original Good Riddance to Good Advice EP, while Side B contains the single “Second Cities” and 4 live tracks. Before the release party blows up the Black Cat backstage on Friday August 10th, you’ve got time to learn all the words in the new video for “Second Cities”. This compilation of dancing crowd shots, boomerangs and animated lyrics by artist Ryan Troy Ford add up to way more than the sum of their parts.
Bad Moves – Spirit FM
Yowza, these Bad Moves songs just get catchier and catchier. Yesterday the uberpop supergroup dropped the third single from their upcoming full length on Don Giovanni and finally revealed the pre-order and fall tour for Tell No One. “Spirit FM” is another in the many witty and slick vids produced by Baby Pony Food and directed by David Combs, Ben Epstein and Katie Park, showing the agony of non-confirmity in a colorless fashion world. We always love a rousing game of “Spot the Recognizable DC Music Scene Faces”, and this video is loaded with them. Buy your tix now for their hometown album release show at Black Cat on Friday September 21st with The Obsessives & Ultra Beauty, cuz it’s a Backstage show and you know it’s gonna sell out.
Cinema Hearts – To The Boy Who Broke My Heart
Indie pop band Cinema Hearts want you to feel all of the feels. Their newest single “To The Boy Who Broke My Heart”, from the sophomore release Burned and Burnished, spins a timeless tale of love gone wrong and wraps it in a doo-wop sound straight out of an Enchantment Under The Sea dance. Singer Caroline Weinroth, trained in live theater and serving as Miss Northern Virginia 2018, uses her puppy dog eyes and red lips to make one wonder how could young love have gone so wrong. Weinroth plays a solo set at the August 6th edition of Free Hotdog Monday at Dew Drop Inn, so skip lunch and fill both your belly and your heart with joy.
Champion Sound Band – Whatever
After posting more than a thousand DC music videos on this website, we can assert that there aren’t enough of them for jazz. DC’s Champion Sound Band does their part to alleviate the shortage with the sultry “Whatever”. Director Zak Forrest, one of our faves from gorgeous vids by Nappy Nappa, Laughing Man and Oddisee, focuses the lens on singer Anastasia Antoinette as she assuredly graces us with a voice so delicate and sweet. This band channels the jazz, funk and soul of the 1970s, which makes them the perfect choice to help That 70s Party at the 9:30 Club on Saturday July 28th. Bell bottoms and Soul Train lines encouraged!
Hometown Sounds 