Ian Svenonius has been the driving force behind quite a few DC bands over the years, and it’s his wit and depth of musical experience that make the songs in his current project Chain & The Gang so memorable. Chain & The Gang manage to combine an engaging, confident and blistering live performance with insightful songwriting chops to really present the full package of a top-notch musical act. Their fourth album Minimum Rock ‘n’ Roll comes out on April 15, and the title track gets the music video treatment from Spiv himself, starring Francy Graham of DC’s care-less punks Dudes. Find out what “crime rock” is all about in Chain & The Gang’s spoken-word lyrics explaining their ethos.
Hometown Sounds
Showing The World How DC Rocks
Category Archives: video
Greenland – Dirty Lovin’ video
Hometown Sounds wishes you all a happy sappy hearts, flowers, chocolate and Hallmark cards day. Actually, scratch that, we’re with indie rock band Greenland in hoping you get some Dirty Lovin’ tonight. Grab their 2013 album Evil Spring for FREE and mark your calendars for next Tuesday to catch a double album release show from Greenland and The Caribbean at the Black Cat.
Premiere! Sansyou – The Dilettante video
This beautiful and paralyzing snow day provides the perfect mood for Hometown Sounds to proudly premiere the debut music video from instrumental trio Sansyou! “The Dilettante” is the title track of their second EP, released late last year on Dallas TX based Moon Sounds Records.
Sansyou’s music is mellow and contemplative, with focus on clean melody lines. I like listening to Sansyou while writing or coding (for the day job), as it provides just the right level of distraction and accompaniment. As a genre, post-rock encompasses a wide spectrum of mood, dynamics and experimentation, and Sansyou reside on the quieter, simpler end of that, making an enjoyable listen and an intimate live show.
The music video shows the change of seasons in the same spot, an abandoned outdoor church theater in Springfield, as the band performs and things get a little trippy. Because of busy schedules with other DC bands, Sansyou performances are very occasional, so mark your calendar for April 20th when they play an intimate show at The Black Squirrel with another veteran of DC music, Dave Jones of The Caribbean. Happy snow day DC!
Wheelie – The Underwear Song video
This much is for certain: Pop band Wheelie loves you. They love dancing, they love crowd-pleasing, and they really really love tighty-whiteys. Their FREE new single “The Underwear Song” seeks to “throw off the shackles of professional, adult responsibilities, and get in touch with the lost innocence of childhood.” The video, shot last November at Adams Morgan studio Stroga, features volunteers & fans in a choreographed routine wearing some version of white underwear, to promote the band’s message of “self-acceptance through the act of hedonistic escapism.” The choice of featured undergarments and their deliberate lack of sex appeal make this video SWF, but trying to sing & dance along will get noticed.
Under The Counter presents Under The Covers
Hardly any jazz musicians make music videos, sadly, but this “video flyer” is a kick-ass substitute. DC area jazz band leader Jonathan Parker and his friend Leah Gage (drummer for the awesome indie rock band Brenda) organize a monthly show at Columbia Heights hotspot The Dunes called “Under The Counter”. It’s an unusual mix of stand-up comedy and jazz, with a cherry on top from some of the best DC bands today. February’s installment, subtitled “Under The Covers”, falls on Valentine’s Day, and features comedy from Jheisson Nunez (“Jay Leeno Show,” Topaz), Chris Milner (State Theater, Arlington Draft House), Adam Friedland (Funny Moms), Andrew Bucket (You Me Them Everybody, 8×8), jazz from the Jonathan Parker 8, rock from Philly’s Br’er and DC’s amazing Presto Bando, as always hosted by Ruth Rasby. RSVP here!
Coup Sauvage & The Snips – Sneaks video
The most exciting bands in DC today are the ones that don’t sound like anything else, and the retro-synth 80s dance-pop influenced Coup Sauvage & The Snips fit that bill. The sextet from the Haus of Sauvage focus on showmanship, fashion and catchy lyrics, as you can see in their debut music video “Sneaks”, the A side of their new single. Thumbs up for the stylish use of the checkerboard floor pattern at the Black Cat, the shooting location for this video. Tonight the Sauvage family opens for JD Samson & MEN at the always-hip Comet Ping Pong, with DJ Dean and DJ Jennder keeping the party going late into the night.
The Cowards Choir – 2-Track Series Performance
Singer-songwriter Andy Zipf’s decision last year to recruit The Beanstalk Library’s Ryan Walker and drumming pair Adam Neubauer and Ben Tufts to form The Cowards Choir has drawn much deserved attention on Zipf’s excellent songwriting and clear, distinct voice. On tour last summer in Charlotte NC, the group teamed up with music video producers Small Creatures and the music blog Carolina Music Connection to record live takes of two songs from their debut pay-what-you-like EP Reunion, “Maybe I” and “Where The Hand Don’t Hold Me Down”. The outdoor nighttime setting on the second song is quite magical, don’t miss it! Check them out live next Tuesday February 11th opening for troubador Justin Jones to celebrate the 10th anniversary of DC9.
The video owner has chosen to restrict the embedding on this video, so please visit http://vimeo.com/85601723 to view it.
http://vimeo.com/85601723
RAtheMC – Inception video
Fierce rapper RAtheMC was the first signee to House Studio‘s new record label, and their prolific music video imprint $5 Music Videos graces RA’s newest song Inception. Featuring singer Abir Haronni and dancer Delaney Wells, the video is a fitting tribute to her father, who coached her fitness regimen and recently passed away. Check out her interview with WPGC’s Peter Parker talking about the video and plans for 2014 here.
James Britton – Satisfaction video
The slick cover songs in House Studio DC‘s $5 Music Video series keep rolling in. Check out singer James Britton doing a blue-eyed soul version of Allen Stone’s song Satisfaction.
Black Cobain – Thank You video
Yo DC, you need one more music video to finish off this week right? NOVA rapper Black Cobain got you covered. His newest video Thank You pays tribute to his true fans, like all musicians should. Grab the FEREE hot new mixtape Perfect Contradiction courtesy of Wale’s Board Administration label.
Hometown Sounds 