Here’s another submission to NPR Music’s Tiny Desk contest. Banjo-wielding Shannon Carey’s mellow ensemble Luray performs “Tidalground” from their 2013 album The Wilder. Catch them on Thursday January 22nd at Gypsy Sally’s opening for River Whyless.
Hometown Sounds
Showing The World How DC Rocks
Humble Fire – Northern Lights (NPR Tiny Desk submission)
Submissions for the NPR Tiny Desk contest closed at midnight last night, and of course most musicians waited until the last minute to record themselves performing a song in or around a desk to win a prestigious spot in Bob Boilen’s online concert series. Today YouTube is awash with video submissions, so this week we’ll highlight some of the best from our favorite DC bands and musicians. Today we’ve got a new unreleased song from acoustic folk experimentalists Humble Fire called “Northern Lights”. If you haven’t yet, grab their debut album The Great Resolve for whatever price fits your budget.
Spoonboy – Great Mistake Maker video
Singer David Combs splits his prodigious creative energies between well known DIY pop-punk group The Max Levine Ensemble and his solo moniker Spoonboy. His musical output in 2014 consisted of collaborative split releases with Philadelphia’s The Goodbye Party and UK bands Martha and Color Me Wednesday. Spoonboy’s prepping for a February UK tour by releasing a new music video for “Great Mistake Maker”, a feel-good pop song with a positive message from the split 7″ with The Goodbye Party. It’s ok if you can’t resist the urge to dance when watching this video. Catch the reunited Max Levine Ensemble this Saturday at Positive Force’s Net Neutrality benefit show this Saturday at St. Stephen’s Church with The Black Sparks, The Rememberables and Philly’s Radiator Hospital.
Astra Via – SUPERBESTLUCKYSONGS video
Here’s another great video we missed during the winter break. You all know that electronic pop outfit Astra Via is Jarrett Nicolay from Virginia Coalition and Olivia Mancini from her Mates, right? Right! Late last year they released a 3 song EP called SUPERBESTLUCKYSONGS and made music videos for each song. But instead of releasing them separately, why not stitch them together in one epic twelve minute long melange? Watch Astra Via’s goofy and lovable videos for “Good On You”, “And It Tried To Rain” and “Action Junky”, then buy the EP from Aerobic International.
Podcast for January 6th, 2015
Brand new DC music for 2015!
Tracklisting:
Wild Love – Red White and Blue [Flow EP]
The Originators – Charlatans [Mean Leaf]
Farid – Green Line feat. Flex Mathews [Adventures on the Green Line]
More Humans – Disaster [Disaster / Mt. Oblivion]
Tree River – Mountains [Inward]
Catscan! – Aminal Planet [free single!]
Or listen in SoundCloud:
Subscribe to the Hometown Sounds podcast (& rate it 5 stars!) in the iTunes Store or your favorite podcasting app.
See-I feat. Edy Blu – Queen of Sheba video
Winter break is over, 2015 is here and it’s time to get back to the daily grind of making sure you all don’t miss these top notch DC music videos. Today’s video comes from dub funk rockers See-I, still holding down their long running Wednesday night residency at Eighteenth Street Lounge. The downtempo single “Queen of Sheba” comes from their 2014 album Knowledge Shine Bright and features sensuous singer Edy Blu on vocals, striking poses in nature and crooning seductively in a candlelit hot tub. Yes please.
Tony’s “Best Of 2014 From DC”: A Year End List
I don’t read a lot of year-end music lists. I simply don’t care that much about a bunch of other people’s opinions on what was good, bad and how so. (They do help me catch up on the awesome music I missed, so thanks for that, list-makers!) So why am I making one? Because DC music artists accomplished some seriously cool stuff in 2014, and while it would be nearly impossible to encapsulate all the great things that came out of a music scene that only gets better, I figured I could at least highlight some of the output that I regard as “exceptionally exceptional”. So I’ve identified a small handful of categories, identified a standout, and brought you some discussion of the awesomeness of each entry.
So do a deep read or just use it as a quick guide to point you towards some of the really excellent work done by DC musicians this year.
And without further ado, here are my picks for the best from DC music this year in the following 5 categories:
– Best New Artist
– Best Album
– Best Song
– Best Music Video
– Best Live Performance
Top 5 Videos of 2014 #1: Chuck Brown – Beautiful Life
It doesn’t seem that long ago, but two and a half years have passed since the untimely departure of Chuck Brown, DC’s Godfather of Go-go. His posthumous release Beautiful Life came out this past summer, and the first music video we got from it was the reflective title track. Brown’s original focus of the song is about being happy with what you’ve got, but the guest verse by Brown’s daughter KK turns it into an uplifting summation of his life and legacy as a performer and colossal cultural figure in DC. The recent passing of Mayor-for-life Marion Barry also comes to mind when watching this video, reminding us what’s changing and how much we’ve lost. This video is such a moving love letter to DC and the fans that continue to make go-go an important part of musical life here. Thanks for everything, Chuck.
Top 5 Videos of 2014 #2: The Cowards Choir – Is This A Wrecking Ball
Many DC bands have put their stamp on 2014 with great releases and performances, but to me the best of them all is The Cowards Choir. Seasoned singer-songwriter Andy Zipf converted the name of his 2009 EP into a full band with drummer Adam Neubauer, The Beanstalk Library’s Ryan Walker and percussionist (and new columnist!) Ben Tufts, and they have gelled into a breathtaking ensemble. At October’s Magnificent Intentions Music Festival at Iota, the crowd noticeably swelled when The Cowards Choir took the stage. Word’s getting out that this band is the real deal, and their new full length album, recording now and coming in 2015, is sure to put them in the big leagues.
After 3 years, Hometown Sounds remains lovingly devoted to DC music videos, and we’re rather excited when we get to premiere one. The Cowards Choir let us present “Is This A Wrecking Ball”, the lead off video from this year’s Cool Currency EP, and at the tail end of 2014 it’s clearly one of the best of the year. Clubhill Media shot the video as the band recorded the song at Studio V, and its musical authenticity is key. This gives you the slightest taste of the chemistry these four musicians have together, but you must see them live to fully appreciate it.
And your next opportunity is coming up soon. The Cowards Choir and The Fire Tonight join The Beanstalk Library’s 5th Annual New Years Eve Throwdown at Iota, promising a packed night of great music for only $16 in advance. You know New Years Eve events all over town sell out in advance, so make your plans and get your tickets early.
Top 5 Videos of 2014 #3: Ex Hex – Waterfall
For years the question on the minds of tastemakers in DC music has been “Who will finally break out to national acclaim?” Is it Deleted Scenes? Priests? Drop Electric? 2014 has spoken loudly and the answer is Ex Hex. Mary Timony, Laura Harris and Betsy Wright conquered our hearts without pretention or complication, just straight ahead rock jams that reward repeated listens of their debut album Rips. They spent a lot of 2014 taking their show on the road and always having a blast rocking out together. Some have debated whether Ex Hex is a part of the “DC music scene”, but I think this video for “Waterfall” shows their hometown love with sneaky cameos from Kid Congo Powers, The Make-Up’s Michelle Mae, Alec MacKaye and Francy Graham from Chain & The Gang. And those costumes! And the flying saucer making lames cool! What a video.
Hometown Sounds 