Hometown Sounds

I thought I was all tapped out of videos to showcase by Jesse Elliott’s nomadic band of troubadours These United States, but I’m thrilled to be mistaken! On the occasion of the 5 year anniversary of TUS’s 33 show tour to promote the release of their debut album A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden, filmmaker Justin Varava and influential live music website Daytrotter are set to premiere a new documentary about that tour. Back when TUS was only a trio of Jesse, drummer Robby Cosenza and multi-instrumentalist J. Tom Hnatow, they filled out their live sound with a different line up of new musical friends at each of the 33 stops. Get set to relive the early days of this fondly remembered band when the film premieres April 13th at Daytrotter.com.

Many people in this town fondly remember Jesse Elliott’s gang of rock troubadors These United States. As frontman and lyricist, Jesse’s performances were often transcendent, attempting to divide your attention between poetry of his words and the energy of his delivery. Nomadic bands like These United States never stay rooted down long, and after scattering to various locations around the country, they recently decided to part ways. According to TUS’s Facebook feed, Jesse has formed a new band called Ark Life that recently played its debut show out in Denver. I’m very much looking forward to their inevitable swing through DC. Here’s the last TUS video I had saved up from their time here, Nobody Can Tell from their 2010 album What Lasts.

I hope all you fans of DC music enjoy a relaxing Labor Day weekend, whether you are escaping with the masses or sticking around for all the fun stuff here. The video for today comes from our favorite DC expats These United States. The future of the group led by Jesse Elliott may be uncertain, but evolution is just a part of a group that’s played together for years, despite constantly shifting geographies. Here’s the video for Ever Make You Mine, from their 2010 album What Lasts.

DC music video of the day! They’ve moved on from our fair town, but HTS remembers These United States with much love. If you missed out on seeing this band mix rock with a healthy dose of twang, be sure to catch them live next time they’re passing through town. Today’s video for Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses are Famous) comes from their 2008 album Crimes.

DC music video of the day! Let’s watch another one by my favorite twangy rockers These United States. This wacky throwback video comes from their fantastic 2009 album Everything Touches Everything. They may not live in DC anymore, but we still remember them well.

DC music video of the day! Today it’s an odd video for a really catchy song: the title track from These United States‘s 2009 album Everything Touches Everything.

DC music video of the day! These United States may not live in DC anymore, but they made a big splash here while they did and we miss them terribly. Today’s video, Honor Amongst Thieves, comes from their 2008 album Crimes.