MetroMusicScene.com

Springsteen @ Verizon Center 11/2 – A Review

2009-11-03T23:20:00.003-05:00

Bruce Springsteen has recently done a lot to revivify the tradition of American folk music. Not the sixties love and flower power, Joan Baez kind of folk, but the folk that forms the very roots of rock and roll; simple, unadorned songs that relied upon the power of the voice, of the word and of the spirit―dustbowl ballads, spirituals, church hymns―to tell the sad stories of the disasters, injustices and back- and heart-breaking labor that built this wide land of ours. So when my two sons became big fans and my husband suggested initiating them into the rite of the rock and roll concert with a Bruce Springsteen show, I agreed. Better Springsteen than one of the made-for-TV bands, like Daughtry or Nickelback, that befoul their iPods. Though no Brucehead or Stringbean, or whatever the legions of Bruce believers call themselves, I have always liked his honest, hardworking rock and roll and his evocative lyrics about hard luck heroes, gritty streets, pretty girls, fast machines and the open road.

I hadn't been to a stadium concert since, well, since the last time I saw Bruce Springsteen, some ten years ago, in Portland, Oregon. Then in his early fifties, he wore knee pads and cartwheeled and somersaulted across the stage. Now, months after he appeared on the cover of AARP magazine, he has brought his exuberant gymnastics to a more spiritual level, holding his guitar aloft in the air like a Bible as he delivers the gospel of rock and roll. Springsteen, who like the Pope, is both head of the church and a living manifestation of its god, led his worshipful acolytes through a two-and-a-half hour evening of sweat drenched celebration and glory. The faithful danced with arms pumping the air, testifying at the top of their lungs and chanting the name of their prophet, "Bruuuuce, Bruuuuce." If you were lucky enough to be belly-up to the stage, you could stroke him lovingly on the thigh, touch his hand. The audience was a partner in the performance, and Springsteen crowd surfed, pulled a young boy on stage to sing, and let us belt out the opening verses of "Hungry Heart" and the chorus to "Pink Cadillac." The audience, though trending heavily towards those eligible for AARP membership, spanned the generations and everyone knew the songs.

Backed by the masterful E Street Band, as well as a violinist, some accordion players and various other musicians, all dressed in black and standing with legs wide as they worked to keep up with the Boss, Springsteen delivered hits old and new, as well as playing the entire "Born to Run" album. After "Jungleland" came to a dramatic and emotional end, Springsteen announced it was an event never to be repeated, and the audience felt privileged to have been witness. Then he took requests from the crowd, something that must be a Springsteen tradition, for many people came bearing posters. The closing songs were covers, starting with an 1855 hymn, "Hard Times Come Again No More," performed as a lush anthem, and soaring to an end with "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher."

**Special thanks to Alice Stephens for contributing this review**

Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs CD Giveaway

2009-11-02T20:22:00.004-05:00

Power-popper Matthew Sweet and lead Bangle Susanna Hoffs are at it again as duo “Sid N Susie.” Last time around it was 2006, and they were covering 60s classics. This time, they’ve progressed into the 70s, covering songs by acts like Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and Mott the Hoople.

They’ll be in the area for two shows – this Sunday, November 8th at the Birchmere, and Monday, November 9th at the Ram’s Head Tavern in Annapolis. And I’m giving away a copy of their new CD, Under the Covers Vol. 2. To enter this contest, just leave a comment after this post, making sure there’s a way of getting in touch with you. The contest ends Friday at 5:00pm (EST), and a winning comment will be drawn at random. Good luck!

Guster @ 9:30 Club

2009-10-30T11:06:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite bands, Guster, concludes their sold out two-night stand at the 9:30 Club this evening (10/30). They’re on their aptly-titled Lost & Gone Forever Ten Year Anniversary Tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their strong-from-start-to-finish Lost & Gone Forever album. Catchy songs with beautiful harmonies and percussive hand percussion – what more could you ask for? Anyway, two sets, no opening act, and they'll be playing Lost & Gone Forever in its entirety as the second set.

I caught last night’s show, and they definitely fleshed out the arrangements of the album nicely, incorporating a few guests (which I won’t reveal) into the festivities in true Guster fashion. Lead singer Ryan Miller got stronger as the night went on, with the perennial underrated “other voice” Ryan Gardner and Joe Pisapia providing lush harmonies and backing vocals, so essential to their sound.

I must say, it was great to see drummer Brian “Thundergod” Rosenworcel going old-school and taping up his hands to play a good deal of hand percussion. On recent albums he’s been playing a lot more conventional kit drum, but it just doesn’t pack the same energy as his hand percussion.

Their first setlist focused mainly on tracks from later albums (none, sadly, from Parachute), plus they threw in some first-listens of songs from their upcoming new album. I was pretty psyched to hear them play “X-Ray Eyes,” and they did a simply hypnotic version of “Come Downstairs & Say Hello.”

Yeah, the show’s sold out, but you most likely pick up a ticket off of Stubhub or from somebody out front of 9:30 Club.

Todd Wright Joins the 40/40 Club

2009-10-30T07:29:00.004-04:00

Singer/songwriter/producer Todd Wright, former lead singer of Getaway Car and occasional player with the Pat McGee Band (among other things), has got a pretty cool project going on. Begun back on 9/30/09, he’s writing, recording and releasing one song every week for 40 consecutive weeks, culminating with his 40th birthday. Songs will be available for free download every Wednesday. That’ll be 40 songs in 40 weeks. Wright’s got a wicked pop sensibility, and some great production values, so it’s worth checking out.

You can catch him live Sunday, November 1st at the Rock n’ Roll Songwriters Circle at Jammin Java, along with Luke Brindley, Anthony Fiacco and Shane Hines. And download a song a week every Wednesday - just use the link below...

A Case of the Fridays - Monday Edition

2009-10-26T07:23:00.001-04:00

We kick off things with “Sweet Girl” by Ringo Deathstarr. I’ve been intrigued by their band name for so long, and I finally listened to them. Not quite as good as a mating of The Beatles and Star Wars, unfortunately. Anyway, “Sweet Girl” comes to you with a lot of sonic wash, ambient sounds, reverbed guitars and vocals full of 80s ennui. Love the name, not quite as much the track. Like what you hear? Ringo Deathstarr (above) will be at the Black Cat in Washington, DC tonight, Monday, October 26th.

MP3: Sweet Girl – Ringo Deathstarr

And now we close things out with “The Speed Is Deceiving,” the first track off of the new CD Nature Is A Taker from Uninhabitable Mansions. It’s got a bit of a mellow 80s flavor mixed with a dose of 90s sophistication. This band/“art collective” features includes members of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Au Revoir Simone and Dirty on Purpose. If you like what you hear, they’ll be at the Rock & Roll Hotel in Washington, DC this Thursday October 29th.

MP3: The Speed Is Deceiving – Uninhabitable Mansions

An Early Preview of Pink Jams! - Great Music for a Great Cause

2009-10-23T18:17:00.004-04:00

Pink Jams! is a project started by DC native Christa Floresca to honor her friend Jen, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2007, and to raise money for for breast cancer research. Pink Jams! is partnering with the Justin Trawick Group and Memphis 59 for a special show at the Clarendon Ballroom on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30, to benefit the 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Justin Trawick has been compared to everyone from Jason Mraz to John Prine, although his music calls to mind the gritty rock sensibilities of Butch Walker and the unique vocal cadence of Clem Snide's Eef Barzelay. Memphis 59's rollicking roots rock sounds like the Jayhawks as interpreted by the Replacements' Paul Westerberg.

Buy your tickets and a t-shirt, or make a donation if you're unable to attend, and support the efforts to cure breast cancer.

Photo of Christa and Justin courtesy of Peter Forman

Friday Evening Video - Fistful of Swoon by Vandaveer

2009-10-23T18:12:00.002-04:00

Photos from the Victoria Vox show at Strathmore 9/30

2009-10-23T09:18:00.003-04:00

Victoria & Her Jumping Flea (Ukulele)

Victoria playing her "mouth trumpet"

Victoria with her Strathmore Artist in Residence Mentor, Marcy Marxer

Victoria adding her name to a list of ukulele greats for a fan

Amy Regan @ Wonderland Ballroom 10/25

2009-10-22T17:29:00.003-04:00

New York-based singer/songwriter returns to DC for another show at the Wonderland Ballroom in support of her self-released EP and then there is this. Her voice combine the effortless stylings of Norah Jones with the majestic diction of Joni Mitchell, and calls to mind the precocious maturity of Basia Bulat. Her genre-bending EP features elements of jazz, uptempo contemporary country, and more traditional folk tunes. Come check out her show Sunday at 8 pm at Wonderland to see why she was recently named one of Music Connection's Top 100 Unsigned Artists.

Photo courtesy of Emily Rawlings
EP design courtesy of Jeff Schram

Honeychuck @ Jammin Java Friday 10/23

2009-10-21T20:05:00.002-04:00

Local alt-rockers Honeychuck have their CD release party this Friday, October 23rd over at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA. Lead singer Debra Guy’s Ethridgesque vocals bear the weight of the world and mesh well with the searing guitar tones of T. Wesley, especially on the title track. Plus, their blend of acoustic/electric guitars keeps things from getting overly heavy. Pick up a free copy of their new album Life As You Know It with admission, and check out the title track below.

MP3: Life As You Know It – Honeychuck

Photo by Rachel Buchholz

Hotspur's "Chandelier" on mtvU

2009-10-19T08:32:00.005-04:00

"Chandelier"

Hotspur (on mtvU this Monday!) | MySpace Music Videos

Today DC-area power-poppers Hotspur will be debuting the video for their first single (“Chandelier”) off of their new album You Should Know Better By Now on mtvU’s show “The Freshman.” Their video will be competing against videos from four other artists. Online voting, which begins today, will determine the winning video, which then gets added to the mtvU rotation.

A Chance to Open for Shinedown @ 9:30 Club

2009-10-17T10:51:00.001-04:00

Is your band interested in opening for Shinedown at the 9:30 Club December 2nd? On Tap is holding open submissions (enter here) for a show that will benefit Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides emergency and everyday life assistance for our troops and families when they return home. The deadline to enter is October 20th.

The B-Film Extras @ Jammin Java 10/18

2009-10-13T21:08:00.003-04:00

Self-described “explosionists” The B-Film Extras will be at Jammin Java this Sunday, October 18th. Sonically, they’re powerful and sweeping with a sharp melodic edge. And they can bring it live, having put on a fine rock show their last time out at Jammin Java. Definitely a band to keep an eye on. Check out the pulsing urgency of "Sad World" below.

MP3: Sad World – The B-Film Extras

Wax Tailor @ DC9 Thursday 10/8

2009-10-07T20:09:00.005-04:00

French electronic/trip-hop producer Wax Tailor will be performing live tomorrow, Thursday, October 8th at DC9. He’s touring in support of his new album, In the Mood For Life. He keeps things interesting and catchy on the new CD with samples and guest performers, mixing flavors and genres, in a similar vein as RJD2 or Moby.

Wondering what Wax Tailor sounds like live? Check him out performing live at Nouveau Casino earlier this year w/ Mattic on "House of Wax" above. And I’m definitely digging the funky old-school flavor of “B-Boy on Wax.”

MP3: B-Boy on Wax (f/ Speech Defect) – Wax Tailor

Photos from the AA Bondy show at the Rock & Roll Hotel 9/10/09

2009-10-07T14:53:00.005-04:00

A.A. Bondy swathed in light

Technicolor Dave Godowsky

Disco ball that A.A. requested be turned on

Nine Questions With Middle Distance Runner

2009-09-30T08:27:00.005-04:00

Middle Distance Runner "The Unbeliever" from maxwell sorensen on Vimeo.

DC indie-rockers Middle Distance Runner will be celebrating the release of their new LP (The Sun & Earth) this Saturday, October 3rd, at IOTA. Their second album is a groove-oriented affair, fueled by a propulsive rhythm section. Just check out that sweet bass line in the claymation acid trip of a video for “The Unbeliever” (above).

Bass and drums stand at the forefront of The Sun & Earth at first go-round, while vocals are less prominent in the mix, lending an air of mystery to the lyrics - kind of like vintage Rolling Stones recordings. But I think that gives the album plenty of space to open up lyrically and sonically upon multiple listenings. MDR has got nice little vocal arrangements going on, and keys thicken their sound nicely. Plus, there’s even a few acoustic-tinged moments to provide balance to the album, like on the lovely “The Fury” and the epic “Round Here.”

I spoke to drummer Erik Dean and lead singer Stephen Kilroy about MDR’s dining habits and recording the new album via email. And no, they’re not really made of clay.

MMS: So what are you most proud of about your new album, The Sun & Earth?

STEPHEN KILROY: I'm probably most proud of the fact that we were able to realize the original concept and include everything we wanted to. Usually, recording involves a lot of compromise and whittling away at a grand concept, but this time we took care to make sure every song was perfect and every idea found its place.

ERIK DEAN: Yeah, we’re definitely proud of it … probably because it’s a perfect reflection of the effort that went into making it. We worked really hard with every spare moment we had, we struggled with a lot of parts, we sweated, we laughed to the point of tears, and we ended up with an album that mirrors a lot of that.

MMS: “They” always say the second LP is tougher than the first, material-wise. How did you find things?

ED: It was easy in the sense that we were all on the same page as far as the kind of album we wanted to make. We talked about the general tone and feel that we were going for. We even had a lyrical concept for the whole thing. Talking is easy though, the execution was the challenging part.

SK: It was a bit weird, because it seemed like it was the first time that all of our influences and musical inclinations converged, so there wasn't a lot of push and pull. Like Erik said, we all knew the album we wanted to make before we started and we all went through things, good and bad, as a group. So we had a lot of common experiences that made this album effortlessly coherent.

MMS: So I hear you all met in high school - which one of you was the coolest back then?

ED: We definitely thought of ourselves as the coolest kids, but in hindsight we were pretty lame. We listened to classic rock and smelled like the deli we worked at. We didn’t go to parties, we had sleepovers and made action movies. We drank too much soda and silently made fun of the other kids. I wore the same blue hoodie to school everyday. Not very cool.

MMS: And were any of you on the track team? I’m just trying to subtly determine the origins of your band name.

ED: Nope, none of us ran track in high school.

SK: If I tried to run a block, my lungs would explode and my heart would sputter out and my legs would call me an idiot.

MMS: Whom do you consider your biggest influences?

ED: You know, the usual, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles. To be honest, the most influential person at the moment for me would have to be Franny Armstrong. She's a director who just made a brilliant documentary about climate change called The Age of Stupid. It was so incredibly sobering and alarming that it's kinda made me rethink a lot things in my life. I'm considering becoming a full-time eco-nut! I think every person needs to see this movie.

SK: My family, politicians, and religious figures influence probably 90 percent of the songs I write.

MMS: Being from DC, where can we usually find Middle Distance Runner hanging out?

ED: Unfortunately, I'm probably the last person in MDR to be found hanging out somewhere cool in the city. I don't have much money to spend these days so I usually hang out at my house. I love going to Caps games! I've really been into riding my bike on all the trails we have around town. I'm also a big fan of ice cream and I happen to work right down the street from one of the areas best frozen custard shops, The Dairy Godmother. I go there more often than I care to admit.

SK: Touring makes you poor, so I'm usually at home too. Whenever we have beer money, though, you're more than likely going to find us at a show at The Black Cat or Rock & Roll Hotel. I also like Comet Ping Pong a lot. Good pizza and good beers. And ping pong, of course.

MMS: That’s a pretty awesome claymation video you’ve got for “The Unbeliever,” by the way. Are you more Gumby guys or California Raisins guys?

ED: Oh, thank you. Our very talented friend Max made it for us.

Gumby and the California Raisins both have special places in my heart. The California Raisin commercial was the first time I can remember seeing claymation and it was amazing. Gumby, on the other hand, was a mind-expanding experience for me. Once, in the middle of the night, I woke up with the TV on. I was half-awake and squinting through crusty eyes to see the most bizarre episode of Gumby ever. Gumby and his horse friend were on Mars. They were morphing into random things and speaking in tongues. The writers for that episode must’ve been on a wicked acid trip or something. It was so disturbing.

SK: I was there too when we saw that Gumby episode. Life-changing. The Raisins had some serious soul power though.

MMS: You’ve got a big tour coming up. What are a few CDs that you all can heartily agree on for a cross-country sing-along drive in the van? Feel free to mention psychobilly.

ED: We all seem to enjoy Pet Sounds, especially right after leaving a club. It just feels good and gets better every time I hear it.

SK: Last tour we rocked a lot of Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen. Are they psychobilly?

MMS: And finally, what do you want to leave the audience thinking after you finish your set at this Saturday night’s CD release party?

SK: "I gotta break up with my boyfriend!"

Ra Ra Riot at the 9:30 Club - Thursday, October 1 at 7:00

2009-09-28T11:43:00.003-04:00

Ra Ra Riot bring their six-piece chamber pop stylings back to DC. Not only was their album The Rhumb Line my favorite debut of 2008, but their show at Baltimore's Ottobar was one of my two favorite concerts of last year. After touring in support of Death Cab for Cutie earlier this year, they've kicked off another headlining tour with opening bands Maps & Atlases and Princeton. Tickets are $15 and they're still available, but I predict this one will sell out.

Photo courtesy of the band and Doron Gild

Victoria Vox at the Strathmore Music Hall - Wednesday, September 30 at 7:30

2009-09-28T11:31:00.004-04:00

Victoria Vox concludes her month-long Artist in Residence program at the Strathmore with a concert this Wednesday at 7:30. She'll be unveiling a new piece commissioned as part of the program. If you didn't catch her earlier concert at Strathmore or at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, don't miss this one. Victoria is not only a bright new talent on the DC scene, but also a warm and sunny person with a darkly humorous streak offstage.

Photo courtesy of Brian Flores

A.A. Bondy at the Rock & Roll Hotel - Thursday, September 10 at 8 pm

2009-09-09T13:17:00.005-04:00

Our friend A. A. Bondy brings his traveling roadshow back to DC in support of his gorgeous new When the Devil's Loose. Bondy's songs sound like they are transmitted not just through the air but through the years. He combines the troubador stylings of singers like M. Ward and Josh Rouse with the elegiac sound of The Walkmen, with a full band supporting him on most songs on the new record. Catch him at the Rock & Roll Hotel tomorrow night.

MP3: When the Devil's Loose - A. A. Bondy

Photo credit by Jean Alcide

Victoria Vox at the Strathmore Music Hall - Wednesday, September 9 at 7:30

2009-09-06T04:48:00.005-04:00

Green Bay native and current Baltimorean Victoria Vox has been selected as Strathmore's September Artist in Residence. The initiative pairs Washington-area up-and-coming musicians with established artists, and culminates in the performance of a new work commissioned by Strathmore. Her initial performance as part of the program takes place at Strathmore on Wednesday at 7:30. Her crystalline vocals simultaneously call to mind the lovely stylings of Sylvie Lewis and the effortless delivery of Patty Griffin. She's one not to miss.

Vox, a graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, played guitar-driven music until a friend gave her a ukulele. She found the four-stringed instrument suited her vocal range better than a guitar, and released her first uke-drive album, Victoria Vox & Her Jumping Flea, in 2006. On that record she recorded a cover of "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World medley that quietly soars, a heartfelt yet unique tribute to Hawaiian music and a star that dimmed far too soon. She released her follow-up album, Chameleon, on her own Obus Music in July of this year. The album features a track, C'est Noye, which won 1st place in the Acoustic Open Genre at the 2009 International Acoustic Music Awards.

Photo courtesy of Victoria Vox

These United States / Hear Ya {Live Sessions}

2009-09-04T08:25:00.001-04:00

DC-based These United States stopped off in Chicago and recorded a live session with HearYa during their tour a couple weeks ago on 8/15/2009. Check out the footage from a pretty scorching version of “I Want You To Keep Everything” from the session above. You can stream and download all the songs from the set over at HearYa here. And yes, by golly, they just dropped their new album, Everything Touches Everything, this past Tuesday.

NPR's 50 Band Challenge

2009-09-02T14:28:00.005-04:00

I thought this was interesting in one of those "Facebook list making exercise" ways...NPR's Bob Boilen was challenged by a friend to list 50 bands he'd seen. In that list, he only included bands he's seen as a fan, not ones he's covered. He made it to 101 before giving up. He then asked readers of the All Songs Considered blog to write a comment and include their lists. I made it 70 before I ran out of space, so I decided to expand upon that list here, and ask readers to make their lists, as well.

My list (in no particular order)

Harry Connick, Jr
Sting
Concrete Blonde
They Might Be Giants
Urban Dance Squad
Squeeze
Neil Finn
Better than Ezra
Cowboy Mouth
Tool
G Love (no Special Sauce)
7 Mary 3
Tool
Tricky
DJ Spooky
Plastilina Mosh
Third Eye Blind
Cracker
Snoop Dogg
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Walkmen
The National
Ani DiFranco
Indigo Girls
Sarah Maclachlan
Natalie Merchant
The Cardigans
Liz Phair
The Finn Brothers
Shudder to Think
Built to Spill
Ra Ra Riot
Andrew Bird
St. Vincent
Bob Mould
Jenny Owen Youngs
Jenny Lewis
Rilo Kiley
Death Cab for Cutie
Ben Gibbard
David Bazan
Regina Spektor
Fountains of Wayne
TV on the Radio
Paolo Nutini
DJ Shadow
Modest Mouse
Asleep at the Wheel
Noah & the Whale
Musee Mecanique
Tilly & the Wall
The Black Kids
Mates of State
Depeche Mode
Erasure
Cursive
Telekinesis
Toad the West Sprocket
Das Ich
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Longwave
Bloc Party
Los Campesinos!
Stars
Travis
The Swell Season
Damien Rice
Cat Power
Grizzly Bear
The Doves
Ingrid Michaelson
Rachel Yamagata
The Shins
My Morning Jacket
Laura Gibson
Tallest Trees
Cheap Trick
Fleet Foxes
Iron & Wine
Electric 6
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Thao Nguyen
Exit Clov
Basia Bulat
Ted Leo
The Waco Brothers
Matt Pond PA
Madeline Peyroux
Metric
M. Doughty
An Horse
The Hold Steady
Tokyo Police Club
New Pornographers
Destroyer
April Smith
Ari Hest
Ben Folds
Vampire Weekend
Billy Bragg
J. Roddy Walston & the Business
The Magnetic Fields
John Legend
Raphael Saadiq
The Reserves
Honor by August
The Beanstalk Library
Vandaveer
of Montreal

I'm sure there are more, but this is a good start

Three to Watch

2009-08-21T16:34:00.002-04:00

I started out writing this piece about artists with whom I had a near miss. Twice in the last few months I have wandered into bars to find musicians nearing the end of their sets or packing up their gear. Add to this a third band I serendipitously caught at a favorite local club that I believe warrants attention.

Amy Regan is an enterprising young 20-something from New Jersey with a remarkably striking, clarion-clear voice. Her vocals bring to mind modern chanteuses like Regina Spektor, Sylvie Lewis and Ingrid Michaelson, as well as older favorites like K. D. Lang and Joni Mitchell. Her EP, And Then There Is This, showcases her singing a variety of styles, from breathy ballads to rollicking guitar-driven C&W to contemporary jazz. Amy's voice is remarkable, and I'm intrigued to see how it develops as she hones her skills.

I wandered into Solly's a month or so ago and heard the most wondrous music, soaring vocals and strings and even a tambourine. I made a beeline for the jukebox, and then realized the song was coming from the upstairs bar! I had just experienced Windows, the new single from Cleveland-based quartet The Lighthouse and the Whaler. They draw obvious comparisons to Ra Ra Riot, but offer a folksier take on their lushly instrumented sound. They will be returning to the DC area in support of their forthcoming album in October.

I'm not even sure where to begin with Tallest Trees. Ostensibly, they share a lineup with the Nashville quartet Naked Light, although the band members swap instruments between lineup changes. Whereas Naked Light is a fairly straightforward alt-country band, Tallest Trees is an experimental band that sounds an awful lot like a Grizzly Bear/Dirty Projectors mashup. I managed to catch them at Solly's on a lark while trying to find something musical to do on a Sunday evening. The band/bands/collective are embarking upon their "Summer of Trouble" tour, which may or may not have resulted because of one of the musicians getting involved with a grifter. Regardless of the circumstances, this is a promising young group of Nashville musicians with a great and infinitely versatile sound. I'm not certain when they'll be returning to DC, but I will keep you posted.

All photos courtesy of the artists

Local Music Triple Play at DC9 - Thursday, August 20 at 8:30

2009-08-18T12:11:00.004-04:00

Come out to DC9 to check out a trio of local bands this Thursday, and enjoy DC9's generous happy hour specials if you happen to get there a little early. Bonjour, Ganesh! is a local legal supergroup, an octet who make it their mission to lay down some booty-shaking tracks and get the audience moving. Idea Track is an earnest, Northern Virginia-based punk-pop trio in the vein of Jimmy Eats World. Alex "the Red" Robert Parez is an acoustic performer who sounds like Nick Cave reinterpreting the early songbook of Bill Callahan (Smog).

A Case of the Mondays - Jenny Owen Youngs @ Iota Club & Cafe

2009-08-10T15:31:00.003-04:00

Despite being best known for the R-rated tune F@%K Was I featured in Showtime's Weeds, Jenny Owen Youngs has overcome the dreaded sophomore slump with the astonishingly mature and funny Transmitter Failure. From bookend tracks like "First Person" and "Last Person", the electrically tinged "Led to the Sea", and the epically sad title track, this album keeps drawing you in to Jenny's tales of love, lust & heartbreak. She makes you want her, fear her, and ache for her in the course of 12 tracks and 48 minutes. Catch her tonight at Iota at 8:30.

Photo courtesy of Jenny Owen Youngs