Category Archives: Music

Music, Night Life, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: DC9

"Pure Evil" shot, DC9

"Pure Evil shot, DC9" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr

“Are you sure this is the right place?”

I was witnessing a mesmerizing scene, social tension galore. The speaking girl’s perfect blonde updo was trembling as she stood in line with her equally coiffed crew. Deposited by a cab with a gaggle of well-heeled preps, it was obvious she’d never hit this part of town before. But leading the way was a wild-eyed boy with a ringleader look that said – you will get out of your comfort zone, my friends – and so the girls followed him in, wide-eyed, longing for L2 Lounge. Instead they got DC9.

I’m teasing, I’m sure they had a raring good time dancing their solid gold hearts out. For a while, this girl’s nervousness was justified. There wasn’t much at the corner of 9th & U until DC9 became hipster paradise, and I’ve seen a lot of shady activity on that block over the years. Nowadays, the action is really centered around Nellie’s, which spills out on the sidewalk with lots of beautiful boys. I don’t see how you could still be nervous about the neighborhood when you see that party. But, we live in a segregated nightlife city, in more ways than just race.

DC9 carries the distinction of being one of the most unpretentious dive spots in the city. Equal parts bar, dance club and music venue, it’s been the indie hangout since its opening in 2004, fitting somewhere between the Black Cat’s Red Room and the H Street corridor on the rotation list. The fact that those tight button-down kids I mentioned earlier could get swallowed whole and turn into loose dancing fools upon hitting the upstairs is one of the reasons I love this place.

Another reason is that it’s pure evil.
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Music, The Daily Feed
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INDIEpendence Day at Velvet Lounge

Photo courtesy of
‘spinning’
courtesy of ‘pinguino’

For those of you who need to shake off the traditionalism of fireworks and hot dogs for the 4th, Velvet Lounge has your answer: INDIEpendence Day. From 9pm until close, DJs including DJ KC from Fatback DC will be spinning the tunes, male and female models will be having their bodies painted, bands upstairs will be rocking your socks off, and general mayhem will ensue. $3 downstairs, $8 upstairs.

Entertainment, Music, The Features
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July Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘088:365’
courtesy of ‘::FiZ::’

Here comes July! As you consider going to concerts in the dead of summer, I just want to impart a few words of wisdom: you can’t always count on the A/C at some of DC’s music venues. I’m thinking specifically of Rock and Roll Hotel, where it is nearly impossible to go to a show without being overwhelmed by how freaking hot and sweaty it gets. So dress accordingly, and maybe consider an outdoor nighttime concert with some breathing room to avoid getting a faceful of sweaty pit from that guy shouting “Woooo!” next to you. Continue reading →

Music, We Love Arts
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This Week in Music: Play it Loud: The Antlers/Cotton Jones @ IOTA


DSC08369 by musicalhedonist

Love can’t buy a full room, no matter what the prophets of new media might say. Even when the gushing adoration gets issued from the fast-typing manicured fingers of a name-checking rock critic, it’s not enough to ensure that there will actually be warm-drinking bodies filling the club when the band finally walks out — at least not at Iota.

The Antlers shuffled into Iota on the last languid Thursday night, dragging the sonic fruits of an inaugural album, “Hospice,” and the slow-snowball of a slew of positive reviews and early “best in 2009” lists, stretching from Pitchfork to NPR. It’s the type of trilling whisp-heavy work, managing to build and stretch droning little pop songs into eerily depressing, slow building atmospheric foothills. The dark little missive may enchant and bewitch, but make it through the ten tracks, and a very strong chance that you probably won’t be in the state of mind known as happy.

It’s an album that plays better in the headphones than the speakers — the canvasses quaver but rarely overwhelm — but on Thursday when I sat down with front man Peter Silberman, drummer Michael Lerner and keyboard stroking effects-slathering master Darby Cicci, the trio promised that the sound would be brought.

“We try to make each song as dense and expansive as we can,” said Silberman. “I don’t always know who’s making each sound or where it’s coming from, but we try to build each song as full as we can.”

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Music, The Features
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Concert: Vieux Farka Touré

Photo courtesy of
‘Vieux Farka Toure at Rock and Roll Hotel’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

You may not have heard of Vieux Farka Toure, but perhaps you should. NPR knows about him. The New York Times knows about him. The dirty hippies who were standing next to me and went to Bonnaroo do, too. If you have admiration for (or skill of your own at) guitar, it’s easy to appreciate the kind of talent it takes to make his guitar sound the way he does. Vieux is from Mali (in West Africa), the son of the famous Ali Farka Touré, and he visited our own Rock and Roll Hotel Monday night. Continue reading →

Life in the Capital, Music, News, The Daily Feed
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Virgin Mobile Fest Moves to Merriweather, Drops Ticket Charge

VMF.png

Yes, that’s right, the Virgin Mobile Festival is now a free ticket. The event will be a one-day gig, instead of two, and now has moved to Merriweather Post Pavilion, down from Pimlico in Baltimore. The headliners of this year’s fest, dated August 30th, are Weezer and Blink-182, with Franz Ferdinand, Jet, The National, The Bravery, Girl Talk, The Hold Steady, Taking Back Sunday and Wale warming them up.

Why free? Virgin’s saying because the economy is down, we all deserve a free show. Hot damn. Thanks guys. Public tickets go up for grabs on Saturday morning, and they’re free except for Ticketbastard’s pesky service charges, unless you hit the box office at Merriweather or 9:30 club. If you’ve gone in the past, watch for an email this morning or tomorrow, for an early free-sale opportunity.

Music, Special Events, The Features, Tourism
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Six Flags and Summertime Sounds

raven

Raven-Symoné

A staple of summer here is Six Flags America. And one of the park’s big summertime draws is its Starburst Summer Concert Series – free with park admission or a 2009 Play Pass.

Julia over at Six Flags gave me a great heads-up on this year’s lineup and I thought I’d share with everyone else. (And yeah, I like the park even if the company’s fiscal issues are less-than-desirable.) And it’s a great lineup this year, with acts appealing to pretty much everyone – and all are family-friendly.

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Fun & Games, Music, Special Events, The Features, WTF?!
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To Air is Human

Photo courtesy of
Air guitar pants’ courtesy of ‘rabid_c’

The crowd screamed and the LED bars fluttered and held at the upper border of the E-Q shirt. “I think you all broke the t-shirt! Again, 1-2-3!” More screaming, more lights, the same result. This was how the regional US Air Guitar championships were being decided: the read out from a sound tech’s geeky, light-up shirt. I hardly batted an eyelash. It just fit into the natural course of things. After several hours of flamboyance and machismo, the honor of DC’s air guitar reputation resting on the fluctuations of a light-up t-shirt seemed like nothing to me. And that’s what the US Air Guitar Regionals, held last Friday at the 9:30 Club, was all about. Blowing your mind.

I approached competitive air guitar with a measure of incredulity. I assumed that I’d be treated to fleshy denizens of “mom’s basement”, out to strut their stuff and generally make fools of themselves, and that after two or three performances I’d grow bored and b-line for bar. I was so self-assured that I grabbed a few drinks before the competition, just to give the evening a fighting chance. Journalistic integrity (if bloggers are actually beholden to that) kept me to two beers, after which I girded my loins and headed for the 9:30.

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Entertainment, Music, The Features
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June Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC04273’
courtesy of ‘Matt Lancashire’

It’s June! We made it! Finally, an end to those cold temperatures and a hearty welcome to sundresses and summer concerts. I know I’m excited. For that reason, I have included a couple of larger venues in my June concert preview that I’ve been leaving out in the past. Because what better time is there than summer to hang out on the lawn, enjoying a huge band you’ve always wanted to see? Can I interest you in some Eric Clapton, No Doubt, or even indie fan fave The Decemberists, perchance? Details after the break! Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, The Features
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Concert: Jenny Owen Youngs

Photo courtesy of
‘Jenny Owen Youngs, 5/23/09’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Jenny Owen Youngs is young, oh so hipster, and she’s got something to say to you. Which may or may not be a joke, depending on whether she’s singing or talking. Her songs are sweet, thoughtful, and melodious love songs (mostly), but as soon as the music stops, all seriousness gets set aside. Even her introduction of her band-mates (her drummer has some bold eyebrows, apparently) and comments on the insane heat at Rock and Roll Hotel (exchanging moist DNA with the crowd) were delivered with the kind of deadpan wit that I love. Especially with the kind of heat we were dealing with, we needed a little humor to keep punches from being exchanged instead of just sweaty DNA. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Saffron Dance

"Shimmy" courtesy of Saffron Dance
“Shimmy” courtesy of Saffron Dance

This past Sunday when I arrived for my Oriental bellydance class at Saffron Dance in Clarendon, the studio was a frenzied hive of activity. Costumes fluttering, dancers rehearsing in every available space, everyone giving their all in that wonderful energy that takes over the week before performances. Every glimpse I catch inspires me to try harder in class so that one day I might be able to shimmy around a stage. But until then, I’m content with enjoying not one but two performances this weekend at Rosslyn Spectrum – and I highly encourage you to do the same.

First up, Saffron Dance Company performs “Shimmy” on Saturday May 16 at 8pm, highlighting classical Egyptian inspired bellydance as part of the Planet Arlington World Music Festival. What makes this performance really exciting is that they will be accompanied by live music. Moroccan vocalist Hatim Idar (whom I’m told is rockstar incredible) and the El Anmari Ensemble will perform original musical compositions on traditional Arabic instruments including the oud, nay, qanum, violin, tabla, riq and frame drum. It’s a rare treat to be able to watch the interplay between dancer and musician, and will no doubt make for a captivating evening. Tickets are $25.

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Interviews, Music, People, The Features
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Interview: Jukebox the Ghost

Jukebox the Ghost, courtesy of This Side Up Sounds

Jukebox the Ghost, courtesy of This Side Up Sounds

Indie pop/rockers Jukebox the Ghost formed in DC, but didn’t stick around long. After a few years in the area, they headed up to Philadelphia but still have love in their hearts for Ben’s Chili Bowl, among other things.

Admist their non-stop touring, I was able to grab guitarist/vocalist Tommy Siegel for some quick questions about the band, their kooky name, and their favorite things about DC. Continue reading →

Music, The Daily Feed
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Awesome Band Names Unite

Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel
Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel by dcjasmine

Choosing a great band name is just about as tough as coming up with a sitcom plot line that the Simpsons haven’t already done. But tonight, two clear winners are coming to Rock and Roll Hotel: Future Rock and Shout Out Out Out Out. Who doesn’t want to experience the future of rock and roll, and SOOOO went with capturing the vibe a la Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Apparently, the future of rock is electronica, because that’s what both these bands are. You can dance to the beat tonight at 8:30 pm for $10.

Music, The Features
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May Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
St. Vincent comes to Black Cat May 22. ‘.’
courtesy of ‘Beard Papa’

Here we are again, with another completely subjective installment of everything worth seeing in May, according to me. Did I miss anything you’re super excited about? Leave it in the comments!

Start May off on a hilarious note by hitting up Super Diamond— the Ultimate Neil Diamond Experience at 9:30 Club Friday, May 1 ($22).

Amazingly, there are still tickets for Gavin Rossdale at 9:30 Club on Sunday, May 3 ($25). Reasons to see him: he’s pretty sexy and is married to Gwen Stefani, plus even if you’re not a fan of his latest single (“Love Remains the Same”), what if he plays that 90’s staple “Adrenaline”? Ah, that brings me back. Good times.

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Music, Special Events
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Lots of Love for Lily Allen

Photo courtesy of
‘lily’
courtesy of ‘Jess J’

If Lily Allen was trying to get crowd to fall head-over-heels in love with her, I’m pretty sure it worked. Equal parts unapologetic, gracious and adorable, Allen wooed the packed 9:30 Club during her sold out show Friday night. 

Before Allen made her appearance, opener Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head— a high-energy collective of fresh-faced Seattle kids who easily could have been confused for an NYU hipster band–hit the stage. They bopped around to MGMT-esque electro-infused beats, clad in tight jeans and keds (only one member had an ironic mustache).

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Music, The Daily Feed
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Toby Lightman at Iota tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_1914’
courtesy of ‘cnraether’

You might remember Toby Lightman from her 2004 single “Devils and Angels,” but even though her songs haven’t seen radio play since then, she hasn’t stopped making music. Her new stuff is soulful, often sultry and jazzy but sometimes pop-y and upbeat, plus she really knows how to put backup singers to good use. Catch her at Iota in Arlington tonight with local Shane Hines ($12).

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Music, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Rock the Casbah Embassy

Photo courtesy of
‘Yann Tiersen 27’
courtesy of ‘Shadowgate’

Last night’s US premiere of musician and composer, Yann Tiersen, marked the opening of the season of events hosted by the ‘La Maison Française‘ (or “The French House“) Franco-American cultural exchange at the French Embassy. They are scheduling event’s throughout the summer and vary their selections from music (jazz, folk, classical, and rock) to other performances (cabaret, opera, theater) and are held in a very intimate setting on the grounds. If the actual quality of the performance isn’t enough, remember, this is France, and a complimentary wine tasting ensued after the performance (I only wished for cheese and bread to follow!).

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Music, The Daily Feed
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Flaming Lips On the Mall

Photo courtesy of
‘Balloons3.JPG’
courtesy of ‘Tank Tankersley’

The lineup for Sunday’s Green Apple Music Festival concert on the Mall is now out, and the Flaming Lips will be headlining. DJ Spooky and Los Lobos will also be there, as well as a bunch of Earth-focused stars like Matthew Modine and Chevy Chase. The concert’s free, and starts around noon.

One interesting piece, though, is that it’s partially sponsored by Classic Rock 94.7….which is now no longer all about the classic rock, and is now Fresh 94.7FM which is more like “greatest hits of the popped collar crowd,” which might not be a good sponsor for Los Lobos and Flaming Lips.

Music, The Daily Feed
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Best Bet for Music Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

If you’re itching for a concert tonight, head over to the Rock & Roll Hotel for three bands, plus local DJs Garutachi, all for only $10. I would probably skip opener Seas, whose super mellow sound doesn’t seem to match the rest of the lineup, but make it there by 9:30 pm to catch Lissy Tullie and then indie rockers U.S. Royalty.