Author: Ari Strauss

Book Talk: Debbie Harry @ Sixth & I — 12/4/19

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Debbie Harry and Chris Stein arrive at Sixth & I on Dec. 4, 2019. (Photos by Ari Strauss; Words by Mickey McCarter)

Debbie Harry had a memory to share of performing in DC, recalling that she was at the old 9:30 Club.

Prior to performing, Debbie left her small dog alone in the green room. She returned after her show to find the frightened dog perched upon the furniture, chased to higher ground by rats big enough to challenge her.

Debbie recounted the anecdote at Sixth & I on Wednesday while on a book talk tour to promote her memoir, Face It, which was published in October via Dey Street.

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Snapshots: Gaelic Storm @ The Birchmere – 11/21/19

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Gaelic Storm on stage at The Birchmere, where they played to a sold-out audience, Nov. 21, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Gaelic Storm breezed into town recently to perform in front of a sold-out crowd at The Birchmere. It was the band’s 41st appearance at the iconic Northern Virginia music since forming as a Santa Monica, California pub band in the mid-1990s.

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Snapshots: Rising Appalachia @ The Hamilton Live — 11/20/19

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Rising Appalachia performs in front of a sold-out audience at DC’s The Hamilton, Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

When sisters Leah and Chloe Smith formed Rising Appalachia over a decade ago, they created a unique folk sound that is equally influenced by their Southern upbringing in Atlanta and their vast experience traveling the world and experiencing diverse cultures. The band brought that unique sound to The Hamilton Live recently where they played to a sold-out crowd and promoted their newest album, Leylines, which released independently earlier this year.

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Interview: Rising Appalachia (@ The Hamilton Live — 11/20/19)

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Leah and Chloe Smith of Rising Appalachia (Photo courtesy of Rising Appalachia)

Rising Appalachia is a self-made success story. Sisters Leah and Chloe Smith — each world travelers for nearly two decades — merge multiple global music influences with their own Southern roots to create a unique world folk sound. The band has built a legion of listeners through relentless touring, tireless activism, and no small degree of stubborn independence.

After self-producing their first six albums, Leah and Chloe opted for the first time to team up with someone outside the band, legendary singer-songwriter/producer Joe Henry, to produce their seventh album, Leylines.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss emailed Chloe to ask about the new album and what is in store for the band’s upcoming show at The Hamilton Live on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

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Snapshots: Billy Strings @ 9:30 Club — 11/9/19

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Billy Strings plays to a sold-out crowd at DC’s 9:30 Club, Nov. 9, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Billy Strings is hailed by many as the future of bluegrass music. And the future of bluegrass is strong — if the fervent reaction of a sold-out crowd packing 9:30 Club recently when Billy’s tour stopped in DC is any indication.

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Snapshots: 5 Seconds of Summer @ Capital One Arena — 10/15/19

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5 Seconds of Summer frontman Luke Hemmings on stage at Capital One Arena, Oct. 15, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS), the power-pop band from Australia that Rolling Stone calls “the biggest new rock act in the world,” played to a packed Capital One Arena crowd recently as they opened for The Chainsmokers on their World War Joy Tour.

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