Live Interview: Midge Ure (@ 9:30 Club, 7/19/22)

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Mickey McCarter in Interview, Preview and tagged 9:30 Club, England, Interview, Midge Ure, new wave, sophistipop.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Chuff Media)

The 9:30 Club encapsulated its upcoming night of highly intellectual dance music perfectly:

“Ah, sophisti-pop: the most elegant genre from music’s most elegant decade, the ’80s. Fusing together all the best parts — both musically and aesthetically — of new wave, soul, and jazz, Howard Jones and Midge Ure (both with Ultravox and as a solo performer) came to define the sound alongside Rough Trade royalty like The Style Council, The Human League, and Scritti Politti.

“Be warned, you may experience the following side effects at a Howard Jones & Midge Ure show: 1) feeling good, 2) dancing great, and 3) looking even better!”

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. But I do get to add some dimension to the adroit concert preview by interviewing the one and only Midge Ure himself. Parklife’s Mickey McCarter chatted about his old friend Howard Jones, the resurgent and powerful Kate Bush, and his own experiences in going viral prior to his appearance at 9:30 Club on Tuesday, July 19.

Song of the Day: “All I Have to Show” by Broke Royals

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged Broke Royals, Byrdland Records, DC, heartland rock.

Broke Royals (Photo courtesy Tell All Your Friends PR)

DC heartland rockers Broke Royals release Local Support, their third album, via Byrdland Records on Friday, July 15. The band recently debuted a music video for “All I Have to Show,” a single from Local Support.

Preview: Nicole Atkins @ The Hamilton Live, 7/10/22

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Americana, Nashville, Nicole Atkins, Tennessee, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live.

Nicole Atkins (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)

New Jersey-bred singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins performs at The Hamilton Live in DC on Sunday, July 10, with support from Levi. On her latest album Italian Ice, Atkins conjures the romance and danger and wild magic of a place especially close to her heart: the Jersey Shore in all its scrappy beauty.

Interview: Willie Nile (@ The Hamilton Live, 7/8/22)

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Mark Engleson in Interview, Preview and tagged Americana, Interview, New York City, punk, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live, Willie Nile.

WillieNile_Cristina Arrigoni
Willie Nile (Photo by Cristina Arrigoni)

Willie Nile is a New York City-based singer-songwriter whose recording career span reaches back to 1980. He’s hard to place in an a precise genre, as his influences range from Bob Dylan to Lou Reed, and he’s also covered The Clash. He’s a rock ‘n’ roller who, even into his 70s, is still the same guy who wasn’t afraid to fight the record companies in a legal case that set a precedent.

But he’s also a trained pianist who can just as easily do a ballad as he might just rock out. His work finds a great balance between raw musculature and cerebral refinement, managing to thread in literary and cultural references without pretension. It’s rock with brains — it sounds great, and there’s steak to go with the sizzle.

Willie released a new album, The Day the Earth Stood Still, last year, and now he’s on tour. Willie and his band perform at DC’s The Hamilton Live on Friday, July 8, and Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson talked to him in advance of that show.

Preview: We Are Scientists @ DC9, 7/8/22

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged DC9, New York City, post-punk, We Are Scientists.

We Are Scientists (Photo by Danny Lee Allen)

Last fall, NYC indie vets We Are Scientists released their new LP HUFFY via Masterswan Records. After a delay due to the pandemic, We Are Scientists are now on tour in support of the album, and the band appears at DC9 for a show on Friday, July 8!

Interview: Near Northeast (@ Songbyrd Music House, 7/1/22)

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Mark Caicedo in Interview, Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged DC, folk, Interview, Near Northeast, Songbyrd Music House.

***Near Northeast performs live. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)***

Near Northeast (NNE), one of Washington, DC’s most fascinating, unique, and talented bands will perform for the last time in a farewell show at Songbyrd Music House on Friday, July 1. NNE has been making music for the past eight years, produced four albums, and toured throughout the USA and Europe.

The band’s four members each brought a unique musical resume that resulted in songs with influences from Appalachia, blues-based rock, Bosnian folk songs, and Eno-like electronics. They are Austin Blanton: vocals, electric and stand-up bass, pocket operator, volca keys, organelle; Avy M: vocals, guitars, banjo, mandolin; Kelly Servick: vocals, violin, cello, theremin; and Antonio Skarica: percussion.

Preview: China Crisis @ City Winery, 7/3/22

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged China Crisis, City Winery, England, Liverpool, new wave.

China Crisis (Photo courtesy Paradise Artists)

New wave pioneers China Crisis celebrate 40 years with a USA tour that includes a show at City Winery DC on Sunday, July 3!

Four years ago, the Englishmen performed at City Winery for their first DC performance in 30 years, and this return is sure to be a special concert.

Preview: Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers @ Wolf Trap, 6/30/22

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged bluegrass, Bruce Hornsby, heartland rock, jazz, Virginia, Wolf Trap.

Bruce Hornsby (second from left) and his band (Photo by Jeff Fasano)

Editor’s Note: Bruce Hornsby has canceled this show due to a case of COVID-19 in his band or crew.

Bruce Hornsby mines his vast catalog, performing beloved songs alongside tracks from his latest album, ‘Flicted. Catch him and his band the Noisemakers at The Filene Center at Wolf Trap on Thursday, June 30!

Preview: Duane Betts @ City Winery, 6/26/22

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Americana, City Winery, Duane Betts, Florida, southern rock.

Duane Betts (Photo by Kaelan Barowsky)

Guitarist Duane Betts, son of the famed Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers, has been making his own name in recent years, and he’s appeared quite a few times in the DC area with the Allman Betts Band in recent years.

Now, he’s performing solo in his Dog Daze Acoustic Tour at City Winery DC on Sunday, June 26.

Preview: Sarah Borges @ Pearl Street Warehouse, 6/28/22

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged alt-country, Americana, Boston, Eric Ambel, Massachusetts, Pearl Street Warehouse, Sarah Borges.

Sarah Borges (Photo courtesy the artist)

Sarah Borges appears at Pearl Street Warehouse on Tuesday, June 28, performing songs from her recently released album, Together Alone, as well as fan favorites.