One Way Out (Photo by Carter Louthian)
Young DC rockers One Way Out recently released their third single of 2021 — “Candy,” off of their freshly announced sophomore album The Sun, The Moon, The Truth, out Aug. 20.
Dar Williams (Photo courtesy Bulletproof Artists)
While other parts of the country deal with record-breaking heat and wildfires, the DMV has actually had a relatively moderate summer. As I sit here on Independence Day writing this review, my AC is off and my windows are open. This made for a perfect night for outdoor music yesterday evening at Bethesda’s Strathmore Music Center, where folk artist Dar Williams appeared.
Like many venues, the Strathmore is working through putting on shows in the (post-)pandemic world. They’ve moved the performances outdoors, under an awning, and artists are playing two shows — an early and a late set. Dar complimented the venue’s efforts, saying that concerts are a work in progress, and that she felt the Strathmore was doing as good a job with it as she’s seen.
Watchhouse (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
Folk duo Watchhouse return to the DC metro area to perform at Wolf Trap on Wednesday, July 7.
Formerly known as Mandolin Orange, Watchhouse recently shared “Beautiful Flowers,” a slow-blooming elegy to a butterfly that takes an existential look at automotive expansion, the interconnectedness of nature, and the little-considered costs of industrialized society.
Joey McIntyre and Debbie Gibson (Photo courtesy Shore Fire Media)
Today, Debbie Gibson dropped her new video for her brilliant rerecording of her classic No. 1 hit “Lost In Your Eyes.” Partnering with Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block, the video showcases the timeless elegance and universality of the song as well as the musical chemistry between Debbie and Joey.
Molly Burman (Photo by Dora Paphides)
19-year-old Molly Burman has made real inroads these last couple of months and continues to generate buzz with another slice of gold in perhaps her most immediate song yet with the empower-pop smarts of “Debt.”
The Walkaways perform at Pearl Street Warehouse on June 26, 2021. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
The return to indoor live music continues to be an exhilarating experience! Last Saturday night at Pearl Street Warehouse with The Walkaways and Wicked Sycamore, a boisterous (and sweaty) crowd was showered with a musical deluge ending a long, and frustrating, drought.
Dear Daria (Photo courtesy the band)
DC indie pop/rock band Dear Daria has been hard at work during the pandemic on their debut record! Get your summer started right; don your shorts and sundresses, roll down the windows, and blast their first single, “Best Life,” on your way to the beach!
grandson and Jessie Reyez (Photo by Jonathan Weiner)
Alt-rocker grandson and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez have teamed up for “Rain,” the brand-new and exclusive single for writer/director James Gunn’s all-new movie, The Suicide Squad.
“Rain” is also featured in the new official trailer for the upcoming film, which will be released Aug. 6.
The Lone Bellow (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
Folk trio The Lone Bellow made their first appearance before a live crowd following the pandemic at Bethesda’s Strathmore recently. The venue is transitioning toward a past-pandemic world and, for now, they are holding socially-distanced shows on their outdoor patio.
The Lone Bellow played two shows that night. At the early show, the sun was still bright and clear, and it was an unusually temperate day for mid-June, making for a perfect night for live music. After the opening number, frontman Zach Williams said, “I love that the cicadas are out this evening;” later, guitarist Brian Elmquist commented on how perfect it was: “the cicadas, the birds, and a folk guitar melody.”
The Allman Betts Band performs at The Birchmere on June 13. (Photo by Mark Caiedo)
When Devon Allman invited guitarist Linwood Taylor to the stage, he joked that three guitars were not enough; they needed four onstage at The Birchmere on Sunday night.
And so, The Allman Betts Band carried on the multi-guitar Southern rock jam tradition pioneered by their fathers in The Allman Brothers Band. Devon Allman, the son of the late Gregg Allman, sings lead vocals, plays guitar, and leads the band. Duane Betts, the son of legendary guitarist Dickey Betts, also sings and plays guitar. Berry Duane Oakley plays his father’s instrument, the bass. Johnny Stachela is on the third guitar, John Ginty is on keys, and R. Scott Bryan and John Lum comprise the group’s dual percussion attack.
