Gorillaz (Art by Jamie Hewlett)
Pretty much every time Gorillaz releases a song during the pandemic, we name it our Song of the Day.
And so it goes with “Strange Timez” by Gorillaz featuring Robert Smith, a combination you may have been waiting for ever since Gorillaz began collaborating with inspirational artists to make songs (which has been since their very first tune)!
Body Double (Photo courtesy Force Field PR)
Recently, Oakland post-punk band Body Double shared the third single from its debut LP, Milk Fed, which is due Sept. 18 via Zum. Below, catch the accompanying music video for “Ready to Die” (directed by Dalton Blanco of the band Prissy Whip and co-starring earthworms and grasshoppers).
Gia Woods (Photo by Jenna Marsh)
Gia Woods continues to tease the release of her debut EP, Cut Season, sharing a new single “Chaos” recently. Over skittering percussion and sustained synth harmonies, Woods laments a toxic relationship as she croons through a ghostly filter, “baby that’s the thing about us, we only find love in chaos.”
Broke Royals (Photo courtesy the band)
DC heartland rockers Broke Royals release a new single, “U + Me + WWIII,” on Friday, Sept. 4. The song focuses on anxiety-related insomnia largely stemming from the political and social unrest facing the world today.
This track sprang from Broke Royals’ Alone, Together series where the band creates a new song every week. Season 1 of Alone, Together, a livestream chat and music series, wrapped on July 31 after 10 episodes and 10 accompanying new songs. Broke Royals launches Season 2 of Alone, Together on Sept. 18.
Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Philip Basnight and Colin Cross of Broke Royals in advance of the new single and upcoming livestream series for an inside look at the band’s creative process. And of course, Parklife DC readers named Broke Royals as the Best DC Band of 2018 in our inaugural Thrushie Awards, so you know the gents started out strong, and they are only getting better.
Thurston Moore (Photo by Vera Marmelo)
The Daydream Library Series are ecstatic to release the new full length record by Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore titled By The Fire, out Sept. 25.
The third 12-minute single “Siren” is out on Bandcamp.
One Way Out (Photo courtesy the band)
Young DC rockers One Way Out released a new single earlier this year, and the gents promise more music to come!
Meanwhile, frontman Josh Gaba and his bandmates perform at Jammin’ Java on Friday, Sept. 4, for a socially distant, outdoor show.
Hot Chip (Photo courtesy Pitch Perfect PR)
Late Night Tales is pleased to announce its latest installment to its long-running artist-curated mix series, this time curated by UK electronic artpop outfit Hot Chip.
Today, in conjunction with the announcement, Hot Chip present their ethereal cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Candy Says,” through which they add an element of displacement and detachment.
Alan Scott (Photo courtesy Sacks & Co.)
In the wake of social unrest and long-overdue increased awareness of institutionalized racism surrounding the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, DC songwriter and recording artist Alan Scott’s viral 2016 single and video “You Only See Me When I’m Gone” — written originally to address issues of race and police brutality following the tragic death of Eric Garner — was recently re-released.
Karen Jonas (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)
The voice of country music in the DMV is a big, bright voice that belongs to Virginia native Karen Jonas. A regular sight on DC concert stages, Karen releases her fifth album, The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams, on Friday, Aug. 28 via Yellow Brick Records.
On past tours, Karen has visited Texas, New Mexico, California, and their neighbors, scribbling notes while on the road. She drew upon those memories to animate the characters of The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams. The results are a little bit peppy and a little bit sad but always full of life.
Prior to the new album’s release, Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Karen about the record, her band, and her desire to get back on the road. And Karen plays a free outdoor album release show with her full band at Jammin’ Java on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Born Ruffians (Photo by Vanessa Heins)
Toronto-based indie rockers Born Ruffians — Luke Lalonde (guitar/vocals), Mitch DeRosier (bass), and Steve Hamelin (drums) — return with their second album of 2020. The digital-only SQUEEZE will be out on Oct. 2 via Yep Roc Records.
For your listening pleasure, we present the track “30th Century War” from the new album.
