National Independent Venue Association just formed and already has more than 450 charter members in 43 states, including 9:30 Club in D.C., First Avenue in Minneapolis, Chicago Independent Venue League, World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, Red River Cultural District in Austin, and Exit/In in Nashville.
Tim Bray and Karen Jonas (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Required Reading is Parklife DC’s essay series on music appreciation.
“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?” — Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our worlds, collectively and individually, in ways that we are struggling to grasp. For those of us who cherish live music — artists, fans, writers, and photographers — the pandemic has made concerts impossible for the time being and the heartache at what has been lost is becoming a fear (irrational perhaps, but…) that they could be gone forever.
The abrupt, and traumatic, end to live music performances for the foreseeable future has left a sadness in me that I did not anticipate, nor with which I’m prepared to cope. I’m a diehard enthusiast of live music — from the traditional large venue concert experience to the small bars and clubs where local musicians perform for anyone who’ll listen.
But what they all have in common is talent, desire, and an otherworldly drive to share, as Los Angeles Times music critic David Ackert says, “that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.”
Jehnny Beth (Photo by Steve Gullick)
Songwriter, singer, and multi-disciplinary artist Jehnny Beth has released a third track — titled “Innocence” — from her forthcoming album, To Love Is to Live, which has a new release date of June 12.
“Innocence” is about the feeling of isolation and distance Jehnny Beth has experienced many times in big cities despite being so close to people all the time. Although recorded well before the current emergency, in many ways, it is an eerily prescient song of our now.
Gorillaz with creator Damon Albarn, right (Art by co-creator Jamie Hewlett, left.)
“Aries” is the third episode of Song Machine from Gorillaz. Featuring the legendary Peter Hook on bass, with alt-pop singer and producer Georgia on drums, “Aries” sees our virtual heroes capture much of the current mood with a soaring affirmation of human connection.
If you like the song, tune into Liberation Dance Party tonight for Gorillaz and more new music. Details below!
Songbyrd Music House (Photo by Ben Eisendrath/ Instagram+Twitter: Insomnigraphic/ GrillworksBen)
To help record stores during these challenging times and closures due to COVID-19, the documentary Vinyl Nation presents a one-time special online screening of the film in association with Record Store Day on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19.
All ticket proceeds go to local record stores, including Songbyrd Music House in DC, participating in this special screening.
Jorma Kaukonen performs at The Birchmere on Oct. 4, 2012. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Highly respected veteran guitarist Jorma Kaukonen livestreams a performance from his Fur Peace Ranch this Saturday, April 18, via YouTube.
Asha Santee (Photo courtesy Sixth & I)
Sixth & I recently launched a new Living Room Sessions virtual concert series designed to spotlight local musical talent during the coronavirus emergency lockdown. Shows stream for free on the venue’s Facebook page.
Catch DC drummer Asha Santee in the next Living Room Session on Friday, April 17, via Facebook Live.
Tim Burgess (Photo courtesy Bella Union)
Tim Burgess recently shared a captivating new track “Laurie” and its accompanying video. The track is taken from his forthcoming album I Love the New Sky that is due out out on May 22 via Bella Union.
The Sounds (Photo courtesy Reybee Inc.)
Swedish indie-rockers The Sounds will perform a free “Safe and Sound” concert which will be broadcast LIVE from the premier local venue The KB in their hometown of Malmö, Sweden on Friday, April 17. The show broadcasts across a number of social media platforms, including The Sounds’ own Facebook page.
A peek inside the Country Music Museum (Photo by Adinda Uneputty)
Required Reading is Parklife DC’s essay series on music appreciation.
Country music and genre fiction (specifically science-fiction and fantasy, hereafter just “sff”) might not seem like they have much in common. In fact, they have developed along strikingly similar lines. Both are popular art forms subject to a certain devaluation, especially by cultural elites. And in both cases, there is a divide between a more conservative mainstream that appeals to the masses and more political progressive, artistically ambitious element.
