Bat for Lashes (Photo by Logan White)
Bat for Lashes, real name: Natasha Khan, released Lost Girls, her fifth studio album, last year via AWAL. She followed that up this month with a live EP, The Boys of Summer! Natasha next performs at Sixth & I on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Rhett Miller (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)
Two things are immediately striking about Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller. First, his youthful appearance: Despite being, at 49, my senior by 10 years, Rhett looks younger than me. The second is his energy: Rhett has a heart-on-his-sleeve, sincere exuberance. He plays vigorously and sings with power, and, both times I’ve seen him live, he really seemed to be having a good time.
Raphael Saddiq performs at 9:30 Club on Feb. 9, 2020. (Photo by David LaMason)
A few years ago, I was a commuter, making the trip from Baltimore to DC every day through rush hour traffic and some time on my hands while stuck in that bumper-to-bumper grind. My one saving grace was this album, “Stone Rollin'” that I became obsessed with. It felt old but in a new way — bright production with an old soul.
I knew of Raphael Saadiq’s group in the late 80’s, Tony! Toni! Toné! due to my brother’s R&B CDs (I was more of a punk rock youngster myself), but there was something about Saadiq’s solo work that clicked with me.
Nathan Willet of Cold War Kids performs at the 9:30 Club on Feb 6, 2020. (Photo by Brenda Reyes)
Eager concert-goers sold out the 9:30 Club recently as Cold War Kids took the stage with support from Overcoats. Cold War Kids are no strangers to the 9:30 Club as they have played a handful of times over the years. The bar is set high for their set in D.C.
Fruition performs live (Photo courtesy Partisan Arts)
For 13 years, Portland band Fruition has been playing Americana that looks back to great bands of the ’60s and ’70s while being wholly contemporary. Influenced by the Beatles and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Fruition splits its lead vocals amongst Jay Cobb, Kellen Asebroek, and Mimi Naja, and they feature fantastic three-part harmonies. Their remarkable chemistry was on display at Union Stage in DC recently.
Amanda Shires (Photo courtesy the artist)
Singer-songwriter Amanda Shires performs at Sixth & I on Sunday, Feb. 16, on her Atmosphereless Tour. Act fast to grab some of the general admission tickets remaining!
Andy Frasco (Photo courtesy Tell All Your Friends PR)
Andy Frasco releases his upcoming LP Keep On Keepin’ On via SideOneDummy Records on April 24. The album is a powerful musical snapshot of what’s going on with Andy, his band, and his fans. It’s hailed as a therapeutic helping of rock ‘n’ roll with powerful pop and Americana roots influences. You see, in writing the new album, Andy tackled his own depression and mental health.
Prior to the release, Andy Frasco and The UN appear at 9:30 Club for a show on Thursday, Feb. 13. Parklife DC Editor Mickey McCarter caught up with Andy via email to ask him about the approach to the new music and the healing power of performance.
DRUM TAO performs at Strathmore Music Center on Feb. 7, 2020. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)
The drum, a percussion tool sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, is one of the most recognizable and established instruments in any tribal community. You might say the drum is the heartbeat of the tribe. Those who wield it and those hypnotized by its depth are led to reach into their souls and find peace and harmony in the lowest of its tones.
Hawktail (Photo by Jody March)
String band music is often equated, at least in contemporary America, with bluegrass, but this is far from the whole story. Bluegrass only emerged in the 1930s (at the earliest), while string music is much, much older. The term “old-time” is used to describe music with even deeper roots in the 19th century (and sometimes even further back in history). It is old-time music, with its connection to the more distant past and world folk music, that the instrumental quartet Hawktail plays.
Midge Ure performs at City Winery DC on Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nalinee Darmrong)
Midge Ure, the gregarious former frontman of Ultravox, answered questions and performed tunes from his solo career, Visage, Ultravox, and even the Rich Kids, in a recent evening of story and song at City Winery in Washington, DC.
