Parklife DC

Don’t Miss: denitia and sene. @ POV Live, 12/16/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 12, 2016

Don’t Miss: denitia and sene. @ POV Live, 12/16/16

denitia and sene. (Photo by Aaron Vazquez)

Brooklyn alt-R&B duo denitia and sene. perform in a free show at POV Lounge on the roof of the W Hotel DC on Friday, Dec. 16.

Denitia Odigie and Brian Marc are fresh off the release of their second full-length album, love and noir. The New York Times hailed the new album, published in November via Input, as “a tightly edited collection of bedroom jams, dialed up by soulful vocals and perfectionist production values.”

Watch the official music video for “open wide.” by denitia and sene. on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyaNSjLoAh4]

The POV Lounge at the W Hotel has been offering access to some rather good free shows lately, and Friday evening is an excellent opportunity to get up there and check out some of what’s been going down! While it’s not strictly required to register for the show, you can do so at the Eventbright page for the conference. Registration ensures you entry in the event that the roof reaches capacity. Limited table seating also is available for purchase.

Free registration is available online at Eventbright.

denitia and sene.
W Hotel DC
Friday, Dec. 16
Doors @8pm
Free
All ages

Don’t Miss: Tim Darcy @ Black Cat, 3/8/17

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 9, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Tim Darcy @ Black Cat, 3/8/17

Tim Darcy (Photo by Shawn Brackbill)

Here at Parklife DC, we are big admirers of Montreal post-punk quartet Ought, who visited the Black Cat recently in support of their new album, Sun Coming Down, and its mesmerizing lead single “Beautiful Blue Sky.”

So complete seems Ought’s nervy rock music that it comes as something of a surprise to hear that lead singer Tim Darcy, an American originally hailing from Arizona, has launched a solo career. His debut album, Saturday Night, is due Feb. 17 via Jagjaguwar.

Judging from the lead single “Tall Glass of Water,” Tim is going for more straightforward jangle pop than the arty post-punk of Ought. Still, the fast-talking “tall glass of water” himself seems to have plenty of social commentary to pack into his songs! He will tour his solo album backstage at the Black Cat on Wednesday, March 8.

Watch the official music video for “Tall Glass of Water” by Tim Darcy on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbgPiAGspB8]

I’ve been among those to draw a line between Tim and David Byrne with his music in Ought, as the innovative sometimes disjoined melodies of the two bands seem similar. Tim undoubtedly will continue to put some distance between such comparisons, as flattering as they are meant to be, with his solo material.

When I saw Ought at the Black Cat last on May 10, I observed, “With his tall, lanky frame, vocalist and guitarist Tim strikes the figure of a melancholy academic on stage, looming large over the proceedings in a manner metaphorically similar to the way his words hang over our heads.”

All in all, Tim is a brilliant musician, and his solo effort is surely worth checking out!

Tickets are available online.

Tim Darcy
Black Cat
Wednesday, March 8
Doors @730pm
$12
All ages

Around Town: BBQ Bash @ MetroCooking DC 2016 — 12/3/16

Around Town

Mickey McCarter

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December 8, 2016

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Around Town: BBQ Bash @ MetroCooking DC 2016 — 12/3/16

David Guas, chef and owner of Bayou Bakery, at the BBQ Bash of MetroCooking DC on Dec. 3, 2016. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

MetroCooking DC arrived at the Washington Convention Center for its annual show last weekend, smoking up its specialty food pavilion with some outstanding BBQ on its first day.

David Guas, chef and owner of Bayou Bakery, headlined the BBQ Bash, providing a cooking demonstration and displaying his own bakery’s buttermilk biscuits with a pork BBQ. We do recommend checking out those fantastic biscuits for yourself at Bayou Bakery’s Capitol Hill location on the grounds of Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, DC). Visit http://www.bayoubakerydc.com for details.

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Snapshots: The Twilight Sad @ The SSE Arena, Wembley, London — 12/2/16

Live Review

paivi

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December 8, 2016

1

Snapshots: The Twilight Sad @ The SSE Arena, Wembley, London — 12/2/16

James Graham of The Twilight Sad performs at The SSE Arena, London on Dec. 2, 2016. (Photo by Paivi)

The Twilight Sad is a scottish band who according to their twitter profile “enjoy making miserable music.” They just finished a world tour supporting The Cure so making miserable music has gotten them pretty far. (Check out our Snapshots of The Cure.)

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Snapshots: The Cure @ The SSE Arena, Wembley, London — 12/2/16

Live Review

paivi

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December 8, 2016

1

Snapshots: The Cure @ The SSE Arena, Wembley, London — 12/2/16

Robert Smith of The Cure performs at the SSE Arena, Wembley, London on Dec. 2, 2016. (Photo by Paivi)

The Cure finished their world tour (this far) with three sold-out shows at the SSE Arena in London. The band have been described with words like epic, powerful and one of the best live acts on tour in 2016. Their live shows are traditionally around three hours with 30+ songs so you are bound to get most (if not all) of the hits every night.

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Music Park: Careless Memories @ Dodge City, 12/8/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 7, 2016

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Music Park: Careless Memories @ Dodge City, 12/8/16

Duran Duran photographed for Melody Maker Magazine in England in 1982. (Photo by Chester Simpson)

Your live concert review blog Parklife DC hosts a little music party called Careless Memories on the second Thursday of every month at Dodge City (917 U St. NW, DC). And every month, we are inspired to explore some aspect of my favorite music genre — new wave — using some upcoming concert review or related event to which our blog is committed.

As you can imagine then, it makes me very happy to focus on the music of Duran Duran for the month of December, as we take our parties name from a Duran Duran song. The boys from Birmingham are coming to DC metro for two shows at the MGM National Harbor on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The New Year’s Eve show sold out, but tickets remain for New Year’s Day. (Check out our preview.)

Whether you’re going to MGM National Harbor or not, you can join us for a listening experience in appreciation of Duran Duran. In our next party on Thursday, Dec. 8, we’ll explore Duran Duran a bit with a look at their contemporaries and influences. But we’ll also keep in mind that it’s Christmas, so we’ll be sure to play a smattering of new wave Christmas tunes as well. Come and celebrate with us and our theme Duran Duran Save Christmas on Thursday.

I’m waaaaaay overdue in inviting you to watch the official music video for “Rio” by Duran Duran on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3W6yf6c-FA]

At Careless Memories, you’ll hear new wave tunes from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Japan, Culture Club, Simple Minds, the Eurythmics, and Adam Ant (who’s visiting DC in January!). You can also count on hearing a little bit from Duran Duran influencers like David Bowie, Roxy Music, and CHIC.

Admission is free. RSVP on Facebook, or simply show up and say Merry Christmas!

For more from our fantastic photographer friend Chester Simpson, visit http://www.rock-n-rollphotos.com.

Duran Duran Save Christmas
Careless Memories: A New Wave Party
Dodge City
Thursday, Dec. 8
Show @8pm
Free
21+

Ticket Giveaway: Run the Jewels @ Echostage, 1/12/17

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 7, 2016

5

Run the Jewels (Photo courtesy Windish Agency)

New York City rapper El-P and Atlanta rapper Killer Mike are known together as Run the Jewels, and they are soon to launch a US tour called Run the World.

The second stop of the hip hop duo’s tour will hit DC’s Echostage on Thursday, Jan. 12 — one day before the official release of Run the Jewels 3, the duo’s third studio album, via Mass Appeal Records and RED Distribution. And you can win tickets to go see them!

Listen to “Legend Has It,” the new single by Run the Jewels from Run the Jewels 3, on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaPrQa3oMy0]

Parklife DC is giving away a pair of tickets to see Run the Jewels at Echostage. To win these tickets, leave a comment on this blog. You can leave any comment, but we would like to hear your favorite song by Run the Jewels.

For the rules of this giveaway–

Comments will be closed at 5pm on Friday, and a winner will be randomly selected. The winner will be notified by email. The winner must respond to our email within 24 hours, or they will forfeit their tickets and we will pick another winner. We will email you instructions on claiming your ticket. Good luck!

Tickets also are available online.

Run the Jewels
w/ The Gaslamp Killer, Spark Master Tape, Cuz
Echostage
Thursday, Jan. 12
Doors @7pm
$43.45
All ages

Don’t Miss: Rasputina @ Howard Theatre, 12/17/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 6, 2016

1

Don’t Miss: Rasputina @ Howard Theatre, 12/17/16

Rasputina (Photo courtesy Howard Theatre)

Melora Creager already fronts an unusual band with Rasputina, which she founded in 1992. Originally composed of all women, Rasputina became one of the leading American cello rock bands.

Yes, Melora, an accomplished cellist who performed on tour with Nirvana, fulfilled the demands of her muse by creating a cello rock band that it as turns personal, humorous, insightful, and melodic. In 2015, Rasputina published their latest album, Unknown. The album was inspired by a personal struggle of Melora with identity theft, and she was supported by a new lineup including pianist and beatboxer Luis Mojica and cellist and vocalist Carpella Parvo (who also appeared on Rasputina’s first album, Thanks for the Ether).

Rasputina have hit the road again in support of their new album, and the band visits the Howard Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.

Watch a performance of “Indian Weed” from Unknown by Rasputina for Sonarch Media on Dec. 17, 2015:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTrT4EfcDOs]

As you can see from the video, Rasputina enjoy elaborate costumes as much as they do intricate music. With their focus on their physical presence, the band in a way continue to emphasize what’s real, something Melora points to in the inspiration for the new album. Unknown isn’t available digitally in part because she wants people to handle it physically, and she rejected the idea of putting it on the cloud, where it too could perhaps be hacked.

Be there! Tickets are available online.

Rasputina
w/ Eliza Rickman, Aubreylyn
Howard Theatre
Saturday, Dec. 17
Doors @6pm
$20/$25
All ages

Don’t Miss: Seu Jorge @ Howard Theatre, 12/13/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 6, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Seu Jorge @ Howard Theatre, 12/13/16

Seu Jorge performs at the Howard Theatre on Nov. 8, 2016. (Photo by Theresa C. Sanchez)

A lone figure poignantly sat with his guitar in the middle of the stage, wearing a wool cap, dungarees, and a polo shirt. It might seem an odd ensemble for a sincere performance, particularly given the musician’s shirt is emblazoned with “Team Zissou,” but Seu Jorge is no ordinary performer.

The Brazilian artist regaled a very sold-out house at the Howard Theatre on Nov. 8 with tales of how he came to participate in the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and how he took up a number of acoustic covers by David Bowie at the urging of director Wes Anderson. To say the show was a hit would be the understatement of the year — the audience went mad for the Seu Jorge show, which consisted of nothing but those Bowie covers.

If you missed it, fear not! Seu reprises the show locally again at the Howard Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 13. I urge you to go and experience the Portuguese-language tribute to the era of Ziggy Stardust.

Watch Seu Jorge perform “Life on Mars” at the Howard Theatre on Nov. 8 in a video by Theresa C. Sanchez:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x13N4sNX1ac]

Since Bowie’s passing in January, DC has seen its share of tributes and wakes to the career of a fantastic musician. But as I noted in our Nov. 8 review of Seu Jorge’s show, “Seu sang with passion, and his capable guitar transported us across romantic spaces. It was a revelation to remember the fire in the original Bowie glam compositions, and Seu wisely stripped them down and let that fire glow.”

A VIP meet and great option is available in addition to general admission. The VIP package includes VIP early entry into the venue, an exclusive meet and greet with Seu Jorge, a personal photograph with Seu Jorge, and exclusive merchandise.

Tickets are available online. See you there!

Seu Jorge Presents “The Life Aquatic,” A Tribute to David Bowie
Howard Theater
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Doors @6pm
$38.50 GA/$191 VIP
All ages

Don’t Miss: Cold Cave @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 1/25/17

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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December 6, 2016

0

Don’t Miss: Cold Cave @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 1/25/17

Amy Lee and Wesley Eisold of Cold Cave (Photo by Mara McKevitt)

Cold Cave released a new EP, The Idea of Love, on Sept. 9 via Heartworm.

The title song is a synthpop dirge that veers a little bit more into industrial territory than some of Cold Cave’s more recent offerings — although the band certainly continues to occupy that perfect space encompassing the poetry of Joy Division with the middle-period electronics of Depeche Mode.

With the release of the single, Cold Cave began touring again, and the band visits the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.

As Cold Cave, musician Wesley Eisold started out with very artful pop in 2007 and then flowered into well-defined synthpop gems with very good albums like Love Comes Close and Cherish the Light Years. He has certainly not been shy about spreading his artistic wings on his own Heartworm Press label, however!

Watch the official music video for “The Idea of Love” on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izyCuvsXvTs]

Still very much the standard-bearer for darkwave dance music, Wesley reminded us of his pop sensibilities with a very lovely cover of “Your Silent Face” by New Order earlier this year.

According to the Guardian, “Wesley Eisold is an absolutely new, young god of nihilism and despair — he brilliantly captures Cold Cave’s aesthetic: the Morrissey of ‘How Soon Is Now’ wailing over Nitzer Ebb beats and New Order melodies.”

It’s great that Cold Cave visits DC regularly, and we look forward to seeing Wesley again in January! Los Angeles goth trailblazer Drab Majesty opens for Cold Cave. Tickets are available online.

Cold Cave
w/ Drab Majesty
Rock and Roll Hotel
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Doors @7pm
$15
All ages