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Music Park: Ruby the Rabbitfoot @ 9:30 Club — 9/7/16

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Ruby the Rabbitfoot (Photo by Natalie Neal)

Ruby the Rabbitfoot stepped on to the 9:30 Club stage Wednesday night as the opener for Of Montreal, making a striking first impression in her bright blue and red bolero jacket and skirt. As she begins her set with the song “Second Wind,” Ruby’s splashy look and punkish peroxide locks contrast with the subtle introspective nature her sound.

Punctuated with tight electronic rhythms and bright sounding keyboard flourishes, Ruby the Rabbitfoot’s music is nevertheless moody and contemplative. Equally balanced between romantic optimism and cheeky cynicism, this is a sound suited to a Sunday afternoon journal writing session. Yes, it’s very pleasant, as the sunbeams cut through the curl of steam rising from her coffee mug, but the words she commits to the page nevertheless look back on a love affair that could have gone better.

Don’t Miss: Band of Skulls @ Black Cat, 10/4/16

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Band of SkullsBand of Skulls (Photo Credit: Andy Cotterill)

The indie, blues rock band Band of Skulls returns to DC on Tuesday, October 4th to perform at the Black Cat.

They are touring for their latest album, By Default, their fourth album and first since 2014’s rocking Himalayan.

Band of Skulls originates from Southampton, England, and fall in step with the likes of The White Stripes and another UK counterpart, Royal Blood.

The band is Emma Richardson (vocals and bass), Russell Marsden (guitar and vocals) and Matt Hayward (drums).

I caught them at the 9:30 Club in 2014, and look forward to seeing them again. New songs like the riff happy “Bodies” and the upbeat “So Good” speak to mixing in a few new styles to their repertoire, even some that are more dance-like. Yet the classic sounds they rocked for us in previous albums remains evident in each track.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r5-THZLI1M]

As we speak, I’m listening to the dulcet sounds of their masterly “Sweet Sour”.

Get your tickets today, before it’s too late!

Band of Skulls
w/ Mothers
Black Cat
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Doors 7:30pm
$20
All ages

Around Town: Last Truckaroo of 2016 @ Fairgrounds, 9/16/16

Truckaroo in DCTruckaroo 2016

Friday, September 16th is your last chance for Truckaroo this year!

The final entry of this monthly food truck festival takes place at the Fairgrounds near Nationals Park.

Get lunch or dinner or a snack or cold treats all day!

There is no Nationals game that day, but still plenty of excuses to get down there. For example, a few interesting food trucks I may consider, include Arepa Zone, Capital Chicken & Waffles (now I want some) and Popped! Republic (also craving popcorn). But there are plenty more options!

Truckaroo 2016 #6
Fairgrounds (M St and Half St SE) near the Nationals Park
Friday, September 16, 2016
11am-11pm
Free Admission (pay for food and beverages)
All ages

List of Food Trucks

Music Park: Stronger Sex @ The Hamilton Live — 9/3/16

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Stronger Sex 05 Stronger Sex perform at The Hamilton Live on Sept. 3, 2016.

The definition of fantastic? fan·tas·tic /fan’tastik/ [adj.] imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality.

Enter Johnny Fantastic, whose up-tempo electronic cabaret certainly fits his name — and in a good way. Let’s add to the mix Leah Gage (also of local band BRNDA), who stands beside Johnny on synthesizers and vocals, and you have a Fantastic Duo indeed in DC indie synth outfit Stronger Sex.

Sports Park: Where to Watch Pac-12 College Football

Pac-12

Ah, the smell of pigskin is in the air.

The 2016 College Football season is upon us and everyone has an alma mater or a favorite school to root for. Or they should.

Because I grew up in Washington State, and went to the University of Washington, I’m going to highlight where football watch parties take place in the DC area for all of the Pac-12 Conference schools. Maybe I’ll get around to other conferences…

After the first week of games, there are three Pac-12 schools in the AP Top 25 (as of 9/6/16), including two in the Top 10. (Source: Associated Press)

Don’t miss a minute of college football action!

Pac-12 Football Watch Party Locations

Around Town: Careless Memories @ Dodge City, 9/8/16

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Echo & The Bunnymen (Photo courtesy the band)

Did you score tickets to the sold-out show by Echo & The Bunnymen at the 9:30 Club on Friday? Want to celebrate? Join us Thursday at Dodge City for Careless Memories: A New Wave Party as we present a Salute to Psych, which will include an extra big dose of songs by the Bunnymen.

Did you miss out on tickets to the sold-out show by Ian McCulloch and crew at the 9:30 Club on Friday? Then what better way to make up for it than to join us at Careless Memories on Thursday, where we will play a healthy amount of classic tracks by Echo & The Bunnymen and make our own Bunnymen party!

This month, Careless Memories is paying tribute to the crossover bands of neo-psychedelia and new wave, and taking a look at how one subgenre informed the other! This means you’ll hear more than usual from bands like The Church, The Psychedelic Furs, The Teardrop Explodes, XTC, and more!

But of course, our primary concern will be to raise a glass to the leaders of this pack — Echo & The Bunnymen.

Watch the official music video for “Bring on the Dancing Horses” by Echo & The Bunnymen on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_bJf3foa5I]

Last week, Parklife DC gave away a pair of tickets to see the Bunnymen show, and in so doing we asked folks about their favorite Bunnymen songs! People overwhelmingly named “The Killing Moon,” but we also saw love for “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” “The Cutter,” “Lips Like Sugar,” “The Back of Love,” “Rescue,” “Villiers Terrace,” “In Bluer Skies,” “No Dark Things,” “Crocodiles,” “Never Stop,” and “Read It in Books!”

I’m going to try to play our fair share of those tracks, so don’t miss it. You can RSVP on Facebook or simply show up — admission is free.

Careless Memories: A Salute to Psych
Dodge City
Thursday, Sept. 8
Show @8pm
Free admission
21+

Ticket Giveaway: Lush @ 9:30 Club, 9/21/16

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What a time for the classic shoegaze period of the ‘90s! Last year, UK music aficionados welcomed Ride to the 9:30 Club, and this year it’s going to be Lush!

Yes, Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson (vocals and guitars) along with Phil King (bass) have returned with the addition of drummer Justin Welch (Spitfire, Elastica). And they released a new EP, Blind Spot via their own Edamame label, and they sound as amazing and beautiful as ever. Lush are now on a world tour that stops in DC at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and you can now win tickets to go.

Revisit the official music video for “Sweetness and Light” by Lush on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7cqkpy4QrQ]

Parklife DC is giving away a pair of tickets so that you can see Lush return to DC after 20 years away! To win, simply leave a comment on this blog. Let’s hear your favorite Lush song?

For the rules of this giveaway–

Comments will be closed at 5pm on Thursday 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!

Lush last played the 9:30 Club on August 30, 1996! See the awesome setlist.

New Zealand dream pop singer Tamaryn opens for Lush. Tickets also are available online!

Lush
w/ Tamaryn
9:30 Club
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Doors @7pm
$35
All ages

Around Town: KURIOS, Cabinet des Curiosities, by Cirque du Soleil @ Tyson’s Corner (Thru 9/18)

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The KURIOS band, shot in 2014 in Quebec. (Photo: Martin Girard / shootstudio.ca Costumes: Philippe Guillotel © 2014 Cirque du Soleil)

A Seeker, a scientist who invents a machine to travel dimensions, encounters various magnificent creatures on a journey across space, introducing him to wonders that surprise him.

Those encounters unfold as magnificently choreographed scenes across 13 acts, which mix unparalleled acrobatics with cheeky comedy and leave you gaping at in wonder at the gymnastics possible by highly trained athletes in KURIOS, Cabinet des Curiosities, by Cirque du Soleil at Tyson’s Corner in McLean, Virginia, through Sept. 18.

Let me take a moment to impress upon you that this show will truly amaze. But let me first set a crucial element of the scene for you: the music.

Around Town: DC Adventure Film Festival @ Burke Theater, 9/9-9/11/16

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DC Adventure Film Festival

On Friday and Saturday (September 9-10) the 2nd Annual DC Adventure Film Festival returns to DC at the Navy Heritage Center’s Burke Theater. The film festival is presented by REI.

There are 29 films being screened in total, ranging from 3 minutes to 54 minutes. Each film highlights people experiencing nature (whether mountains or the sea) and man-made landscapes.

You can buy tickets for each of the six program blocks. (Each day from 5:30-6:30pm, 7:30-9:30pm and 10:00-11:00pm)

Plan out which films to watch with the full schedule and descriptions here.

A few films that look especially interesting include; Flashes of the Altai (three friends traverse remote Mongolia via mountain bike and packraft), The Lost Valley of the Merced (the Merced River in Yosemite NP is one of the forbidden fruits of kayakers), Offseason (Daniel Norris, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, lives in his van in the offseason, exploring the West), Paddle for the North (six friends paddle remote northern rivers, bringing light to its value) and ZION (see Zion National Park in all its glory).

Additional activities (including on Sunday, September 11) will be available during the day, including speakers, workshops, a free IMAX viewing of 3D Adventure in the Parks, REI Outdoor School and races. See the details here.

DC Adventure Film Festival
Navy Heritage Center’s Burke Theater (701 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10
Sessions: 5:30-11:00pm (both days)
$5, $8 or $20 (depending on session; $56 for all programs)
All ages

Don’t Miss: The Dirty Nil @ Rock & Roll Hotel, 9/14/16

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The Dirty Nil (Photo courtesy Girlie Action)

Canadian rock trio The Dirty Nil will come crashing through DC’s Rock and Roll Hotel on Wednesday, September 14th. Hailing from Ontario, this three-piece group has a reputation for being loud and destructive, in a good way. The self proclaimed “rock-n-roll band” is on a nationwide tour sharing their much-anticipated debut album, Higher Power.

Childhood friends Luke Bentham (guitar, vocals) and Kyle Fisher (drums) had been playing together for years, mainly for fun, until bassist Dave Nardi joined them in 2009. The band toured and played around North America, releasing singles here and there. The Dirty Nil eventually signed with record label Dine Alone and released Higher Power earlier this year.

The album has 11 tracks and includes some of their more recent singles such as “Zombie Eyed” and “Wrestle Yü To Hüsker Dü.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCKQJlWstJw&w=640&h=360]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrsNVHUk2_E&w=640&h=360]

The video from “Wrestle Yü To Hüsker Dü,” shot using a VHS video camera, gives you a taste of what you might experience at a Dirty Nil show. This will not just be a show to hear, but a show to feel. When I say “feel”, I’m not talking just feeling the emotions of the music. What I mean is that by all accounts you are going to physically FEEL this music. Be warned: your ears may be left ringing for a few days after this concert. It should be a great atmosphere and a fun time. Doors are at 7, show starts at 8. I look forward to seeing you there.

The Dirty Nil are opening for Billy Talent! So get there early to catch them. Tickets are available online.

The Dirty Nil
Opening for Billy Talent
Rock and Roll Hotel
Wednesday, September 14
Doors @7pm
$15
All ages