Parklife DC

Don’t Miss: Muuy Biien @ DC9, 8/29/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 22, 2016

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Muuy Biien (Photo courtesy Crashing Through Publicity)

If something is “muy bien” in Spanish, that means it’s very good.

If something is “Muuy Biien” in punk rock, that also means it’s very good.

And Muuy Biien is five guys from Athens, Georgia, who make ever-evolving punk, ranging into degrees from post-punk to hardcore to experimental. But wait, the band also composes long ambient tracks? Maybe that’s why they draw comparisons to both Joy Division and The Fall?

The band is made up of lead singer Joshua Evans, guitarists Xander Witt and Robbie Rapp, drummer Jacob Lake, and bass player Parks Miller. They are preparing to release their third full-length album, and they are on the road as openers for Hockey Dad, poised for a stop at DC9 on Monday, August 29. Their third LP, Age of Uncertainty, will be released on Oct. 28 via Autumn Tone, the band announced today.

Muuy Biien released their last album, D.Y.I. (Do Yourself In) on HHBTM Records in 2014. Watch the official music video for title track “D.Y.I.” by Muuy Biien on YouTube:

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

Muuy Biien are touring as openers for Australian surf punk duo Hockey Dad. Read our preview for Hockey Dad! And get to the show early to see Muuy Biien! Tickets are available online.

Muuy Biien
Opening for Hockey Dad
DC9
Monday, August 29
Doors @8:30pm
$10-$12
All ages

Don’t Miss: Hockey Dad @ DC9, 8/29/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 19, 2016

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Hockey Dad (Photo by Ian Laidlaw)

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know that I loooooove me some surf guitar.

Well, Australian surf punk duo Hockey Dad are about to kick up some punky surf in my face, and it will be good. They released their first album Boronia on August 12 via Kanine Records, and they promptly hit the United States for a tour. Tonight, August 19, Hockey Dad perform at Neurolux Lounge in Boise, Idaho, and they make their way to DC on Monday, August 29, to perform at DC9.

Guitarist and vocalist Zach Stephenson and drummer Billy Fleming grew up best friends on Boronia Street in Windang (hence the name of their album). Now, they like sunshine, women, and punk rock and they’ve combined their friendship and shared interests into some appealing music.

Hockey Dad play kinetic, rollicking surf punk, such as with “Can’t Have Them” from the debut album. Watch the official music video for “Can’t Have Them,” where Hockey Dad perform upon some scenic Australian rocks, on YouTube:

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

Hockey Dad caught fire with their EP Dreamin’, released via Australian label Farmer and the Owl, gaining admirers with songs like “Can’t Have Them,” “Seaweed,” “And I Need a Woman” prior to their 11-song full-length (which includes several of the EP songs as well).

Their first new single from Boronia is “Jump the Gun,” which Consequence of Sound said “wheels along jangly guitars that are distorted just enough to be comforting, like that slightly dazed feeling that comes with hours joyously soaking up sun and partying in the sand.”

Oh, yeah, you can listen to “Jump the Gun” by Hockey Dad on Soundcloud:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270620683″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Muuy Biien, a rock quintet hailing from Athens, Georgia, open for Hockey Dad. Tickets are available online.

Hockey Dad
w/ Muuy Biien
DC9
Monday, August 29
Doors @8:30pm
$10-$12
All ages

Don’t Miss: Blood Orange @ Lincoln Theatre, 9/13/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 19, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Blood Orange @ Lincoln Theatre, 9/13/16

Blood Orange performs at Moogfest 2016 in Durham, NC.

Blood Orange aka Dev Hynes released his hotly anticipated third album Freetown Sound on June 28 via Domino, and then announced a limited run of shows called “Welcome to Freetown” to commemorate it.

This initial run of eight shows begins on August 24 in Los Angeles, but lands here in DC with a stop at the Lincoln Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The new collection of sparkling, funky R&B signature songs from the UK crooner are collectively named after Freetown, Sierra Leone, where Dev’s father was born.

Watch the official music video for “Augustine,” featuring some cool air piano and some dazzling real piano from Dev, by Blood Orange on YouTube:

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

“Dev Hynes’ work–populist, experimental, healing, agitating, straightforward, multi-layered–demonstrates this unfailingly. Prince’s radical pop spirit lives on in many artists. But none are channeling it more fully, or artfully,” said Rolling Stone of the album.

I too thought of Prince when I saw Blood Orange perform at Moogfest 2016 in May in Durham, NC. Like the late superstar, Blood Orange doesn’t like to stick to one genre, often mixing new wave sounds into his alt-R&B palette.

If you’re hungry for talent and substance, this show will fulfill your appetite. Tickets are available online.

Blood Orange
Lincoln Theatre
Tuesday, Sept. 13
Doors @6:30pm
$35
All ages

Don’t Miss: CID @ Flash, 8/24/16 (via Nu Androids)

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 18, 2016

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Don’t Miss: CID @ Flash, 8/24/16 (via Nu Androids)

CID (Photo courtesy the artist)

New Yorker CID came out of Queens and into the brightest dance clubs of his city. Working with Big Beat Records, he has dropped several very well-received singles in 2016, including his latest, a vibrant disco track called “Together.”

In a statement to Billboard, CID said, “I wanted to make something with an old school sampled house vibe but with enough energy to play in my sets. At first I wasn’t sure how people would react to it, but from the first time I played it I knew it was something special. So far the support and buzz around the track has been amazing and I’m really happy to have this one finally come out for everyone to hear.”

Listen to “Together” by CID on Soundcloud:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261608722″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

CID has been busy on tour. In a local show presented by Nu Androids, CID visits Flash (645 Florida Ave. NW, DC) to perform on Wednesday, August 24. Check out the Facebook event for CID at Flash!

DJ Enamour will be opening for CID. Tickets are available online.

CID
w/ Enamour
Flash
645 Florida Ave NW, Washington D.C.
Wednesday, August 24
Doors @ 8pm
$10
21+

Don’t Miss: Eskimeaux @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 9/7/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 18, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Eskimeaux @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 9/7/16

Eskimeaux (Photo by Richard Gin)

Brooklyner Gabrielle Smith released a debut album, O.K. via Double Double Whammy, as Eskimeaux in 2015. DC’s own Bob Boilen of All Songs Considered liked it so much that he ranked in #3 in his Top 10 albums of the Year.

Now Eskimeaux returns with a new EP, Year of the Rabbit, to be available on Sept. 16. With the EP, Gabrielle strives to capture a more natural live sound with her band. The result is an alluring collection of dreampop.

Listen to the Year of the Rabbit EP by Eskimeaux on Soundcloud:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/184527099″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

With new songs in hand, Eskimeaux hit the road for a tour, including a stop at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Get there early to catch Eskimeaux and their wry observations on life and romance, cloaked in smooth, catchy bedroom pop.

Eskimeaux is opening for UK hardcore punks Basement. (And the two bands sound absolutely nothing alike…) Tickets are available online.

Eskimeaux
Opening for Basement
Rock and Roll Hotel
Sept. 7
Doors @6:30pm
$15-$18
All ages

Don’t Miss: Dash Berlin @ Echostage, 8/19/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 18, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Dash Berlin @ Echostage, 8/19/16

Dash Berlin (Photo courtesy Armada Music)

Since breaking through with “Til the Sky Falls Down” in 2007, Dash Berlin has been a man on the move! He’s become a mainstay in the Armada Music roster, signed by Armin Van Buuren himself, and consequently went on to win a number of top DJ awards, including honors from DJ Mag.

Well, Dash Berlin (aka DJ Jeffrey Sutorius) has been busy making new music recently, and the Dutchman comes back to DC to spin some trance, progressive house, and more with a stop at Echostage on Friday, August 19. (That’s tomorrow!)

Listen to “Without the Sun,” a new single from Dash Berlin & Luca Perra on Soundcloud:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/276932689″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Get ready to dance to some uplifting dance music from a DJ master of the craft. Joining Dash Berlin is Pierce Fulton, an American prodigy in electro house and downtempo electronica.

Tickets are available online.

Dash Berlin
w/ Pierce Fulton
Echostage
Friday, August 19
Doors @9pm
$30
18+

Music Park: Belly @ 9:30 Club — 8/13/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 17, 2016

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Tanya Donelly sings in Belly at the 9:30 Club on Saturday.

Soon into their set at the 9:30 Club on Saturday, jangle pop quartet Belly played… a new song!

Tentatively titled “Punish,” the song was introduced by vocalist Tanya Donelly, who invited the audience to submit better names for the tune. Then Belly performed the song, a number seemingly about dealing with the consequences of your actions. It’s a little bit heavier than a traditional Belly song and it “rocks” more than it “rolls” — but it’s pretty darn good.

Continue

Sports Park: D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls @ RFK Stadium, 8/21/16

Around Town

Jeremy Bailey

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August 17, 2016

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Sports Park: D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls @ RFK Stadium, 8/21/16

Season Record: 6-8-9 (27 points)

Nice! Your D.C. United took it to Portland last Saturday, winning 2-0, for a much needed win. Those three points landed them in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, just a point clear for a playoff spot.

This Sunday, August 21st the United battle the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls are in 2nd place (36 pts) in the Eastern Conference, also winning on Saturday, so this is the team the United needs to get points from. Your D.C. United beat New York 2-0 the first time they played. They play a third and final time in NY on September 11th.

Unfortunately, I think this one turns into a draw.

Buy your tickets here.

Audacious Assertion: United 2, Red Bulls 2

(My home picks so far: 3-4)

MLS: New York Red Bulls at D.C. United
RFK Stadium
Sunday, August 21, 2016
3:00pm
$20-55
All ages

Ticket Giveaway: Skye & Ross @ 9:30 Club, 8/25

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 17, 2016

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Skye & Ross from Morcheeba (Photo by Daniela+Glunz)

UK trip hop trio Morcheeba are always at the top of their game, with genre-refining albums. But in 2014, Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey were touring without Ross’ brother Paul when they were inspired to bring more live intensity to their music.

Hence, Skye & Ross spun off into a side project, called Skye & Ross, and they are grooving back into our lives with a debut album, SKYE | ROSS, on Sept. 2. As Ross said, “What Skye and I do naturally when you ask us to make music together, and yet not necessarily a continuation of what we’d been doing with Morcheeba. It therefore felt only right to give it a new identity.”

You can hear for yourself! Listen to the official audio of first single “Light of Gold” from Skye and Ross on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDgt0EEZc3U]

The band will continue to make albums as Morcheeba, Ross reported, but meanwhile Skye & Ross from Morcheeba have launched a tour in support of their new project, and they visit the 9:30 Club on Thursday, August 25. Parklife DC is giving away a pair of tickets so that you can check them out firsthand! To win, simply leave a comment on this blog. You can leave any comment, but how about tell us your favorite Morcheeba 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!

Tickets also are available online!

Skye & Ross
9:30 Club
Thursday, August 25
Doors @7pm
$27.50
All ages

Don’t Miss: All Things Go Fall Classic 2016 @ Yards Park, 10/8/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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August 16, 2016

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Don’t Miss: All Things Go Fall Classic 2016 @ Yards Park, 10/8/16

Héloïse Letissier aka Christine and the Queens performs at the 9:30 Club on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

All Things Go returns with its Fall Classic concert event on Saturday, Oct. 8, hosting headliners Empire of the Sun and Passion Pit in a new location at Yards Park at The Capitol Riverfront (131 M St. SE, DC).

Other acts joining the All Things Go Fall Classic daylong festival lineup include Sylvan Esso, Christine and the Queens, Bishop Briggs, POP ETC, Sofi Tukker, and Ace Cosgrove.

Here at Parklife DC, we’re big admirers of all of the bands, particularly Empire of the Sun and Christine and the Queens. We photographed and reviewed Christine and the Queens at the 9:30 Club at a sold-out show on May 31! This is a great opportunity to see what you missed.

The third annual All Things Go Fall Classic also will feature meals and snacks from some of DC’s most popular culinary vendors!

If you’re feeling flush, you can buy a VIP ticket to the festival, which will provide you with perks like access to a VIP lounge, VIP cash bar and bathrooms, cell phone charging stations, designated shade areas, and more.

By moving to Yards Park, the Fall Classic finds itself in a convenient and popular location on the block between M St., First St., N St., and New Jersey Ave. NE, only a few steps from the Navy Yard Metro Station.

Last year’s All Things Go Fall Classic sold out, so don’t let this cool concert bill pass you by. Tickets are available online! Although early bird tickets are sold out, regular admission and VIP admission are available.

All Things Go Fall Classic 2016
Empire of the Sun, Passion Pitt, Sylvan Echo, Christine and the Queens
Yards Park @ The Capitol Riverfront
Saturday, Oct. 8
Show @12-10:30pm
$75-$150
All ages