Parklife DC

Don’t Miss: Julia Holter @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 2/25/16

Live Review

Jeremy Bailey

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January 28, 2016

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Don’t Miss: Julia Holter @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 2/25/16

Julia Holter (Photo Courtesy of Motor Mouth Media)

Julia Holter makes a stop in DC on her 3-month tour on February 25th.

From and based in LA, Julia brings her experimental pop vibe to the Rock and Roll Hotel, with Circuit des Yeux opening.

Her fourth and most recent album, Have You In My Wilderness, got good press in the UK ranking #1 on a few Year-End Lists. Here in the US, the press has described the album as, “Enchanting” by Rolling Stone and, “A breathtaking headphone record that rewards amplified, focused listening.” by the LA Times. Our own Washington Post wrote, “An alluring bundle of pop songs.”

The experimental part of her sound, is the eclectic range of genres she infuses and samples, from classical to jazz to rock to pop.

The “Sea Calls Me Home”, from the new album, is an airy song, that builds towards a horn driven solo. “I can’t swim. It lucidity. So clear!’ is the chorus, which is interesting but may or may not be as lucid as declared.

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

“Feel You”, also from Have You In My Wilderness, takes place on an optimistic rainy day, and reminds me a little of an Ingrid Michaelson song, yet slightly more adventurous.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2JgMniIpRM]

Get your tickets to the show here.

Julia Holter will be ready to entertain you at the Rock and Roll Hotel in just under a month’s time. Come and see what all the fuss is about.

Julia Holter
w/ Circuit des Yeux
Rock and Roll Hotel
Thursday, February 25
Doors @ 7:00pm
$15
All ages

Ticket Giveaway: David Cross: Making America Great Again! @ Warner Theatre, 2/19/16

Around Town

Mickey McCarter

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January 27, 2016

10

You might know him as America’s most clueless psychiatrist — Tobias Fünke on Arrested Development, a man who thought it was a good idea to call attention to his proficiency as an analyst AND a therapist by combining the two as “analrapist.”

Of course, Tobias is portrayed by the prolific David Cross, who also makes lots of sketches in Mr. Show and stars in other situational comedies like “Todd Margaret.” One thing he has *not* done much of in recent years is tour with a stand-up routine. But starting this week in California, he’s making it right.

Last night, David Cross launched his first stand-up tour in six years -— a six-month international tour, titled “Making America Great Again!” And it arrives in DC in a few short weeks for two shows at the Warner Theatre on Friday, Feb. 19.

Watch David talk about his show “Todd Margaret” and going on tour again in an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Jan. 12, 2016:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58fgcFGi4ZU]

His early DC show is sold out, but you can win a pair of tickets to see the late show (showtime at 10:30pm on Feb. 19)! For your chance to win these tickets, simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between now and 5pm on Friday, Jan. 29. Feel free to leave any comment, but perhaps share your favorite movie, show, or joke by David Cross! One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Live Nation.

For the rules of this giveaway…

Comments will close on Friday, Jan. 29 at 5pm and we will randomly select a winner. 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.

Tickets will be available to the winner at the Warner Theatre box office on the night of the concert. The tickets must be claimed with a valid ID. The winner must be old enough to attend the specific concert or must have a parent’s permission to enter if he/she is under 18 years old.

Good luck!

David Cross: Making America Great Again!
Warner Theatre
Friday, Feb. 19
Show @10:30pm
$35
All ages

Don’t Miss: The Sierra Club’s Annual One Day Hike, 4/30/16

Jeremy Bailey

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January 26, 2016

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Don’t Miss: The Sierra Club’s Annual One Day Hike, 4/30/16

The world is wide open on the C&O Canal Towpath

Hike 50 kilometers. Or 100 kilometers. In one day. It’s your choice.

If you’re looking for a challenge, convince a friend to join you on Sierra Club’s 43rd One Day Hike (ODH) along the C&O Canal Towpath on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

If you’re a first time aspirant of this long-haul hike, I recommend the 50K (after all the 100K is 62.2 miles…). I’ve hiked the 50K four times now and only briefly considered the 100K…but no. Someday, maybe.

The 100K hikers start in Georgetown at 3:00am, while the 50K hikers start in White’s Ferry, Maryland at 10:00am. Both end in Bolivar, West Virginia (just up the hill from Harper’s Ferry) at the community center.

You can hike at your own pace, fast or slow, you just have to finish by midnight.

The event is well-organized and there are plenty of volunteers on hand to assist you or feed you.

Each support station (four for the 50K; seven for the 100K) doles out snacks, sandwiches, soup, coffee, Gatorade and more. At the end, there is even chili (turkey and veggie), sodas and pizza. I usually eat like a king on these hikes.

Support stations are also full of volunteers ready to give aid, including the all important foot care. Blisters are the leading reason people don’t finish the hike.

Once you’ve mastered the One Day Hike, you can take a shuttle from Bolivar to the Shady Grove Metro stop. But the recommended strategy is to stay overnight in Bolivar or Harper’s Ferry. There are a number of hotels or hostels. Then you can catch the only train (11:00am) back to DC.

The registration opens this Monday, February 1st at 5:00pm. Check the One Day Hike Facebook page for more details.

(Note: Last year the hike filled in just under an hour. But if you miss out, there is still a chance. Some people will cancel as the hike draws near, so more spots do become available.)

Sierra Club’s One Day Hike 2016
C&O Canal Towpath
Saturday, April 30
Registration: Monday, February 1 @ 5:00pm
50K @ 10:00am at White’s Ferry (100K @ 3:00am at Georgetown)
$55
Ages 13+ for 50K (16+ for 100K)

Tips for the 50K

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Don’t Miss: High Waisted @ Dead Kennedy Center, 2/2/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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January 26, 2016

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Don’t Miss: High Waisted @ Dead Kennedy Center, 2/2/16

Clearly, High Waisted know how to party. (Photo courtesy Girlie Action)

Do you like a good time? You might want to get High Waisted!

No, I don’t mean, like, high or wasted. Nor am I recommending a wardrobe change. (Maybe you like low pants?) All clever attempts at punnery aside, High Waisted is a New York City quartet that play surf and garage rock.

And they are coming to DC on Feb. 2 to play the Dead Kennedy Center.

Ah, no, that’s not another pun. It’s not the Kennedy Center, nor is it a shrine to the Dead Kennedys — although it’s a place they might prefer performing if it were 1980 and they were here. Okay, wait, let me back up.

The High Waisted band is led by Jessica Louise Dye, who sings with gusto as she mines ‘60s pop/rock hooks, sort of in the footsteps of Debbie Harry singing “Denis.” High Waisted’s girl power pop arrives in the form of new single “Party in the Back,” for which the band just released a new video a few days ago.

Watch the official music video for “Party in the Back,” which was “filmed on the beloved Lower East Side on the budget of friendship and dollar slice” on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xykiiaV1oZY]

High Waisted are touring as they march toward the release of their debut album, On Ludlow, a clear homage to their home turf, due out March 4. They will stop in DC to perform at DIY venue Dead Kennedy Center — a self-declared music venue/art space /laboratory — on Tuesday, Feb. 2 (one week from today!).

Jess Dye is joined by her bandmates — drummer Jono, bassist Jeremy, and guitarist Steven — in their show at Dead Kennedy Center (1325 Linden Ct. NE, DC), which I’m sure is a really nice place (despite some of their signage) just a few steps off the main drag of the Atlas District along H St. NE. DC bands Joy Buttons and BRNDA round out the bill.

Hell, High Waisted namecheck The Ventures and Dick Dale as influences on their Facebook page. Wanna surf? See you there!

High Waisted
w/ BRNDA and Joy Buttons
Dead Kennedy Center
Tuesday, Feb. 2
Show @7pm
Donations welcome ($5-$10 recommended by Parklife DC)
All ages

Music Park: The Fuss @ Wonderland Ballroom — 1/21/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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January 25, 2016

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Music Park: The Fuss @ Wonderland Ballroom — 1/21/16

The Fuss, “In Anacostia” (Photo courtesy The Fuss)

Before the snow hit DC on Thursday night, people were in the mood to go out. Drifting from nightspot to nightspot, I could already feel the restlessness among the crowds anticipating they would soon be snowed in.

There was no snow to be found as of yet, however, and a sizeable group formed at the Wonderland Ballroom for a night of ska and reggae presented by BlueBeat DC, which produces a show every third Thursday of the month at Wonderland. The first band up last week was The Fuss, a DC collective of eight musicians who satisfied the crowd’s desire to dance the night away.

The Fuss opened with their song “Just for Show,” a laidback, jazzy and funky tune that really captures the band’s sound. To be clear, that sound is textbook rocksteady, a slower yet still dance-driven sibling of ska. The song is an ideal set opener as its tone and lyrics truly invite the listener to come into the show. In performance, The Fuss are quite fluid, orchestrating smart use of its horns, strings, and percussion. Vocalist Andi Leo has a big voice that pairs well with the big instruments.

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Stars and Bars: Grand Opening @ Columbia Room, 2/9/16

Stars and Bars

Mickey McCarter

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January 21, 2016

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Stars and Bars: Grand Opening @ Columbia Room, 2/9/16

Columbia Room Owner Derek Brown and Head Bartender J.P. Fetherston. (Photo by Joy Asico)

Our favorite cocktail mogul has announced the return of his signature establishment, which he promises will be bigger and better than ever.

On Feb. 9, enterpreneur Derek Brown will reopen the Columbia Room in its new location in the Shaw neighborhood (124 Blagden Alley NW, DC). The original Columbia Room, once relocated within the Passenger cocktail bar for a five-year run, closed over a year ago after receiving widespread recognition, including two James Beard Award nominations.

“We’re so excited that we get to expand on our original idea,” said Derek in a press release. “It means that we get to add bells and whistles, but it also means that we get to bring a new perspective — a more confident perspective that I think, for guests, will translate into a richer experience with our service, drinks, and food.”

The new Columbia Room covers 2,400-square feet and consists of three areas — The Spirits Library, the Tasting Room, and the Punch Garden. The Spirits Library is the “main room,” which holds only 20 people, serving the specialty cocktails and spirits upon which Derek has crafted his repuation. He’s joined in the enterprise, of course, by Columbia Room head bartender J.P. Fetherston.

Customers will require tickets for the Tasting Room, which holds only 14 people. Inside the Tasting Room, patrons can enjoy three- and five-course tasting menus featuring specialty cocktails, punches, sodas, and light snacks curated by Derek and the team.

The Punch Garden is a seated outdoors terrace with a great view of the city, and it won’t open until later this spring.

For more information on the Columbia Room, visit its website at http://www.columbiaroomdc.com.

Of course, Derek also will continue to be the coproprieter of sister bars Mockingbird Hill (1843 7th St. NW, DC), Eat the Rich (1839 7th St. NW, DC), and Southern Efficiency (1841 7th St. NW, DC).

Below are pictures of a few of the Columbia Room signature cocktails.

Iron Arm Grog: Scotch, brose (oatmeal, hay, faro), myrtle berry liqueur, honey, cranberry bitters, frozen cranberries, juniper sprig (Photo by Joy Asico)

Give Me a Home: Bison grass vodka, fresh pressed apple juice, spiced apple foam, caramel lace (Photo by Joy Asico)

Robert Frost Cocktail: Bourbon, amontillado sherry, white port, orange bitters, sugar maple charcoal filtered (Photo by Joy Asico)

RIP, Glenn Frey

Live Review

Jeremy Bailey

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January 20, 2016

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Rest In Peace, Glenn (1948-2016)

Something about this new year of 2016 has made death a real force. Too many musicians and actors have died in such a short time.

Now Glenn Frey. Damn. The H is not O.

My only chance to see The Eagles perform live came in April of 2005 in Baltimore. I remember thinking they must be old because the show included an intermission. But they still captured the essence of what made them great. The show was entertaining, especially with the interplay between Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It was one of few shows I had eagerly looked forward to as a long-time fan. I considered seeing them again during their more recent tours to DC in 2013 and 2014, but something always got in the way. Now I wish it hadn’t.

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Don’t Miss: Wray @ Black Cat, 1/26/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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January 20, 2016

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Wray (Photo by Wes Frazer)

With the return of seminal shoegaze bands like Ride and Lush from England, which really left their mark on the genre, it might be easy to forget there are many thriving new bands, and even American bands, carrying on the shoegaze sound.

Well, maybe not given the popularity of Zachary Cole Smith and DIIV, who returned with a strong new album last year. But Brooklyn isn’t the only place where you can find shoegaze stalwarts! Case in point: Wray from Birmingham, Ala.

The trio released their self-titled debut in 2014, and they have already followed it up with a second full-length album, Hypatia, which came out last Friday via Communicating Vessels. They are making a stop at the Black Cat on Tuesday, Jan. 26, in a tour to support the album.

Wray’s new album has a pleasant, easygoing vibe, as evidenced by the title track. Watch the official music video for “Hypatia,” which pays homage to the Greek mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher in Egypt, circa 400 AD, from whom the album draws its name:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nw38B7sTsk]

Says the New York Times of Wray: “A wash of distortion, a motorik beat, an impassive and nearly drowned-out vocal: These are the essential building blocks for Wray, a three-piece band pursuing its own extrapolation of shoegaze, surf-punk and lo-fi garage-rock.”

Sounds pretty good to us! DC bands Exit Vehicles and ShowPony open for Wray. Tickets are available online.

Wray
W/ Exit Vehicles, ShowPony
Black Cat
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Doors @7:30pm
$10
All ages

Don’t Miss: Best Coast (with Wavves) @ 9:30 Club, 2/16/16

Live Review

Jeremy Bailey

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January 19, 2016

0

Don’t Miss: Best Coast (with Wavves) @ 9:30 Club, 2/16/16

Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno of Best Coast (Photo courtesy of Press Here Publicity)

Best Coast, co-headlining with Wavves, come to the 9:30 Club on Tuesday, February 16 for their Summer is Forever II Tour. The first Summer is Forever Tour was held in 2011.

Best Coast, formed in 2009 and composed of singer/songwriter/guitarist Bethany Cosentino and guitarist Bobb Bruno, play indie rock by way of Southern California. And of course their name symbolizes how the West Coast is best. Sorry DC.

Bethany Cosentino’s voice has a certain melancholy undercurrent and purity of sound that often reminds me of Neko Case. They also list artists like The Go Gos, Gwen Stefani and Patsy Cline as influences.

Best Coast recently released their third album, California Nights, with infectious songs like, “In My Eyes” and “Feeling Ok”.

Bethany describes the rationale behind the album title, “In LA, or maybe just personally to me, when the sun sets – I feel like there is a large sense of calmness in the air, and I feel like everything that happened to me prior in the day, whether crappy experiences or good ones, at night, it all goes away and I sink deep into this different kind of ‘world’.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MDWtSf_AI4]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/114888199″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]

Come out to the 9:30 Club and give the Summer is Forever II Tour a listen. Tickets are available here.

Get excited that Summer is coming in the Winter.

Best Coast & Wavves
w/ Cherry Glazerr
9:30 Club
Tuesday, February 16
Doors @ 7:00pm
$30
All ages

Music Park: Woody Woodmansey’s Holy Holy @ Birchmere — 1/14/16

Live Review

Mickey McCarter

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January 18, 2016

1

Music Park: Woody Woodmansey’s Holy Holy @ Birchmere — 1/14/16

Glenn Gregory (foreground) and Tony Visconti put their souls into a performance of Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Midway through a concert performance at The Birchmere on Thursday, Tony Visconti paused to share a memory of his time playing bass for David Bowie with the very full house.

Doing a warm impersonation of David’s famous voice, Tony recalled how Bowie instructed him to play like Jack Bruce, the Scottish bass player known for his work with Cream. Tony impressed Mr. Bowie well enough, and he joined up with drummer Woody Woodmansey and guitarist Mick Ronson to form a Bowie backing band that most famously performed on the Bowie album The Man Who Sold the World (TMWSTW).

Woody was the heart of that operation, and Mick the soul, Tony said. “But the brains and the beauty and the creativity was a great man who left us recently — Mr. David Bowie.”

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