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Music Park: Interpol @ 9:30 Club — 11/30/14

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When a band has gone through some big lineup changes, and releases a fifth album, you don’t necessarily expect the songs from that album to be the most exciting ones played on the next tour.

But then this is Interpol, the post-punk standard-bearers that have been defying expectations since they formed in New York City roughly 17 years ago. And so it seems the band can do little wrong as long as the wall of guitars that make up Interpol’s signature sound includes bandmates Paul Banks and Daniel Kessler behind it.

The band released El Pintor, its latest album, in September and embarked on a tour to support it. In a sold-out show at the 9:30 Club on Sunday night, the opened with “Say Hello to the Angels” from their first album, Turn On the Bright Lights — and the first and second albums continued to get quite a bit of love throughout the show.

But the second song, “My Blue Supreme,” is from the new album, and as the band continue with the set, you can see that the new songs symbolize the continued spirit of their collaboration. Interpol could have hit a speed bump without founding bassist Carlos Dengler, who departed after the last album, but instead they embarked on a remarkable distilling of their sound and thematic messages to produce an album as wholly fresh and exciting as their debut.

Don’t Miss: New Build @ U Street Music Hall, 12/2/14

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NEW BUILD PHOTO 2014

Guitarist Al Doyle, bassist Felix Martin (both of Hot Chip) and composer Tom Hopkins make up ambient synthpop band New Build, which is headlining at U Street Music Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 2. New Build are joined by Museum of Love, which features Pat Mahoney (of LCD Soundsystem) and Dennis McNany.

New Band recently released a second full-length album, Pour It On. Doyle, who also was in LCD Soundsystem, took time to talk to publicists about his past in LCD and his future with New Build

Q: What was your favorite LCD gig?

Al Doyle: Probably the one which I thought was my last ever gig, at the end of the Sound of Silver tour when James said he wasn’t making another record. We played “New York, I Love You” and I was totally in tears, just broken down and sobbing, and to add to it James started singing “Al Doyle, I Love You” and that was just too much. Never been so mushed up on stage before or since — actually, talking about it now it probably wasn’t my “favorite” gig, but it was a singular experience. Very grainy footage here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dB0OhXTPv4]

Music Park: Furniteur @ DC9 — 11/26/14

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I gotta say that it seems Prince George Records is doing something right.

I knew of the DC label as the backer for dance duo Pleasure Curses, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Prince George has more artists in its roster, and one in particular which could prove a breakout act in the next year.

Enter Furniteur, who opened for Frenchman David Grellier performing under his bandname College at DC9 last Wednesday. With the recent electronic release of a four-track EP, Furniteur have been playing several small shows around DC in places like The Dunes and Comet Ping-Pong. They are well worth catching at your earliest opportunity.

Furniteur’s frontwoman is local chanteuse Brittany Sims, who studied art in New York City and decided to form a band back home in DC after graduating. She’s recruited Kevin Bayly and Mike Toohey of Brett (formerly the Dance Party) and presented Furniteur as a smoldering synth-driven trio.

Food Park: Copycat Co. Enters the H Street Fray

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H Street NE continues to bolster its choices of restaurants and bars with an almost endless stream of openings in the last couple months.

A bar crawl is in order, especially if the streetcar ever decides to open.

One intriguing concept comes from Devin Gong, from Barmini, in the form of a cocktail bar slash pot sticker and dumpling restaurant.

Copycat Co opened less than a week ago and it immediately fits into the electic Atlas District/H St NE scene.

Sports Park: Get Your Baseball Fix at the NatsFest — 12/13/14

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4TH

The Presidents racing

The Washington Nationals had a fine season. If not for the suddenly mighty Giants, it might have been the best season.

With a first place finish in the National League East, at 96-66, for the second time in three years, the Nationals are primed to be a contender next year and beyond.

Let’s get excited for 2015!

Okay, we do have some time to idle away before April.

One way to get your baseball fix in the meantime is the annual NatsFest on December 13.

Get autographs and photos with your favorite players and the Presidents, play games, listen to seminars. Be a kid. Enjoy baseball.

NatsFest 2014

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Saturday, December 13

11am-5pm

$20 Adult; $10 Children

All Ages

Don’t Miss: College w/ Furniteur @ DC9, 11/26/14

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bnb8ti0JGU]

Frenchman David Grellier’s electronica project College leapt into full view of U.S. audiences in 2011 when its song “A Real Hero” was used on the soundtrack of the Ryan Gosling film Drive, which smartly and sleekly weaved smooth italo disco sounds into a pulsing yet atmospheric mix that served the elevate the mood and action of the movie.

Grellier has his hands in a number of projects, but College recently released a new EP and an accompanying video for “Save the Day.” The collective is touring with a first stop among some 14 dates at DC9 (1940 9th St. NW, DC) on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

I’m not 100 percent certain if Grellier is touring by himself or if he’s bringing an accompanying vocalist, but he is accompanied by opening act Furniteur, D.C. visual artist and electronic musician Brittany Sims. Furniteur is wonderful accompaniment to College’s sound–synthy, lush, melancholy classic pop. And Sims is a local, so we are super-excited to check out this lineup.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94ragCkocE&w=640&h=360]

Tickets are available online or at the door.

College
w/ Furniteur
DC9
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Doors @8:30pm
$15
All ages

Grapevine: Esquire’s Weekend Fix to Feature DC Hotspots, 11/26/14

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9LsxRfsv28&w=640&h=360]

The Esquire Network’s television series Weekend Fix will feature DC in its new episode premiering on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 10pm on the cable channel.

Here is a description of the series from the Esquire website:

“Actor Omar Miller and fashion designer Andres Izquieta of Five Four Clothing know that the best travel experiences don’t come from following a schedule—they come from following advice. And a good Wi-Fi connection. In each episode of Weekend Fix, Omar and Andres travel to a different city, using every social networking tool at their fingertips to seek out recommendations from friends, locals and strangers alike for the go-to hotels, off-the-radar restaurants and can’t-miss local experiences that the guidebooks just can’t tell you about.”

In the clip above, Omar and Andres visit the Dram & Grain Speakeasy in the basement of Jack Rose Dining Saloon (2007 18th St. NW, DC), where they experience some rare drinks thanks to Mixologist Trevor Frye.

If you catch the episode, let us know what you think about the places featured on the show and if it did a good job of fulfilling its objectives.

Food Park: Thanksgiving Dinner in DC, 11/27/14

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Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving for many involves travel to a relative’s house outside of the DC area for a day of food and reunions.

But for some, including myself on occasion, we remain here in town, holding down the fort. And yet we may seek a festive meal in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday or simply to slake our annual craving for too much turkey and stuffing.

Fortunately, some DC restaurants realize the need to cater to folks like us, and so they offer a Thanksgiving dinner to those who want to get out of the house on Thursday.

Here are a few quick recommendations for you to consider if you’re dining out in DC for Thanksgiving dinner:

Grapevine: New Thai Restaurant coming to CityCenterDC

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Khao Phad (Khao Phad by Jonas)
Since I love Thai food, I need to highlight a report from The K Street Magazine that a new Thai restaurant, Mango Tree, will be opening soon in the new CityCenterDC.
K Street Magazine reported: Prolific restauranteur Richard Sandoval is expanding his DC empire, this time partnering with Founder and CEO Pitaya Phanphensophon of Mango Tree, for some revolutionary Thai. DC’s Mango Tree — the first in the United States — is on track to open this December in CityCenterDC.