Eli Lev (Photo courtesy Rebel Coast Media)
Singer-songwriter Eli Lev has taken on a new role as pop crooner in new single “Be Your Someone.”
Americana
Song of the Day: “We Shall Overcome” by Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell Trio (Photo by Monica Jane Frisell)
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has announced his newest project Valentine — the debut recording of his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston — for release Aug. 14 on Blue Note Records.
Bill has also released the album’s closing track “We Shall Overcome,” the Civil Rights anthem that he holds dear as a message of hope in all dark times. “I’ve been playing the song for years, and I’m going to keep playing it till there is no need anymore,” he said. “I can’t help but hope that day will come.”
Song of the Day: “To Live” by Norah Jones
Norah Jones (Photo by Dianne Russo)
Norah Jones has released her seventh solo studio album Pick Me Up Off The Floor, which is out on Blue Note Records. The album features collaborators including Jeff Tweedy and Brian Blade on a set of 11 new songs written or co-written by Norah that speak deeply to the moment.
Tune in to ABC Good Morning America on Tuesday, June 16, to hear Norah perform the uplifting “To Live,” and watch the song’s official video featuring drummer Nate Smith, bassist Jesse Murphy, trumpeter Dave Guy, and tenor saxophonist Leon Michels.
Interview: Lauren Calve, DC’s Formidable Americana Artist
Lauren Calve (Photo by Shane Gardner)
DC Americana and blues artist Lauren Calve releases Wildfire, her new EP, on June 23. She recently released the first single from the album — a song called “Better Angels.” As Lauren has said, she took inspiration for the song from Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address, which prompted her to reflect on the courage of people today dealing with modern challenges like COVID-19.
And, of course, as everyone has been in a pandemic lockdown, Lauren has been a regular performer in livestream concerts, spreading the word about her new music and finding creative outlets where she can. Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter recently caught up with Lauren to ask her about getting music out during the lockdown, her approach to unique arrangements in her music, and her spiritual connections to the places that gave birth to roots and Americana.
Livestream Preview: SUSTO @ StageIt, 6/10/20
SUSTO (Photo by Sully Sullivan)
SUSTO recently released Ever Since I Lost my Mind, the project’s latest studio album, out now on Rounder Records. SUSTO, fronted by Justin Osborne, has been performing a series of five quarantine shows, and Justin presents the fourth in the series as a “Greatest Hits Happy Hour” via StageIt on Wednesday, June 10.
Livestream Preview: Waxahatchee @ Noon Chorus, 6/8/20
Waxahatchee (Photo by Molly Matalon)
Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) released her highly anticipated new album Saint Cloud on March 27 via Merge Records. Critics hailed Saint Cloud as a career-defining album with Katie’s songwriting front and center.
With her spring tour in support of the album canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Katie has a series of five livestream shows dedicated to her five albums, starting on Monday, June 8, via Noon Chorus.
Stream Preview: DelFest at Home @ Facebook, 5/21-5/24/20
The Travelin’ McCourys (Photo courtesy IVPR)
DelFest, the festival brainchild of Del McCoury and his extended McCoury family, has just announced DelFest at Home, a streaming event celebrating musical highlights from DelFests past.
Happening during the originally scheduled festival weekend, May 21 through May 24, the free online event will feature performances from the festival’s namesake and his family as well as bluegrass and jam band luminaries such as Trey Anastasio Band, Bela Fleck and Chris Thile, Greensky Bluegrass, and more.
Livestream Preview: Lauren Calve @ Facebook Live, 5/15/20
Lauren Calve (Photo by Shane Gardner)
DC-area storyteller and songwriter Lauren Calve performs a special show for Sixth & I’s Living Room Sessions on Friday, May 15, on Sixth & I’s Facebook page.
Preview: David Wax Museum @ Facebook Live, 5/1 + 5/3/20
David Wax Museum performs at Union Stage on Dec. 29, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
David Wax Museum has really taken live streaming to heart, broadcasting on Sundays, Tuesdays, and fun, family-friendly shows on Fridays.
Catch the band’s next shows on Friday, May 1, and Sunday, May 3, via Facebook Live.
Interview: Scott Terry (of Red Wanting Blue)
Scott Terry, frontman for Red Wanting Blue, on stage at Gypsy Sally’s, May 4, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Scott Terry is a road warrior. Red Wanting Blue, the Columbus, Ohio-based band he founded in 1996 while a student at Ohio University, has spent the better part of two-plus decades on what seems like a perpetual tour.
Comprised of Eric Hall on lead guitar, Dean Anshutz on drums and percussion, Greg Rahm on keys and guitar, Mark McCullough on bass, and Scott on lead vocals and ukulele, Red Wanting Blue regularly plays 200 or more live shows a year.
With no touring scheduled due to the national coronavirus emergency, Scott chatted with Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss from Brooklyn about his thoughts and activities during the lockdown.
Angel K
AJ Waugh
ambienteye
Ari Strauss
Andy Jillson
Brenda Reyes
Chester Simpson
chriscastilloweb
Chris R. Smyth
Casey Vock
Daniel Webb
David LaMason
EDMit it
Shantel M Breen
isaiahhattix
Jason Nicholson "Le Mouton Flâneur"
jesternate
julesontheroadphotos
jwillview
kristiechua
marcshea2
Mark Caicedo
Mark Engleson
Mathew Harkins
Corey Paterson
mdxpc
Mickey McCarter
Miyun Park
Neal Keller
Parklifer
Kyle Gustafson
paivi
Rebecca
regardingtess
Robert Smith
shedrickpelt
theeternalname
Matt Ruppert
Will Colbert
Andrew Goodwin
wefoughtthebigone