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Town Mountain performs at The Hamilton Live on Feb. 1, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Town Mountain brought its A-game to DC recently with a solid performance at The Hamilton Live. The evolutionary bluegrass band that plays with a rock ‘n’ roll feel performed songs from its vast catalog along with a few covers, including a bluegrass version of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.”
Town Mountain performs at Pearl Street Warehouse on Oct. 12, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
If you’re a fan of bluegrass, you likely know Town Mountain. The North Carolina quintet is at the forefront of the next generation of bluegrass greatness. They have a new album coming on Oct. 26th — New Freedom Blues — and the band made a stop at Pearl Street Warehouse recently to put on a show and promote the album.
Town Mountain (Photo by Sandlin Gaither)
Ashville, North Carolina, bluegrass quintet Town Mountain will release its much anticipated sixth studio album, New Freedom Blues, on Oct. 26. The gents roll into Pearl Street Warehouse in advance of the release for a show on Friday, Oct. 12.
River Whyless performs at Union Stage on Sept. 19, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
After a couple warm-up gigs in the DC area earlier this summer, then crisscrossing the country in support of a new release, Kindness, A Rebel (RollCall Records), River Whyless returned to Union Stage recently. Despite a grueling tour schedule that started back in May 2018, River Whyless turned in a lively, energetic set featuring songs primarily from their last two albums, the aforementioned Kindness… and 2016’s We All the Light.
River Whyless performs at Grist Mill Park in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
If making an album has become a lost art, then River Whyless is doing its best to revive it. Celebrating the release of their new record, Kindness, A Rebel (Roll Call Records), the band performed on a warm summer evening Friday to a relaxed, picnicking crowd at Grist Mill Park near George Washington’s sprawling country estate, Mt. Vernon.
River Whyless performs at the Herndon Festival on June 2, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
By the time River Whyless took the stage at the Herndon Festival on Saturday, not a drop had fallen all day — and both band and audience were hopeful that it would stay that way for at least one more 45-minute set. The threat of storms made the day a risky proposition, but the rain, thankfully, held off.
Angel Olsen performs at 9:30 Club on Dec. 15, 2017. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
The first time I heard Angel Olsen sing, the name Patsy Cline kept repeating through my mind, and not because Wikipedia describes Ms. Olsen’s music as indie folk, indie rock, or alternative country, and not because their voices sound anything alike. Perhaps one could make a case that underneath Angel’s county blues melodies, there lurks Patsy’s Cline’s spirit. But for me the purity of their voices share the same mix of vulnerability and world-weariness.
Angel Olsen (Photo by Kyle Coutts)
Recently, Angel Olsen released Phases, a collection of B-sides, rarities, and demos from the past few years, via Jagjaguwar. Angel launched a tour that included a night at 9:30 Club. That first night quickly sold out, so 9:30 Club booked her for a second night on Friday, Dec. 15. You can win tickets to see Angel Olsen on that night with Parklife DC.
Angel Olsen (Photo by Amanda Marsalis)
On Sept. 2, folk siren Angel Olsen will release her third album, My Woman, via Jagjaguwar. Immediately afterward, Angel will launch a tour with a six-piece band, and that tour will make an early stop at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, Sept. 15.
In songs like “Intern,” the first single from the new album, Angel’s unique voice and personality are on display. Although she’s clearly settled into the folk and alt-country genres, Angel carries herself with an upstart punk attitude that distinguishes her from the pack. The New York Times called “Intern” a “synthpop dirge, shimmering and glacial.”
Angel gets a little warmer but no less defiant on her latest single, “Shut Up Kiss Me.” (Well, today, Angel dropped “Sister,” so maybe not her latest single.) Watch the official video for “Shut Up Kiss Me” by Angel Olsen on YouTube:
Parklife DC is giving away a pair of tickets so that you see Angel Olsen when she comes to town. To win these tickets, leave a comment on this blog. You can leave any comment, but perhaps tell us your favorite Angel Olsen song?
For the rules of this giveaway–
Comments will be closed at 5pm on Friday 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!
Angel Olsen
w/ Alex Cameron
9:30 Club
Thursday, Sept. 15
Doors @7pm
$20
All ages
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