Interview: Myles Kennedy (New Album: The Ides of March)

Posted on 05/04/2021 by Chris R. Smyth in Interview and tagged Alter Bridge, blues, hard rock, Interview, Myles Kennedy, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Washington.

Myles Kennedy performs at the Baltimore Soundstage on May 16, 2018. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

As the United States continues its process of opening back up and getting back to normal, the world of music is working to do much of the same. Records are being released and tours are starting back up. What had grinded to a halt is moving once again.

But in the downtime without live music, many musicians used that time to write and record new music. That includes Alter Bridge — and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators — frontman Myles Kennedy, who will release his second solo record, The Ides of March, on May 14. In a conversation with Parklife DC’s Chris Smyth, Myles discusses the process of creating his new record, what a return to the stage will look like for him, plus what lies ahead for both of his bands.

Live Review: Samantha Fish @ The Birchmere — 10/19/20

Posted on 10/21/2020 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Ari Strauss, blues, Kansas City, Missouri, Samantha Fish, The Birchmere.

Samantha Fish performs at The Birchmere on Oct. 19, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

I wasn’t sure what the experience of a concert would be like when I attended my first show since early March at The Birchmere on Monday evening. I knew that the concert hall would be a half-capacity, sold out for blues guitarist extraordinaire and singer-songwriter Samantha Fish. But I wasn’t sure what kind of energy such a crowd would generate.

Preview: David Goodrich @ Gray Ghost Vineyards – 10/17/20

Posted on 10/13/2020 by Mark Caicedo in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged blues, DC, Gray Ghost Vineyards, guitar, Mark Goodrich.

David Goodrich performs at Gray Ghost Vineyards on Sept. 6, 2020. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

Live performances are returning to the DC metro area. The return to “normalcy,” though, has been achingly slow and many argue we are still nowhere near normal. But despite the continued shutdown of many of the region’s larger indoor music venues, the past few weeks have seen many local artists performing outdoor gigs at Jammin’ Java and the State Theatre. In addition, ever resourceful musicians have been performing sidewalk and porch shows, at drive-in concerts and even outdoor shopping malls. Of course, live streaming continues unabated, but as I’ve written before, watching a performance on the screen just doesn’t compare to being in the same room, in front of the players, enveloped by the music.

Live Review: Bobby Thompson and Friends @ Jammin’ Java – 9/20/20

Posted on 09/28/2020 by Mark Caicedo in Live Review, Local Spotlight and tagged blues, Bobby Thompson, DC, Jammin' Java.

Bobby Thompson performs at Jammin’ Java on Sept. 20, 2020. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

Famed American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter David Bromberg wrote, “you gotta suffer if you wanna sing the blues.” The irony, of course, is that when the bluesman (or woman) sings, everybody else feels good. So it was when local blues musician Bobby Thompson performed recently on a brilliant late afternoon show at Jammin’ Java.

Preview: Bobby Thompson Trio @ Jammin’ Java, 9/20/20

Posted on 09/18/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged blues, Bobby Thompson, DC, folk, Jammin' Java.

Bobby Thompson (Photo courtesy the artist)

Guitarist Bobby Thompson has been keeping the blues alive during these DC-area pandemic days, and he continues to do so with a performance by the Bobby Thompson Trio in an outdoor show at Jammin’ Java on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Preview: One Way Out @ Jammin’ Java, 9/4/20

Posted on 09/02/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged blues, DC, hard rock, Jammin' Java, One Way Out.

One Way Out (Photo courtesy the band)

Young DC rockers One Way Out released a new single earlier this year, and the gents promise more music to come!

Meanwhile, frontman Josh Gaba and his bandmates perform at Jammin’ Java on Friday, Sept. 4, for a socially distant, outdoor show.

Preview: Brandon “Taz” Niederauer @ Jammin’ Java, 8/28/20

Posted on 08/26/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged blues, Brandon Niederauer, Jammin' Java, New York City, R&B, soul, Taz Niederauer.

Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (Photo courtesy the artist)

(Editor’s note: We have confirmed this event is free! — updated!)

Seventeen-year-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true.

You can see so for yourself in a free outdoor show at Jammin’ Java on Friday, Aug. 28.

Around Town: Congrats to the 2020 Wammie Award Winners

Posted on 07/21/2020 by Parklifer in Around Town, Local Spotlight and tagged awards program, best of the year, bluegrass, blues, folk, gogo, hip hop, Pie Shop, punk, soul, The Musicianship, Wammie Awards, Wammies.

Elizabeth II won the 2020 Wammie Award for Best Rock Song with “Lonely.” (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

The MusicianShip recognized winners of the 2020 Washington Area Music Awards, or Wammies, in a series of virtual announcements with Events DC last week.

Parklife DC salutes the 2020 Wammie Award winners!

Live Review: Daryl Davis @ The Birchmere — 7/11/20

Posted on 07/16/2020 by Ari Strauss in Live Review and tagged Alexandria, blues, boogie woogie, Daryl Davis, Daryl Davis Band, The Birchmere, Virginia.

Daryl Davis and his band entertain music fans with a high-energy blues and rock & roll performance at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, July 11, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

A sight for sore eyes appeared on Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, this past weekend as the iconic Birchmere sign light up with news that it is once again open for business.

After a four-month hiatus since early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the legendary Northern Virginia music venue reopened recently at a limited capacity using enhanced health and safety measures set forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss went to see the Daryl Davis Band perform on July 11 and reviews his experience with photos of the performance.

Preview: Daryl Davis @ The Birchmere, 7/11/20

Posted on 07/07/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged blues, boogie woogie, Daryl Davis, DC, The Birchmere.

Daryl Davis (Photo courtesy of The Birchmere)

You may have heard tales of an eloquent Black man who surprisingly engages with the Ku Klux Klan, occasionally convincing its members to abandon the group by expanding their awareness of brotherhood and human rights for all men.

That man is musician Daryl Davis, a Bluesman and scholar ever there were one, and he’s heading to The Birchmere to boogie down for a show on Saturday, July 11.