DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Gideon Jaguar performs with Exotiq Int’l at Black Cat on July 16, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
In a recent show at Black Cat, Sister Polygon Records flexed its indie dance muscles and revealed how it’s poised to keep our feet moving with the disco and funk of lablelmates Too Free and Exotiq Int’l respectively.
Too Free (Photo by Emily Geller)
DC electronic pop trio Too Free make their first post-pandemic appearance in a show with new Sister Polygon labelmates Exotiq Intl at Black Cat on Friday, July 16.
Join these fresh breakout acts for a carefree evening of tunes that are sure to move your feet!
Karen Jonas one the 2021 Wammie Award for Best Country/Americana Artist/Group. (Photo by Jim Williams)
The MusicianShip recognized winners of the 2021 Washington Area Music Awards, or Wammies in a virtual awards ceremony on Sunday.
Parklife DC salutes the 2021 Wammie Award winners!
St. Vincent (Photo by Zackery Michael)
Daddy’s Home, the sixth album from Annie Clark a/k/a St. Vincent, is the latest facet of an ever-evolving artist regarded by many as the most consistently innovative and intriguing presence in modern music. Daddy’s Home is out May 14, 2021 on Loma Vista Recordings.
St. Vincent’s synthesis of this era reaches us in the form of “Pay Your Way In Pain,” a slinky slab of sweaty funk—punctuated by a few examples of Clark’s ability to shred vocal cords rivaling her shredding on her signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar.
Chromeo (Art courtesy Sacks & Co.)
Chromeo debut their surreal video for “Clorox Wipe,” directed by Patrick Jean. The track is taken from their Quarantine Casanova EP, five tracks written and recorded under lockdown and released earlier this year.
100% of net proceeds from EP digital downloads, physical sales, and merch have been donated, with $20,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund plus an additional $30,000 match donation from Clorox.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performs at Showtime at the Drive-In in Frederick on Oct. 15, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock.)
While the memories of live music as we once knew it slip more distant into our collective memories, it’s likely that no one will forget their first experience watching a drive-in style pandemic performance.
Originating in Europe and cropping up shortly thereafter throughout the United States, drive-in concerts have already become, for some, a norm in times of required or suggested social distancing. And thanks to the work of All Good Presents and Baltimore Soundstage, music fans in the DMV this fall are being offered a somewhat unexpected harvest of live music by way of the Showtime at the Drive-In series being held at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.
Alan Scott (Photo courtesy Sacks & Co.)
In the wake of social unrest and long-overdue increased awareness of institutionalized racism surrounding the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, DC songwriter and recording artist Alan Scott’s viral 2016 single and video “You Only See Me When I’m Gone” — written originally to address issues of race and police brutality following the tragic death of Eric Garner — was recently re-released.
Torrey B. (Photo courtesy the artist)
Singer-songwriter Torrey B. performs at Jammin’ Java on Thursday, July 16. The soulful DMV singer-songwriter appears as part of the Jammin’ Java’s series, “A Song & A Slice: A Socially Distanced Outdoor Concert Series,” in a show to benefit Black Lives Matter DMV.
Oh He Dead performs at Jammin’ Java on July 3, 2020. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
More than once it’s been said that, despite our differences, music’s greatest gift is its ability to break down barriers, bring people together, and unite us in common cause. In this age of pandemic lockdowns, economic uncertainty, and just plain fear of the future, that those in need, particularly struggling local musicians, would work to support causes larger than themselves, is a beautiful testament to the power of song.
Oh He Dead recently performed for a packed, but socially distanced, crowd as part of Jammin’ Java’s “A Song & A Slice: A Socially Distanced Outdoor Concert Series.”
Oh He Dead performs in Bethesda, Maryland, on Jan. 25, 2020 (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Jammin’ Java’s Summerfest continues this Friday, July 3, with Oh He Dead. Originally founded as a duo in 2014 by Andy Valenti and CJ Johnson, the band now consists of five players: CJ on vocals and Andy on rhythm guitar with Alex Salser (lead guitar), John Daise (bass), and Adam Ashforth (drums). A healthy mix of classic R&B, funk, and folk, the Washington Post calls Oh He Dead’s music an “infectious and soulful sound.”
The show is currently sold out, but read on to see what you can expect if you’re going!
