Live Review: Jungle @ The Anthem — 10/4/21

Posted on 10/08/2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged England, funk, Jungle, London, neo-soul, R&B, The Anthem.

Jungle perform at The Anthem on Oct. 4, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

The most remarkable thing about Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland is that they seem like two very approachable and laidback — if more hip than most — guys who would be really cool to chat with over a few pints.

Their breezy demeanor, however, hides the fact that the two Brits are fine tunesmiths who have a keen ear for hooks and beats in their work as electronic duo Jungle. As evidence, Jungle pulled a host of those tunes from their three studio albums at The Anthem recently, spinning the crowded venue into dancefloor mania with their upbeat and funky music.

Preview: Jungle @ The Anthem, 10/4/21

Posted on 10/01/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged electronic, England, funk, Jungle, London, neo-soul, The Anthem.

Jungle (Photo by Filmawi)

Out now on Caiola Records/AWAL, Jungle’s acclaimed new album Loving in Stereo debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Current Electronic Albums chart while also peaking at No. 3 on Independent Albums.

The British electronic funk duo now perform at The Anthem in DC on Monday, Oct. 4.

Preview: Oh He Dead @ 9:30 Club, 9/25/21

Posted on 09/23/2021 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged 9:30 Club, DC, funk, Oh He Dead, soul.

Oh He Dead (Photo courtesy 9:30 Club)

DC indie band Oh He Dead “recalls the danceability of Earth Wind and Fire, the pop genius of Prince, and the seductive, soulful groove of Sade,” said Parklife blogger Mark Caicedo in his last review of this funky quintet.

Experience that sound for yourself and catch Oh He Dead live at 9:30 Club on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Snapshots: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue @ Wolf Trap — 8/24/21

Posted on 08/30/2021 by Ari Strauss in Live Review and tagged funk, jazz, New Orleans, Trombone Shorty, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Wolf Trap.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue perform on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap, Aug. 24, 2021 (Photo by Ari Strauss).

Multi-instrumentalist Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his R&B, rock, rap, and funk band, “Orleans Avenue,” delivered a New Orleans-style, “Treme Threauxdown,” to an audience armed with face masks and picnic suppers at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center outdoor concert venue on recently.

Preview: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue AND Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Wolf Trap, 8/24/21

Posted on 08/23/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged funk, jazz, Louisiana, Michael Franti, Michael Franti and Spearhead, New Orleans, Trombone Shorty, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Wolf Trap.

Trombone Shorty (Photo courtesy Blue Note Records)

Experience an evening of good vibes with the funky jazz rhythms of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (“Hurricane Season,” “Tripped Out Slim”) and the high-energy, inspiring music of Michael Franti & Spearhead (“Say Hey (I Love You),” “The Sound of Sunshine”) at Wolf Trap on Tuesday, Aug. 24!

Live Review: Too Free and Exotiq Int’l @ Black Cat — 7/16/21

Posted on 07/26/2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review, Local Spotlight and tagged Black Cat, Exotiq Intl, freestyle, funk, Gideon Jaguar, Laura Harris, R&B, Sister Polygon Records, Too Free.

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.

Preview: Too Free and Exotiq Intl @ Black Cat, 7/16/21

Posted on 07/14/2021 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged Black Cat, DC, electronic, Exotiq Intl, freestyle, funk, Sister Polygon Records, Too Free.

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!

Around Town: Congrats to the 2021 Wammie Award Winners

Posted on 03/30/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged awards program, best of the year, country, folk, funk, gogo, punk, soul, The Musicianship, The Wammies, Wammie Awards.

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!

Song of the Day: “Pay Your Way in Pain” by St. Vincent

Posted on 03/11/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged funk, New York City, Song of the Day, St. Vincent.

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.

Song of the Day: “Clorox Wipe” by Chromeo

Posted on 11/02/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Canada, Chromeo, funk, Montreal, Song of the Day.

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.