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Interview: Jed Elliott of The Struts (New Album: Strange Days)

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Jed Elliott (left) with The Struts (Photo by Beth Saravo)

On Oct. 16, The Struts released the band’s third album, Strange Days. Managing to record a new album in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic proved difficult. But after a round of tests to ensure everyone’s health and safety, the band moved in together and recorded the entire album from a home-studio over the course of just 10 days. Recording in a way they hadn’t before, during a time unlike any other, The Struts managed to capture the emotions of this moment in history, while balancing it with the fun escapism that many seek through their music.

With the addition of multiple major artists featured throughout the album, and even a cover of a Kiss deep-cut, The Struts pulled off an album that is true to their style, while simultaneously advancing their sound to levels not heard before.

Soon after the album’s release, The Struts bassist Jed Elliott spoke with Parklife DC’s Chris Smyth about all things Strange Days and how the band has been keeping busy during the pandemic.

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Song of the Day: “Down the Road” by Dirty Honey

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Dirty Honey (Photo by Richie Davis)

On a late-afternoon earlier this month, with Dodger Stadium and the downtown Los Angeles skyline in the background, Dirty Honey took to the hills — with suitcase in hand — and shot an acoustic performance clip of their song “Down the Road” as the newest installment in their “Suitcase Sessions” video series.

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My Favorite Albums: 2019 Records for the Lockdown by Chris

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Duff McKagan (second from left) and Shooter Jennings (center) with their band (Photo courtesy BWR)

It’s difficult being stuck inside, unable to interact with others face to face. We here at Parklife DC are feeling that along with everyone else. I am regularly looking at my calendar, trying to guess when I’ll be able to get back in a club or arena and do what I love, photograph concerts.

I certainly don’t have the answer to when we’ll all be back to our normal lives, but one thing that is helping me get through this time is listening to music. We are fortunate that so much great music is still being created. Even in these trying times, bands and artists are finding ways to entertain us with live streams and basic recordings from their homes.

But it can be difficult to keep track of who will be performing and when. And if you’re like me, you may just want to throw on an album and let it play. So I have put together a list of some of my favorite albums that came out in 2019.

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Interview: Marc Labelle of Dirty Honey

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Dirty Honey performs at MECU Pavilion on Sept. 22, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

Los Angeles-based rock and roll band Dirty Honey are beating the odds. As an unsigned band, Dirty Honey has overcome the obstacles that come with not having a major label in their corner, and the band saw their debut single, “When I’m Gone,” become a #1 US rock radio hit in late 2019.

Dirty Honey was supposed to be in Australia right now recording their new album, but the travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus have stuck the band in Los Angeles.

Lead singer Marc Labelle recently spoke with Parklife DC’s Chris Smyth about what it’s like to write and record in this time of coronavirus, the band’s relationship with Slash and Myles Kennedy, their upcoming European tour with Alter Bridge, and when we may see Dirty Honey make their first stop in Washington, DC.

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Live Review: Peter Murphy @ Le Poisson Rouge — 1/24/20

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Peter Murphy performs at Le Poisson Rouge on Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

In 1972, David Bowie appeared on the British program Top of the Pops to perform “Starman” from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The national broadcast was a sensation, leaving a deep impression upon a generation of young creatives.

Those young creatives surely included musician Peter Murphy, who had the rare opportunity to showcase his talents with Bowie in a performance by his band Bauhaus in Bowie’s movie The Hunger in 1983.

Last week, Peter finished a career-retrospective residency at Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan with two nights dedicated entirely to David Bowie’s music, in a way completing a very satisfying circle nearly four years after Bowie’s passing.

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Live Review: Adam Ant @ Lincoln Theatre — 9/23/19

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adam_ant_dc_pl-8 Adam Ant performs at the Lincoln Theatre on Sept. 23, 2019. (Photos by Jason Nicholson; Words by Mickey McCarter)

Stuart Goddard, who is responsible for 22 hit singles as Adam Ant, mugged, danced, and chatted his way through a lengthy show with an adoring audience at the Lincoln Theatre recently.

During the show, Adam Ant performed Friend or Foe, his debut solo album (but his fourth studio record overall), live in its entirety for the first time in DC, giving an earnest glam treatment to long-time favorites like “Goody Two Shoes,” “Desperate But Not Serious,” and “Friend or Foe.”

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Live Review: Dirty Honey @ MECU Pavilion — 9/22/19

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Dirty Honey performs at MECU Pavilion on Sept. 22, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

The amber sky from the evening’s sunset set a beautiful atmosphere as Dirty Honey took the stage to open the Victorious Sky tour with Alter Bridge and Skillet. While nature’s beauty was on exhibit high above, beneath the canopy at Baltimore’s MECU Pavilion recently, a night of music was commenced by one of rock and roll’s next big things.

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Five Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Elton John As the Rocketman Preps to Land Career

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Elton John (Photo by Ernst Vikne)

Interest in all things Elton John is soaring in 2019, thanks to the recent biopic Rocketman and the rock legend’s ongoing three-year farewell tour.

While it’s no secret that the former Reginald Dwight has lived an amazing musical life – overcoming personal challenges during his six decade-spanning career – you might be surprised to learn these five interesting details about Sir Elton.

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