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Broke Royals (Photo courtesy the band)
Broke Royals is rewriting doubts. Turning negative self-talk into positive affirmations. Hokey as it sounds, the band was willing to try anything after the world, and their income stream, came to a grinding halt this year.
On “Goldbrick Champion,” the band is exalting its weaknesses to the tune of an ’80s-inspired slacker anthem. Propelled by a drum machine and an infectious bass groove, the DC band is spinning their insecurities into pop-rock gold.
Broke Royals (Photo courtesy the band)
DC heartland rockers Broke Royals release a new single, “U + Me + WWIII,” on Friday, Sept. 4. The song focuses on anxiety-related insomnia largely stemming from the political and social unrest facing the world today.
This track sprang from Broke Royals’ Alone, Together series where the band creates a new song every week. Season 1 of Alone, Together, a livestream chat and music series, wrapped on July 31 after 10 episodes and 10 accompanying new songs. Broke Royals launches Season 2 of Alone, Together on Sept. 18.
Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Philip Basnight and Colin Cross of Broke Royals in advance of the new single and upcoming livestream series for an inside look at the band’s creative process. And of course, Parklife DC readers named Broke Royals as the Best DC Band of 2018 in our inaugural Thrushie Awards, so you know the gents started out strong, and they are only getting better.
Scott Terry, frontman for Red Wanting Blue, on stage at Gypsy Sally’s, May 4, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Scott Terry is a road warrior. Red Wanting Blue, the Columbus, Ohio-based band he founded in 1996 while a student at Ohio University, has spent the better part of two-plus decades on what seems like a perpetual tour.
Comprised of Eric Hall on lead guitar, Dean Anshutz on drums and percussion, Greg Rahm on keys and guitar, Mark McCullough on bass, and Scott on lead vocals and ukulele, Red Wanting Blue regularly plays 200 or more live shows a year.
With no touring scheduled due to the national coronavirus emergency, Scott chatted with Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss from Brooklyn about his thoughts and activities during the lockdown.
The Killers (Photo by Olivia Bee)
The Killers return with their fastest No. 1 at Alternative Radio with hit single “Caution” via Island Records. “Caution” is from the band’s upcoming sixth studio album, Imploding the Mirage, scheduled for release on May 29.
Broke Royals (Photo courtesy the band)
Broke Royals continue their creative streak with a release of a new single, “Love & Tatters,” from their 2019 album Saint Luxury. The DC heartland rockers perform at Pie Shop on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The Glorious Sons perform at 9:30 Club on Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)
Not long ago, The Glorious Sons, the groundbreaking Canadian rockers, rolled through 9:30 Club to open The Struts for a very wild show! On Friday, The Glorious Sons made a triumphant return to 9:30 Club as the headliner, and Paivi Salonen got all of the pix.
The Glorious Sons (Photo courtesy the band)
JUNO Award-winning rockers The Glorious Sons play 9:30 Club on their highly anticipated A War on Everything North American Tour on Friday, Jan. 24!
Los Lobos (Photo by Piero F. Giunti)
Touring behind their new holiday album, Llegó Navidad, Los Lobos played new tunes and old classics — with the band’s two sets covering territory from traditional Latin music to roots rock in a two-night stand at City Winery recently. They ended their show, as is their custom, with the Dead’s “Bertha,” which they introduced with the line “I’m gonna tell you how it’s gonna be,” from Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.”
John Hiatt (Photo by Jim McGuire)
In a solo acoustic performance, John Hiatt used his substantial charm to engage the sold-out crowd at The Birchmere Tuesday. And, of course, the songs. John played songs that have been covered by Buddy Guy (“Feels Like Rain”), Bonnie Raitt (“Thing Called Love”), and I’m With Her (“Crossing Muddy Waters”).
Broke Royals frontman Philip Basnight performs at DC9, Aug. 16, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss/ aristrauss.com)
Broke Royals recently concluded an intensive 10-day tour with a hometown performance at DC9. The DC-based power-pop group, and winners of Parklife DC’s 2018 inaugural Thrushie Award for best local band, put in 12 performances across the Midwest and the Atlantic coast over 10 days, reaching as far as Milwaukee, to promote their new album, Saint Luxury.
