Song of the Day: “Crescent Bridge” by Joe Pug

Posted on 02/01/2021 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged Americana, DC, folk, heartland rock, Joe Pug, Song of the Day.

Joe Pug (Photo by Vivian Wang)

Singer-songwriter Joe Pug recently announced a new album, The Diving Sun, which brings together lost gems from his various studio sessions with producers Duane Lundy (Jim James, Ben Sollee) and Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids, Joy Williams) along with new songs recorded in quarantine.

To accompany the announcement, Joe shared the album’s romping summer romance lead track, “Crescent Bridge.”

Song of the Day: “Goldbrick Champion” by Broke Royals featuring Bartees Strange

Posted on 11/24/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged Bartees Strange, Broke Royals, DC, heartland rock, Song of the Day.

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.

Interview: Broke Royals (New Single: “U + Me + WWIII”)

Posted on 09/03/2020 by Mickey McCarter in Interview, Local Spotlight and tagged Broke Royals, DC, heartland rock, Interview, livestream.

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.

Interview: Scott Terry (of Red Wanting Blue)

Posted on 04/27/2020 by Ari Strauss in Interview and tagged Americana, Brooklyn, heartland rock, Interview, New York City, Red Wanting Blue, Scott Terry.

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.

Song of the Day: “Caution” by The Killers

Posted on 04/22/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged heartland rock, Las Vegas, Nevada, Song of the Day, The Killers.

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.

Preview: Broke Royals @ Pie Shop, 2/22/20

Posted on 02/14/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged Broke Royals, DC, heartland rock, Pie Shop, power pop.

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.

Snapshots: The Glorious Sons @ 9:30 Club — 1/24/20

Posted on 01/27/2020 by paivi in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Canada, hard rock, heartland rock, southern rock, The Glorious Sons.

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.

Preview: The Glorious Sons @ 9:30 Club, 1/24/20

Posted on 01/15/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged 9:30 Club, Canada, hard rock, heartland rock, southern rock, The Glorious Sons.

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!

Live Review: Los Lobos @ City Winery — 12/13/19

Posted on 12/16/2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Americana, California, City Winery, heartland rock, Los Angeles, Los Lobos, roots.

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.”

Live Review: John Hiatt @ The Birchmere — 11/12/19

Posted on 11/13/2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Americana, folk, heartland rock, Indiana, John Hiatt, The Birchmere.

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”).