Interview

Interview: Terri Nunn of Berlin (@ The Anthem, 9/17/19)

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Terri Nunn (Photo courtesy Mint Artist Management)

Berlin, the California-based new wave collective, recruited Terri Nunn as lead singer in 1979, and so the band is celebrating 40 years of making music this year. Over the decades, Berlin has continued as a live band with Terri’s undeniably alluring vocals, but the classic lineup of the band only ever made three records together — Pleasure Victim (1982), Love Life (1984), and Count Three & Pray (1986). But what three marvelous albums!

Today, Terri has reunited with her classic bandmates, John Crawford and David Diamond. Berlin recorded a new album, Transcendence, due for release on Aug. 2. Meanwhile, The B-52s invited Berlin to open for them on a farewell tour, including a stop at The Anthem on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter recently chatted with Terri Nunn about working with John Crawford and David Diamond again, the upcoming megatour, and being a female musician, among other things.

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Interview: Matthew Logan Vasquez (@DC9, 5/18/19)

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Matthew Logan Vasquez (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)

Matthew Logan Vasquez, frontman of the Delta Spirit, released LIGHT’N UP, his third solo album, in February via Dine Alone Records. Matthew is now on tour, and he headlines DC9 on Saturday, May 18.

In advance of his show, Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson caught up with Matthew to talk about his various projects, the places he’s lived, and Austin music scene.

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Interview: Chris Smither (@ The Hamilton Live, 5/17/19)

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Chris Smither (Photo by Jeff Fasano)

Singer-songwriter Chris Smither performs at The Hamilton Live on Friday, May 17. Chris released Call Me Lucky, his latest record, last year via Signature Sounds/Mighty Albert with distribution by Redeye. Recorded at Blue Rock Studio in the Texas foothills and packed with Smither trademark songs that offer commentary on the human condition with a wink of an eye, the album pulls from deep in the soul and a couple of surprise covers that remind us of Chris’ deftness as a song interpreter as he makes the songs his own.

Prior to his DC concert, Chris took a phone call from Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson, who asked him about his relationship with New Orleans and the blues, meeting your heroes, and his advice for the younger generation. [This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

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Interview: Daniel Miller of Mute Records (In Conversation with Alex Maiolo @ Moogfest 2019 — 4/26/19)

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Daniel Miller chats at Moogfest 2019 in the Carolina Theatre on April 26, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of his label, Mute Records chief Daniel Miller chatted with musician and writer Alex Maiolo in a conversation at Moogfest 2019, held in an auditorium of the Carolina Theatre recently. During Moogfest, Daniel also performed two DJ sets — a pure techno set at the comfortable Fruit Company club and art space and an ambient set on modular synths at the 21c Museum Hotel in Durham, North Carolina.

Alex’s enthusiasm sparked Daniel’s brilliance, and the musical svengali reflected on his early days as a musician, how Mute came to be, and his enduring love of synthesizers.

Visit the Moogfest website for more information on the Moogfest conference and festival.

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Interview: Odetta Hartman (@ Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival, 5/4/19)

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Odetta Hartman (Photo courtesy the artist)

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region invites you to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival on Saturday, May 4 at a family-friendly music event on the banks of the Anacostia River. The festival will feature an incredible roster of musical talent from throughout the city and surrounding regions, representing diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and ages covering bluegrass, folk, and Americana with headliners Dustbowl Revival, The Ballroom Thieves, Hackensaw Boys, and more.

Experimental country/folk artist Odetta Hartman also will perform, and Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson chatted with the New York City singer prior to the Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival. For more information, including the full lineup and ticket information, visit the Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folks Festival website.

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Interview: Martin Barre (@ The Birchmere, 4/22/19)

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Martin Barre performs at Jammin’ Java on Oct. 14, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

“I just want to be a good musician, I want to be a good songwriter, I want to get better.”

Refreshing words coming from a musician who’s been at the top of his game for over 50 years. Martin Barre is well-known as the long-time lead guitarist (1969-2012) for Jethro Tull. I spoke with Martin in anticipation of his “Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull Tour,” which will come to the DC Metro area for two shows on April 22 at The Birchmere and April 23 at Rams Head on Stage. (This interview has been edited for clarity and flow.)

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Interview: Gary Kemp (of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets) (@DAR Constitution Hall, 4/22/19)

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Spandau Ballet with Gary Kemp (far right) (Photo by Denis O’Regan)

Is there any more versatile performer than Gary Kemp? The charismatic musician and actor can play stadiums with his band Spandau Ballet and then light up the stage in London Theatreland. The creative genius today is on a US tour as a guitarist and vocalist for Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, supporting the legendary drummer of Pink Floyd in a performance of the seminal psychedelic band’s early material. The supergroup will perform in DC at DAR Constitution Hall on Monday, April 22.

Mickey McCarter of Parklife DC chatted with Gary Kemp about Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets and Spandau Ballet to discuss the future of both bands and what they mean to him. (This interview has been edited for length and clarity.) For more information on Nick Mason, visit the website of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets.

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