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Dear Daria (Photo art courtesy of the band)
DC indie music fans may well be familiar with the music of Maryjo Mattea, the effervescent local musician known for her love of The Beatles and wry lyrical observations on life and love. Over the pandemic, her solo act has grown into a band called Dear Daria, a power pop quartet that offers a catchy sonic mix of elements.
Parklife DC recently interviewed the band via Zoom about their origins and their pending debut album.
Dear Daria (Photo courtesy the band)
DC indie pop/rock band Dear Daria has been hard at work during the pandemic on their debut record! Get your summer started right; don your shorts and sundresses, roll down the windows, and blast their first single, “Best Life,” on your way to the beach!
Talk Show Host (Photo by Amanda Fotes)
What’s the internet for if not to watch cat videos? Well, Parklife has the best cat video for your eyes in a while!
You see, Toronto power-pop punk trio Talk Show Host release Mid-Century Modern, their debut full-length, on June via Wiretap Records & Disconnect Disconnect Records. And the lead single, “Blood In The Sand,” is streaming everywhere, along with a new music video, which features Mila the cat.
Tony Lewis (Photo by Carol Lewis)
Following his unexpected death last month, the family of Tony Lewis, lead singer and bassist of the 1980s rock band The Outfield and successful solo artist and producer, has posthumously released his new EP, More Than I Dared.
Additionally, they’ve shared the official music video for lead single “Gonna Make You Love Me” as a tribute to Tony.
The Cribs (Photo courtesy [PIAS])
The Cribs recently shared new track “Never Thought I’d Feel Again,” and its accompanying video, taken from their forthcoming eighth album, Night Network, scheduled for release via Sonic Blew/[PIAS] on Friday, Nov. 13.
Best Coast (Photo courtesy Grandstand Media)
Los Angeles, California’s Best Coast — comprised of Bethany Cosentino (guitar, vocals) and Bobb Bruno (guitar) — celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Crazy for You, with a livestream documentary via Seated on Friday, Aug. 14.
Fast Romantics (Photo by Jen Squires)
Toronto-based acclaimed indie-rock band Fast Romantics have announced their new LP Pick It Up, due out Aug. 7 on Postwar Records. Album title track “Pick It Up” and its accompanying quarantine-friendly video is inspired by frontman Matthew Angus’ lifelong battle with depression and anxiety.
Ken Stingfellow performs at the Bright Box Theater on March 7, 2020. (Photo by Marc Shea)
The Bright Box Theater is a little gem tucked away on the Pedestrian Mall in Old Town Winchester, Virginia. In addition to the main theater, there is a small area on the second floor called Out of the Box that hosts intimate events. Out of the Box recently featured Ken Stringfellow. Ken not only founded the alternative rock band The Posies, but has also played for many years with REM and Big Star, in addition to releasing several solo albums.
Dan Boeckner sings in the dark at 9:30 Club on Feb. 22, 2020. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Canadian power poppers Wolf Parade recently brought a collaborative and innovative spirit to wondrously fresh music in an early show at 9:30 Club.
While new songs from Thin Mind, the band’s fifth studio album (released last month), were well received, the audience reserved its warmest reaction for a few selections from second studio record At Mount Zoomer.
Sloan rocks the Union Stage on Feb. 22, 2020. (Photo by David LaMason)
Okay. So, I admit that I’m a fan, so saying that Sloan is one of the best bands around and that next to the term “power pop” in any reputable encyclopedia are the names Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott is a little biased on my part. Four songwriters and musicians who have been writing and performing for nearly 30 years and right on the heals of releasing their twelfth LP, aptly titled 12, the band is in the midst of celebrating the 20th anniversary of their fourth record, “Navy Blues,” with an extensive tour.
And Saturday night at the Union Stage the quartet rocked the roof off to an awestruck audience.