R&B

Around Town: Campaign to Pass DC Music Venue Relief Legislation

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Tedd Baker, saxophone and Gavin Fallow, bassThe Paul Pieper Quartet perform at the now-shuttered Twins Jazz in 2012. (Photo by Timothy Forbes)

A coalition of DC musicians and music advocates launched a grassroots campaign recently to advocate for government relief of the city’s music venues. The #SaveDCVenues campaign, which has accrued hundreds of signers within a few days, urges the DC Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser to adopt a version of the 2020 DC Music Venue Relief Act: a piece of draft legislation that provides direct relief to businesses who rely upon (now-absent) revenue from live music.

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Preview: Brandon “Taz” Niederauer @ Jammin’ Java, 8/28/20

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TazBrandon “Taz” Niederauer (Photo courtesy the artist)

(Editor’s note: We have confirmed this event is free! — updated!)

Seventeen-year-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true.

You can see so for yourself in a free outdoor show at Jammin’ Java on Friday, Aug. 28.

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Livestream Preview: Maggie Miles @ Pearl Street Warehouse, 7/9/20

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Maggie Miles (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)

Maggie Miles teams with Pearl Street Warehouse to present a weekly variety show featuring artist performances, Q+As, industry panels, and more.

She launches the show with Jarreau Williams and other guests via Facebook and other social media on Thursday, July 9.

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Interview: Joe Louis Walker (New Album: Blues Comin’ On)

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Blues Comin’ On, the latest offering from blues guitar legend Joe Louis Walker, was released on June 5, 2020, from Cleopatra Records.)

Blues artist Joe Louis Walker has been making music with his voice and guitar for over a half century. A 2013 Blues Hall of Fame inductee and a four-time Blues Music Award winner, Joe has learned from, been a mentor to, or simply played alongside just about everyone in the business.

His new album, Blues Comin’ On, which was released on June 5 by Cleopatra Records, features guest performances by fellow blues icons Keb’ Mo’, Eric Gales, and Albert Lee, Detroit soul singer Mitch Ryder, harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar, Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen, punk rock vocalist Charlie Harper, and legendary session player Waddy Wachtel among others.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss had the opportunity recently to speak with Joe by phone to discuss the new album, his career, and the many wonderful artists he’s played with over the years.

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Song of the Day: “Lovechild” by Marieme

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Marieme (Photo by Ogata)

Marieme will release a string of singles this summer: Songs for the Revolution. Marieme was so moved by recent events she decided to get to work with new music with the hopes of starting to heal herself and the world around her.

She kicks the series off with a video only release of her track “Lovechild” that recently premiered on Billboard Pride. Of the track Marieme said, “The song is about remembering who you are, you’re a lovechild.”

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Interview: Shirley King (New Album: Blues for a King)

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Shirley King’s latest album, Blues for a King, releases June 19, 2020, via Cleopatra Records.

Just in time for Father’s Day, Shirley King, the daughter of iconic Blues legend B.B. King, releases a new album, Blues for a King, today via Cleopatra Blues, a division of Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Records.

In this latest offering, Shirley steps out of her musical comfort zone to cover diverse range of musical genre including soul, R&B, rock, and her native Blues. The album also features a roster of legendary guitarists including Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MGs), Duke Robillard (Roomful of Blues/Fabulous Thunderbirds), Elvin Bishop (Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), and Junior Wells to name a few.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss had an opportunity to speak with Shirley by phone recently to discuss the new album, her career, and what it’s like to be the daughter of Blues royalty.

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Song of the Day: “SOS” by Scarlet Pleasure

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Scarlet Pleasure (Photo courtesy Magnum PR)

Danish trio Scarlet Pleasure have been on a meteoric rise since 2014 with their unique brand of sunny, alternative pop. On a planet far, far away where the grass is always green and only the blue sky is the limit, the band hope to bring some optimism and good cheer back to 2020 with the release for “SOS,” their latest top charting single from forthcoming LP, Garden.

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