Go Home Already: Shouts and Murmurs
Man Stops Traffic at 17th and K to Demand $200 Million
Compromise Uncertain on Same-Sex Marriage Law
Morning Roundup: Goodbye, Abe Edition
Judge Throws Out WTU Suit Over Teacher Layoffs
Anni Rossi
>> The week kicks off with what promises to be a fantastic and unusual concert at Iota, where two solo multi-instrumentalists give you the opportunity for a break from anything approaching "standard." Ben Sollee is the headliner, primarily a cellist who also incorporates banjo, guitar, and percussion into his repertoire, and blends folk and jazz in a way that made him a perfect match for a project a few years back with Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck. Opening up is Anni Rossi, a violist who I once saw open for Carla Bozulich at the old Warehouse Next Door, who delivered one of those opening performances so surprising and transfixing that I had to make a beeline for the merch table as soon as she left the stage. One caveat here: Rossi, who recently signed to 4AD and released her first record for the label, is frequently compared to Joanna Newsom, and while her voice has an entirely different timbre, she's inclined towards the same sorts of odd vocal gymnastics, leaps, and yelps that that comparison might suggest. Which is to say that she might be an acquired taste for some, but if you're into that sort of thing, you just might be blown away. 8:30 p.m., $12.
>> Those who don't follow dance music might think of The Prodigy as nothing more than a flash in the pan that heralded the apex of the mid-90s electronic craze, but in nearly 20 years of being together, the group has cemented its position as the best selling electronic/dance act in history, garnering often glowing reviews for its albums up to and including last year's Invaders Must Die. They're a lot more than that "Smack My Bitch Up" band, but whether or not they sold out tonight's 9:30 Club show based on that or on the breadth of their career is a question for those who go tonight. Tittsworth opens. 7 p.m., sold out.
>> A supergroup of sorts is hitting the backstage at the Black Cat tonight as former members of the Holy Rollers, the Meatmen, and Negative Approach bring some particularly hard edged rock to the venue with XMC. Pup Tent opens. 9 p.m., $8.
TUESDAY
>> Elvis Perkins' debut album, Ash Wednesday, was a beautiful record of singer/songwriter heartbreak; following the success of that record, he decided to transition into a full band, and formed Elvis Perkins in Dearland in order to take a little of the focus off of himself and the perceived personal nature of his music. Our first piece of advice in accomplishing that might have been to not include your own name in the name of your band, but I suppose one still has to sell records. The band's first, self-titled record came out last month, and they'll be at Iota in support of it with The Woes. 8:30, $12.
>> It doesn't seem like much time goes by between local shows from Edie Sedgwick and Olivia Mancini & The Mates, and both of them will be on the Black Cat's backstage Tuesday night. We've profiled Sedgwick in a Three Stars feature, and Mancini is an Unbuckled vet and frequent interviewee. The Poison Arrows round out the threesome. 9 p.m., $10.
Liechtenstein
>> The resurgence of Slumberland Records has been a welcome one for those of us with an affinity for melodic shoegaze-y pop, and after scoring big time with one new band already this year, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, they're looking to do the same with a second, the dreamy Swedish trio Liechtenstein. Unabashed aficionados of fuzz-laden twee-ish girl pop will want to check these three out at the Velvet Lounge with the Sundresses. 7:30 p.m., $8.
>> Sinem Saniye belongs to that very particular class of world/jazz/pop chanteuses who seem to flit from genre to genre all within a single phrase of any given song, and seem destined to end up on a spinning rack in a Starbucks at some point in their career. Which may sound like damning with faint praise, but it's an established and inoffensive niche with broad appeal and pleasant to listen to. For those within that broad range of appeal, The Red and the Black is the place to be on Wednesday. 8 p.m., $6-10.
THURSDAY
>> Yet another Three Stars/Unbuckled alum combo come to the Black Cat on Thursday. All three bands (in one form or another) have played DCist concerts. First up at this backstage show is Casper Bangs, featuring ex-members of the Hard Tomorrows, followed by Brooklyn indie popsters the XYZ Affair, and finally arriving at the Deleted Scenes (***). And for those of you who like free stuff, which is everybody, XYZ affair is giving away two brand new songs for download. Such a deal. 9 p.m., $8.
>> Tally Hall have established themselves as the prototype of the 21st century band. Simple recording and touring is so 1900s. This band has made a name by having its songs played on the O.C., Smallville, and The Real World, as well as a number of commercials, and by establishing a web presence not just through the basics like a Myspace page, but by producing its own internet variety show. Of course, they do benefit from the money of major label backing in getting all that done. The band is doing a little making the money the old fashioned way at the moment with an Northeast & Midwest tour this spring which comes to DC9 this week with Malbec and Prabir and the Substitutes along for the ride. 8 p.m., $10/$12.
FRIDAY
>> Eric Brace is a former nightlife writer for the Washington Post, now providing nightlife entertainment fulltime himself with his band Last Train Home, a roots-rock outfit that was honored as the artist of the year by WAMA back in 2003. Brace & co. are playing both Friday and Saturday night at Iota this week. Local alt-country standbys Vandaveer open up Friday night's show, while Lipbone Redding opens on Saturday. 9 p.m., $12.
>> Formerly a frequent guest star, now just a plain stair, Annie Clark has become a phenomenon since stepping out of the shadows of Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens, both of whom she sang with for a time before breaking out on her own. As St. Vincent, she's made her mark with a critically acclaimed and complex blend of indie pop and electronic influences and quickly built a devoted following. She comes to the Black Cat mainstage with Lo Moda. 9 p.m., $15.
SATURDAY
>> Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's consistently innovative take on Americana never really gets old, even if the music itself sounds sometimes as if it comes from some creaky and forgotten corner of Appalachia. While I've always been of the opinion his insular and melancholy sounds are best enjoyed late at night, alone and in a darkened room, there's probably something to be said to seeing him live with a large group of people as well. And there will be a large group: his Birchmere concert is sold out, so get busy on Craigslist if you missed out. 7:30 p.m., $22.50, and don't let the scalpers tell you otherwise.
>> Brooklyn's Food Will Win the War, who rather curiously take their name from a 1942 Walt Disney wartime morale-boosting short film, are fresh out of the studio after recording an album to be released later this year and will come to The Red & the Black with Frau Eva and Freelance Whales. 9 p.m., $6.
>> There are tons of dance parties at local clubs on the weekends, since oftentimes they're better moneymakers than a hit or miss band. Local favorites Ra Ra Rasputin give the best of both worlds, a live act that reliably can get asses not only in the door, but shaking on the floor with their infectious dance punk. They'll be at DC9 this weekend with The Spiritual Machine and Loxsly. 9 p.m., $8.
>> Perpetual DCist favorites Jukebox the Ghost (***) bring their reliably lively live show to the Rock and Roll Hotel this Saturday with Jenny Owen Youngs and The Winter Sounds. 8:30 p.m., $12/$14.
SUNDAY
>> If we're judging purely on the basis on the number of shows for which people are clamoring for tickets, this must be a great week for music. Yet another sold out show ends the week, as the hugely popular indie rockers of The National play three sold out shows at the 9:30 Club. And two of them are on the same night. The band plays both the early and the late slots on Sunday night, and then a third show on Monday. Tickets are long gone for all of them, so good luck. 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Thursday at The Red and The Black will be Graydon, a quartet of rock that features an AU alumnus. They're based out of the West Coast, but they're running an East Coast tour right now.
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/graydonmusic
9pm, $6.
There's also a great show tonight (Tuesday) at DC9 being sponsored by WOXY.com, Paste Magazine and iMeem. The show features Tereu Tereu, The Deep Vibration, Roman Candle and Motel Motel. Should be a good one.