DCist has a long, storied relationship with These United States. They played our short-lived Unbuckled concert series (which is coming back, I promise) and they even did two series of tour diaries for us. However, we saw the writing on the wall when The Federal Reserve ended its monthly gathering at Iota. Sure enough, the local band with the most rigorous touring and recording schedule…is no longer local. However, These United States isn’t leaving quietly. They’ve eschewed the route of quietly sneaking their way into other area codes, exiting the District with a proper farewell bash this Saturday night at the Black Cat. We talked to their instrumentalist of many talents, J. Tom Hnatow about what local haunts they’ll miss the most.
What post-show dining establishment will you miss the most?
Ben’s Chili Bowl. A lot of it is location — from Velvet Lounge right on up to 9:30, it’s right there. From a packed Black Cat to a Tuesday night at DC9…there’s always Ben’s. It’s the great equalizer of dining establishments. Although woe to those who try a pre-show meal…there’s nothing quote like the feeling of chili cheese fries kicking in 15 minutes into your set…
What early local shows bring back particularly fond memories?
The first show I played in D.C. — years before TUS, of course, was at the Grog and Tankard. For some reason, a bunch of people came…it was packed! And I thought, “Hey, this music thing is easy!’ Luckily, the two people who showed up for our next show (and the next, and the next) convinced me otherwise.
My favorite part of being in the D.C. music scene was the collaboration and the sense of community. I got to play with so many great bands other than my own — and got to be part of TUS when part of the gig was introducing yourself to the other band members onstage — from Revival to Vandaveer to Justin Jones to Laura Burhenn to Shortstack to Kitty Hawk and Pree and on and on…that was my introduction to really playing music and collaborating. Up until that point, being in a band seemed like a fairly solitary thing. I get to play a John Prine cover with Southeast Engine tonight. Learning to dive in blindly to so many amazing musical situations means the next memory is about to happen…now.
What local landmarks (read: not necessarily monuments) will you miss seeing daily?
I would bike along the other side of the Potomac in Virginia, and no matter how many times i saw it, watching D.C. slowly scroll by, especially as the sun was setting, was always majestic. Also, Abe and I had many a reflective night around his monument. A walk through there and FDR, moon above, hands in pockets, moon above, brisk October air, never fails.
Also, any Pho place…I can’t find a great bowl in North Carolina.
What additional members of the Federal Reserve are still going strong in the area?
Being on tour so much the past few years means there are probably tons of amazing bands that I just haven’t had the chance to hear yet…but, let’s see: Vandaveer is still holding down the fort. A Revival show is a rare, barely publicized event, but always worth seeking out. Matt Hemerlein is doing some cool stuff, and his Family Hemerlein events are like the Federal Reserve, only more organized! Laura Burhenn’s Mynabirds are, of course, one of the loveliest projects ever to start in D.C. The soon to be released Pree record is…fantastic. Middle Distance Runner…will emerge again with new jams soon, I believe. That’s a good start, no?
What’s your final impression of your time in D.C.?
It sounds cliche, but I became a musician in, and because of D.C. I was working at a theater when I moved here, and got sucked in to the music scene (and ran screaming from the theater scene) all because of the people. I had a week a number of years ago where I played at IOTA five nights, with five different bands. That is one of my favorite musical memories and as far as impressions go, that’s a good one to leave with.
