Survive, members of which composed the music to the Netflix hit, Stranger Things, plays U Street Music Hall this week.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25
Phantogram and the Range @ 9:30 Club. 7 P.M. Sold-Out. All ages, accessible venue.
Phantogram, the duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, released their first album, Eyelid Movies, in 2009. Their profile has risen considerably. Since signing with a major label, their ’s electro-pop sound has been welcomed by both the underground and mainstream. The band’s breakout record, 2014’s Voices, took the duo to bigger venues, and eventually led them to Big Boi, who featured the duo on his record Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Big Boi was so taken by the band, the trio formed a group and released the Big Grams joint EP last year. This year, the group released their highly anticipated third album, Three. The record is darker than their previousm, as during the recording Barthel’s sister committed suicide. Though the mood might be deep, there are still bangers like the lead single, “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore”, and “Same Old Blues”. The album also features some of the best Carter vocal contributions, a sore spot on previous records, as he channels his inner Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips).
Black Cat: Har Mar Superstar and Sweet Spirit. 7:30 P.M. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Shellac and Shannon Wright @ Black Cat. 7:30 $20. All ages, accessible venue.
Shellac is a long-running three piece made up of super producer Steve Albini, Todd Trainer, and Bob Weston. Shellac’s sound is rooted in post-hardcore and math rock, popular in the early 90’s. Though the band was quite active in the 90’s, Shellac now puts out music far less frequently. The band’s last,Dude Incredible, is just as vital as anything in their discography, hitting the same sweet spots as their best release, 1000 Hurts. The lyrics are just as tongue in cheek and are sure to raise a few eyebrows, as Shellac has never lost its prankster spirit.
DC9: Ryley Walker, Circuit des Yeux. 8:30 $14. All ages, inaccessible venue.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
DC9: No Parents, White Fang, Birth Defects. 8 P.M. $12. All ages, accessible venue.
9:30 Club: St. Lucia, Baio. 7 P.M. Sold-Out. All ages accessible venue.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Margaret Glaspy, Half Waif @ DC9. 6:30 P.M. Sold-Out. All ages, accessible venue.
Singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy signed to ATO records on the buzz of her first two EPs. This year, she released her debut album, Emotions and Math, a dazzling collection of songs that takes influence from 90’s alt-rock artists like Liz Phair and Fiona Apple. Unlike the acoustic tracks from her EPs, Emotions and Math is a polished, full-band affair. Glaspy’s voice is elastic and she knows when to go all in or hold back. Upbeat rockers like the single, “You & I”, sit casually next to the meditative highlight, “Memory Street”, and the playful title track.
Survive @ U Street Music Hall 7 P.M. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
Austin analogue fetishists Survive got a big boost this summer. Two members of the band composed the score for the Netflix breakout show, Stranger Things, and it couldn’t have been better timing for the band’s sophomore record, RR7349. Survive’s sound is much like the Stranger Things soundtrack, taking cues from John Carpenter’s work but adding its own twist. The key to band’s success is their knowledge of synthesizers and how to get the perfect sound from them. While fans of Stranger Things will be pleased, there is more the Survive than that.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
9:30 Club: Hinds, Cold Fronts. 6 P.M. $20. All ages, accessible venue.
Fillmore Silver Spring: Lecrae. 8:30 P.M. $35. All ages, accessible venue.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Frankie Cosmos, Big Thief @ Rock and Roll Hotel. 8 P.M. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
What is growing up, anyway? That is a question on Frankie Cosmos’s mind. The young singer’s latest album, Next Thing, is a compact collection of songs about growing up and not conforming to expectations. While also steeped in heartbreak, the album stands as one of the best of the year. Cosmos’s opener, Big Thief, also released an incredible album this spring, called Masterpiece.
9:30 Club: Gwar, Darkest Hour, Mutoid Man. 7 P.M. $25. All ages, accessible venue.
