Last year we reported on the strong presence the District had at the annual music industry spring break that is SXSW in Austin, TX. This year, in addition to official shows from The Hall Monitors, Benjy Ferree, These United States and, oddly enough, Frodus, there were a number of unofficial appearances as well. The DC Does TX day party returned to Austin for its second year, District-based Exotic Fever Records held a shindig of their…
Middle Distance Runner has long been one of DCist’s favorite local bands. They’ve been a Three Stars subject, an Unbuckled band, Unbuckled DJs, interview subjects countless times, recipe contributors and more to the site. And our main source of blog-space enjoyment always came from the wacky and wonderful Mr. Ian Glinka, the band’s bassist. Through a note on MySpace this weekend, he announced that he’s leaving the band. We talked with Ian this afternoon about…
Welcome back, Washington. We hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a holly and/or jolly one, and that your stock of material possessions has been satisfactorily increased. As you might expect, not too terribly much happened while you’ve been away. Davis Mulls Eighth Term: Sure, it was published yesterday, but we imagine many of you may have missed the Post’s analysis of whether Tom Davis will seek another term as congressman for Northern…
FRIDAY: >> Bay Area songstress Goapele’s (pictured) musical background is almost as diverse as her ethnic background. Born to a South African political exile father and a mother whose parents survived the Holocaust, she studied at the Berklee College of Music and later would form musical partnerships with the likes of hip-hop acts like the Hieroglyphics crew and E-40. However her 2005 release, Change It All, established her as especially talented when it comes to…
The name may be unfamiliar, but the players behind Club Tiger Promotions are highly recognizable to any one who follows the D.C. music scene. Local artists Carol Bui and Jay Smith of Middle Distance Runner have started an all-ages venue, The Lab in Alexandria, which will both give under-age bands a place to play with their more seasoned peers and serve as an environment where, as Bui puts it, “kids feel totally comfortable and safe…
Tomorrow night, two of DCist’s favorite bands are taking the Black Cat’s main stage by storm. What kind of storm? Well if it’s anything like what we’ve seen from these guys in the past, it’ll be a storm of hilarity, energy, and very fancy hair. Because these two bands feature some serious characters with some serious personalities, we asked them to “review” each other’s new albums — The Dance Party’s Friction! Friction! Friction!, which is…
FRIDAY: >> The Howard Homecoming events could make an entire Weekend Picks feature by themselves, but don’t forget to consider some of the less publicized goings on we’re recommending as a way to enjoy the fun without the insane crowds. >> Tickets are still available for the amazingly cheap (only $10!) Catalyst Theatre Company production of Kafka’s The Trial. Check out our review over here, and get your tickets — did we mention they’re only…
MONDAY >> Were you out of town this weekend, wishing you were home soaking in the goodness that was the DAM! Festival? Fear not. Tonight there is one more show, and it happens to be the festival’s biggest. The chanteuse to give all other indie chanteuses a run for their money, Cat Power, is taking the 9:30 Club stage with the Dirty Delta Blues, and a little help from openers Childballads. $25 or your…
>> A singer-songwriter showcase featuring Martin Royle of Washington Social Club, Mick Coogan of The Dance Party and Stephen Kilroy of Middle Distance Runner is being billed by MDR as “Steve, Martin tonight at the Black Cat!” Which is technically true, though we’re guessing the show will be a little more earnest guitar playing and a little less Wild and Crazy Guy. Black Cat’s back stage. $8, 9 p.m. >> Redskins CB Carlos Rogers…
MONDAY >> The City Veins are a strong local outfit that’s been making their debut around town over the course of the past few months. They just formed in March and are already more mature and ready to bring the rock than a lot of bands with a lot more stage time. And hey, they have a blog! See what you’re missing tonight at Solly’s Tavern on U Street. 10 p.m. >> Do you…
