The 2nd year of the District’s Awake! Music Festival is making it’s grand sophomore entrance tomorrow night in clubs across town. News about the festival is traveling far and wide, with a sponsorship and podcast from everybody’s favorite online radio station, WOXY, an interview on the local news, and more. A few last minute changes have been made to the festival — namely the unfortunate cancellation of Cloud Cult’s set, and of the Rock &…

Ragged Glory plays tonight at the Velvet Lounge. Can’t afford to pay $100 for a cheap seat at Neil Young’s upcoming DAR stop in November? You’re in luck. During our last chat with Ryan Walker from The Beanstalk Library, we found out he also put together a Neil Young cover band a few years back. They call themselves Ragged Glory, and the lineup plays something like a who’s who of up-and-coming local bands: Brian Kent…

>> Don’t miss our full preview and interview with Bonde do Role, playing tonight at the Black Cat with Plastic Little and local experimental audio/visual artist Edie Sedgwick. $10, 8 p.m. >> >> DC9’s got The Daybreak Line and The Beanstalk Library, who we recently profiled in a Three Stars piece, and Athens, GA’s The Winter Sounds. $8, 9:30 p.m. >> I have vivid memories of watching the significantly creepy 1960 TV version of…

MONDAY >> They put it pretty well themselves, and since it’s all about them anyway, we’re just going to repeat what the Black Cat had to say about their anniversary party tonight: “After 14 years of pouring you guys drinks, then picking up the glasses, working the doors, and sweeping the floors, we’ve decided that it’s time to dedicate a night to ourselves. Black Cat staff bands, staff DJs, and staffers will be hanging out…

When the advance promo single from The Beanstalk Library landed in our hands in the midst of that blinding heat wave in early August, it seemed perfectly timed. The one-two punch of “Elephantitis”, a rushing, gushing power-popper, and “Fake It”, with its requisite jangle and harmonies, was the perfect antidote to midsummer malaise. Now the proper full-length, America at Night, is finally out, and the band’s finally got the album they’ve been working on since…

Last year, the DAM! Festival made an impressive debut in our fair city. As the festival gears up for its second year, they’ve got even more up their sleeve, including performances from indie heavyweights like Cat Power and Cloud Cult, and local favorites like The Beanstalk Library and These United States. The festival is happening this fall, from October 11 through 15. Founded and organized by BigYawn.net’s Eric Boucher, this year’s goal was to go…

Monday >> The Starlingtons may not seem like your typical Black Cat band, but they are breaking the boundaries of traditional country/bluegrass. Tonight they’ll be on the back stage with Portland Oregon’s Casey Neill and his own folk/punk rock fusion. 9 p.m., $7. >> In the mood to try something new? Chicago’s post-punk New Harbour has been around for a few years now, but just moved to the District. They’re playing their first show tonight…

MONDAY >> DC9 scoured the globe for tonight’s lineup. The Comas hail from Brooklyn and Chapel Hill and specialize in the darker shades of psychadelic rock. The Veils are here all the way from New Zealand, with some “if you like The White Stripes, you’ll love The Veils”-style blues-inspired rock. Locals Zulu Pearls round out the lineup with solid, basic, indie rock. We’re incapable of hearing their name without thinking of “Zuzu’s petals” from It’s…

As the warmer technically-spring-but-still-cold-as-hell days arrive, so does a slew of festivals and events. Marking its fourth year, D.C.’s Six Points Music Festival kicks off this week. If the schedule and general planning approach this year are any indicatoin, it looks to be a much more cohesive and promising event than it has been in the past. The young festival has grown from a no-name event looking to champion the local music, to finding…

MONDAY >>West Coast represent! Hailing from Los Angeles, the five-man hip hop collective Jurassic 5 will be bringing their easy-to-swallow beats to the 9:30 Club with the Brooklyn-based X-Clan. $25.00, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY >> Three Stars alums The Roosevelt (***) might play some tunes off their upcoming EP when they rock DC9 with The Subjects and NOVA’s very own The Beanstalk Library. Support your local “The” bands. $8. >> Dave Grohl returns to the city…