Pela, the Brooklyn four-piece, had quite a year in 2007. They released their debut album, Anytown Graffiti, in April, had their music featured on the dearly departed Veronica Mars, made inroads at influential radio stations like KEXP, Indie 103.1 and WOXY, and spent most the year touring the country. They also headlined our own Unbuckled 5. In November, they decamped to L.A. to record their sophomore album and planned to spend the early part…

Excitement abounds here at DCist HQ as we’re all abuzz and ready for Unbuckled 7, which finally drops tonight. The show, as you already know, is at DC9 and features the genre blending Three Stars alum, Muhsinah, along with jazz/hip-hop outfit, Motel, led by bassist Matt Grason. Special guest DJ v:shal kanwar will also be joining the fray and setting the mood from behind the decks at various times throughout the night. Judging from…

Since DCist last spoke to Muhsinah back in January, she’s been in almost constant motion. In fact, this interview interrupted her work on a track for a London-based artist. Muhsinah’s music is hard to categorize. Her first full length release, day.break, was a multi-layered sonic cake, and a perfect follow-up to the teaser album, The Oscillations EP. Drawing off her fondness for jazz vocals, Indian music and the MPC, she’s placed herself in a…

It’s about that time, folks. Unbuckled 7, taking place this Thursday at DC9, is almost upon us, and we have an incredible bill featuring Muhsinah and Motel, two up-and-coming acts from the District who blur the lines between R&B, jazz, and hip-hop, as well as DJ v:shal kanwar, who is making waves in the city’s electronica scene. Matt Grason, a bandleader, bassist, and composer, is the brains behind Motel, a jazz/hip-hop collective that pairs D.C.’s…

MONDAY >> We like When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth based on their name alone. The Austinites play noisy rock, and will be at the Velvet Lounge with Rings, Acheronian, and Life Partners. Doors 9 p.m., $7. >> Sub Pop’s The Constantines visit the Rock and Roll Hotel, bringing their well-honed, interesting angular rock. Openers are Oakley Hall and Ecstasy the Flower. Doors at 8 p.m., $14. >> Colin Hay comes from a land down under,…

The (far too long) wait is over. After our sixth Unbuckled show, featuring Le Loup and The XYZ Affair that tested the integrity of DC9’s second floor, we needed a little break. Well, we’re sufficiently rested and ready to bring you the goods yet again. As you’ve all probably noticed, we’ve expanded our musical coverage some in the last year. With the talents of Sriram Gopal and W Jacarl Melton, DCist has been able to…