The DC go-go artists have seemingly given up on being national and international acts (go-go hasn't crossed over) although Chuck Brown gets flown to Japan periodically to play.
Dischord indie rockers are always playing worldwide but such gigs just never get much local press here. Q and Not U are also booked to play that big fest coming up in California over the summer(Coachatella or something). Black Eyes toured Europe awhile back.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:19 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:53 (twenty years ago) link
Why did they locate it in Georgetown? You can only make so much money from selling prog to white hats from GW. Better to be on U st with a big deep house section. They never seemed to have their shit together anyways. They cheated me out of $40 once but totally inadvertantly. I had my revenge during their clearance sale I guess.
As for Q and not U, I tried to see their last show at the Black Cat and ended up waiting in line for an hour by myself. As I was waiting, the show sold out. That is all. They need to play here more often.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 18:55 (twenty years ago) link
I always wanted to check out the Grits & Gravy dj night at Bar Nun... Years ago I saw DC rappers Opus Okuben playing with a live band at the now defunct Metro Cafe. Wow, they were great. Now they just mostly play Europe, sometimes with Ny jazz guy Steve Coleman. They were at Black Cat around New Years Eve but I missed them.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:38 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller, Friday, 13 February 2004 22:59 (twenty years ago) link
― Michael Minnich, Wednesday, 18 February 2004 23:16 (twenty years ago) link
anyways, wednesday night P Brotzmann is playing with Hamid Drake and William Parker. Its at Twins on U st (btw 13th and 14th?) at 8pm.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 18:31 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:40 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:43 (twenty years ago) link
DC 9 is in the original Asylum space, I'm not sure what it was between then and now. Half the music I've heard played there has been great indie/hip hop/disco, the other half has been too much midrange compressed guitar and singers that sound like they're in beer commercials. Which is a better hit rate than most places, but the DJs seriously can't mix or sequence their tracks.
― Brian Miller, Monday, 1 March 2004 20:06 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 23:32 (twenty years ago) link
List of EDM events is not so good. Seems like no place is doing well with regular nights and lineups are changing like crazy. And Cubik is filling the main room at Nation with the level of talent that would have played the front room at Buzz.
― Brian Miller, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:09 (twenty years ago) link
how long have you been in DC? what is the reason for the instability?
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 14:24 (twenty years ago) link
Is the below show which is at the Ottobar coming to DC?
Thursday March 25th DEFINITIVE JUX PRESENTS: Murs The Perceptionists (Feat. Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Fakts One) RJD2, C Rayz Walz Hangar 18, SA Smash and more Doorsat 8pm/ Show at 9pm- ALL AGES
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:43 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:46 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 17:15 (twenty years ago) link
3 years! I want stuff NOW ;)
I've been complaining to friends for 2 or so years that I wish someone would book all of the Afropop and Latin acts that play for free in Central Park in NY each summer, in DC... So I'll have to form my own group to do this...
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 18:53 (twenty years ago) link
There's the once.twice festival coming up in Baltimore next month-
April 15th - 17th, 2004Baltimore's 4th Annualonce.twice:festival of sound and video art feat.AKUFEN . DIMBIMAN . AGF . CHRISTOPHER WILLITS . DABRYE . SUE COSTABILE . MATTHEW DEAR .GHISLAIN POIRIER. NAUTICAL ALMANAC.JIMMY EDGAR MYLENA BERGERON . CAROLINE HAYEUR . SCOTT PAGANO + more TBA
once.twice also runs the occasional Treatment night at Sonar, the last one in November featured Magda and Sammy Dee.
― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 20:22 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 4 March 2004 04:26 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 06:53 (twenty years ago) link
On a different note, any musicians (d.j.'s?) who wanna perform for free outdoors or maybe at Carter Barron or other locations during the June 18-21st 2nd annual Fete de la Musique DC should call 202-724-5614 or e-mail jose.dominguez@dc.gov . There will also be meetings at the DC Arts Commission, 410 8th St. NW , 5th Fl. on Mon. 3-15 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 and on Thurs. 3-18 from noon to 1.
I'm trying to encourage them to expand the musical horizons of this event...
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 4 March 2004 16:52 (twenty years ago) link
Five is a great venue, nearly perfect, but the different promoters that do nights there only really book house, d+b, and reggae. There was the electroclash/breaks night there, too, but that's over and has turned into a retro night.
9:30 Club, as you mentioned, is a live music venue. They'll have the occasional DJ, but it always comes off as a bit out of place.
It costs a lot of money to run a club in DC due to the scarcity of suitable spaces. In a town with 8-foot ceilings in 95% of all buildings, there’s going to be a lot of competition for the remaining few with large open spaces. Permitting, safety codes, and accessibility standards are pretty tightly enforced, which means you have to sink a lot of money into a space before you can do anything with it. This goes for bars, dance clubs, live music clubs, and pretty much everything. And don't even get me started on ANC's and "voluntary agreements".
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 18:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 March 2004 00:56 (twenty years ago) link
"After over 4 years in business, the owners of Now! Music and Fashion have decided to close permanently, so we can move on and pursue other opportunities. We've had a blast talking to you about music, putting on instore performances, and participating in the local community. But the best thing about running a record store has been the opportunity to meet you. Many thanks to our loyal customers and friends we've made along the way.
We will be having a going-out-of-business sale beginning this weekend. All clothing and music (except consignments and bargain bin stuff) will be on sale for 30% off the regular price."
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 05:45 (twenty years ago) link
So I don't think DC's gone utterly down the pan. Close, but not gone yet.
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 15:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:35 (twenty years ago) link
They're also stocking the Ellen Allien album and remixes, Coloma's Finery. I think I even saw that Damon Album demo double 10" there, too!
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:40 (twenty years ago) link
Melody on Conn. Ave. is very underrated - I always thought they were better than DCCD for keeping up with current releases and pointing customers in the right direction. Good international and classical sections, too.
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:27 (twenty years ago) link
― scott m (mcd), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:40 (twenty years ago) link
I also have given them a list of stuff I'd like. They have an account with Forced Exposure, so I'll soon have the Lawrence album I've been gasping to hear for ages.
Re: Melody: While they're matchless on international, classical and jazz, their electronic section is showing conspicuous gaps since Joel, who used to buy for the electronic section left for Baltimore at the end of last year. CD Warehouse deserve to clean up!
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:45 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:48 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:25 (twenty years ago) link
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities invites musicians to participate in the 2nd Annual Fête de la Musique DC. The Fête is an internationally recognized music festival that marks the first days of summer. Festival dates are June 18-21, 2004 with performances throughout the afternoon and evening. The Arts Commission is sponsoring special workshops for area musicians interested in participating in the Fete and conducting live auditions for “acoustic” and “acapella” musicians and performers.
All types of musicians and bands interested in learning more can attend one of two special festival workshops. The workshops will provide valuable information on how musicians can participate and receive promotional assistance from the Arts Commission. The workshop dates are:
Dates and Times: Monday, March 15, 2004 at 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 12 Noon – 1 PM
P Place: DC Arts Commission, 410 8th Street NW, 5th floor
Please call (202) 724-5614 or send an email to jose.dominguez@dc.gov with any questions that you may have.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:34 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:30 (twenty years ago) link
― mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 15 March 2004 06:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 15:34 (twenty years ago) link
st ex has chimay, stella and delerium and a few more that i cant remember on draft. really nice people there. the barback, by mistake, bussed my last cigarette and matches when i went up to the bar to get another beer. when i mentioned this to the bartender, he gave me matches, a regular hooked me up with a cigarette, and a woman who was with the DJ said she was going out a cigarette run, and asked me what i wanted. i was actually confused by kindess.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 20:40 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:44 (twenty years ago) link
My attempts to get the DC Arts Commisssion to add more indie-rock, Latin, African, go-go and hiphop to the upcoming June 20th Free Music Fete seem to have run into bureacratical walls and lack of money. Oh well, I tried.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 8 April 2004 16:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 8 April 2004 17:28 (twenty years ago) link
didnt mix, just having some fun. am going to see Ken Mcintyre of AACM fame tonight I think.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 8 April 2004 19:17 (twenty years ago) link
6/11 is Richie Hawtin and Magda at Cubik
here's the day-by-day linup for the once.twice festival in Baltimore...
>>>>>>>>>
avant hip-hop + twisted rhythms THURSDAY APRIL 15TH 2549 N Howard Street www.theottobar.com All ages / Doors open @ 9pm / ADMISSION $10
DABRYE [ DETROIT - Ghostly International ] GHISLAIN POIRIER [ MONTREAL - 12k / Chocolate Industries ] JIMMY EDGAR [ DETROIT - Warp / M3rck / Audio.NL ] NAUTICAL ALMANAC [ BALTIMORE - Heresee ] MARC LUSSIER [ BALTIMORE ]
PERLON LABEL FOCUS FRIDAY APRIL 16th THE SUPREME IMPERIAL 223 Pearl STREET http://www.thehush.net/supreme.htm All ages / Doors open @ 9pm / ADMISSION $10
AKUFEN [ MONTREAL - Perlon / Force-Inc / Musique Risquee ] DIMBIMAN aka ZIP [ BERLIN - Perlon ] MATTHEW DEAR aka JABBERJAW [ DETROIT - Perlon / Plus8 / Ghostly ] SOMEONE ELSE [ PHILADELPHIA - Foundsound / Musik Krause ] BEN PARRIS dj set [ Baltimore - Once.Twice / Foundsound ] MISKATE dj set [ PHILADELPHIA - Foundsound ]
>>>>>>>
SATURDAY APRIL 17th JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY MATTIN CENTER ROSS JONES BUILDING, SDS ROOM 3400 N CHARLES ST,BALTIMORE MD All ages / Doors open @ 8pm / ADMISSION $10
AGF [ BERLIN - Orthlorng Musork / Kitty Yo ] + SUE.C [ SAN FRANCISCO - Orthlorng Musork ] CHRISTOHPER WILLITS [ SAN FRANCISCO - 12k / Fallt ] +SCOTT PAGANO [ SAN FRANCISCO - Reline ] MYLENA BERGERON [ MONTREAL - Oral ] + CAROLINE HAYEUR [ MONTREAL ] LOADBANG [ BALTIMORE ]
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 20:15 (twenty years ago) link
January W Post article on the buskers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/18/ted-leonsis-street-musician-noise-gallery-place/
― curmudgeon, Friday, 29 March 2024 17:22 (one month ago) link
https://www.capitalbop.com/rhizome-dc-community-investment/
Rhizome is gonna try to buy a building on Alaska Ave off of Georgia Ave in DC. They got a $350,000 grant from DC Arts , and the hard part is going to be raising 400, 000 more via loans and donations. I think if they raise 200 grand , they then get a bit more time before having to come up with remaining 200 grand
I listened to the Zoom. New location is not near a Metro station, just near Metro bus routes. They seem more optimistic about raising the bucks than I would be
― curmudgeon, Friday, 29 March 2024 22:25 (one month ago) link
I’d be willing to donate, but the document I saw is that they are going to crowdsource loans of a minimum of $2,500.
― Slorg is not on the Slerf Team, you idiot, you moron (Boring, Maryland), Saturday, 30 March 2024 00:17 (one month ago) link
They are supposed to based on my listening to the zoom have a separate donation link to a go fund me . But yeah for the loan they want more - 2500 . Which they say they will pay back in 10 to 15 years
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 30 March 2024 01:00 (one month ago) link
https://givebutter.com/rhizomedc
Link for Rhizome donations
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 30 March 2024 23:39 (one month ago) link
Thanks! If they haven’t used their email list yet to blast the link, they should.
― Slorg is not on the Slerf Team, you idiot, you moron (Boring, Maryland), Sunday, 31 March 2024 01:58 (one month ago) link
https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/03/29/rhizome-dcs-diy-mecca-is-trying-to-buy-a-permanent-home/
Washingtonian with more details re current rhizome landlord; and some stuff re the move
― curmudgeon, Monday, 1 April 2024 19:29 (one month ago) link
My April concert calendar is posted, and my City Paper preview of the DC history conference is also online . The conference has presentations on big serious items with race, class, and gender aspects as well as looks at the beginning of the 930 Club on F Street; go-go and politics; U street and Howard Theatre history; a guy who painted pics of Rock Creek Park in the 1800s. If I was in town this weekend I would go to see Digable Planets and Sun Ra for free at Franklin Park
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/687813/curtis-sittenfeld-district-dreamers-film-fest-city-lights-for-april-4-to-10/
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 4 April 2024 14:44 (one month ago) link
April 12 deadline to submit for consideration to Amanda M for Fort Reno summer concerts
https://www.fortreno.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
― curmudgeon, Monday, 8 April 2024 14:28 (one month ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/listings/items/orquesta-akokan-april-10/
My City Paper Spring Arts preview of Wed April 10 Orquesta Akokan at Hamilton live
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 9 April 2024 00:34 (one month ago) link
My City Paper preview of Sunday April 14 gig by Ethiopian music band Qwanqwa is included in the link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/689557/new-worlds-atmosphere-and-more-city-lights-for-april-11-17/
― curmudgeon, Friday, 12 April 2024 21:22 (one month ago) link
DC punk band Ekko Astral got an 8.0 from Pitchfork
reunited Dc punk bands Scream and Soulside are about to tour UK
DC's Mark Cisneros is touring Australia as part of Kid Congo's band . Mick Harvey from Bad Seeds and others is playing bass on this tour
Dreamcast Moe ep getting lots of attention
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 18 April 2024 20:45 (one month ago) link
https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/iota-club-cafe-arlington-va/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMQABHXmKZ1kaMQL3PoyqmPRqvh0JKWSD14S_vEoiTTOYCOqSYrw8VccerBDvUg_aem_AWd4xFbAjbQaDnFY_iW0rsAwpyfWE-bm7fygp0FBHUZqJ8uTddzCPkvxRK4EAxvZfEo
Folks who loved Americana music and more club Iota in Arlington that was open from 1994 to 2017 reminisce
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 24 April 2024 14:36 (three weeks ago) link
Rhizome still has a way to go to raise the money they need to buy their own place
https://www.rhizomedc.org/future
― curmudgeon, Friday, 26 April 2024 20:21 (three weeks ago) link
They look close, 235k out of a goal of 250. I have some more though. I wish I could go more often Takoma is kind of a haul from my end of the DMV.
― Are you addicted to struggling with your horse? (Boring, Maryland), Saturday, 27 April 2024 17:35 (three weeks ago) link
I *gave* more.
Nice.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 28 April 2024 15:18 (three weeks ago) link
An update by Rhizome:
N UPDATE!
As of this morning, we have the funds necessary to proceed with the purchase of 7733 Alaska Ave NW as a permanent home for Rhizome. The outpouring of support has been so inspiring! We have raised over $250,000 in donations and loans from community members in one month. If you haven't contributed, and you'd still like to and have the means, don't worry, you are not too late to help! We still need $150k more over the next 4-5 months, in combined donations, loans, and grants, to pay for new HVAC, roof, accessible bathrooms, and other needed renovations. You can find out more and make a contribution HERE. What an amazing community!!!!
― Are you addicted to struggling with your horse? (Boring, Maryland), Wednesday, 1 May 2024 13:21 (two weeks ago) link
Great news!
― Heez, Wednesday, 1 May 2024 13:50 (two weeks ago) link
Yay
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 4 May 2024 15:01 (two weeks ago) link
Smithsonian Folkways mourns the passing of blues musician and harmonica player Phil Wiggins (1954-2024). He died peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, one day before his 70th birthday. Wiggins was a Folkways recording artist, teacher, NEA National Heritage Fellow, and frequent performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival along with his longtime musical partner John Cephas. He was known throughout the international blues community and his hometown of Washington, D.C., for his wit, humor, and powerful playing.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 10 May 2024 20:08 (one week ago) link
https://festival.si.edu/blog/phil-wiggins-tribute?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1wLNxCW_203-Hyg2G-4lhtVsqu4CkXUp-Q067hnO0hnPtDoJUtqDOSCxI_aem_ASiUT8_jnH4FaxSCXJlS1HWG0GlolhXChq1GBfoppbE3_tdnDgafR4RpItyaPdkpRyE2K_wnsXkrYF3i8wkg7qCF
Another farewell to Phil Wiggins. Plus Washington Post had an obit also
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 16 May 2024 20:45 (five days ago) link
https://wapo.st/4aqHN5M
Chris Richards in Washington Post on Rhizome and his fave shows and the money raised for it and why it’s his fave dc place for music
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 16 May 2024 20:48 (five days ago) link
Lots going on... Updated my concert calendar
Also--
The Runaway is just going to be a bar and rarely have music the owner just decided (after the earlier talk it was going to close down it stayed open after getting a break on rent from the landlord. Her booking agent for Runaway and Slash Run recently quit)
― curmudgeon, Friday, 17 May 2024 16:44 (four days ago) link
Ended up in the overflow room at the Motown in DC panel event at the Anacostia Arts Center. Kinda interesting still.
Saturday night went to a Tropical Dome Dj event at Marx Cafe with a Colombian headliner DJ w a vocalist. They were preceded by DJs from Crown Vic , Charles from Leon City Sounds, DJ Neeko
Sunday saw the Slickee Boys history talk with various band members and their former manager circa 1981 talking to NBC’s Mark Segraves about the band at the Palisades church community center hub. Then they reunited downstairs for a 5 song reunion gig! Fun stuff
― curmudgeon, Monday, 20 May 2024 18:21 (yesterday) link
Sunday morning I found out the Sun Ra Arkestra was playing that night at the Birchmere in Virginia, and that they are doing shows celebrating Marshall Allen's 100th birthday this week. He wasn't able to be there but it was still a great show, and they'll be at Keystone Korner in Baltimore on Wednesday if anyone feels like making the trip.
― Chris L, Monday, 20 May 2024 20:43 (yesterday) link
I was at the Birchmere last night too, hello neighbor lol
― Are you addicted to struggling with your horse? (Boring, Maryland), Monday, 20 May 2024 21:46 (yesterday) link
I hope Allen is ok. He was with the Arkestra when I saw them open for Solange at the Kennedy Center some years back. I was away when they played at Franklin Park some months back. Toyed with going last night but just did the late afternoon Slickee Boys thing.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 21 May 2024 01:26 (sixteen hours ago) link
My contact said that Allen from Sun Ra's Arkestra got worn out at a Saturday gig in North Carolina, so he rested on Sunday and therefore missed Birchmere gig. Saw DJ Baby Alcatraz's IG story video from the Birchmere gig and it still looked good. Seeing them march through the crowd reminded me of when I saw 'em do that at the old F Street 930 Club and a bunch of folks from audience followed them like it was a conga line or a New Orleans jazz parade. Alas, Birchmere makes everyone sit and watch politely.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 21 May 2024 16:10 (two hours ago) link
Allen seemed strong and well the 3 times (!) I got to see them last year. even came out on a cold February night to smoke up right next to me. amazing.
― bulb after bulb, Tuesday, 21 May 2024 16:41 (one hour ago) link