Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

The only electronic night i have ever been to is called Matter and it is held at the Blue Room on 18th street. I am not sure if it still exists, as i havent seen it listed for a while. The Djs played a lot of techno, including all the requisite hip german stuff, but whenever i went, there were 20 people there, and everything was being played at lounge volumes. it was a bit sad really, though the bar has a good beer selection.

SALT (listed first, because it's my night, dammit)
synthfunk, indiepop, dancehall, grime, electropunk, hip hop, industrial, hits
DJ's Sad and Lonely
1st Wednesday monthly
Cafe Saint-Ex

<>
indiedisco and beyond
DJ Will Eastman
generally 3rd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Confusion
disco, new wave, funk, postpunk, hiphop
DJ's Serpico, William Alberque, Cullen Stalin, Sad
generally 4th Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Yellow Fever
reggae, groove, soul, hip-hop, dub
DJ's Yellow Fever
Tuesdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

Spilt Milk
rock, disco, funk, mod, punk, soul
Tuesdays biweekly
Red

Blowoff
indie house?
DJ's Bob Mould and Richard Morel
Saturdays
9:30 Club

Taking the Piss
jingle-jangle indie pop & psychedelic
occasional Fridays
Marx Cafe

We Fought the Big One
UK post punk, shoegaze, guitar pop, indie dance
DJ's Brandon Grover and Rick Taylor
1st Friday monthly
Marx Cafe

The Wag
60's garage soul & trash
DJ Mark Zimin
1st Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

The Mousetrap
brit pop, indie
DJ Mark Zimin
generally 2nd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Cold
coldwave, darkwave
2nd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

Atmosphere
post punk, UK indie, dream pop
3rd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

The Melting Pot
everything, 1964-1980
DJ Neville Chamberlain
Thursday biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

UH-HUH!
rock and roll
DJ Johnny
Sundays
Cafe Saint-Ex

Groove
soul, mod, garage
DJ Beat Neat-O
Thursdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

I'll work on a whole separate list of the club/hip hop/EDM events...

24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho

February 28, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.
A first for the Hirshhorn---the Museum will open the Douglas Gordon exhibition for twenty-four consecutive hours. 24 Hour Psycho (1993), the artist's video installation that stretches the Hitchcock classic into a twenty-four-hour experience, is the inspiration for this all-night happening. Launch the leap year with this unique, drop-in event, which will also include music, gallery discussions, and a "Meet the Artist" interview with Douglas Gordon conducted by Hirshhorn Director of Art and Programs and Chief Curator Kerry Brougher on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Ring Auditorium. "24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho" is made possible through the generosity of Aaron and Barbara Levine.

http://hirshhorn.si.edu

The following music (presented by Signal 66) will be played:
5:30 ˆ 7:00pm DJ Sandwich Man
7:00 ˆ 8:00pm Band Chessie
8:00 ˆ 8:30pm DJ Debut
8:30 ˆ 9:15pm Band The Hipnotix
9:15 ˆ 9:45pm DJ Beat Neat-o of Groove
9:45 ˆ 10:30pm Band Rose
10:30 ˆ 11:00pm DJ Neville Chamberlain
11:00 ˆ 11:45pm Band The Phobes
11:45 ˆ 12:15am DJ Neville Chamberlain
12:15 ˆ 1:00am Band Sounds of Kaleidoscope
1:00 ˆ 1:30am DJ Happy Family
1:30 ˆ 2:15am Band Sons of Disobedience
2:15 ˆ 2:45am DJ Neville Chamberlain (tentative)
2:45 ˆ 3:30am Band Gully Jimson

Habib Koite from Mali at the National Geographic Grosvenor
Hall--Habib's got a nice live cd out--He trys to meld styles from
different parts of Mali, and while he's not a big fave of mine he's
definately not bad

Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache at the K. Ctr. Eisenhower Theater--A
wonderful percussionist, bandleader, and sideman (not to mention a
college professor) who is very charismatic and entertaining with his band

Los Hombres Calientes from New Orleans at the Clarice Smith Center-An
interesting bunch from New Orleans who blend that city's jazz with
flavors from throughout the Caribbean. I believe WPFW's Jim Byers is
hosting and leading a chat with them as well.

Muzsikas at the Freer-Hungarian vocal combo
________________________________________________________________

Sat. 2-14

Sanchez and Richie Stephens at the Crossroads-Jamaican lovers rock for
Valentines Day
_________________________________________________
Sun. 2-15

Haj Youness, Casablanca, Moroccan oud player and the Voice of Wisdom
Orchestra at 2 p.m. at the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center
Lecture Hall

La India and Sonora Caruseles at the Washington Hilton, 1919
Connecticut Ave. NW salsa
__________________________________
Tues. 2-17

Peru Negro at the Kenn. Ctr- Excellent Afro-Peruvian veteran combo--if
you like Eva Aylon or Susanna Baca this outfit's blend of soaring
melodies, strumming, and funky drumming (on instruments including
wooden boxes and donkey jawbones) will be up your alley
__________________________________
Other cool stuff:2-11-Super Furry Animals
from Wales at 930;2-12( & 2-13) jazz singer Jane Monheit at the
Birchmere; 2-13-Atmosphere at 930;2-14 Black Dice at Ottobar;Jazz
singer Dee Dee Bridgewater at K. Ctr.;Carmaig De Forest at Roots Cafe;

To get on my DC African/Latin/World whatever events ocassional e-mail thing, contact me at ritmika@hotmail.com The above comes from that...

Which reminds me...any news regarding a new location for the Metro Cafe?

dc-improv-announce-owner@yahoogroups.com

salsanews@aol.com

the blow_up@hotmail.com

bw_zydeco@yahoo.com

Dizzee's supposedly coming back for a bigger tour in the summer, but I'm not sure if he'll hit DC or not. I don't know of anything regarding Dear or Mayer, but if they came I imagine it would be at 5ive, unless it was a one-off somewhere else.

What's odd it that it seems to be only the EDM scene that really tries to escape the city - the most successful go-go and indie artists are, if anything, too tied to DC.

Is it odd that the most interesting and boosterish electronic dance DJ in DC over the last year has been Bob Mould?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

how long have you been in DC? what is the reason for the instability?

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

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...

There's the once.twice festival coming up in Baltimore next month-

April 15th - 17th, 2004
Baltimore's 4th Annual
once.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.

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...

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".

"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."

So I don't think DC's gone utterly down the pan. Close, but not gone yet.

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!

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.

A who's who of local folks on that go-go and funk influenced jazzy effort. I know of the others but not Prather

https://dcist.com/story/19/04/08/shaws-metro-pcs-store-has-been-forced-to-turn-off-its-go-go-music-owner-says/

A resident in luxury condo the Shay complained...

Smh

TOB and Mental Attraction band both played at last night’s second night of protest—this time at 14th & U in front of Reeves Bldg. #dontMuteDC is the hashtag of choice. A meeting at the Wilson Bldg today and a press conference Thursday

The gogo is back albeit at a slightly lower volume. Phone Company gave in

https://thedcline.org/2019/04/11/a-revived-wammies-music-awards-program-tries-to-help-dc-musicians-with-mixed-results/

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/21063870/the-scene-report-max-d-model-home-and-jeremy-hyman

Future Times w/ more avante dance & hiphop

Slate, Fader, the Root, W. Post all with articles on the go-go don’t mute DC controversy

https://wtop.com/dc/2019/04/efforts-to-preserve-live-go-go-recordings-and-honor-its-greats-with-a-museum/

Ron Moten wants to start a DC go-go Museum in Anacostia. Moten is a DC activist respected by some, but who makes others nervous as DC once brought a lawsuit against him finding he had used funds for himself that weren’t supposed to go to his own personal use.

https://oag.dc.gov/release/office-attorney-general-announces-settlement

Moten ‘s co-founder of Peace-aholics seems more at fault than Moten

The co-founder used the funds for personal use, not Moten

RIP Fred Foss, DC jazz sax and flute player who moved here from NYC decades ago. He played locally and with in the past Tito Puente, Hugh Masekela and more

There was another #dontmutec event at 14th & U in front of Reeves last night with New Impressionz and TCB. One of the groups did a bouncebenat version of "Old Town Road"

And now another #dontmutedc event Tuesday May 7 with Backyard Band, ABM & DJ Kool from 6 to 9 pm

Also Chuck Brown band will be at Funk Parade Sat. May 11 from 6 to 7 pm at Vermont & U st (between 9 & 10th) by the African-American civil war Memorial

I was jammed in tight 20 feet from ABM & BYB and could hear them but not see them, as they were on the sidewalk with no stage. Wow, the singalong to Backyard ‘s version of Adele’s “Hello” was amazing, as there were 3,000 people there.

Alas, the ugly comments on a Popville story and a Washington Post review blame gogo for any trash left anywhere on U Street, for any atv and motorcycles that showed up, for any violence that has occurred in DC this year, and for not being “realistic “ and just accepting that luxury condo dwellers should get priority treatment.

Just noticed on FB that Peterbug Day Fest is Saturday 11 to 7 in SE DC w/ EU, William DeVaughn, & old-school DC soul singer Richard Knight who was part of the Knight Brothers way back when (per Wiki)

Fugazi data & zines exhibit closes after Sunday

Another #DontMuteDC this time on Memorial Day Monday at Freedom Plaza.

And another Friday May 24-- #gogo 4 Justice @ United Medical Center In SE #DC 6 to 9 pm w/ TOB, UCB, Sirius Company, Go-go All-Stars Ft. Michelle Blackwell

https://thedcline.org/2019/05/27/the-dontmutedc-go-go-protests-arent-done-theyre-expanding/

More about the politics and activism side of things.

Saw Des Demonas rock fiercely and loud @ Dew Drop Inn. I like their garage rock Stooges but with Farfisa sound. They played twice locally within last few weeks, but aren't gigging again locally till August. I wonder who guitarist Mark Cisneros will be playing with in the meantime.

Nothing to do with present-day DC; but I was interested to learn in this long WaPo article (from the Purple Mountains thread) that David Berman apparently lived at least part of his childhood in Reston, and also spent time with his dad in the District. I (partly) grew up in the Herndon/Reston area, and never heard of a cool rock figure from Reston before.

Ah yes, the suburbia of Reston. It does have that town center with summer concerts, although most don’t interest me. They do seem to have a zydeco one every summer which is kinda cool. My son sometimes played baseball out there.

I think I had read Malitz talk about Berman’s Virginia & DC background before this long story ( that I haven’t read yet).

There was go-go outside the African American History & culture Friday night; and another person put together a bouncebeat bill at the Washington Monument Saturday afternoon

Go-go for statehood rally w/ bouncebeat go-go bands tonight Tuesday 6 to 9 in front of Reeves bldg at 14th & U.

Unrelated—pop-postpunk rock band Flasher at Comet Wednesday with postpunk by numbers band Lithics.

Flasher cancelled for tonight, and last night’s scheduled go-go for DC statehood event got postponed till Friday

https://thedcline.org/2019/06/28/short-and-sweet-abbreviated-folklife-festival-turns-up-volume-on-go-go-other-dc-music/

I saw a bit of the Royal Pocket Tour legendary gogo percussionists ( with a bass & keyboard in the back) thing at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. It was fun, then we went to AFI to see Punk the Capital. Some great 70s and early 80s footage of DC and bands . I liked it but can nitpick a few things. 1 of the directors was involved with the original Madam’s Organ yippie hippie hangout where DC punk bands played for part of a year. The movie focused on that but barely mentioned, if at all, Wilson Center, Georgetown Hall of Nations, DC Space. I did see on a tv in the hall after some outtakes showing that included Cramps at Hall of Nations.

http://www.fortreno.com/

The Fort Reno series kicks off tonight (weather permitting). Is anyone else planning on going?

Gonna go next Monday and see Hammered Hulls (Alec Mackaye, Mary Timony, Mark Cisneros, & drummer whose name I forgot) as I am on vacation this week

https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/music/bee-boisseau-is-working-on-the-shape-of-jazz-to-come--every-monday-night/2019/07/08/7bddf446-9cd9-11e9-9ed4-c9089972ad5a_story.html?utm_term=.fe7d8b9f8862

Bee Boisseau from Richmond is now in DC and playing electro-jazz Mondays at Bin 1301. On Thursdays they have go-go gone jazz drummer Trae Crudup

https://www.nps.gov/fodu/planyourvisit/summer-theatre.htm

Fort Dupont Park free summer weekend shows start July 20. They have Rare Essence in August plus Stokley of Mint Condition and more

Alona wrote a Choppa Black obit:

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/article/21077532/remembering-choppa-black-19892019

Daniel Bachman + Model Home tonight for free at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 6-8 pm.:

https://americanart.si.edu/events/luce-unplugged-community-showcase-model-home-and-daniel-bachman-july-12-2019

Bill Orcutt and Bonnie Jones tonight at Rhizome:

http://www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2019/7/13/concert-bill-orcutt-bonnie-jones

Bill's last set at Rhizome was one of the best solo guitar sets I have ever seen, truly great. I mean Bill isn't for everyone, but if you are into it do not miss a chance to see him live.

Bill's a little too out there in his playing for me, but its cool Rhizome exists for musicians like him. DC area is busy. Mock Identity were having their record release at Comet, DC go-go bands always busy, Baltimore Carnival going on with some DC associated events. I was off at the beach....

Saw the Hammered Hulls, Erotic Thrillers, Anti-Planet gig at Fort Reno . Big crowd to see the Hulls. Back in 1979 I saw Alec Mackaye sing with the Untouchables at Fort Reno before a small crowd. Decades later I saw him with the Hulls -- his tight band with Mary Timony on bass, Mark Cisneros on guitar...

https://www.arlnow.com/2019/07/17/police-break-in-and-theft-from-legendary-recording-studio-near-shirlington/

At least $10,000 worth of gear stolen. Terrible

Since Dischord is putting out a Hammered Hulls single, I see that someone created a separate thread for the band

This sucks.

https://www.arlnow.com/2019/07/17/police-break-in-and-theft-from-legendary-recording-studio-near-shirlington/

I may have mentioned that I worked with Don Z on a record a couple years ago, and it was a great experience. He is a righteous dude and it is a great studio.

Meanwhile keep a lookout in local pawn shops for a $5,000 microphone.

Aww shit man, that is a real bummer about Inner Ear. Glad that the insurance will (likely) cover it though. Saw that Hammered Hulls show, was good. Not a bad show for my first Fort Reno experience.

I wanted to make it out to National Harbor for dc go-go night with the UniverSoul Circus, but did not. Oh well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBM4GtPi7A4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2eTFKfMikC5YEsHCohXhfnT-PXGJzQAKmsaaXNlVNvsCRUff3NFuILXj0

Tommy T featuring Mahmoud Ahmed - ANCHIN አንቺን

Fort Reno has announced two additional shows to close out this summer's concert season.

Monday, 7/29:
The Osyx
dirt eater
The Mauls

Thursday, 8/1:
Don Zientara
amy, ian, joe (name unknown)

Whoah, 8/1 looks interesting ....

Heavy show tomorrow: Kid Millions (Oneida) & Jim Sauter (Borbetomagus) duo + Time is Fire + Yeni Nostalji at Rhizome.

Final ever "Shout Bamalama " free dj night w/ DJ Baby Alcatraz @ Haydee's tonight

Also old-school rap w/ Chubb Rock, Special Ed & more for free @ Fort Dupont

Lots going on everywhere fom Rhizome to American Legions to Returning Citizen Day family events. Plus clubs too

But maybe not Woodstock in August at Merriweather

Ian M , Amy F, Joe Lally Band requested no videotape and audio recordings of their newish unnamed band’s recent gigs in Annapolis and Ft Reno. Not ready yet for the Fugazi Live Archives Website approach.

*Women DJ Collectives panel discussion 7 to 9 @ Lost Origins Gallery w/ Moderator: Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, I'm in the Band podcast), Panelists:
- Ebony Dumas (DJ Natty Boom, Anthology of Booty); Les Talusan (Les The DJ, Punk Soul Sisters); Maegan Wood (DJ Junebullet, Coup Sauvage & The Snips); Kristy Chavez-Fernandez (Kristy la Rat, Maracuyeah: tropical amor ); - Kristina Gray (DJ K La Rock)

I went to this tonight. The panelists were a lot of fun and told interesting stories about their lives and how they got into dj'ing. Plus the most annoying things people say to them

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/howard/cng-ho-seth-hurwitz-prostitution-20190822-iatvy4e6rvbfxal6vlaosblj4y-story.html

Wow, Seth Hurwitz, Chairman of IMP productions charged with solicitation of a massage therapist who was not a prostitute and called the police alleging harassment

What a stupid and offensive thing to do.

Washington City Paper article spells out gross details on Seth Hurwitz of 930 Club/Anthem/IMP incidents