Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

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This is a thread where all DC residents past and present can post information about the music scene in the city and any interesting or important upcoming events. Anyone who has lived here knows that there is a) a lot going on and b) not enough coverage to prevent a lot of frustration from missing shows that nobody knew about. Hopefully this thread will become valuable.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 21:19 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I can get everything rolling with a few contributions:
anyone wanting to get into the free improv scene here should sign up with the DC Improv yahoo group, which has listings for a lot of events in the area. They bring in a lot of good artists like Sabeer Mateen, Susie Ibarra and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

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.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 21:26 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

At Recessions (18th and L St) on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes local rappers come and rap over karaoke. I saw it once, and they were really good, considering.

― Chris H. (chrisherbert), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 22:10 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

cool. keep em coming.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 04:22 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I grew up in DC, but I don't live there anymore. I'm visiting in mid-March with my friend. She wants to see live music. Any suggestions? I was thinking of seeing British Sea Power at the Black Cat, but that's kind of boring. Anything more local to recommend?

― Debito (Debito), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 04:32 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Matter at the Blue Room ended a couple of months ago. In its place there's a rotating cast of weekly Sunday nights. I'm listing them with some of the other less club oriented regular DJ events around town:

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...

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 14:55 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

and here's what counds like a good upcoming special event:

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

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 14:57 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Wed. 2-11

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...

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 16:05 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

For more DC events there's an improv jazz e-mail list, a few salsa ones, the Take Me Out to the Go-Go website, Dccaribbeanconnections.com, a few dc dancehall only sites, a zydeco/cajun e-mail list and website, and the Taking the Piss djs listed in Brian's post also do a reggae dub and more dj night.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 16:16 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

this is getting even better...!
are there any TechnoTechno nights out there?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 20:08 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Since the demise of Filler/Matter there aren't any techno techno nights that I know of - house owns DC. You may want to check for special events being put on by the 'DC Skillz' crew. Cubik (nu-Buzz) has been getting in a few techno-oriented DJ's, including Green Velvet a couple months ago, but now that they're compressing their lineups into the main room they haven't been as thematically strong as before.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:08 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

DJ Neville Chamberlain

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

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:10 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

They were working on a location in the old MetaTrack studios, behind the 7-11 on Rhode Island Ave at 14th St, to be a bar/upstairs small theater. No live music, though, and not to be called Metro. Originally supposed to open in October but it slid Then Cherry Red, who was supposed to be the theater tenant, disbanded. Since then nobody seems to be able to get any answers about what's going on.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:28 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

So are Mathew Dear, Michael Mayer, Soundmurder or Dizzee coming to town and/or where could you hear their music?

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:39 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

you can get e-mails about DC area events from:

dc-improv-announce-owner@yahoogroups.com

salsanews@aol.com

the blow_up@hotmail.com

bw_zydeco@yahoo.com

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:47 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

We've played plenty of Matthew Dear and Michael Mayer at my night, SALT, and we did a listening party for the Dizzee album last week. Haven't tried to play Soundmurderer, though - got a sort of cease and desist after playing Venetian Snares a couple months ago. We're doing a listening party for the new Telefon Tel Aviv and Neubauten at our next night.

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.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:49 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

why is the electronic dance scene here so seemingly mediocre? I used to be proud that there were all of these famous artists from the area (deep dish, BT, Saeed and Palash, etc.) but they all seem to only sleep here. i guess i just have different ideals. I like the fact that Danny Tenaglia travels 'round the world and still has a weekly in NYC (or at least used to... i dont know what he is up to now)playing everything from Basic Channel to Salsoul. When was the last time Deep Dish played here?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:59 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Deep Dish is around every once in a while at Nation, but it seems like just another stop on the tour. And I guess they have even less incentive to be around since the end of the Yoshitoshi store. Saeed and Palash pop up from time to time, but not as much as a few years ago. I can understand that maybe it's not seen as the most exciting place to have a weekly or monthly, but you'd think there'd be some more visibility. Thievery Corporation have achieved a similar level of success, and you can't swing a Gucci belt without hitting something they're involved with around town. They enjoy playing to thousands on tour and then to a hundred people in a small room.

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?

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:33 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

im confused... the Bob Mould? I didnt know he was living in DC.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:39 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Yes, Bob Mould. He and Richard Morel started a DJ night called Blowoff as a monthly at the Velvet Lounge last year, now it's weekly at the 9:30 Club backbar. It falls somewhere between esoteric electronic lounge and shirtless gay dance party, usually within the same night.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:20 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Yea, Bob has his own blog and either there or at a separate website he posts his playlists. He used to do his thing at the Velvet Lounge and moved it to the 930 Club. There was a feature article about him in the City Paper and in the Post weekend section. Brian, your choice of music sounds more interesting to me.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I'm really looking forward to the Black Eyes show coming up, March 26th. The whole last half of March is pretty sharp at the Black Cat, hopefully we'll be able to get some of the acts playing to come DJ afterwards at Saint-Ex.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:53 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

And I guess they have even less incentive to be around since the end of the Yoshitoshi store.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

According to their website Q and Not U are laying low and recording a new cd now. Black Eyes are playing the Warehouse Next Door near the new Convention Center Friday February 20th. Solomon Burke and Anthony Hamilton are offering different generation takes on soul that night at the sit down and keep your mouth closed Birchmere.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I like going to out-of-the way places like Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg (Chick Hall plays awesome honky tonk and surf guitar!) or Lamonts in Pomonkey, MD. Jim Bennett and Lady Mary sing Malaco records style bluesy soul there.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:42 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Anybody know anything about DC 9, a live music/DJ venue at 1940 9th st nw that looks to be replacing Metro Cafe in the club ecosystem? It's opening tonight, and their website is at www.dcnine.com, but doesn't say anything about who's behind it.

― Brian Miller, Friday, 13 February 2004 22:59 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

For those complaining about lack of real techno in DC -- a freak occurance has Titonton Duvante playing this Thursday at Mantis on Columbia Road. I'm pretty sure there is no cover.

― Michael Minnich, Wednesday, 18 February 2004 23:16 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

fuck how did i miss this post!!! Tombot (another techno techno fan) and I were sitting in a bar two blocks away bitching! damn! Is Mantis generally cool or is it usually the Wallpaper models I see inside (heh not that that is a bad thing I am just too ugly)?

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I received an e-mail about DC/9 which I think I deleted! It's run by some guy who did a one-off indie-rock dj thing at a sports bar in Chinatown I think. It was called Exit something i think. I'm not sure whether it will cover the same variety of entertainment that Metro Cafe did. My question is isn't the location of DC/9 where a mostly African-American house dance club used to be. Maybe I'm wrong and this isn't a new sign of gentrification--indie-rock replacing house.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:40 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Anybody been to the dj nights at Bar Nun? Their ad lists a hiphop/r'n'b night and a "grits n gravy" night. The latter was the subject of a Washington City Paper article many years back.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:43 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I went to Mantis to check out their new basement DJ space this past Friday, and it's very impressive. Holds maybe 100 people, good soundsystem, DJ near the entrance, bar down part of one side and some low sofas in the back past the bar. Dark, a little blue light, and a disco ball. Sort of a mini-Red. They're open Wednesdays - Saturdays, but I can't find a schedule online. It's grabbing the expected upscale house crowd, but they're definitely serious about booking talent.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

were people dancing? it sounds like a good space if a little small (meaning i would prefer 250 people, not 500). how is the list of EDM events coming? ;-)

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 23:32 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

There were only a few people dancing, but I left pretty early. The flow of the space is a little screwy, so I can imagine it not working too well when packed. Then again, few places do.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

ugh. i feel like there needs to be a fucking organization or something. can we negotiate a lease for a K St office for the new headquarters of Futurists Against Crappy Techno?

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

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:47 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

WPFW djs and others formed a group that brings avante-jazz and other improv music to town, so Aaron you'll have to put together a group to do the same for techno and other electronic-based sounds!

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 14:24 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

How come the Ottobar in Baltimore books more hiphop than DC clubs?

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

One more thing. Last summer the DC govt Commission on the Arts sponsored an event called Fete del la musique in which they had free music all over town. The selection of genres involved wasn't wide enough. I want to try to find out how to widen the selection for this summer.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:46 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

get a new Commission? ;-) Steve is the WPFW crew = Transparent productions? I would love to promote again. I did it in college. I need to get to know all the venues around town first though. Its going to take a long time. In about 3 years, start looking for flyers with Kevin Saunderson's name on them.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 17:15 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Transparent Productions is the improv crew. Not all of 'em are WPFW djs though some are--Bobby Hill and Larry Appelbaum, others?...

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

I asked excellent local DJ Milo (Filler, Matter) about nights, and he said the DJ at the Mantis basement on Wednesdays plays tech house, but that's about the closest - no BANGIN TECHNO nights.

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.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 20:22 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

milo is nice. i have talked to him a couple of times. that fest sounds fun. why does baltimore seem to have a better scene than DC?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 4 March 2004 04:26 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Baltimore: city in decay + large warehouse/manufacturing base = cheap venues. Cheap venues + art students + laissez faire police/health/fire department = good scene.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 06:53 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

So is Nation (Buzz people) afraid to book some of those folks coming to Baltimore, and is 5 too small, and is the 930 too booked up with bands to consider those artists (and also unwilling to face police/fire dept. scrutiny)?

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Nation needs to take in a huge amount of money at the door just to break even for a night, so they don't have a lot of incentive to book artists that won't appeal to their existing crowd. There would have been a better shot there in the Buzz days when they would let a different promoter/collective take over the patio, but now they're really only booking the main room.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Ghostly International showcase at Warehouse Next Door, April 1. Not sure who's playing.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 March 2004 00:56 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

The indie-rock stores keep dropping one by one. What's left? The below is from an e-mail from Now...

"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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

CD Warehouse in Georgetown (M and 30th), despite its location and hideous clientele, is really outstanding. This weekend I picked up Books' Lemon of Pink, Ghost's Hypnotic Underworld, Arthur Russell's Calling Out of Context, and M83's Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

You found those "used" or "new" in Georgetown? The one time I was there I didn't see much in there. Wow, that's quite a haul. I'm actually as guilty as anybody in buying stuff online rather then local stores. The last time I tried to go to Now (in early january), it was closed despite its hours being listed as open.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:35 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

They were new. But not outrageously priced. Between 14.99-18.99 (Ghost - M83).

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Hey, I was the one that got Coloma and Ellen Allien in there! I walk by it on my way home from work, so I stop in every couple of days. They're stupendously nice and will go as far as setting up new accounts with distributors to get special orders. I email them a list of upcoming releases I want and they'll have them for me the day they're released. They can be a little slow on imports, but they usually track them down.

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 (thirteen years ago) Permalink

Skipping 4092 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

good read, would love to hear that lost soul singles collection.

― Heez, Monday, 20 March 2017 18:34 (three months ago) Permalink

Some of the songs are on Youtube I think (or at least some other songs from the groups that are on the comp)

― curmudgeon, Monday, 20 March 2017 18:59 (three months ago) Permalink

http://dcist.com/2017/03/local_jazz_legend_buck_hill_dead_at.php

Buck Hill could have been a jazz big name playing in NY and touring, but he instead stayed in DC working as a Postal Service letter carrier by day, sax blower by night

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 21 March 2017 03:54 (three months ago) Permalink

So the Washington Post has an article on the big new Anthem hall that IMP is building in the SW waterfront and the article brushes over what used to be there. Old man me screaming at clouds says don't forget that the Channel Inn (old-school r'n'b), Zanzibar (afropop, r'n'b and more) and H20(Latino salsa, go-go and more) used to be there (and that Anthem will not likely offer anything for those audiences)

Here's my 2010 piece for those curious about the old days. Don't feel like linking to that Anthem article

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/13074513/zanzibar-on-the-waterfront-closes-down

― curmudgeon, Friday, 24 March 2017 16:37 (three months ago) Permalink

https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/2942

Andrew Morgan has channeled his love of private-press synthesizer funk into a bustling label and mail order business. Matt McDermott speaks to the outsider soul expert at PPU headquarters in Washington, DC.

I always assumed this stuff was ok, but not as good as more popular funk. But the article on these crate-diggers is kinda interesting

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 March 2017 14:16 (two months ago) Permalink

"The PPU sound is unpolished, raw, black independent music," Noble says. "To say it's funk, or boogie or disco, sure it's there, but his whole sound is demo mode—the dawn of the age of black people starting to utilize electronic equipment to make funk in home studios. When I was reissuing records I didn't want to hear their Casio keyboard horn symphony stuff that they wrote on topical matters and cut straight to CD-R, CD Baby, whatever, but Andrew loved that

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 March 2017 16:46 (two months ago) Permalink

I've been seeing Instagram photos of flyers for Shaolin Jazz events but have yet to go. Maybe I will make this (or go see Flying Nun label sweet-voiced pop band The Courtneys at DC 9 or various other things that night. But I have relatives in town so I might not do any of these things)

Saturday, April 1, 8 pm – 12 am

This event is held at Hyphen DC.

To celebrate Kung Fu Wildstyle [new exhibit at the Freer], the music collective Shaolin Jazz proudly presents a special edition of Can I Kick It?, a unique experience catered to lovers of kung fu flicks and the music these films inspired. DJ 2-Tone Jones mixes a score to accompany a cult classic martial arts film. He blends hip hop, soul, funk, and more to create a live soundtrack to the movie,

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 March 2017 20:17 (two months ago) Permalink

RIP 96-year old r'n'b drummer TnT Tribble who died last week. Pennsylvania born DC resident whom I saw around 1989 or so drumming with Eddie & Denise at Gee's 4400 Club on Rhode Island Ave

― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 April 2017 14:09 (two months ago) Permalink

https://www.bear-family.com/tribble-t.n.t.-vol.-2-red-hot-boogie.html

Read on FB that he died. There was an awesome 1989 Jay Bruder article on Tribble's role in DC r'n'b history, that I have as a pdf but I can't find it online

― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 April 2017 15:08 (two months ago) Permalink

Obit from a DC angle on guitarist who played here, and later moved to Texas

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20856873/revered-dc-guitarist-evan-johns-has-died

― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 April 2017 17:40 (two months ago) Permalink

http://legacy.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/artsandentertainment/2017/best-ethiopian-guitarist-legend-guests-in-a-small-space

http://legacy.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/2017

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 6 April 2017 16:18 (two months ago) Permalink

Did not see any of Damaged City fest (hardcore punk) but saw a short video clip of fest participants The Marked Men, that looked intriguing. I kinda like Flasher too, who are a bit more post-punk than hardcore

I saw Malian singer Salif Keita and band Sunday; plus jazz singer Cecile Mclorin Salvant on Saturday.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 10 April 2017 17:50 (two months ago) Permalink

Discovered late last night that Rhizome DC, a small co-op type place that usually just has experimental music (and doesn't have a budget to publicize their calendar that is at least now on a website) is having Ian Nagoski talk tonight about Arabic, Armenian, Turk, and Kurd records released in the US from 1893 to 1950, as a benefit for the International Rescue Committee. Alas, already have other plans

http://www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 April 2017 14:32 (two months ago) Permalink

bounce beat bands gonna have to play elsewhere because of a few knuckleheads

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/article/20857826/its-not-the-last-call-for-uniontown-bar-grill

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 April 2017 14:36 (two months ago) Permalink

New videos out from Resurrecting Queenz; Reesa Renee; singer of Elikeh

new Spinrilla single out from the Reaction Band

new GoldLink album pays homage to PG and DC lyrically, but I don't think he uses any DC beatmakers or go-go musicians (despite his praise for go-go in interviews)

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 April 2017 15:17 (two months ago) Permalink

x-post--Its security plan also prohibits patrons from wearing white T-shirts, sunglasses, backpacks, flip flops, or hoodies.

The ban on flip flops should solve all their problems, I'm sure.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 April 2017 17:54 (two months ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/goldlinks-at-what-cost-documents-a-dc-thats-disappearing-heres-how-the-album-came-together/2017/04/20/517d5778-23a0-11e7-b503-9d616bd5a305_story.html?utm_term=.f229628c401c

Rapper Goldlink has DC rappers and r'n'b singers from multiple generations on his new album. Alas no go-go says me here, but rapper Ciscero in the article contests : I think it represents the DMV well. I think what it really represents is the essence. He didn’t have a go-go song playing throughout to be like “look, this album’s about the city.” He’s got the essence of the people in it, which is really what go-go is. Go-go was just a reflection of the people, and that’s what the album sounds like

― curmudgeon, Monday, 24 April 2017 17:14 (two months ago) Permalink

Jazz and more musician Luke Stewart photo exhibit through April 30th, but I don't see hours for this place listed

http://www.metromicrogallery.com/current-exhibit.html

― curmudgeon, Monday, 24 April 2017 18:05 (two months ago) Permalink

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20858947/oddisee-on-the-iceberg-dc-and-his-great-aunt-mary

WCP: Your show in D.C. is coming up. Who do you hit up when you’re back in town, and do you still see yourself as part of the scene there?

O: I see family, I ride my bike, I get some injera and I do my rounds, but I’m pretty low-key. I go back for a reset button. But I don’t really feel connected to any scene. NYC and D.C. are doing fantastic jobs of eradicating safe spaces for art and creativity, I don’t know where open mics are in D.C., where MCs—like what I came up doing—freestyle for one another and play demos and beats and learn how to perform.

WCP: But you still see D.C. shows as a homecoming.

O: Yeah, they definitely feel like a homecoming. It’ll be the best show on the tour. D.C. is that place where, without a doubt, every single day, people are like, “Welcome back, welcome home, good to see you.”

― curmudgeon, Monday, 24 April 2017 18:10 (two months ago) Permalink

x-post -- there's a go-go inspired song near the beginning of the Goldlink record but all the music tracks for the album were put together by folks from outside DC I believe

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 25 April 2017 18:17 (one month ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/howard-theatre-moves-to-terminate-contract-with-operator-as-debts-mount/2017/04/26/2d3038d4-2a00-11e7-a616-d7c8a68c1a66_story.html?utm_term=.c4ae9a0b04cc

Ohhhh, what a sad, complicated mess.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 27 April 2017 13:50 (one month ago) Permalink

x-post-Goldlink did record the album in a Falls Church, VA studio with DC engineers and a DC executive producers but Kaytranada (who has worked with Goldlink before) and some of the other music makers for the album are from elsewhere

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 27 April 2017 13:52 (one month ago) Permalink

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20859820/rare-essence-backyard-band-come-together-to-crank

Song didn't wow me on first quick listen, but I will give it another chance or 3

― curmudgeon, Friday, 5 May 2017 19:31 (one month ago) Permalink

Well I guess they finally let all the kids and their parents inside for the Jacob Sartorius show at the 930.

(a line was already there when we went to the Guardians of the Galaxy matinee at 1:30 or so. It went around the block while we watched the movie. Now we're at the burger place chilling out. I had no idea who Jacob Sartorius is. I still don't, really.)

― your cognitive privilege (El Tomboto), Friday, 5 May 2017 21:37 (one month ago) Permalink

I am stumped as well

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 7 May 2017 17:32 (one month ago) Permalink

I assume he was grown in a lab

― “Yeah. Huh, thanks.” (los blue jeans), Sunday, 7 May 2017 20:32 (one month ago) Permalink

I think so. I decided to google him:

At the age of 8, Jacob started taking acting lessons and began pursuing roles in community theater year-round.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 8 May 2017 13:48 (one month ago) Permalink

so many musical bubbles, and we haven't kept in touch with that one

― curmudgeon, Monday, 8 May 2017 17:49 (one month ago) Permalink

Saw the Messthetics Saturday night at Comet. That's the new instrumental rock band with Fugazi's drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally; plus guitarist Anthony Pirog. Some tunes were loud and fast while others were slow soundtrack contemplative ones. Pirog adds a bit of psychedelia to all with his quick finger action and effects pedals.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 May 2017 14:50 (one month ago) Permalink

Rapper Logic got panned in Pitchfork but his NPR interview this morning was a bit more friendly.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 May 2017 14:51 (one month ago) Permalink

Fort Reno Demos are accepted until Friday, May 26. Ft. Reno is also still looking for donations

http://www.fortreno.com/

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 May 2017 17:06 (one month ago) Permalink

5 years ago today, May 16, 2012, the Godfather of go-go Chuck Brown passed on

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 16 May 2017 13:24 (one month ago) Permalink

Like who knew Gaithersburg rapper Logic was popular enough to have the #1 selling album in the country. Not old me...

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 16 May 2017 15:57 (one month ago) Permalink

The neighborhood is changing department-- Love Nightclub, which has been closed for awhile, will become City Winery according to Washington biz journal

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 18 May 2017 14:13 (one month ago) Permalink

http://dcmusicdownload.com/2017/05/03/pearl-street-warehouse-hires-former-930-club-booker-lisa-white/

This will be in the Wharf. She was last booking bands at Gypsy Sally's. Hope this will be a clever mix of roots and Americana and not just jam bands and the same ol same ol paleface Americana acts

― curmudgeon, Friday, 19 May 2017 15:07 (one month ago) Permalink

Meanwhile was reading on FB some folks grumbling that cutting edge rock and experimental acts all get booked in Baltimore but can't get DC gigs. Allegedly, the booker at RnR Hotel & DC9 isn't interested, and Black Cat's small room gets booked way ahead of time by others.

My fave southern soul acts don't get bookings here, and international rooted local acts seem to only get booked at Bossa. Bounce beat gogo takes place mostly down in Waldorf with a just a few Hyattsville or DC shows. Old-school go-go bands have a few DC and Md clubs (plus Crystal City Hotels) that they work.

Caribbean and Afrobeats/afropop djs seem content to just spin in the Md burbs and never are heard at Flash or U Hall.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 19 May 2017 15:14 (one month ago) Permalink

http://www.complex.com/music/2017/05/how-dc-killed-go-go-and-why-goldlink-created-its-memorial

The article is more interesting than its misleading title. But its kinda flawed too.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 19 May 2017 18:59 (one month ago) Permalink

Ariana Grande's drummer is DC raised Aaron Spears who is also known for his Pentecostal church gospel drumming.

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 24 May 2017 14:09 (one month ago) Permalink

http://dcist.com/2017/05/lord_protect_us_from_gentrification.php

Not really addressed in this article about the St. Elizabeth's arena that DC taxpayers are largely paying for (65 million!), is that other than for Mystics games and Wizards practices, it is likely to sit empty. I just don't see this 4,200 seater competing with the new IMP/930 owned hall Anthem in the Wharf, or with the National Harbor Hall or even DAR or the George Mason Arena or Echostage...

― curmudgeon, Thursday, May 25, 2017 8:33 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

― curmudgeon, Friday, 26 May 2017 15:07 (four weeks ago) Permalink

IMP also expanding at MPP in MD--
Baltimore City paper article

http://www.citypaper.com/music/music-features/bcp-051717-feature-merriweather-20170516-story.html

Currently, Merriweather is undergoing a five-year, $55 million renovation that includes a new backstage complex, rotating stage, new concessions, a green-tiled band shell called the Chrysalis Amphitheater, and more.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 26 May 2017 15:10 (four weeks ago) Permalink

hmmmm, maybe

Punk Out
Phillips after 5

July 6, 2017, 5–8:30 PM

Inspired by Germany’s punk scene, experience all things punk at the Phillips! Enjoy a silent disco featuring punk, David Bowie, and even some classical music.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 June 2017 14:08 (three weeks ago) Permalink

$12

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 June 2017 14:09 (three weeks ago) Permalink

I need to figure out who's doing that go-go bouncebeat version of Migos "T-shirt"

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 June 2017 16:25 (three weeks ago) Permalink

It gets played on WKYS 9:30 pm to 9:50 pm Mon. to Thurs. night go-go crank session

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 June 2017 16:26 (three weeks ago) Permalink

Why did Broccoli Fest folks book '90s cover band White Ford Bronco for this weekend's Smile Fest thang at RFK?

― curmudgeon, Friday, 2 June 2017 15:31 (three weeks ago) Permalink

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/go-go-music-wants-go-mainstream-can/

Article wonders whether go-go bands will start touring the south. I don't think they will (maybe a few gigs here and there, but bandmembers have dayjobs and family here and are not likely to want to hop in a van for any extensive gigging without promise of sufficient payday)

Meanwhile just saw on Instagram that Rare Essence recorded a Tiny Desk gig Friday for NPR radio

― curmudgeon, Monday, 12 June 2017 18:25 (one week ago) Permalink

http://www.mtv.com/news/3019154/go-go-forever/

Another history of go-go article but with cool old videos

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:22 (one week ago) Permalink

http://www.thefader.com/2017/05/05/mary-timony-helium-dc-rock-guide

Mary Timony's guide to DC rock bands

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:28 (one week ago) Permalink

Now I gotta figure out who's doing that bounce beat cover of Bruno Mars I heard on WKYS. Guess I gotta call the station. ....

Yep, the new mural at Ben's Chili Bowl ain't bad, but it turns Chuck Brown into a left-handed guitarist.

Oh, the Chuck Brown Band is playing for free at the Smithsonian Folklife Fest at 5:30pm Fri. June 30th

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 June 2017 18:33 (four days ago) Permalink

So Brendan Canty has another band-- Penguin, in which he plays bass, Devin Ocampo is on guitar and there's a drummer whose name I forget

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 22 June 2017 14:30 (two days ago) Permalink

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