In the News
RIP to DC music insider Tom Carrico, who managed acts from The Nighthawks to Mary Chapin Carpenter to Chopteeth. Here’s WaPo’s profile on Carrico last fall from columnist John Kelly.
For Washingtonian, writer Andrew Beaujon, who helped found Teenbeat Records with Mark Robinson and played in 90s bands Eggs and Talk It, interviewed Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner who played in 90s bands Lorelei and Chessie, and coined the term “chick factor” for the influential zine of the same name. Honestly, their convo is mostly about trains, but it’s still a cool read.
The CityPaper’s Spring Arts Guide has a lot for us this week. First up, Irene Bantigue chats with Filipino collective WRIZZARDS (short for Washington Rizzards). Here’s their song “Ms. Barista” performed for this year’s Tiny Desk Contest.
CityPaper’s Dorvall Bedford introduces readers to next-gen rockers Birthday Girl. More on them below.
Bedford also digs into the expansive plans of psychedelic funk band Argo and the Violet Queens. More on them below, too.
And finally, CityPaper’s Dave Nyczepir writes about the local queer roots of the Secret Garden stage at the upcoming Project Glow EDM festival at RFK Stadium’s grounds.
DC Music Video
The experimental math-jazz band The Messthetics released a second music video from their upcoming album in collaboration with NYC saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. “That Thang” has an instantly recognizable hook and sits as one of the more approachable songs in the Messthetics catalog. As their previous music video for “Emergence”, this one was also shot by Dan Sharnoff and directed by drummer Brendan Canty, but the footage was visually manipulated by artist/projectionist Robin Bell to create a beautiful, distorted negative of the original. For more on the origins of the group, read this insightful interview with guitarist Anthony Pirog on postgenre.org, and of course grab some tickets to their upcoming show at the Black Cat on Friday March 29th.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Tuesday March 12th
Learn more about this year's DC Music Census from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities at the kickoff event Tuesday night at Songbyrd. District Fray wrote a helpful post with more information about the census.
Alternate pick:
Berra & Matt Fusiek open for Pony (Toronto) @ Quarry House Tavern
Wednesday March 13th
Songbyrd gives the stage to three DC rising, hard-working indie pop/rock acts Wednesday night: Aidan Leclaire, Argo & The Violet Queens, and Buko Buko.
Alternate picks:
Jasmime Gillison & Dylan Rockwell (from the band Moozy!) open for Cloudbelly (MA) @ Quarry House Tavern
Sarah Marie Hughes & NVS Trio open for Spiderwebs (Brooklyn) @ Rhizome
Thursday March 14th
Friends, it is not too late to grab yourself tickets to see indie rock legend Mary Timony (Helium, Autoclave, Wild Flag, Ex Hex, Hammered Hulls) present her new solo album Untame the Tiger at the Black Cat Thursday night, with support from genetically gifted girl rockers Birthday Girl.
Alternate picks:
Friday March 15th
Americana rock band The Beanstalk Library finally gets to headline The Pocket Friday night after rescheduling from last November due to illness. They’ll be joined by 70s proto-punk band GXB. We’ve already got tickets, will we see you there?
Alternate picks:
American Television, Graduation Speech (NJ), Night Windows (NJ) & Venray @ Slash Run
Spring Silver & Soul Meets Body open for Well Wisher (NJ) @ Pie Shop
Saturday March 16th
We’re willing to bet that you haven’t yet patronized Tysons Corner’s new venue Capital One Hall. Hopefully the stewards of go-go’s godfather The Chuck Brown Band will bring the DC music faithful out to party on a Saturday night in McLean.
Alternate picks:
Sunday March 17th
Alexandria label Baffin Records presents an all ages showcase of three bands from their roster Sunday night at Union Stage. Omaha’s Virgin Mary Pistol Grip rolls into town joining tight indie rock band Roscoe Tripp and Americana pop-punk group Indigo Thursday.
Alternate pick:
Avery & Ella, JJX (Philly) & XK Scenario @ The Pocket
Happy St. Paddy’s Day (it’s this Sunday!)
Make a little room for us, we’re back in your inboxes next week. Sláinte.
-PV