In the News
Chris Kelly at WaPo has the deets on DJ Sami Yenigun’s new EP Elevate.
Meanwhile Mark Jenkins reviews the new album Paint the Birds by grunge/folk duo Faunas.
DCist gets the backstory on MD rapper Foggieraw’s success at collaborating with megastar Alicia Keys.
And DCist will help you make plans to see Rorschach Theatre’s new production Angel Number Nine, featuring a fictional 90s band and set in a rock club from that period, which will doubtless take many of us back.
Washingtonian finds out how the decor at The Atlantis pays tribute to DC music-going of the 80s and 90s.
Finally, you all probably know the DC rock band Grady from the many times we’ve embedded their two public demo songs in this email. They recently realized that they weren’t the only Grady around, so now they’re called Massie and their IG video about the name change is an damn masterwork. (Oh yeah, also now those demo songs are gone. Sigh.)
What’s New at Bandcamp
Beauty Pill released a cover of the 1977 song “Perfect Day” by Harry Nilsson, commissioned but rejected by the TV series Better Call Saul. Producer Chad Clark’s self-effacing commentary is always worth the price of admission, so we’d highly suggest signing up for his excellent Bandcamp emails.
The new album Away Back In by rapper Raw Poetic and turntablist Damu the Fudgemunk comes out on the London label Def Pressé in late August.
The lovable young indie rockers Makeup Girl have a new album called Escalator coming out August 2nd, and you can grab tix now for the album release show August 9th at Songbyrd.
Don’t You Stay Home This Week
Monday July 17th
If you think Fort Reno is all dad rock and middle school punks, wake up! This Monday’s show features cellist Amy Domingues leading the Washington Bach Consort (yes, that Bach), along with NAYAN (fka The NRIs) and Grey Swift.
Tuesday July 18th
We’ve featured the blues/surf rock of Wanted Man and the folky indie rock of Rosie Cima & What She Dreamed many times, because we love them both, but we don’t think ever on the same bill before. They play at Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring on Tuesday evening along with NC-based band Fust.
Wednesday July 19th
Soulful singer Cecily is the featured musician at the Strathmore’s summertime Wednesday night series “Live from the Lawn”. The show is free, but they’d love it if you RSVP’d.
Thursday July 20th
Thursday’s Fort Reno lineup features some young punks called Latex Velma, some old(er) punks in The Delarcos, and lush pop singer Freddy Hall.
Friday July 21st
The immersive instrumental group Requiem, originally a collab between ambient guitarist Tristan Welch and synth wiz Doug Kallmeyer, now includes drummer Andrew Toy and we are always in favor of adding a drummer to any band. They’ll be playing tunes from their upcoming album POPulist Agendas Friday night at Rhizome, along with Philly trio Hotel Neon and the well known improv collective Kohoutek.
Saturday July 22nd
The Global Fund for Women is the beneficiary for Saturday night’s show at The Pocket called FIGHT FOR HER RIGHTS. The lineup features female-fronted bands all local to DC: East Coast Offense, Higher Numbers, Outerloop, and Abby Rasheed & The Sundry Collective.
Sunday July 23rd
In addition to the cutting edge theater and comedy presented by the Capital Fringe Festival, there’s some great music to see as well. Sunday afternoon at the parklet in front of Baked & Wired in Georgetown the vibes will be perfect for jazz organizer, vocalist and dynamo Amy K. Bormet performing with her husband Matt Dievendorf on guitar.
Sign Off
Was this newsletter even more jam packed with music than usual? There’s surely enough to keep your ears full for a whole week. It’s swampy as hell outside, but going out in it makes the A/C feel so sweet afterwards. Stay hydrated for real this time, buy some of the choonz you dig, and we’ll see you right here next week. Thanks for reading!