The Week in DC Music
I’m Actually Away Right Now
I’m writing this on Wednesday afternoon, because I have treated myself to a weekend music festival up in Brooklyn. Even I go out of town for other music sometimes! So here’s the newsletter for the week ahead.
Here’s Our Podcast
Ian Taronji and Ardamus of The Lucky So & So’s guest starred on last week’s podcast episode to premiere their new single “Car 54” and discuss the DMV hip-hop scene. There are so many shout-outs that we lost count. Here’s the Spotify playlist if you need to catch up.
In the News
The May episode of WETA Arts features a lovely interview with and profile of Washington Women in Jazz organizer Amy K. Bormet.
District Fray [subscription required] provides a bunch of links for this section:
a profile of style icons Pretty Bitter;
an introduction to singer-songwriter Jason Cannata of Wandering Bird;
an update on bi-coastal duo Flasher;
and a roundup of live music picks for the month of May.
Thanks DF!
DC Music Video
Acoustic guitar wizard Yasmin Williams recorded this sublime version of “Doc’s Guitar” for the Doc Watson tribute album I Am A Pilgrim - Doc Watson at 100, alongside the likes of Steve Earle, Dolly Parton, Valerie June and Bill Frisell, and more. Don’t miss Williams at the Kennedy Center on Friday June 9th as part of NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds’s Declassified series.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Wednesday May 10th
Did you know Capital Fringe, organizers of the summertime Fringe Festival, also host weekly live music sets at the SW Duck Pond? This Wednesday, weather permitting, don’t miss french horn jazz from the Abe Mamet Trio for two sets, 6 and 7 PM.
Thursday May 11th
Chris Watling’s baritone saxophone is always the highlight of the roots rock/Americana band The Grandsons. See them this Thursday night at the legendary Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville.
Friday May 12th
Dr. Horsedoctor clearly wins for oddest/best band name so far this year. Does their indie pop measure up? See them Friday night at Slash Run with Silent Island and Argo and the Violet Queens.
Saturday May 13th
Constant Springtime, the superlative debut album by emo/indie band Magazine Beach, has been out just long enough for you to learn all the lyrics to sing along at their album release show Saturday night at Comet, along with fellow DMV bands Knope and Cuni.
Sunday May 14th
The truth is, Bad Moves is still one of the most amazing rock bands in DC, and they are well worth staying up late for on a Sunday night at Comet, along with Nashville’s femmecore power-pop band The Dreaded Laramie.
That’s It For Now
We hope you’ve had a fun week, or at least have gotten over the spring cold/epic allergies that have been attacking a lot of us recently. Buy some music, tip your bartenders, and we’ll see you next week.
- Paul