Hello DC Music Friends
Our peers at the 730DC email newsletter kindly linked to us last week, and brought more than a few fresh faces here. They publish an essential roundup of DC news and events each weekday, always our first read of the day. Surely there’s a little room in your inbox for them.
In the News
WaPo music critic Chris Richards, also a vet of many DC bands including Q and Not U and TK Echo, gets very excited about the archival punk vinyl-only releases from L.G. Records. Order for yourself from the Dischord Store or Midheaven.
For Tinnitist, Darryl Sterdan premiered the re-master and re-naming of The Caribbean singer Michael Kentoff’s solo material, previously known to us under the moniker Washington Hebrew. The single “A Tour of Washington’s Jewish Homes“ is out now, with fuschia vinyl coming in the fall from the label Hidden Shoal.
Last week cellist Janel Leppin’s new album To March Is To Love as leader of Ensemble Volcanic Ash was named one of the best new jazz records on Bandcamp.
Nick Iannelli introduces WTOP listeners to the DC musical nexus of 7DrumCity in a chat with their director of marketing, Kinda Evil’s Amanda Dove.
Matt Schudel at WaPo wrote this epic must-read obit of Joe’s Record Paradise proprietor Joe Lee.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Monday July 15th
DC’s beloved punk garden party Fort Reno continues Monday night with two Latin-tinged rock bands: Anexo Social and Fantazma, plus literal children of Fugazi Birthday Girl.
Tuesday July 16th
Tuesday night Songbyrd queues up a full night of emotional, ethereal indie rock with The Orange Slices, You Fool!, Apt Men, and Michael Richardson’s band Fake Radio headlining.
Wednesday July 17th
If you’ve not yet been, let us tell you that seeing bands on the rooftop of the MLK Library on a Wednesday night is a unique summertime treat. The DCPL’s Punk Archive curation of the monthly series presents fuzzy shoegazers Flowers from the Dead, punk rockers Sex Faces featuring Jacky Cougar of Des Demonas on drums, and psychedelic chaos practitioners Tripping Corpse.
Thursday July 18th
Thursday night we’re all back in our finest t-shirts and picnic blankets at Fort Reno to take in Joy Viver (“A notably fun experience”), dreamy Blood Family Reunion, and Ben Demase’s experimental folk band Insert Title Policy.
Friday July 19th
Back in April experimental indie pop band The North Country released their sixth album The Future's All We Need, an impressive milestone for a band continuing to explore novel musical connections. Their full band album release show happens Friday night at Black Cat with support from synthpop champs Mystery Friends.
Saturday July 20th
Mount Pleasant’s Haydee’s Restaurant has an early all ages Saturday night lineup, as they say, for Freaks Only. Jester and The Mad Pranksters make gothic synth punk, Ukulele Deth Squad will probably destroy you with ukuleles, and Bassmasters bring the noise rock to finish the party.
Sunday July 21st
We can officially vouch for the good vibes, unique beers, and great tunes at Clarendon’s Galaxy Hut. Sunday night brings out Ted Zook’s experimental improv collaboration with Bob Boilen called Fanoplane, and DC-flavored indie rock band Continuals, fronted by prolific punk flyer artist Ryan Carroll Nelson.
Honorable mention:
Abe Mamet album release at Material Things Studios in North Brentwood
That’s All We Got This Week
You know the drill: go see some of these shows, or others, buy an album, stay hydrated, don’t trust AI. You’re doing great! This crazy year is more than halfway over. See you bright and early next Monday.
-PV