In The News
The Inner Ear of Don Zientara is a new book presenting the oral and visual history of the famed Arlington studio and its beloved owner. DCist has a preview.
CityPaper profiles indie-pop star Jeff Draco as he sets off on his Never Gonna Be the Same Tour, which lands back home at Union Stage on Saturday June 17th.
WaPo columnist Petula Dvorak writes about the rooftop punk and go-go shows at the MLK Library.
Speaking of punks, Washingtonian has a feature on the upcoming Reunion Summer two-night festival July 28th & 29th at St. Stephens.
The lifestyle magazine District Fray [subsciption required] chats with queer black singer Reesa Renee in advance of her new album Time Flies.
Finally, District Fray interviewed the curators of this year’s Queering Sound festival, Jim Adams and Sea Griffin. More on that below!
DC Music Video
As the duo Requiem, sonic architects Doug Kallmeyer (aka Oms) and Tristan Welch (aka Sutras) released a prolific string of drone singles during the memorably fraught summer of 2020, and then went quiet. Now they’re back with new music, enhanced both by new percussionist Andrew Toy and visual artist Monica Stroik. Their new full length album POPulist Agendas drops on August 11th courtesy of Mutineer Records (you know you want to pre-order that gorgeous vinyl, so why not treat yourself), and the advance single “Immaculate Inning” gets this kaleidoscopic music video. Rhizome hosts their next live show, the first with Toy on drums, on Friday July 21st along with Philadelphia bands Hotel Neon and Kohoutek.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Monday June 12th
World renowned jazz vocalist Sharón Clark teams up with the 17 piece Capitol Lab Band to blow your socks off at Blues Alley Monday night. Are you more an early set person or a late set?
Tuesday June 13th
Tuesday nights, man. Tuesday nights are tough. What the hell is everyone doing on Tuesday nights? Why is everyone staying home? If you’re feeling adventurous, which is always a good qualifier before recommending any show at Rhizome, the Takoma Park arts space hosts screamy punks Sad Roach opening for Philly’s Drivel and two Baltimore groups, Scramble and Consumer Culture.
Wednesday June 14th
Blues Alley provides a wonderful stage for so many DC musicians, including this Wednesday night with versatile saxophonist Steven Garrison and his ensemble.
Thursday June 15th
Your Thursday night, in our humble opinion, should feature the distinct, plaintive and powerful vocals folk/indie rock songwriter Rosie Cima & What She Dreamed, with openers D. Steve from DC and Christina Ward from Philly. Also, of course, burgers. Because Slash Run!
Friday June 16th
From the erudite Queering Sound organizers: “Join us for a QU23 music showcase featuring boundary-pushing guitar work, a sonic interpretation of an American Outsider Art and experimental music by queer artists and allies on Friday June 16th at 7:00PM at Rhizome DC.” The lineup’s DC-based acts include Lizard Hands, That Cloud, Depression Cherry, Joe Belknap Wall aka Kantoendrato, Insect Factory, and more.
Saturday June 17th
All good things… including QU23. The Saturday night grand finale of this year’s festival of avant-garde sonics by queer & allied creatives at Rhizome features perhaps the most diverse lineup yet: Boy Meets Pearl, Baltimore’s de Roche, Haircuts, Mx Mundy and Teething Veils.
Sunday June 18th
Black Techno Matters celebrates Juneteenth by going big. Their “LIBER8” event simulataneously hits clubs in Detroit, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Richmond, Pittsburgh, and of course here in DC. Sunday night at The Owl Room catch DJ Underdog and Jahsonic in the Red Room, while the Green Room hosts an incredible lineup of Philly’s NIA.WAV, Miami’s Suzi Analogue, Speaker Music from NYC, LA based Trovarsi, and founder B_X_R_N_X_R_D (fka Outputmessage).
Monday June 19th
There is surely no better way to celebrate Juneteenth in DC with go-go. Don’t Mute DC hosts Fashion & Freedom: A Juneteenth Conversations and Crank Honoring Pioneers of DC Urban Wear, featuring music from Black Alley and TOB. At Congress Heights’ new hub Sycamore & Oak starting at 2 PM.
Thanks For Reading
We love you for it. The bands would love it if you bought an album, pre-ordered some tickets, or shared a song you dug with your friends. We’re all in this together. Make some plans, don’t forget to check in on your friends, and we’ll be back next week. Cheers.