In The News
Washingtonian Magazine shares an advance look at promoter Ronald Moten’s Go-Go Museum and Cafe, slated to open early next year in Anacostia.
Before the new album POPulist Agendas drops on August 11th, ethereal instrumental band Requiem chats with Glide Magazine about their favorite record stores in the DMV (well, just the V).
Reunited early 00s Dischord band Black Eyes will supplement their recent zine and retrospective compilation Speaking In Tongues with a new monthly Substack email newsletter.
District Fray profiles 6 DC music “insiders”, including Shady Rose of Endlings, saxophonist Herb Scott, and Rhizome’s Layne Garrett. And if you want to learn more about the metal scene in DC, DF has you covered here.
Risers Fest
August in DC is the time when most of the Type-A denizens head out of town, and it’s way easier to get a parking spot or coveted dinner table. It’s also the time when stages, clubs and festivals have a bit more freedom to experiment and showcase the hometown talent.
Close readers of this newsletter will recall some show picks organized by The Rock & Roll Brunch, a spirited effort to change the rules of hosting live music, at The Pocket in 7DrumCity. That pop-up series was but a prelude to Risers Fest, an all-day event featuring music, comedy, live painting, cool vendors, maybe a magician, who knows.
Taking over Hook Hall on Sunday August 20th, the music lineup features Nicole Yun from the band Eternal Summers and DC acts Ammonite, Same Heads, Teething Veils, Rachel Kline from Flowerbomb, and guitarist Anthony Pirog of The Messthetics. Grab advance tickets for this now and come and go as you please. Get caught up with this official Spotify playlist.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Monday August 7th
Bad weather forced the rescheduling of the July 27th Fort Reno lineup to this Monday (and it seems like it might again booOOOoo). The season finale features classic rock band Java Sparrow, anarchist punks Trash Boat and the Ambush (we still dig that name), and power-pop from Cinema Hearts.
Tuesday August 8th
DC’s pre-eminent Jazz Harmonicist Avon Dews brings his unique spin on familiar tunes to the Blues Alley stage Tuesday night.
Wednesday August 9th
Help us congratulate indie rock band Makeup Girl on the long awaited release of their sophomore album Escalator at their album release show Wedneday night at Songbyrd, along with Mental Notes from Baltimore and Will Kobus, a rapper originally from NJ who now hangs his hat in DC.
Thursday August 10th
Homegrown indie soul legend Debórah Bond celebrates the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album DayAfter Thursday evening with two sets 7 and 9 PM at Georgetown’s Blues Alley. And if that’s not enough for you, Bond also plays two more sets on Friday night as well.
Friday August 11th
Listening to this new single “Love Waste” by sultry blues rock band Kinda Evil right now and it has the pounding beats, shimmery riffs and powerful Amanda Dove vocals that should land this banger on all the best playlists. But to hear it live at the single release show Friday, you have to pace yourself for a late night at Comet Ping Pong with Mystery Friends and Sarah Brooke Trouble.
Saturday August 12th
Emo/post-rock band The Southern Ocean and hard rockers Higher Numbers will fill your Saturday night with memorable DC music at The Runaway, along with Baltimore indie band Too Soon Jokes.
Sunday August 13th
Roxplosion, one of DC’s most intrepid and dedicated music photographers, hosts another in his Punk Rock Parking Lot series of shows Sunday night at Fats Tuesdays in Fairfax VA. The bill is as follows: 9pm: Soji (Philly punk/hardcore). 10pm: Rise My Dead Ones (Alexandria punk trio). 11pm: New Order of Existence (Spanish/English rock band from Alexandria)
Thanks For Reading
Before we log off, a quick PSA. Watch your drinks when you’re out. The partner of a good friend of this newsletter was recently roofied at a show, which we find completely horrifying, and we hear the practice may be prevalent at certain venues. Keep a strong passcode on your phones to protect yourself from thieves. Look out for each other, we’re all in this together. We’ll see you right here next week.
-PV