Hey, Welcome Back
Thank you for subscribing to, or just reading, our 100% artisinal human-generated AI-free email newsletter. We’re here to help point you to the good music stuff happening in the DMV area, as much as we’re able. It’s up to you to make that Bandcamp account, flesh out that wishlist, follow bands on the socials and cheer at the shows. Let’s get to it.
In The News
Indie rock innovator Bartees Strange recently appeared on the NPR show World Cafe from WXPN in Philadelphia. The episode doesn’t seem to be in their podcast feed (grrr) so stream it here.
Chris Richards at WaPo profiles prolific underground DC rapper WIFIGAWD.
Both WCP and District Fray (subscription required) review the stellar new 3 song EP from dreampop band Color Palette.
WCP also chats with bubble-grunge band Flowerbomb about their recent Wammie award win and upcoming new music.
We Love Music Vidoes
Oh He Dead is one of DC’s hottest cultural exports, and with good reason. Their steady stream of singles are racking up the streaming play counts, and their live shows are always hot tickets. Their first single of 2023 “California” is a sexy disco-groover and this music video directed by singer CJ Johnson gets the groove on with a bachelorette and friends at home.
Last month founding bandmember wrote this: “In 2018, we released our first EP. we tried to get some press coverage, and some blogger wrote us an email that just said 3 words: “not poppy enough.” I went to bed the same night and woke up to a voice memo from CJ called ‘CALIFORNIA’ and a text that read: ‘poppy enough for you, b*tch?’ shout out to that blogger for pissing off my bandmate and inspiring her to make this catchy-ass tune.” (Ed. note: we were not this blogger.)
Oh He Dead’s second album Pretty arrives this fall, and more singles drop every 6 weeks until then.
Bonus: here’s a tight 4 song live set from OHD recorded at SXSW in Austin TX courtesy #JAMINTHEVAN.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Monday April 24th
Monday night’s open mic at under-the-radar bar The Public Option features Attinshun, the house band for R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn, releasing their new single “One Day At A Time”.
Tuesday April 25th
R&B singer rum.gold celebrates his new neighborhood-focused album U Street Anthology at The Wharf’s Union Stage Tuesday night, along with Woodbridge native Ashlee White.
Wednesday April 26th
Dreamy electronic pop creator Sunstoney starts off and indie pop duo Prinze George headline Comet Ping Pong Wednesday night, and IMO that pairing is sublime.
Thursday April 27th
The Pocket, the upstairs performance space in musical community hub 7DrumCity, hosts DC singers Freddy Hall and MLLN opening for Baltimore based Plant Dad on Thursday evening.
Friday April 28th
Musical force of nature Dior Ashley Brown organizes The DAB FAM JAM, a fundraiser for the DC Music Summit, at the Sandlot in Anacostia Friday night. The lineup includes Nia Monaé, Pink Moni, DJ Face, Riz tha Great, DJ Franky J, DJ Rachi, and Farrrah Flosscett.
Saturday April 29th
Recently Jamie Lee Curtis made headlines with her plaintive requests for Coldplay, U2, and Bruce Springsteen to play matinee shows, so she can be in bed by 7:30. Well Ms. Curtis, we are happy to let you know about this delicious 4 rock band bill of Old Knife, No One Sphere, We Capillaries, and Dave Eats Mud at 7DrumCity’s the Pocket that runs on Saturday from noon to 3 PM. And the Rocklands BBQ truck provides the tasty food!
Sunday April 30th
Alexandria record store Crooked Beat is leaving their home of the last 7 years, and will reopen in the Del Ray neighborhood in May. This last day of April they host an in-store performence by long time DC rock band El Quatro, to promote the last remaining hand-numbered vinyl copies of their RSD 2023 album Displacement.
That’s All We Got
That should give you enough to do for at least a week. While you’re at it, pray for better Petworth Porchfest weather next weekend (last weekend’s lineup got rained out, ICYMI). Thanks for reading! Now get outside while this nice weather lasts, because it surely won’t be long. See you next week.