Back On The Scene
DMV music fans, so happy to be back with you for this week’s newsletter. Brooklyn and its avant-garde music festival was super neat and all, but DC will always be home, and we’ve got everything you need here if you just know where to look. Let’s dive into the week ahead.
In the News
The Chisel reunion featuring Ted Leo already hit the Black Cat last weekend, but the punk rock history lesson from WaPo’s Chris Kelly is a great read.
The Post’s Chris Richards interviews rapper El Cousteau about his new mixtape Dirty Harry. You can stream it through SoundCloud below.
The CityPaper digs into the unfortunate cancellation of the autumn day-long music festival Down in the Reeds.
Also at the CityPaper, read this profile of emo & folk singer/songwriter Gabbo and their new album Corn.
DC Music Video
Our latest podcast episode featured Ardamus and Ian Taronji of the jazz-hop band The Lucky So & So’s, and a deep dive into their new single “Car 54”. Now YouTube has the music video for the song, thoughtfully assembled from free stock footage service Pexels.
Don’t Stay Home This Week
Monday May 15th
DC welcomes home iconoclastic songwriter alum Sean Barna to DC9 Monday evening to celebrate his new album An Evening at Marci Park, just released on the Kill Rock Stars label. And the opening set from The North Country’s Andrew Grossman fits the bill perfectly.
Tuesday May 16th
Vocal jazz ensemble Veronneau continue their May Blues Alley residency Tuesday night after a week off with a double set celebrating the French American Songbook.
Wednesday May 17th
Pray to the gods for good weather Wednesday evening so Capital Fringe can present magically soulful singer/songwriter Cecily in their weekly concerts at the SW Duck Pond for two sets at 6 and 7 PM.
Thursday May 18th
Cellist, weaver and composer Janel Leppin continues her series of performances with her supergroup Ensemble Volcanic Ash Thursday evening at Rhizome. Featuring bassist Luke Stewart, harpist Kim Sator, guitarist Anthony Pirog, alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes, tenor saxophonist Brian Settles, and drummer Larry Ferguson, with an opening performance by experimental synth artist PraxisCat, this one’s obviously a big deal.
Friday May 19th
After a series of concerts at Rose Park near the P Street Beach, roots rock band Rock Creek Kings brings it inside The Wharf’s Pearl Street Warehouse Friday evening to celebrete the release of their EP Full Body Experience along with Moozy and Ayo.
Saturday May 20th
“Retro-future dance rock” band M4TR (Music 4 The Revolution) celebrate the release of their new EP No Tomorrow Saturday night at the Pie Shop, along with funk band Zen Warship and bossa nova grooves from Pine Apple.
Sunday May 21st
Groovin’ neo-soul producer Zo! and Detroit’s Tall Black Guy bring their tour promoting the expanded Deluxe release of their album Abstractions to Pearl Street Warehouse Sunday evening, along with powerful DC singer Deborah Bond.
Signing Off
Hope that’s enough DC music for you to chew on this upcoming week. Thanks as always for reading, clicking the links, buying the music and seeing the shows. The hard-working, under-appreciated musicians appreciate it even more than us. Keep hanging in there, and we’ll see you next week.