Music In The Mid-Week

Shows are usually pretty limited over the winter, especially on weekdays. Following the trend, this week is a little light. Most being one city stops, but with some definite highlights.

My Brightest Diamond
(photo from r5productions)

Tuesday

In my opinion, Rachael Yamagata is under-appreciated. She creates elegant melodies and well-textured songs. When I first saw her perform, it was in 2004. She was a better version of Fiona Apple and her latest album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart continues that form. Get to the First Unitarian Church for a great show by one of the best singer-songwriters out today.

mp3: Elephants

The Gray Kid is set to release his new EP January 1st for free on his website. If you can't wait, get to DC9 to hear what the new disc holds and to revisit some of his previous work.

Coming down from Toronto to the Ottobar is Constantines. Out to support a new 7" inch just released a few weeks ago, they are joined by Tim Fite.

mp3: Tim Fite - No Good Here

The M-Room is hosting Nashville's Parachute Musical. Opening duties fall to Philly's Glass Empires.

East Coast and West Coast unite to form PWRFL Power. Join them with local faves Kitty Hawk, Pree and Hume at the Velvet Lounge.

mp3: PWRFL Power - Alma Song
mp3: Kitty Hawk - Some Kind of Monster

Wednesday

Up from the bayou comes We Landed On The Moon. Completely infectious, this is what we had to say about them: "I’m already beginning to count the number of times that I’ll be putting it on repeat." Dahlak has the pleasure and Mittenfields is set to open.

mp3: We Landed On The Moon - Everything is Fine

It's local favorites at DC9 with Ra Ra Rasputin and Fffever. Messiah College stays local as well with Farewell Flight.

Thursday

The Rock & Roll Hotel is hosting a great show Thursday night. Truly mesmerizing songs is what My Brightest Diamond produces. Clare & The Reasons create jazz-infused melodies with lilting, breathy vocals. All in all, it is a stellar line-up. My pick of the mid-week. Don't worry Philly, they get there Friday.

mp3: My Brightest Diamond - Golden Star
mp3: Clare & The Reasons - Pluto

Having already played elsewhere in the IA area, Manchester Orchestra head to Baltimore with Dead Confederate and Kevin Devine in tow. Also on the bill is All Get Out.

mp3: Dead Confederate - The Rat

Jukebox the Ghost played on hell of a show Saturday in Philly. This time they bring their always entertaining show to Talking Head with Pete & J and Pretty & Nice. They'll return to DC this weekend.

mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
mp3: Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora

The Velvet Lounge is hosting The Bloodsugars. Opening is Poor But Sexy and Typefighter.

mp3: The Bloodsugars - Purpose Was Again

Up in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has the sparse "desert pop" of Radar Brother, along with Roomtone and Swivel Chairs, while just down the block at the M-Room, Iceland's Kira Kira perform.

mp3: Roomtone - Here's Where The Story Ends (Sundays cover)