The Local Weekend: Closing Out February, Opening Up March

Another jam-packed weekend of shows to finish off February and begin March including big names, multiple stops, local shows and CD releases. Here is what to check out:

Benjy Ferree (via artist myspace)

I am all about giving love once again to the locals putting out new material. Big show Saturday at the Black Cat as Benjy Ferree drops his latest Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee. Once again, Tim Fite is along for the ride as well as locals The Laughing Man. This is going to be a great show and a good way to get your hand on the new disc. And speaking of new disc, get the link for Time Fite's Change of Heart in its entirety below.

mp3: Benjy Ferree - Fear (via Domino Recording Company)
mp3: Tim Fite - Change of Heart (entire album via artist website)

The Black Cat is the place to release new music as another local artist, Sean McArdle unleashes Northern Charms on Sunday. To make the evening a little sweeter, he enlisted another local favorite John Bustine to perform.

mp3: John Bustine - This Guitar Says I'm Drunk (via Gypsy Eyes Records)

Now if you like to follow a band around for a few days and make a weekend of it, a few are making two stop this weekend in the IA area.

DC's electronic mainstays Thievery Corporation is making the rounds again, this time with stops in Baltimore Friday at Rams Head Live and Saturday at the Electric Factory in Philly.

Tapes N Tapes are hitting the area with Wild Light and The Subjects rounding out the bill. The Rock & Roll Hotel will be on fire Friday, then head up to Philly Saturday for the show at Johnny Brendas. Both are reported to be sold out!

And two line-ups mentioned in previous posts: Jason Isbell with Deer Tick and Tim Williams with Michael Zapruder

mp3: Tapes N Tapes - Insistor (via bands website)
mp3: Wild Light - Red House (via SXSW.com)
mp3: The Subjects - The Hounds of War (via Daytrotter)

Friday

For the one night stands, it doesn't get much better than this. Ben Kweller joins forces with The Watson Twins and Jones Street Station for what show be a great show at the TLA in Philly. You may not get Ben playing a bloody piano with tampons in his nose like at ACL a few years back, but should be none the less entertaining. And hope the Twins break out the cover of "Just Like Heaven". Absolutely stellar.

mp3: The Watson Twins - Sky Open Up (via Vanguard Records)

For those seeking the local flavor, the M Room is hosting The Elevator Parade and Native Black.

Saturday

Texas music strikes twice in DC on the same night. Huge show at the Rock & Roll Hotel as Austin band ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead lives up to their name by giving a killer show. At the 9:30 Club, San Antonio family band Hacienda open up for the Black Keys Dan Auerbach. Also on the bill are Those Darlins. Imagine a '50s girl band thats gone country. Worth a listen.

Jukebox the Ghost is set to open for Ben Folds on some tour dates, but before doing that, they play DC9 with Baltimore's J Roddy Walston & The Business. Over at Velvet Lounge, catch Deleted Scenes with Batata Doce and Mittenfields.

mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
mp3: J Roddy Walston & The Business - Used to Did
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Turn to Sand (via bands website)

Sunday

Finish off the weekend and kick off a new month with Portland's Blitzen Trapper at the First Unitarian in Philly. Opening is Rough Trade artist Alela Diane.

Down in DC, Montreal's Plants and Animals makes a stop at DC9 to close out the week.

mp3: Blitzen Trapper - Furr (via subPop)
mp3: Alela Diane - White as Diamonds (via Beggars Group USA website)