The Local Thursday: Prepping for the Weekend

After a few days off due to holidays, day trips and other things that have popped up, I am finally back on track and will give you some ideas for what to spend your time and money on Thursday and the coming weekend for auditory and visual entertainment. By the looks of the DC/Baltimore and Pennsylvania calendars, it is going to be another busy one.

Travis
(photo from bands myspace)

A couple of bands are hitting the area Thursday, then spreading the wealth to another city over the weekend. Scottish band Travis had been off the radar for a few years after they exploded on the scene in the late '90s. Now with a couple of releases in the past two years under their belts, it is time to reconquer the US one city at a time. Joining them on tour is KC's The Republic Tigers, an American band that pulls off the Brit-pop sound perfectly. Catch them in DC at the 9:30 Club Thursday. Those in Philly, head to the TLA for a Friday night show.

mp3: The Republic Tigers - Buildings & Mountains (via rcrdlbl.com)

Also doing the double-dip is Los Angeles artist Jeremy Jay. Taking the early '80s New Wave, a la Joy Division, and adding a few modern twists, he creates minimalist pop that will send you back in time (for those of us old enough to remember). The first show is Thursday at the Talking Head in Baltimore. As for openers, the frenetic, short but sweet songs of The Art Department and the garageish sound of Snowmen, both Baltimore bands. After a few nights in New York, Jeremy is back, this time at the Velvet Lounge with Exactly.

mp3: Jeremy Jay - We Were There (via rcrdlbl.com)
mp3: The Art Department - Julia I Can't Run Anymore (via mobileloungerecords.com)

Everybody else hitting the area tonight is doing one off shows. Here are some highlights:

Two Southern bands join up with a New Yorker for a must-see show (IMO). Athens' Modern Skirts is joined by Chapel Hill's The Old Ceremony. Add into the mix NYC's Wakey! Wakey! and you got one stellar line-up. Sorry Philly, you gotta travel for this one. They are at the Black Cat in DC.

mp3: Modern Skirts - Soft Pedals (via teamclermont.com)
mp3: Wakey! Wakey! - Get Away (via band website)

More local flavor for your musical palate, Baltimore's Ponytail is heading down the Beltway to hit up DC9. They are supported by locals Imperial China and The Gagged.

mp3: Ponytail - Celebrate the Body Electric (via Pitchfork)
mp3: Imperial China - There Is No Translation (via band)

The Fire in Philly has a great line-up to check out. Speck Mountain out of Chicago takes the stage with Shayfer James and Jersey's Dinner & a Suit.

mp3: Speck Mountain - I Feel Eternal (via Green Light Go Publicity)

Elsewhere, DC's The Red & The Black hosts The Everyday Visuals, now with a fresh Daytrotter session and the Junior League is at Fletchers in Baltimore.

mp3: The Everyday Visuals - Boom Boom Boom (via Daytrotter)
mp3: Junior League - The Station (via band)

And be sure to hit up the calendars for more info about who is playing where and when.