The IA Area Weekend

Another weekend in upon us. Of course that means great shows playing the area. Here's what to check out.

Friday


The Oranges Band are set to release their new album The Oranges Band Are Invisible upon the masses and to celebrate the new disc, they are having a little shindig at the Ottobar with a few friends from the area. Also on the bill are Gary B & The Notions, Deleted Scenes and Dead Mechanical. Great local line-up to start the weekend.

For those of you up in Philly, another stellar local show is at Johnny Brenda's. The Swimmers continue their Mid-Atlantic dominance, this time joined by Missing Palmer West and Bitter Bitter Weeks. I highly recommend this show.

The District is not letting Baltimore and Philly have all the fun. Wilmington's The Spinto Band, with new album in tow, are joined by our favorites Middle Distance Runner and Title Tracks at Black Cat. Saturday, you can catch MDR for free at the 8x10.

Current insurance shillers Cloud Cult (love the commercial) are up at Lehigh University at the Zoellner Arts Center with locals Exit Clov. Sure to be a great show for those who make the trip.

Matador Records artist Brightblack Morning Light are still out in support of their September release. Catch them at Talking Head.

If singer-songwriters are your thing, you got a couple of choices to sate your appetite. Brett Dennen is on tour with a new album. You can catch him at Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis. Philly's Tin Angel hosts him Saturday. The Tin Angel also has a good set Friday with William Fitzsimmons, Slow Runner and Caitlin Crosby.

mp3: The Oranges Band - ArtStar
mp3: Gary B & The Notions - Lori
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Fake IDs
mp3: Dead Mechanical - New Alchemy
mp3: The Swimmers - St. Cecilia
mp3: Missing Palmer West - God Knows I'm No Saint Paul
mp3: Bitter Bitter Weeks - Terrified
mp3: The Spinto Band - Summer Grof
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Top of the Stairs
mp3: Exit Clov - Working Class Hero
mp3: Brightblack Morning Light - Hologram Buffalo

Saturday/Sunday

The trend for local shows continues Saturday night at the Rock & Roll Hotel. Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to party when The Dance Party hits the stage. Joining them are Ra Ra Rasputin, Greenland and Nunchucks.

Southern rock didn't die with Skynyrd. It is alive and well with Kings of Leon. Playing back to back nights at the Electric Factory, they unleash their Nashville sound with help from We Are Scientists and The Whigs.

Elsewhere, Luego is at the Red & the Black Saturday. Sunday, Swedish pop band Fredrik play the Khyber.

mp3: The Dance Party - A-List
mp3: Greenland - Sorrow in the Snow
mp3: We Are Scientists - Inaction

Don't miss the other acts playing this weekend that played elsewhere earlier this week.

The Weekend In The District

There are a lot of quality shows in DC this weekend, including a pair of CD release shows tonight.

Friday
- Apes (CD Release)/ Kid Congo Powers/Food For Animals @ Black Cat
- Black and White Jacksons (CD Release) @ Velvet Lounge
- Vandaveer/The Lisps/Audrey Ryan @ The Red and The Black
- Via Audio/Tigercity @ Mitchell Hall Theater

Apes - Walk Through Walls
Kid Congo Powers - Power
Food For Animals - Swampy Summer Jam
Black & White Jacksons - Racing Horse
Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes
The Lisps - I'm Sorry
Audrey Ryan - Dishes & PillsVia Audio - We Can Be Good
Tigercity - Are You Sensation


Saturday
- Dengue Fever/Exit Clov/Cordero @ Black Cat

Dengue Fever - Sober Driver
Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Cordero - Close Your Heart Down


Sunday
- The Coast @ The Red and The Black

The Coast - The Lines Are Cut

The Regional Weekend

It's a good weekend in the IA region. I've already mentioned the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival. Here's what going on elsewhere.

Friday


Joe and I will be heading to Harrisburg, PA Friday night to The Abbey checking out the best thing to come out of Chambersburg probably ever, The Shackeltons and one of my Best of Philly 2007, Papertrigger. They are joined by two other Philly bands, Jotto and Univox.

Yeasayer/MGMT/Fang Island @ Johnny Brendas SOLD OUT!
Hoots and Hellmouth @ Jammin' Java

The Shackeltons - The Breaks
Papertrigger - Fox Hunting
Jotto - Backyard Circus
Yeasayer - Sunrise
MGMT - Time To Pretend
Fang Island - The Landing
Hoots and Hellmouth - Want On Nothing

Saturday


The big show is at The Fire for the Music fest, but if you can't get in there A.K.A.C.O.D., featuring former members of Morphine, are at The Red and The Black. Imagine the same Morphine you knew and substitute feminine lead vocals.

Drug Rug/The Bye Byes/Movable Type @ North Star
Hello Tokyo @ DC9

A.K.A.C.O.D. - Trouble Part 1
The Bye Byes - Brass Tacks
Movable Type - Edward Said
Hello Tokyo - Radio

Sunday


Local faves finish off the weekend in two separate shows. Our friends Bellman Barker are joined by Tereu Tereu at The Lab and Exit Clov share the stage with Pash at The Recher.

De Novo Dahl @ Velvet Lounge
Scary Monster/Dan Malloy/Papertrees/Rarebirds @ The Khyber (Benefit for Action AIDS)

Bellman Barker - Two Bees
Tereu Tereu - Lion Bear
Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Pash - ABCD
De Novo Dahl - The Funk
Scary Monster - Gold
Dan Malloy - Things Are Looking Brighter
Rarebirds - Wishing Well

Regional Weekend

It may be the middle of winter, but there is a pretty solid lineup on shows going down in the region this weekend.

Friday

- Shortstack (CD release)/Junior League/Suns of Guns @ Black Cat
- A Sunny Day In Glasgow/Karmella's Game/AVEC/Remote Islands @ Lo-Fi Social Club
- Army Of Me/The Dance Party/Exit Clov/Good Night, States @ Rock and Roll Hotel
- Olivia Mancini and The Housemates/The Ambitions/Cobra Collective @ 9:30 Club

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - The Best Summer Ever
AVEC - Albina Krobata
Remote Islands - Philadelphia
The Dance Paty - A-List
Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Good Night, States - Change of the Seasons
Olivia Mancini and The Housemates - I Wouldn't Worry
Cobra Collective - Joe Goda


Saturday

- A Sunny Day In Glasgow @ Velvet Lounge
- Aimee Mann @ Birchmere
- OK Go @ 9:30 Club
- The April Skies/The Shackeltons @ Gullifty's
- Caverns/The Hatch/Imperial China @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

Aimee Mann - Superball
OK Go - Here It Goes Again
The Shackeltons - The Breaks
The April Skies - Here Comes The Rush

New Regional Music

I apologize for being so out of it lately. Things should improve in the next week. In the meantime, I'll share some regional songs and remixes that have flooded my inbox over the past week or so.

The Dan Deacon remix was done by Baltimore's own Adam Lempel. DC's Party on Marz remixed an unreleased Exit Clov track. Philly's Creeping Weeds did a great cover of BOAT's "(I'm A) Donkey For Your Love." Finally, Baltimore's Beach House have a fantistic new CD that will be out in February and "Gila" is a preview track from it.

Dan Deacon - Wham City (Lempel Remix)
Exit Clov - Space Alien (Party on Marz Remix)
Creeping Weeds - (I'm A) Donkey For Your Love (BOAT Cover)
Beach House - Gila

CD Release Weekend

It's a nice and long weekend in the region and there are a lot of things happening. Several of them seem to include CD release parties.

Pash - credit
Friday night has a nice show at Black Cat. Pash is releasing their brand new CD and they will be joined by Exit Clov and Carol Bui. Justin Jones and The Driving Rain will also be having their CD release party at Rock and Roll Hotel.

Pash - The Best Gun
Justin Jones and The Driving Rain - If I'm Wrong
Carol Bui - The Year After
Exit Clov - Violent Berries


Saturday night has some interesting choices. Mike already told you all about the big show at Rock 'N Roll Hotel. Snoop Dogg will also be doing his thing at Love. Deerhunter will be bringing their newly trimmed down show to Ottobar in Baltimore. In Virginia, Travis Morrison Hellfighters are having their CD release at IOTA. The will be joined by Gist and The Caribbean.

Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice
Deerhunter - Heatherwood
Travis Morrison Hellfighters - As We Proceed
Gist - Asunder
The Caribbean - The Go From Tactical

Tuesday in DC

It's Tuesday and there isn't a huge slate of shows tonight. That said, there are a couple worth noting. While the guys have generally decided to take tonight off, the women are out in full force.


New York noise rockers Gang Gang Dance are playing a show at Rock 'N Roll Hotel tonight. They will be supported by local favorites Exit Clov.

Gang Gang Dance - Nomad For Love (Cannibal)
Exit Clov - Violent Berries


Back in the 90's, Velocity Girl were local heroes. Tonight you can welcome one of your own home when Sarah Shannon returns to Black Cat. She will be joined on the bill by DC's The Andalusians.

Sarah Shannon - City Morning Song

Monday

Yeah, it's Monday and that sucks. However, there is a decent slate of shows tonight.

New Zealand's The Veils will be at DC9 along with The Comas. Locals Zulu Pearls will be providing support.

The Veils - Advice For Young Mothers To Be
The Comas - Red Microphones
Zulu Pearls - Come Back

Local favorites Exit Clov are playing IOTA, along with their friends The Eames Era from Baton Rouge, LA.

Exit Clov - Violent Berries
The Eames Era - Could Be Anything


The Stills are back and play a show at Sonar tonight. They will be supported by Baltimore's own The Seldon Plan.

The Stills - Still In Love Song
The Seldon Plan - Holding Patterns Are Slow


There is a really good show at The Red and The Black. Arckid will be playing along with Paris band Rock&Roll. For those of you who aren't familiar with Arckid, watch the video below and see if you recognize the voice. They are basically Spacehog with a new name and attitude. Check out the great video directed by Joaquin Phoenix.

ARCKID - I'll Stick Around

Coming This Weekend

There are a lot of shows happening today and tomorrow. I have talked about some of them already and others have only appeared on the calendar. As a quick reminder, here are your choices...

SATURDAY


Exit Clov/Jukebox The Ghost (EP Release)/ Le Loup @ Black Cat

This is sure to be a ridiculous show. You have local sweethearts Exit Clov supported by two of the biggest new buzz bands in the area. Jukebox The Ghost and Le Loup are two names that you will be hearing a lot about in the coming months. This is your chance to see them early in the game.

Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Jukebox the Ghost - Hold It In


Cedars/Shade/The Vita Ruins @ IOTA

Cedars and The Vita Ruins are two local bands that have been covered quite a bit on this site. Shade is a great band from Pittsburgh. Throw them all together and you have a great night of atmospheric rock.

Cedars - Arrivals/Departures
Shade- Broken Ribs
The Vita Ruins- My Last Days On Earth


Low Red Land @ Warehouse Next Door

Low Red Land is a great band from San Francisco. They are an indie rock band that has a strong helping of alt.country sensibilities. They also know how to put on a great live show.

Low Red Land - West Texas


A Lot Of Bands @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

11 local favorites including Middle Distance Runner, These United States, Telograph, Let's French and The Hard Tomorrows, are all playing together. This show has each band playing their favorite upbeat cover songs.


SUNDAY


Summerbirds in the Cellar @ Lo-Fi Social Club

They delighted DC on Monday. Now it is Baltimore's turn to check out the great band known as Summerbirds in the Cellar.

Summerbirds in the Cellar - The Night Thief (Demo)


Blonde Redhead/The Fields @ 9:30 Club

Blonde Redhead has been around for awhile. Their latest CD has been gaining them some of the best reviews of their career. They will be joined by Fields.

Blonde Redhead - Spring and By Summer Fall
Fields - Brittlesticks

Jukebox The Ghost's CD Release

DC's Jukebox The Ghost have a new EP coming out. They will be releasing it tomorrow night at Black Cat. Local buzz band Le Loup will be opening the show and Exit Clov will be headlining. It should be a great show and I'm willing to bet that they'll bring balloons.

If you like piano driven pop music, you''ll enjoy these guys. They fit somewhere between Ben Folds, They Might Be Giants and Queen. I've heard that they have a lot of energy live and I'd be interested to see them at work. They've also been building a nice buzz in the northeast. I'll leave you with a couple of tracks to check out.

Hold It In
Good Day

Chris's Favorite Songs of 2006, Part One

*Update: The Epochs Link Has Been Added*

So I've been M.I.A. for some time. I blame many things: holiday turkey, flights to and from Chicago, and marathons of Law & Order (seriously - can we make a rule that the USA network needs to stop with the eight hours of SVU? Please? For the sake of my productivity?)

But tonight (this morning?) marks my return! Yes, I am late on my "favorites" list, but I had hoped to share a few things that you may not have heard, and some that you probably have.

This past year, I listened to a lot of things that were from the Washington DC area - much more predominantly than I did things from around the country. However, this list is just a random smattering of things I really liked. Some of them I've mentioned before, and I'm going to build on this list as I have the time over the next week or two. So stay tuned - I'll post parts two, three, four....well, however many there end up being. They're alphabetical because I'm just going through my playlists and picking out favorites at random. Enjoy!


Angela Desveaux - Heartbeat

I wrote about this tune after seeing Angela play alongside locals Revival, and this stood out that show as the obvious single from her album Wandering Eyes. This isn't necessarily the most revolutionary or inventive song...its just really catchy, and has such a pitch-perfect melody. Natural and effortless - as any pop song should be. The country twinge is perfect for a winter evening.


The Bonapartes - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

The Bonapartes are no longer; they were not terribly well known outside of our fair District of Columbia. This five piece was a DC band that did a few shows outside of the District, and split up earlier this year. However! They put out an EP in LATE 2005 (okay, I'm bending the rules) that really had some gems on it. While "Concentric" was the track that was hawked as the single, I think this one is a bit more catchy - albeit more straightforward. Mosey on over to their MySpace page to check out "Concentric" as well - but "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" ultimately did more for me. They'll be missed.


Calexico - All Systems Red

This closing track from Calexico's Garden Ruin is just fantastic...I love the slow building crescendo, the subtly determined vocals at the helm of a cresting wave of instrumentation. When those drums fall in - if you don't get goosebumps, you're missing out. Just a wonderfully beautiful song from this seasoned band.


Cedars - Holiday for the City

Cedars put out a new EP this year titled Another Season, and it is such an amazing accomplishment for them that I can't help but include this song on my list - but I had a hard time choosing between "Holiday for the City" and "Lamb" (featuring Aloha vibraphone player TJ Lipple). As a triumph of songwriting and arrangement, this fantastic DC foursome has created an atmospheric sound that is distinctly American, yet echoes some of the best of sounds from across the pond. This is among the catchiest from the EP, and one of my favorite songs of the year. To hear the rest, head over to Amie Street.


Damone - Now is the Time

Guilty pleasure alert. Okay, its cheesy. But man...it rocks. RAWKS. I stumbled across this band during South by Southwest last year - my friends in Exit Clov were playing on the same showcase (I have NO idea who put that bill together...). In any case, I loved this record. I played it over and over and over againagainagain. Honestly, the only reason I choose this song over the single, "Out Here All Night," is because of the way Noelle delivers the line "well then you can bet that I know who they are" at the end of the second verse. She sort of clips off the end of the phrase and makes it sound perfectly natural and yet injects it with this perfect "fuck you" attitude. Man, this rocks. RAWKS.


Deleted Scenes - Trying to Remember a Dream

So I reviewed Deleted Scenes for the last magazine that I wrote for, and I compared them to the Shins. I don't really like the Shins very much. But I do like this song quite a bit - its a quiet, catchy tune from this DC group - and shows a lot of promise for them. Its off their debut EP, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else they come up with as time goes on.


The Epochs - Mouths to Feed

Harmonies and more harmonies! And crazy rhythm changes! And pianos! And a fantastic arrangement! And weird percussion blips! WOO! And I'm sold. For more, check these guys out over at Amie Street.


Exit Clov - Violent Berries

Exit Clov are friends of mine, admittedly, but I greatly admire their songwriting and musicianship. Like Cedars, Exit Clov put out an EP this year that shows incredible growth - Respond Respond contains this beauty of a track that should make any indie rock playlist in the country. Simple, lush and quite wonderful, pay particular attention to the harmony breakdown in the bridge - the split vocal beginning when Susan and Emily sing "I play the game, and hope that the day won't fade away," is just stunning.


Faithless - Miss You Less, See You More

No Roots did not come out in 2006. It actually came out in 2004. But I don't care. I found this band this year, and wish I'd known about them for years. For dance music with a rock influence, I don't think there is anything better than Faithless. The album is a concept where every song is written in the same key (C), and thus flows together from track to track. Thus I had a little trouble isolating a personal favorite - but I think this one does quite nicely. DEFINITELY find this band if you haven't heard them before.


Forget Cassettes - Venison

Oh man...what would happen if you combined Sonic Youth with the Smashing Pumpkins, and invited Caithlin de Marrais of Rainer Maria to sing? Forget Cassettes would happen. And you'd have one of my new favorite bands. This opening track off of Salt is particularly demonstrative. Awesome.


Gnarls Barkley - The Last Time

Yes, "Crazy" is the single of the year. We all know it. Everybody and their mom has written about it. But actually...I might like this song just as much. The disco-neo-soul crafted here is just as catchy as the first single, and the "doo-doo" backing vocal is about perfect. As a closing to St. Elsewhere, it is a phenomenal cap to one of the best records of the year. If you haven't heard it yet, you should. Now.


Grand National - Talk Amongst Yourselves

I just love the way that this song is structured - the synth arpeggios that open the tune are fantastic, and I don't know that there is a better disco influenced rock epic from the past year. For some reason, I feel like strutting down 14th street like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever whenever I hear this one. Now if only I can find a white leisure suit...if any kind reader has one and wants to send it to me, email me...please.


That's it for part one. I'm sleepy. And posting these tunes takes awhile. I'll try and post more this week.

Oh! And if any of you make it out to the Soft Complex show this coming weekend, do say hello. We've got a number of them coming up in the next month - you can check our website for details. I'd be thrilled to meet anybody there and say hi.

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Seven - Exit Clov

Exit Clov is a five piece band from Washington DC that is fronted by twin sisters, Emily and Susan Hsu. Yes - twin sisters. Brilliant business model, if you ask me - not only will we have two beautiful women front an indie pop band, but we'll have two that have nearly identical voices that can harmonize with each other throughout most of their songs. Why haven't more bands thought of this?

I kid, I kid. But Exit Clov is a great band with a fantastic live show. Over the past two years, they have developed one of the most dedicated fan bases in Washington DC, while also traveling across the country in support of a series of EPs that they have put out themselves. This summer, they completed their first tour of the Western United States, and signed a deal with Livewire Recordings, who released their newest disc Respond Respond. While their music will be stuck in your head for days, there is something deeper at play, as their lyrics are quite timely and hit on a lot of today's social commentary. We caught up with them while they were in the middle of a promotions tour. They filled us in on the year that was and gave us some insight into their future.


Band:
Exit Clov

Location:
Washington DC

Formed:
Summer 2003

Members:
Emily Hsu
Susan Hsu
Aaron Leeder
Brett Niederman
John Thayer

Label:
Independent

Recordings:
Respond Respond EP (2006, released on Livewire Recordings)
Jolly Roget Sessions EP (2005)
Saskwatch EP (2005)
Starfish EP (2004)

Upcoming Live Dates:
December 21 @ Recher Theatre, Towson, MD
December 30 @ The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
December 31 @ Rock Cellar, West Orange, NJ
January 11 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC
January 12 @ Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
January 13 @ Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA
January 20 @ Black Cat, DC

How did the band form?
Susan and Emily met John and Brett at a house party. They kidnapped Aaron from a local adoption agency and the rest is history.

How was '06 for you?
2006 treated us well. We survived our first cross-country tour and released our first nationally distributed record.

What do you have in store for '07?
More touring and perhaps tracking our debut album.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
To happen upon a large burlap sack filled with gold and magic beans.


Respond Respond EP (2006)
Violent Berries
Moving Gaza

*more mp3s are available here*

Exit Clov - Violent Berries


3 favorite songs of '06?
Brett:
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Hump de Bump - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Emily:
St. Augustine - Band of Horses
When Planes Collide - Viva Voce
The Greatest - Cat Power
Susan:
Chinaberry Tree - Mew
Stop/Start - Pretty & Nice
Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids
John:
My Love - Justin Timberlake
We're #1 - Renzo Sclamanna
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost

Favorite album of the year?
Brett: Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Emily: a tie between Rabbit Fur Coat (Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins) and Bring it Back (Mates of State)
Susan: Bring it Back (Mates of State), Get Yer Blood Sucked Out (Viva Voce)
Aaron: Ballad of the Broken Seas (Isobelle Campbell and Marc Lanegan)
John: Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Broken Boy Soldiers (The Raconteurs)

Best live show you saw this year?
Brett: Jenny Lewis and the Watsons at the 9:30 club
Emily: The Go! Team @ Black Cat (March 2006)
Susan: Of Montreal @ State Theatre (March 2006) and Cold War Kids (October 2006)
Aaron: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Wachovia Center (October 2006)
John: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @Continental Airlines Arena, NJ (Oct 06)

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Brett: Happy Xmas (war is over) by john lennon
John: Happy Xmas (War is Over) Lennon

Best present you ever received?
Brett: tie between electronic chess and the complete rocky vhs
Emily: A Spaniard Cabbage Patch Kid.
Aaron: A Jeurass - small stringed greek instrument from my parents.
John: A Shawn Kemp Sonics Jersey

Worst present you ever received?
Brett: My mom bought me a part leather part fur bomber jacket...top gun style...this was last year, too...it was on sale at marshals.
Emily: A used M&M candy tube that my friend refilled with M&Ms before she gave it to me.
Aaron: One time a friend gave me her pocket mulch in hopes that I would start my own.
John: Ant Farm


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex