Release The CDs!

A couple of local favorites that we cover regularly are dropping new discs Friday night, unfortunately not in the same place.

Harrisburg, PA's Abbey at ABC is the scene for one of the best local line-ups south central PA has seen in a very long time. Pure classic wall of sound style '80s pop is what Hershey's The April Skies are all about. Together since something like 1988, this is their 3rd full-length album since 2005 and their first since late 2006. Don't expect all new stuff though. They always break out the favorites and the occasional cover. (Their version of "A Forest" is stellar). 

A CD release party by the Skies is great, but adding in the other two bands on the bill makes this an all out raucous throw down. Middle Distance Runner has been getting some national play in a Harley ad and thanks to a loyal reader, they let us know they have been using "Out of Here" in a commercial on KTLA for their evening news. Yeah, its voiced over and just instrumental, but DC is getting play in LA. They just released a new 7" back in March and a new album is on the way. And yeah, they kick ass live. 

Also known to give it all they got on stage are Chambersburg's The Shackletons. Can't make it Friday night? Saturday, drop the Skies and add Philly's Drink Up Buttercup for another not to be missed local line-up at The Fire in Philly.

mp3: The April Skies - Punch Drunk Messiah (via band)
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Brother John (via band)
mp3: The Shackeltons - Your Movement (via band)
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Lovers Play Dead (via daytrotter.com)


Middle Distance Runner "The Unbeliever" from maxwell sorensen on Vimeo.

Down in Fredericksburg, VA, The Library is hosting the CD release party for Tereu Tereu and their new disc All That Keeps Us Together. Check out some of their new tracks here. And get there early for fellow Virginians Carlos I'm Pregnant and The Like Whatevers. This show is all ages!

mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore Farmer John (via band)

DC Does Texas

These United States

What happens when the bands from the District and surrounding area head down to Austin for SXSW? You get something like this: Billed as DC Does Texas, you get some of the best acts from the region playing in one place. So if you are some of the lucky ones who are making the trip, head to the Friends Bar on 6th (in the center of it all). It starts early Wednesday, so you may want to turn that St. Patty's Day bender into a 48 hour affair.

The line up includes:

12:30 - Carol Bui
1:15 - Laura Burhenn
2:00 - Deleted Scenes
2:50 - Middle Distance Runner
3:40 - US Royalty
4:30 - These United States

In my opinion, it doesn't matter who is playing elsewhere, I would grab some lunch at Chuy's or Freebirds, then park myself at this location for the duration of the afternoon, but I'm biased.

mp3: Carol Bui - This Is How I Recover
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Turn To Sand
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Brother John
mp3: US Royalty - Every Summer
mp3: These United States - West Won
(all songs via artist)

MDR Back In The News

Our love for DC's Middle Distance Runner is no secret. No secret at all. After laying low for most of 2008, the band is back with a vengeance. Chances are pretty good that you heard them in a Harley commercial last week, when you were stuffing your face and watching bowl games. The song in question is new track, "Brother John." If you've seen them live over the past couple of years, you've probably heard it before. If not, you can check out the mp3 below and see them live in DC on January 16 for their pre-inaugural bash at Rock and Roll Hotel.

mp3: Brother John

A Regional Holiday: MDR

Not sure what it is about the music of the season. Some of it is horrid, some cheesy, and some classic (Bing & Bowie doing "Little Drummer Boy" is my personal fav). Over the next few days, I will post some of what our favorite IA regional artists have recorded. Some are remakes of the usual Christmas fare and some have gone out on a limb and created their own attempt at a holiday classic.

Photo By Susan Pleiman
DC's Middle Distance Runner has always been one of our regional favorites. Back in 2006, they dropped their own original Christmas song. Yeah, we've used this song before, but it is a great way to kick off the series. Trumpets and tambourines, what could be better?

XMAS Party

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.

IA and CMJ

We're having our first ever NYC/CMJ show tonight at Crash Mansion. The showcase is co-hosted by our friends at Sidecho Records. Details are above and a little mix is below. If you're around town, stop by and say hi.

Via Audio - Developing Active People
Middle Distance Runner - The Sun and Earth
Murder Mystery - Love Astronaut
1090 Club - Second Hander
Michael Zapruder - Ads For Feelings
The Johns - Shake It

The Mid-Week and Beyond

Since I am heading out of town for a long weekend, the usual weekend show preview is combined with the shows that will be coming through the area today and Thursday. Quite a few big names are playing as well as some hitting multi-city stops.

TV on the Radio just dropped their new disc Dear Science and are on tour with the Dirtbombs, playing at the Electric Factory in Philly Friday night.

After a long hiatus, Shudder to Think is back together and out on tour. This Friday catch them with Philly's Pattern Is Movement at the 9:30 Club in DC.

mp3: Pattern Is Movement - Bird

Speaking of long hiatus, Wire is out on tour as well, playing Johnny Brendas Friday and the 9:30 Club Saturday.

mp3: Wire - One of Us

Find out if sampled electro-pop and hip-hop mix when Girl Talk takes the stage with Grand Buffet and Hearts of Darknesses for a sold out show at the Starlight Ballroom Thursday night. If you can't get enough, this line-up hits the 9:30 Club Friday and Sonar Saturday.

mp3: Grand Buffet - Dark Autumn

One of the originals of the East Coast punk scene, Ted Leo + Pharmacists are mixing it up with Against Me! and Future of the Left for a show Wednesday at the Black Cat, then head up to Philly and the Electric Factory.

mp3: Future of the Left - Manchasm

Another band with a new album, Apollo Sunshine is out on tour, hitting Johnny Brenda's Wednesday, then are joined by Tulsa for a show at DC9 Thursday.

mp3: Tulsa - Whissper

With a forthcoming new release, Talkdemonic is taking the new material on the road with Bon Savants. Friday night, see them at the Khyber. Sunday, locals Albatross are added to the line-up at The Red & The Black.

mp3: Talkdemonic - Duality of Deathening
mp3: Bon Savants - Between the Moon and the Ocean

The Wedding Present and the Jealous Girlfriends are joined by Philly folk locals Brown Recluse Sings for a show at the North Star Friday. You can also catch the two headliners Saturday at the Black Cat in DC.

mp3: The Wedding Present - The Thing I Like Best
mp3: The Jealous Girlfriends - Roboxulla (Daytrotter)
mp3: Brown Recluse Sings - Western Meadowlark

Wednesday

One of the best line-ups I have seen for a small club show in awhile, Philly's The Swimmers share the stage with Catfish Haven (check out the new album) and Dead Confederate.

Hot Chip/Growing @ 9:30 Club

mp3: The Swimmers - St Cecilia
mp3: Catfish Haven - Devastator
mp3: Dead Confederate - The Rat

Thursday

Uniquely out-there Georgians Of Montreal grace the 9:30 Club with their presence with Love Is All.

York, PA is getting one hell of a show with Langhorne Slim and Heartless Bastards at the Capitol Theater. DC can catch them Monday at the Black Cat.

The New Year/Dirty On Purpose/Tre Orsi @ Johnny Brendas
Laura Burhenn/Olivia Mancini & The Housemates @ Rock & Roll Hotel

mp3: Of Montreal - ID Engager
mp3: Langhorne Slim - Restless
mp3: Heartless Bastards - All This Time
mp3: The New Year - The Company I Can Get
mp3: Olivia Mancini & The Housemates - I Wouldnt Worry

Friday

DC meets Philly in Arlington at IOTA when Middle Distance Runner and Drink Up Buttercup perform. Also on the bill is New Rock Church of Fire.

Title Tracks/The Carribean/Moscow Telephone/Nathan Bell @ Metro Gallery
US Royalty @ Jammin' Java

mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Man of the People
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies

Saturday

Lach @ The Red & The Black

Sunday

Local troubador Peasant makes the end of the weekend a little bit better with a show at the Tin Angel in Philly

Ra Ra Riot/Walter Meego/The Morning Benders @ Black Cat
Delta Spirit/Andy Zipf/The Moderate @ Rock & Roll Hotel
MSTRKRFT @ TLA
Jonathan Richman (The Modern Lovers) @ First Unitarian Church
Paramount Styles @ Khyber

mp3: Peasant - Those Days
mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine
mp3: Delta Spirit - Bleeding Bells (Daytrotter)

Another Week, Another Show

While many of us are still recovering from our dual shows this past weekend, it is time to mention that we are throwing another one this week. On Friday night, we are sponsoring a show at Rock & Roll Hotel in DC. DC's The Dance Party will be joined by NYC's Via Audio. Brand new DC band, Feral Kids, will be opening the show and local favorites, Middle Distance Runner, will be returning from a long hiatus to DJ all night long. There may even be a surprise or two.

The Dance Party - A-List
Via Audio - Modern Day Saint
Feral Kids - Play It Everyday
Middle Distance Runner - Man of the People

This Week's Mix - Anniversary Style

Since this week's mix coincides with our site's anniversary, I thought that it would be appropriate to make a mix of some bands that have helped keep us in business over the years.

The Vita Ruins - Godspeed To That Polytheist
The Jaguar Club - The Sirens
Bound Stems - Taking Tips From The Gallery Gang
Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
Telograph - The Fever
AVEC - Ageyeva
Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now!
These United States - The Business
Middle Distance Runner - With Swords
Thrushes - Flying

MDR Loves Momma

DC's Middle Distance Runner have been MIA for most of this year. Well just in time for Mother's Day, the boys are briefly resurfacing from their basement with a free digital single of "Momma" that they sent us an advance of.

Some of you may remember this song as a hidden track on 2006's Plane In Flames. That version clocked in at just under two minutes. Well, this is an entirely new reworking that they just finished mastering today and it is almost five minutes long. There are also several guest appearances. Jason "Raw Poetic" Moore provides the guest rap, Tony Acampora of Greenland contributes bass and Aaron Gause adds the trumpet parts. Hell, there is even a choir.

Give it a listen and leave a comment to let us know what you think. The band would love your input. Enjoy and give your own mom a big hug from all of us.

Momma

Other Happenings Tonight

For a Monday, there is a nice selection of shows in the region. In addition to The Shackeltons show that you can read about here, there are a couple of others worth noting.

Kevin Devine - credit
At The Black Cat, Kevin Devine, The Jealous Girlfriends and Dave Elkins come to town. This is sure to be a fun and sweaty time at the backstage.

Kevin Devine - Just Stay
The Jealous Girlfriends - Organs On The Kitchen Floor

Middle Distance Runner - credit
DC favorites Middle Distance Runner make their Jammin' Java debut. They will be joined by their Norwegian friends, Ungdomskulen.

Middle Distance Runner - The Sun and Earth
Ungdomskulen - Modern Drummer

MDR PSA

DC's Middle Distance Runner did a public service announcement for the Digital Freedom Campaign, which is an organization that is trying to protect your digital rights. Check out the video and visit their website for more information.

Picture Pages

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to have two great shows come through town and I got the pictures to prove it. On Thursday, Middle Distance Runner, The Epochs and Mobius Band rolled through Wilmington, making a stop at Mojo 13. While the crowd was made up mainly of other band members (as it usually is at that venue whenever I go), it was a great show. The pictures aren't the greatest, but they work.

Middle Distance Runner

Mobius Band
Friday, the line up was all great Philly bands. Of course, stealing the show (in my opinion) was Jukebox The Ghost. Papertrigger lived up to their billing (bar brawl music and they'll blow your nuts off). Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery during the Jukebox show, so no photos of Papertrigger or Drink Up Buttercup.

Jukebox The Ghost

Check out the rest of the pic on flickr.

Monday

Le Loup - credit
There is not a whole lot happening today. However, our friends Le Loup are out on the road with Margot and The Nuclear So and So's. You can catch them at Black Cat in DC tonight and at First Unitarian Church in Philly tomorrow. It's a pretty well known fact that their live sound is much different than what is on their album. To prove that point, here is the concert they recorded for KEXP on October 15, during CMJ...

Look To The West
Le Loup (Fear Not)
To The Stars! To The Night!
Sea Took Me
I Had A Dream I Died

Margot and The Nuclear So and So's - Skeleton Key

Middle Distance Runner - credit
Since it's that time of the year, I will leave you with Middle Distance Runner's Holiday single, "XMAS Party." They were nice enough to let us premier it last year and it's just as relevant a year later. They are currently on the road with Mobius Band and The Epochs and they'll be hitting the region later this week. You can check them out as follows:

12/13/07: Mojo 13, Wilmington, DE
12/14/07: Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
12/15/07: North Star, Philadelphia, PA

Middle Distance Runner - XMAS Party

This Week's Mix

Back to the mixes after a week off for the holiday break. Thought I'd make this week all about upbeat music to get everyone still in college ready for finals. Enjoy!

Girl Talk - Can't Stop
Battles - Race In
Scissors for Lefty - Ghetto Ways (Baron Von Luxxury Remix)
Middle Distance Runner - The Sun and Earth
Ghostland Observatory - All You Rock & Rollers
Bjork - Earth Intruders
Firefox AK - Zodiac
Faithless - Spiders, Crocodiles and Kryptonite
Animal Collective - For Reverend Green
Holy Fuck - Royal Gregory

Representing at CMJ

Several bands from the Baltimore/DC region will be at CMJ this week. If you are going, here is a list of the bands that are playing, their dates and venues. Some of these are day shows, so please link to the specific band sites for more details. I'm sure that I missed somebody, so comment away.

Celebration
10/16 Union Pool
10/17 Pianos
(mp3) Heartbreak


Georgie James
10/19 Soundfix Records
10/20 Pianos
10/20 Mercury Lounge
(mp3) More Lights


John Bustine
10/18 Mo Pitkins
(mp3) This Guitar Says I'm Drunk


Jukebox The Ghost
10/16 Pianos
10/19 The Gothamist House
10/20 Indaba Loft
(mp3) Hold It In


Le Loup
10/16 Soundfix Records
10/17 Pianos
10/18 Pianos
10/18 Knitting Factory
10/19 Galapagos
10/20 Galapagos
10/20 Bowery Ballroom
(mp3) Le Loup (Fear Not)


Middle Distance Runner
10/17 Indaba Loft
10/17 Fontana's
10/18 The Delancey
(mp3) The Sun and Earth


The Cotton Jones Basket Ride
10/19 The Cake Shop


Thrushes
10/16 Trash Bar
(mp3) Aidan Quinn

Big Weekend in the Area

We know the DAM! Fest is going on in DC, but if you are not going to any of those shows or want to travel a little, check out some of these:


Brooklyn's Grizzly Bear is on tour with Baltimore's Beach House through the area.

10/13: 2640 Saint Paul Church, Baltimore
10/14: First Unitarian Church, Philly

Grizzly Bear - Knife
Beach House - Apple Orchard



Nada Surf go beyond their 90s hit Popular with great new music. They share the stage with The Jealous Girlfriends.

10/13: Johnny Brendas, Philly *SOLD OUT!*

Nada Surf - Do It Again
Nada Surf - Popular (a little throwback action for ya)
The Jealous Girlfriends - Something In The Water



NYC's Earl Greyhound make a stop tonight in Lancaster at Chameleon Club. For those of you who like your indie sprinkled with some classic rock, you won't be dissapointed.

S.O.S.



Baltimore's Thrushes have a big show at Ottobar tonight. It's a part of the monthly Automatic Dance Party.

Heartbeats



Bridges and Powerlines from NYC make a stop in Baltimore tonight. They will be playing at Metro Gallery.

Floods and Fields



California's The Finches make their way to DC this evening. They will be playing at The Red and The Black. On Sunday, they will play Big Jar Books in Philly.

House Under The Hill


Middle Distance Runner comes to Philly. Come check out why we love these guys so much.

10/14: The Khyber, Philly

Up In A Tree


Finish off the weekend/Start the week with a big show. Hot Hot Heat is on tour with Bedouin Soundclash and De Novo Dahl and they are in the region.

10/14: TLA, Philly
10/15: Rams Head Live, Baltimore

Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In
Bedouin Soundclash - 12:59 Lullaby
De Novo Dahl - Be Your Man

MDR Tours

After taking 3 months off from shows, DC's Middle Distance Runner kick of their fall tour tonight at my indie @ the abbey showcase in Harrisburg, PA. Over the next few weeks, they will be all over the northeast. This tour is in support of their brand new EP that will be available for the first time at these dates. The tour includes several CMJ shows and a big CD release party at Black Cat on October 20. If you are anywhere in this part of the country, you can see them as follows:

Oct 03 2007: The Abbey @ ABC, Harrisburg, PA
Oct 05 2007: The Boot, Norfolk, VA
Oct 06 2007: Lo-Fi Social Club, Baltimore, MD
Oct 07 2007: Garfield Artworks, Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 09 2007: Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
Oct 10 2007: Cafe Nine New Haven, CT
Oct 11 2007: TT The Bear’s, Boston, MA
Oct 12 2007: Revolution Hall, Troy, NY
Oct 13 2007: Shag Frenzy @ Sweet Jane's, Hartford, CT
Oct 14 2007: The Khyber, Philadelphia, PA
Oct 17 2007: CMJ - Indaba Music/Underrated/This Side Up Party, New York, NY
Oct 17 2007: CMJ Showcase @ Fontana’s, New York, NY
Oct 18 2007: CMJ - The Musebox Presents @ The Delancey, New York, NY
Oct 20 2007: Black Cat, Washington, DC
Oct 29 2007: Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC

The Sun and Earth
Man of The People

indie @ the abbey mix: Volume 1

I am booking a weekly indie rock night at a club in Harrisburg, PA. There will be 2 bands each week for a measly $2. Since it starts next week, I wanted to do a mix for the first 4 shows. I'll be back next month with the second volume. Enjoy!

9/12/07
Black Tie Revue - Absent Radio
Squaaks - Hot Tub

9/19/07
These United States - So High So Low So Wide So Long
Monarch - Warning

9/26/07
Bridges and Powerlines - All In
Creeping Weeds - Eternity Is A Long Time

10/03/07
Middle Distance Runner - Man Of The People
Bugs Multiply - Thinking Still

IA Exclusive: Middle Distance Runner

It's always a good sign when you get to kick off the week with the premiere of a brand new track from one of the bands that seem to be a permanent fixture on your site. DC's Middle Distance Runner finally have a new CD coming out and they were kind enough to provide us with the opening track, "The Sun and Earth". Give it a listen and please let us know what you think. The self-titled EP will drop in October (see cover art above) and the band will support it with a 3 week tour that kicks off October 3 and includes a CD release party at Black Cat on 10/20. The full tracklisting is below.

1. The Sun and Earth
2. Monochrome Boys
3. With Swords
4. Up in a Tree
5. Naturally
6. Man of the People