December Starts With A Bang

The holidays are definitely coming early to us here in IA land. In just the first few days of the month, some great acts are playing shows in the area. Check out some of the highlights:

If you don't have your tickets for the back-to-back Vampire Weekend and The Teenagers shows Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 Club, assume the position and find the usual shady means of getting your way in. These shows are completely sold out. In the mean time, enjoy the videos.





Illinois is back at it with Chapter 2 of The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe. The four city swing starts in DC at DC9 Tuesday night. If that is not enough to get you out, Jade Tree artist Snowden and fellow Georgia group Twin Tigers round out the line-up. This show is my pick for the week, a definite killer.

mp3: Illinois - She's So Blond
mp3: Twin Tigers - If
mp3: Snowden - Anti-Anti

Most country/alt-rock is average, pretty much all the same. There is something different about The Everybodyfields from Johnson City, TN. Maybe it's the great combinations of vocals and instruments or just my love for a great pedal steel. Over at HearYa, they recorded a great studio session.

mp3: The Everybodyfields - Gun (via HearYa)

Wednesday, you make the call. At Sixth & I, Yeasayer. Up in the NW, Dr. Dog plays the 9:30. Tough choice. Flip a coin, play One Potato, Two Potato, whatever you have to do to make up your mind. Glad I don't have to make that choice.

mp3: Yeasayer - Sunrise
mp3: Dr. Dog - Ain't It Strange (Daytrotter)

The rest of the beginning of the week shakes out like this:

Monday 12/1

Mittenfields/Looselips/Teeedo @ Black Cat
Sebastian Grainger/Josh Reichmann @ Johnny Brenda's (Sebastian Grainger mp3)
Little Dragon @ M Room (more Swedish pop!)
Federal Reserve Presents @ IOTA

Wednesday 12/3

The Modern Society @ The Khyber
David Byrne @ Grand Opera House (Wilmington)

Snowden, Colour Revolt and The Epochs

Still touring on the success of the 2006 release Anti-Anti, Atlanta-based Snowden (signed to Wilmington's own Jade Tree Records) have come a long way since I saw them at the tiny Continental Club in Austin back in '06. Recently touring with Kings of Leon, they had to push back recording their next album. At the show, make sure to check out the bass player. She is a show in herself.

Joining them for the tour is Mississippians Colour Revolt supporting a new album, Plunder, Beg and Curse. Things must be going much better than a year ago when they got their vehicle and gear stolen in Texas right before SXSW (most was recovered). Slighty infused with southern rock, but nothing that will make you feel like screaming "Freebird".

Also on the bill are regional favorites The Epochs. Bellflur joins the mix at the DC show.

5/13: DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
5/14: Philly @ North Star *Special All Ages Show*

Snowden - Time of the Season (Zombies Cover)
Snowden - Anti-Anti
Colour Revolt - Naked and Red
The Epochs - Opposite Sides
Bellflur - First To The Moon

¡Forward Russia!/Snowden/Middle Distance Runner Contest

On Saturday December 16, there is a pretty good show at Black Cat. ¡Forward Russia! and Snowden are two bands that have received a lot of buzz this year. They will be joined by local buzz band, Middle Distance Runner.

To celebrate, we are sponsoring a contest for 2 tickets to the show and an autographed iForward Russia! cd. Jade Tree also donated a Snowden poster. I talked to Ian from Middle Distance Runner, and he is throwing in an autographed cd, a just off the presses t-shirt and who knows what else. You never really know what you will get with MDR.

Bottom line is 2 tickets to the show, 2 autographed cds and a poster. If you want to enter and can make it to the show, send us an e-mail. I'll announce a winner by next Wednesday.

¡Forward Russia! - Nine
¡Forward Russia! - Twelve
Snowden - Anti-Anti
Snowden - Anti-Anti (Live on AOL Interface)
Middle Distance Runner - Switch It Up
Middle Distance Runner - The Madness

For old times sake, check out the Choose Your Own Adventure story that Middle Distance Runner posted here last month.