Celebrate A Long Weekend

I love holidays that change the day of the week year to year. Having the 4th fall on a Friday, creates one huge weekend that starts Thursday and doesn't end until you stop partying on Sunday. Some may head to the beach (like me) and suffer through some crappy cover bands all weekend. Even though Philly is the city where our independence was declared, the pickings for a good show are light, but our nation's capital is happening, and there are a few shows elsewhere. So put down the fireworks and head to a show.

Kicking it all off Thursday is David Ford, who has been through this area recently more times than I can count. The best part is it's free, part of the WTMD First Thursdays. So get to West Mount Vernon Park early, Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends starts at 5:30.

Up in Philly, it's the latest tour of the Smoking Popes at Johnny Brenda's, with a new album in tow. Sure there will be new songs, but the classics are bound to come out. They are joined by two Philly bands, Restorations, making their performance debut (welcome to the scene) and Thinking Machines.

mp3: David Ford - Go To Hell
mp3: Smoking Popes - Need You Around

Not music related, but something just very offbeat, Thursday is wedding day for Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. No, really, this is legit. Public ceremony 8 PM at Independence Hall.


Of course, Friday is our nation's birthday and it's usually celebrated by a cook-out and going to the park, listening to the symphony roll through the Sousa marches and the 1812 Overture and ends with watching some outrageous fireworks display. Well, add XPN sponsored Freedom Fest in the Marion Court Room in Lancaster, PA to that list. Headlining is former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell, supported by 11 other regional acts, such as The April Skies and Kheris. Gates open at 3 and go until midnight.

If you are down in DC for the festivities, make a stop across the river to IOTA and catch locals The Sketches.

mp3: The April Skies - Here Comes The Rush
mp3: The Sketches - Dizzy

For the post-4th party hangover, Saturday has a great local bill at the Black Cat, featuring Wye Oak joined by Metropolitan, in what may be their last DC show in a long time, and Bellflur.

mp3: Wye Oak - Family Glue
mp3: Metropolitan - Homeroom
mp3: Bellflur - Volcano Song

To close out the weekend, pick your city, pick your genre. For a more Latin flavor, head to the Black Cat for Dengue Fever and Chicha Libre. They will also be in Philly on Monday at Johnny Brendas. Feeling a little retro? Get an '80s new-wave flashback with Void Vision in Philly at the Manhattan Room. And for the absurdist in all of us, The Two Man Gentleman Band is at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Think They Might Be Giants performing Americana and Bluegrass.

mp3: Chicha Libre - Indian Summer
mp3: The Two Man Gentleman Band - William Howard Taft

Telograph @ Black Cat

I finally got back to one of my favorite places in DC, Black Cat, for a stellar lineup that did not disappoint. On Friday night, I saw Telograph's CD release show that included opening sets from The Sketches and The Red Romance.


The Red Romance
The first band was the only one from out of town, NYC's The Red Romance. These talented indie rockers warmed up the crowd magnificently. I was lucky enough to get a copy of their EP after the show and it was great, but I thought the live show was better. I believe that this is the case, because their female guitarist was not featured on the EP. Due to her stellar playing, the songs got a great burst of energy and it really added a nice dynamic to their sound. All of the solos that were played by each of the musicians were well received by the audience and had everyone dancing along. I really hope to see these guys back in town soon.

"One Shot"
The Red Romance Photos


The Sketches
Next up was one was DC's The Sketches, who are a band that I had very little familiarity with. I was impressed. These guys look classy and had a ton of energy on stage and they knew how to entertain. They were constantly joking with the crowd and they had everyone loose and dancing around. I look forward to hearing much more from them.

"Secret Alphabets"
The Sketches Photos


Telograph
Our headlining act of the night, is making some of the best indie rock in DC. After opening for O.A.R. over the summer, Telograph has put together an EP full of beautifully crafted songs and this was it's coming out party. The guys came on stage and immediately started playing music. They linked their first two or three songs together with no break and just had the crowd in awe of the music that was emanating from the speakers. They went through all of the new songs, a few old ones and added several tracks that have yet to be recorded. Accompanying them was Chris from Soft Complex, who helped out on keyboards and guitar. They were planning on doing an encore and everyone in the audience was cheering for one. Due to some technical difficulties, it was not meant to be. Hopefully it will happen at the next show and I cannot wait. These guys are great musicians who write fantastic songs and I can see many doors opening for them in the future.

"Caught In Headlights"
Telograph Photos

All in all, it was a fantastic night of music that really showcased some of the best that DC has to offer. It's nights like this that remind me of why I love covering this scene.

The Weekend In The DC/Baltimore Region

It's the weekend and yes, Virgin Fest is happening. However, there are several other shows as well. So if you don't want to roast with a bunch of sweaty people all day, you do have options.

1990s
On Friday, you have a great show at Rock & Roll Hotel. 1990s are in town with The Red Romance and local favorites Telograph. The Sketches will also be at Black Cat and they'll be joined by Aerialist, Brandon Butler and Dennis Kane.

1990s - See You At The Lights
The Red Romance - You're So Cold
Telograph - We Won't Settle Down
The Sketches - Secret Alphabets

Metronomy - credit
Saturday has Metronomy at Rock & Roll Hotel. Also, These United States finally return home from their tour. They will be at IOTA along with Cartright and Revival.

Metronomy - Trick or Treatz
These United States - Remember, Dear
Cartright - Long Way Down
Revival - Fog Rolling In

The Mooney Suzuki
On Sunday, The Mooney Suzuki return to the area for a show at Ottobar.

The Mooney Suzuki - 99%

Friday Again

It's been a weird week. I swear that it feels like we already did this Friday thing once. Well, it's back and we really can't complain. Anyway, DC definitely has some shows to check out tonight.


Let's start off with a big local show at Black Cat. In what could considered a version of who's who in DC's indie scene, Georgie James, Middle Distance Runner and These United States share the bill. If you try hard enough, you just may run into me at this show.

Since I shared some video of the 2-piece version of These US last week, here is the full band version that I promised to follow up with. This footage is from January of this year.


These United States - Jenni Anne



These United States - So High So Low So Wide So Long


Georgie James - Need Your Needs
Middle Distance Runner - Man of the People
These United States - We Go Down To That Corner (Live)


Several really good NYC bands are playing The Red and The Black tonight. Vampire Weekend, Hymns and Sean Walsh & The National Reserve will all be in town for what should be a great show.

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
Hymns - Stop Talking
Sean Walsh & The National Reserve - Float


The excellent Baltimore band AVEC will be at Warehouse Next Door. They're out on a mini-tour in advance of their new CD that is coming out this fall.

AVEC - 16 Minus 71


For those of you that want to hang out in Virginia tonight, local favorites The Sketches will be playing at IOTA. Boston's All These Kings and Philly's The Flood will be providing support.

The Sketches - Secret Alphabets
All These Kings - I Can't Remember
The Flood - Talk

Saturday Shows

Saturday is upon us in the Baltimore/Washington region and of course, there are plenty of shows to be seen.


The Sea and Cake/Loney, dear/The Zincs @ Black Cat

The Sea and Cake - Lightning
Loney, dear - I Am John
The Zincs - Head East Kaspar


Califone/These United States/The Bitter Tears @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

Califone - The Orchids
These United States - Remember, Dear
The Bitter Tears - Grieving


The Sketches (CD Release) @ Jammin' Java

The Sketches - Secret Alphabets


J Roddy Walston & The Business/Soft/Impossible Hair/The Jennifers @ Ottobar

J Roddy Walston and the Business - Used To Did
Soft - Higher
Impossible Hair - My Little Brother
The Jennifers - Oh Caroline