These United States Take On Video Games

I tend to cover a lots of ground on the internet and as I was browsing around on some of the more geekier ends, I stumbled upon this video game trailer for Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood:


As you watch it, you may find that it features "West Won" by DC's These United States. Congrats to those guys for making the jump to other forms of media to get their wonderful sound out to the masses.

mp3: West Won

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)

These United States Tidbits

Late last year, DC's These United States traveled to WOXY for their second Lounge Act session of the year. During the first session in the spring, they stuck their debut, while this one focused on Crimes. You can check out "Study The Moon" below and find the whole session here.

mp3: Study the Moon (WOXY Lounge Act)

While I am talking about These United States, I recently got my hands upon another interesting track of theirs. Most of you are probably familiar with "West Won" off of Crimes, which has been all over this site and most of the internet. What most people do not know, is that they originally recorded a stripped down version of it for their debut. I'll include both below, as they make an interesting case study on evolution.

mp3: West Won (Picture Outtake)
mp3: West Won

By the way, after taking a couple of well deserved months off, the boys will be returning to DC on January 17 for a special show at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue with all sorts of people. You can find out more information here.

Homegrown Daytrotter Sessions

Over the past month or so a few local acts made the trip out to Rock Island, Illinois and recorded a few songs for the fine people at Daytrotter. If you don't know about Daytrotter, here's the deal. Up and coming artists and some well-established acts record usually a four song studio session, some songs off of their albums and some rare gems of covers and unreleased material you can only find there. The songs are then posted for the entire world to enjoy along with a well written piece on the band and some great artwork.

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

Baltimore's Wye Oak made the stop recently, recording two off of the great album If Children, and two unreleased songs not found on any album. The first song, "Mary Is Mary", was written after a body was found behind the band's house in Baltimore. The second unreleased track, "Remember, Above", written right before the session, includes flood-inspired imagery after an aborted attempt to get into an underwater Iowa City. The album tracks include a great version of "Family Glue" and "Archaic Smile", usually not heard live on the road. (Session link)

mp3: Mary Is Mary (Daytrotter)

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

DC's These United States had already done a session back in 2007. While on the Crimes release tour this fall, they made another trip to the studio during one of their midwestern swings. Putting down two from A Picture... and two from Crimes, it was a perfect balance of new and old. "Burn This Bridge" and "First Sight", a song used in the first session, but this time with a full band, are excellent versions. The new album tracks recorded include "West Won" and "We Go Down to That Corner". (Session link)

mp3: West Won (Daytrotter)

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

Philly's folk-jam heroes Hoots & Hellmouth also ventured westward early this fall and put together a great four-song set. Three tracks come from their self-titled album, while the fourth is unreleased. Forks & Knives kicks off the set, then rolls into Home for Supper. Rattle These Bones, one of the earliest H&H creations, is the third song in the rotation, followed by an unreleased song, You and All Of Us, which tells us "Wherever you go, there you are…and so’s the rest of us! Embrace your community, wherever it may be and whomever it may include. To borrow a phrase, “Dismantle globally, renew locally.”" (Session link)

mp3: You and All of Us (Daytrotter)

Jukebox the Ghost Vs. These United States

It almost never fails. Jukebox the Ghost plays a show and wouldn't you know it, These United States is playing somewhere else nearby. It has happened a few times in the past, and occurs again this weekend. After narrowly avoiding each other Thursday and Friday, it all comes to a head Saturday in DC. TUS took it up a level and dropped an open letter to another area blog, slapping Ben, Tommy and Jesse's face with the figurative gauntlet. Who will reign supreme? It's up to you fine folks to make the hard decision of which show to see. There is a rumor they will hook up for a showdown after their DC shows at Dahlak. After this weekend, both groups head west and yet again, end up in California over the same dates. These guys must be mystically linked.

These United States

10/2: Philly @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Buried Beds, The Mural & The Mint
10/3: Baltimore @ Metro Gallery w/ The Payola Reserve, U.S. Royalty
10/4: DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel w/ Evangelicals, The Silent Years, Parenthetical Girls *CD RELEASE*

Jukebox the Ghost

10/3: Philly @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Say Hi, Caves of Mercury
10/4: DC @ Black Cat w/ Say Hi, Junior League

mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Hold It In
mp3: These United States - West Won

All Over These United States

Photo By Shervin Lainez
On Tuesday, DC's These United States will officially release their second album of the year, Crimes. In honor of that, they have all sorts of goodies in store.

For starters, they sent over a video and mp3 for the lead single, "Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses Are Famous)." You can also buy the disc right now for $5, here. If you aren't a member and use the promo code "instrumental," you'll even start with money in your account.


mp3: Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses Are Famous)

If that doesn't fulfill your appetite, they have scheduled enough regional dates to make the most loyal fan satisfied.

10/02/08: Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
10/03/08: Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD
10/04/08: Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC (CD Release Show)
11/21/08: Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

Finally, we have a download of their entire set from the first night of our Anniversary show last month. It is the best quality bootleg recording I have ever heard and includes a nice Dylan cover.

Live At IOTA 08.08.08 (download zip file)

01. Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses Are Famous)
02. Kings and Aces
03. First Sight
04. Jenni Anne
05. We Go Down To That Corner
06. Pleasure and Pain and Pride and Me
07. Six Fast Bullets (Five Complaints)
08. Sun Is Below & Above
09. So High So Low So Wide So Long
10. If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got to Stay All Night) (Bob Dylan Cover)
11. When You're Traveling at the Speed of Light

This Week's Mix

Getting settled down here in Blacksburg once again. Here is some music to take you into the weekend. Enjoy!

Cory Chisel - Home In The Woods
Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual
These United States - West Won
Hazelwood Motel - Break Myself In Two
Leila - Mettle
Midlake - Roscoe
Fleet Foxes - Quiet Houses
The Little Ones - Morning Tide
The New School - My Hood
Echo Bloom - The English Teacher

Anniversary Shows

Since I really haven't said much about these shows, here is a little reminder about our 2 night Anniverary party this weekend...


This year, we will be doing a 2 years, 2 bands, 2 nights concept. The brief details are as follows:

August 8 & 9
IOTA

Both Nights:
These United States
The Apparitions (Mark from Vandaveer)

The Openers:
Friday - The Cotton Jones Basket Ride (Michael from Page France)
Saturday - Bellman Barker

These United States - Burn This Bridge
The Apparitions - God Monkey Robot
The Cotton Jones Basket Ride - The Spinning Wheel (Naked in Virginia Session)
Bellman Barker - Two Bees

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

IA Anniversary Present: These United States

There has been no lack of mutual man love between DC's These United States and IA over the past couple of years. If the constant shout outs to each other didn't convince you of that, I think us having a 2 night Anniversary Party with them next weekend, should be all of the proof that you'll ever need.

For this feature that we've been doing all day, Jesse sent over a special one off track that him and Tom recorded for Peppermill Records' 52 Weeks project last year.

Enjoy "A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat" and be sure to come check them out on August 8 and 9 at IOTA in Arlington, VA.

mp3: A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat

These United States Commit Crimes

IA favorites and co-headliners of our Second Anniversary Shows, These United States, are dropping a bomb on all of us. Just 7 months after releasing their long overdue full length debut, the band is releasing a second one. On October 7, Crimes will be commited. Check out lead track "West Won" and if you want to see them live, well, let's just say that there will be plenty of opportunities to do so.

8/08: IOTA, Arlington, VA w/ The Apparitions & The Cotton Jones Basket Ride
8/09: IOTA, Arlington, VA w/ The Apparitions & Bellman Barker

mp3: West Won

A Show

It's been quiet on some fronts lately, but we are finally returning with some shows. I guess there is no better place to start, than with our Second Anniversary Bash.

This year, we will be doing a 2 years, 2 bands, 2 nights concept. The brief details are as follows:

August 8 & 9
IOTA

Both Nights:
These United States
The Apparitions (Mark from Vandaveer)

The Openers:

Friday - The Cotton Jones Basket Ride (Michael from Page France)
Saturday - Bellman Barker

Much more to come on this subject and many others.

These United States - Burn This Bridge
The Apparitions - God Monkey Robot
The Cotton Jones Basket Ride - The Spinning Wheel (Naked in Virginia Session)
Bellman Barker - Two Bees

Pledge Allegiance To These United States

Way back in 2006 when I started this site, one of the first bands that I became friends with was DC's These United States. In December of that year, I interviewed Jesse and he talked about the CD that they had ready to release. Flash forward 15 months and countless delays later and A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden was finally unleashed upon the world yesterday. I'll save you from the endless gushing, because everybody knows that we've done it countless times and it has been mutual.

Anyway, to celebrate the release, the band just embarked on a full scale US tour. While they may be off sharing their music with the rest of the country, they do have a gift for you. They have made arrangements to sell the full CD on Amie Street for the almost illegal price of $3. In return, I arranged a special promo code for our readers. If you use "instrumental" as your code when you sign up, you'll have $1 credited to your account and then you can download the CD for only $2 of your own contribution. Pretty crazy, right? Well, get on it. It's more than worth it and this is a limited time offer.

The Tour:

Wednesday March 5: Chapel Hill, NC, Nightlight
Thursday March 6: Asheville, NC, The Rocket Club
Friday March 7: Athens, GA, Flicker
Saturday March 8: Birmingham, AL, Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Monday March 10: Shreveport, LA, The Actor's Cafe
Tuesday March 11: Dallas, TX, Club DaDa
Wednesday March 12: Austin, TX, SXSW Emo's Main Room
Thursday March 13: Austin, TX, SXSW Cream Vintage
Friday March 14: Austin, TX, SXSW After The Jump Fest
Sunday March 16: El Paso, TX, Q8
Tuesday March 18: Tucson, AZ, WXSW Plush
Wednesday March 19: Phoenix, AZ, Trunk Space
Thursday March 20: San Diego, CA, The Epicentre
Friday March 21: Los Angeles, CA, Indie 103 in-studio
Friday March 21: Los Angeles, CA, Echo Curio
Saturday March 22: Merced, CA, The Partisan
Sunday March 23: San Francisco, CA, Hotel Utah
Tuesday March 25: Portland, OR, Mississippi Studios
Wednesday March 26: Seattle, WA, Sunset Tavern
Thursday March 27: Boise, ID, Area Code
Friday March 28: Salt Lake City, UT, Slow Train in-store
Friday March 28: Salt Lake City, UT, Urban Lounge
Saturday March 29: Denver, CO, Hi-Dive
Monday March 31: Minneapolis, MN, 400 Bar
Tuesday April 1: Des Moines, IA, Vaudeville Mews
Wednesday April 2: Iowa City, IA, KRUI 89.7 in-studio
Wednesday April 2: Iowa City, IA, Mission Creek Midwest Fest
Thursday April 3: Rock Island, IL, Daytrotter Encore Session
Thursday April 3: Chicago, IL, The Hideout
Friday April 4: Cincinnati, OH, WOXY Lounge Act
Friday April 4: Louisville, KY, The 930
Saturday April 5: Lexington, KY, The Dame
Monday April 7: Providence, RI, AS220
Tuesday April 8: Boston, MA, P.A.'s Lounge
Wednesday April 9: Portsmouth, NH, Studio Verte
Thursday April 10: New York, NY, Cake Shop
Friday April 11: Brooklyn, NY, Union Hall
Saturday April 12: Baltimore, MD, Talking Head
Saturday April 13: Washington, DC, Black Cat

First Sight (mp3)

Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival

All this week, local musicians (and some out-of-towners) descend upon the Northern Liberties section of Philly, more specifically one venue, The Fire. Most nights have what seems to be a theme. So pick your favorites and get there early. This place is small and is guaranteed to fill up quick. Check out the entire line-up here. Here are some of the highlights:

Cowmuddy

Tuesday night features a definite folk overtone. Be sure to check out Cowmuddy and Devin Greenwood.

Cowmuddy - On Your Star
Devin Greenwood - This Over Here

Papertrigger

Wednesday is a bit experimental. Philly-faves Papertrigger are sure to bring a huge turn-out.

Papertrigger - Fox Hunting

These United States

Thursday is a bit difficult to peg to one specific genre, but it is a great line-up. Local songstress Birdie Busch and the acoustic-folk of Hezekiah Jones are great acts to see. The big act of the night is These United States. You may have heard of these guys.

Birdie Busch - Mystical
Hezekiah Jones - Albert Hash
These United States - So High So Low So Wide So Long

Friday, hip-hop, reggae, and soul are represented with the likes of The Dialects, Anam Owili-Eger, and Don McCloskey.

Illinois

Saturday, all the big names from the Philly scene are on stage with a few out-of-town guests. The genres run the scale from mellow acoustic to electro-pop. This is one big line up for one night: Peasant, Creaky Boards, Emily Easterly, East Hundred, Cheers Elephant, Drink Up Buttercup, Crooked Looks, and Illinois. Doors open at 7 and the music goes deep into the night.

Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed
Creaky Boards - Pretty Boy
Crooked Looks - Pay Day Baby
Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies
East Hundred - Killing Moon
Emily Easterly - Miami
Illinois - Screendoor
Peasant - Those Days

To finish off the week, some bands will return (no listing as of yet) to perform a Radiohead tribute Sunday evening. So get out to Northern Liberties and hear some great music.

Finally, These United States

After years of teasing, DC's These United States are finally releasing their debut album. A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden (try saying that really fast) will be released on March 4 and they will be supporting it with ridiculous amounts of touring. The first batch of dates will be announced soon. In the meantime, we have the first official mp3, "First Sight." Let us know what you think.

First Sight

IA Honored

No, IA did not win indie site of the year from any prestigious news organization. Instead, we won something a little more personal. I have always had sort of a mutual admiration society with Jesse, These United States and most of The Fed. Lately, it has gone sort of public. Earlier today, I named them regional band of the year. In return, Jesse and the crew named us the winner of their first ever semi-annual "Blog That Loves Us Of the Year" Award! Thanks, guys. Hilarious stuff. Their quote is below, or you can read the whole thing here.

Congratulations, IA, on winning These US’s First Ever Semi-Annual “Blog That Loves Us Of the Year” Award!! We hope you will love us more in the Coming Years, lest your title be brutally and publicly stripped from you in humiliating fashion, leaving you naked and sobbing in the middle of the proverbial super information highway! Good luck!

Weekend Regional Concert Highlights

I know, it has been rather quiet around here lately. I have had a rather awful November on the personal side of things and that has kept me away for most of the month. Those of you who have spoken to me, know how ridiculous it has been. Between bizarre illnesses, strange accidents and other random events, I haven't been in a state to write much. Anyway, I promise that December will be better. We have a lot of things coming up, including the return of one of our most popular features of '06 and our various best of lists. In the meantime, I'll leave you with the weekend regional show highlights.

These United States - credit
Washington, DC
Friday
Ra Ra Riot/Jukebox The Ghost/These United States @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

Baltimore, MD
Friday
M.I.A. @ Sonar

Philadelphia, PA
Friday
The Teeth/The High Strung/Via Audio @ North Star Bar
The Caribbean @ Tritone

Saturday
M.I.A. @ Electric Factory
Celebration/Dragons of Zynth @ Johnny Brendas

Sunday
The Clean @ Johnny Brendas

Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day
These United States - Burn This Bridge
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
The Teeth - It's Not Funny
The High Strung - The Baddest Ship
Via Audio - We Can Be Good
The Caribbean - The Go From Tactical
Celebration - Heartbreak
Dragons of Zynth - Get Off
The Clean - Tally Ho

European Vacation

While most bands are descending upon New York for CMJ, four locals decided to take a fall trip. DC's These United States and Vandaveer and Baltimore's Beach House and Arbouretum are on two seperate tours that include stops all over Europe.

These United States and Vandaveer

10/15: 93 Feet East - London, UK
10/16: The Hope - Brighton, UK
10/17: Head Of Steam - Newcastle, UK
10/18: The Social - Nottingham, UK
10/19: The Magnet - Liverpool, UK
10/20: The Beat Club - Glasgow, UK
10/21: Lazarette Festival @ The Thekla Social - Bristol, UK
10/22: ITC @ Sports Cafe - Manchester, UK
10/23: The Porter - Bath, UK
10/24: Le Franc-Pinot - Paris, FR
10/25: Le Baron - Paris, FR
10/26: Winston Kingdom - Amsterdam, NE
10/27: Tonenburg - Hoxter-Albaxen, DE
10/28: Le Mécanisme Dubitatif - Lille, FR
10/29: Tommy's Bar - Cardiff, UK
10/30: Big Hands - Manchester, UK
10/31: The Love Apple - Bradford, UK
11/01: The Slaughtered Lamb - London, UK
11/02: The Folk House - Bristol, UK
11/03: The Gladstone - London, UK

These United States - Burn This Bridge
Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes


Beach House and Arbouretum

10/18: Ekko - Utrecht, Netherlands
10/20: Det Bruunske Pakhus - Fredericia, Denmark
10/21: Pusterviksbaren - Gothenburg, Sweden
10/22: Debaser - Stockholm, Sweden
10/23: Debaser - Malmo, Sweden
10/24: Bastard - Berlin, Germany
10/25: Manufaktur - Schorndorf, Germany
10/26: Starclub - Dresden, Germany
10/27: Paradiso - Amsterdam, Netherlands
10/28: De Kreun - Kortrijk, Belgium
10/29: Worm - Rotterdam, Netherlands
10/30: La Fleche D'Or - Paris, France
11/01: Boa - Luzern, Switzerland
11/02: L'usine - Geneva, Switzerland
11/03: Bronson - Ravenna, Italy
11/04: Melos - Pistola (Firenze), Italy
11/05: Orangehouse - Munich, Germany
11/06: Tsunami - Koln, Germany
11/07: Fri-son - Fribourg, Switzerland
11/09: Botanique - Brussels, Belgium
11/10: The Graduate - Cambridge, UK*
11/11: Faversham - Leeds, UK*
11/11: Koko - London, UK+
11/12: Night and Day - Manchester, UK*
11/13: The Admiral - Glasgow, UK*
11/15: Glee Club - Birmingham, UK*
11/16: Water Rats - London, UK*

* Beach House only
+ Arbouretum only

Beach House - Apple Orchard
Arbouretum - Pale Rider Blues

indie at the abbey: Bridges and Powerlines & Creeping Weeds

Last week's show was sort of ridiculous. We ended up having 3 bands and it was quite possibly the best bill that I have seen all year. Between Monarch, Vandaveer and These United States, it was a hell of a night. Tonight, we are back in Harrisburg for yet another round of indie at the abbey at ABC . This show should be really good as well, as we have a couple of great bands making their first ever stops in town. Like always, show starts at 9:30, and admission is a measly $2.


NYC's Bridges and Powerlines will be bringing their brand of upbeat indie rock to town. Last year, they released their debut EP and it was full of straightforward tracks that crossed danceable synth with darker guitars. They just finished recording their full length that will be out next year and I have noticed a change. They have started to expand on the ideas laid out on their debut and have begun a metamorphosis to a more expanded sound that includes greater dynamics and more harmonizing vocals. I am quite enthusiastic about their future and tonight is a great chance to learn what they are all about.

Carmen (from EP)
The Thieves, They Are Everywhere (from forthcoming LP)


Philly's Creeping Weeds are a 5-piece that is all over the musical map. They range everywhere from folk to indie pop and definitely have some noisier moments. They are not afraid to try a wide range of instruments in their songs and you can tell from their CD, that they are very particular about every sound and it's placement. People who enjoy acts like Modest Mouse, Built to Spill and Pavement will definitely like this very dynamic band.

Billy Pilgrim
Eternity Is A Long Time


Upcoming Shows:

10/03/07
Middle Distance Runner (Washington, DC)
Bugs Multiply (Asheville, NC)

10/10/07
Jukebox The Ghost (Washington, DC)
Peasant (Doylestown, PA)

10/17/07
Shade (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Sky Drops (Wilmington, DE)

10/24/07
Warm in the Wake (Decatur, GA)
Bellman Barker (Washington, DC)

10/31/07
People Noise (Louisville, KY - former VHS or Beta)
Thrushes (Baltimore, MD)

11/07/07
The Epochs (Brooklyn, NY)
Wakey! Wakey! (New York, NY)

11/14/07
Tartufi (San Francisco, CA)
Low Red Land (San Francisco, CA)

11/28/07
Canadian Invasion (Philadelphia, PA)
Paul Michel (Washington, DC)

12/05/07
The Jaguar Club (Brooklyn, NY)
The Shackeltons (Chambersburg, PA)

Help These United States

DC's These United States need your help. They have made it to the final round of Amie Street's Sets The Stage contest and now they need some votes. They are getting killed by a Brooklyn band, so let's represent the Baltimore/Washington region and help them win. Everyone knows that these guys deserve it and if they win, they get a CMJ showcase and $10,000. More money for them, means more great music for us to consume. To vote, you need to register, but it only takes a second. Use the promo code "instrumental" and you well get a bunch of free credits to use on the great indie music that Amie Street promotes. So please take a minute and help this great band out. If you aren't familiar with them, check out the great song below.



So High So Low So Wide So Long