What's odd it that it seems to be only the EDM scene that really tries to escape the city - the most successful go-go and indie artists are, if anything, too tied to DC.
Is it odd that the most interesting and boosterish electronic dance DJ in DC over the last year has been Bob Mould?
― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:33 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:39 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:20 (twenty years ago) link
The DC go-go artists have seemingly given up on being national and international acts (go-go hasn't crossed over) although Chuck Brown gets flown to Japan periodically to play.
Dischord indie rockers are always playing worldwide but such gigs just never get much local press here. Q and Not U are also booked to play that big fest coming up in California over the summer(Coachatella or something). Black Eyes toured Europe awhile back.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:19 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:53 (twenty years ago) link
Why did they locate it in Georgetown? You can only make so much money from selling prog to white hats from GW. Better to be on U st with a big deep house section. They never seemed to have their shit together anyways. They cheated me out of $40 once but totally inadvertantly. I had my revenge during their clearance sale I guess.
As for Q and not U, I tried to see their last show at the Black Cat and ended up waiting in line for an hour by myself. As I was waiting, the show sold out. That is all. They need to play here more often.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 18:55 (twenty years ago) link
I always wanted to check out the Grits & Gravy dj night at Bar Nun... Years ago I saw DC rappers Opus Okuben playing with a live band at the now defunct Metro Cafe. Wow, they were great. Now they just mostly play Europe, sometimes with Ny jazz guy Steve Coleman. They were at Black Cat around New Years Eve but I missed them.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:38 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller, Friday, 13 February 2004 22:59 (twenty years ago) link
― Michael Minnich, Wednesday, 18 February 2004 23:16 (twenty years ago) link
anyways, wednesday night P Brotzmann is playing with Hamid Drake and William Parker. Its at Twins on U st (btw 13th and 14th?) at 8pm.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 18:31 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:40 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:43 (twenty years ago) link
DC 9 is in the original Asylum space, I'm not sure what it was between then and now. Half the music I've heard played there has been great indie/hip hop/disco, the other half has been too much midrange compressed guitar and singers that sound like they're in beer commercials. Which is a better hit rate than most places, but the DJs seriously can't mix or sequence their tracks.
― Brian Miller, Monday, 1 March 2004 20:06 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 23:32 (twenty years ago) link
List of EDM events is not so good. Seems like no place is doing well with regular nights and lineups are changing like crazy. And Cubik is filling the main room at Nation with the level of talent that would have played the front room at Buzz.
― Brian Miller, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:09 (twenty years ago) link
how long have you been in DC? what is the reason for the instability?
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 14:24 (twenty years ago) link
Is the below show which is at the Ottobar coming to DC?
Thursday March 25th DEFINITIVE JUX PRESENTS: Murs The Perceptionists (Feat. Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Fakts One) RJD2, C Rayz Walz Hangar 18, SA Smash and more Doorsat 8pm/ Show at 9pm- ALL AGES
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:43 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:46 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 17:15 (twenty years ago) link
3 years! I want stuff NOW ;)
I've been complaining to friends for 2 or so years that I wish someone would book all of the Afropop and Latin acts that play for free in Central Park in NY each summer, in DC... So I'll have to form my own group to do this...
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 18:53 (twenty years ago) link
There's the once.twice festival coming up in Baltimore next month-
April 15th - 17th, 2004Baltimore's 4th Annualonce.twice:festival of sound and video art feat.AKUFEN . DIMBIMAN . AGF . CHRISTOPHER WILLITS . DABRYE . SUE COSTABILE . MATTHEW DEAR .GHISLAIN POIRIER. NAUTICAL ALMANAC.JIMMY EDGAR MYLENA BERGERON . CAROLINE HAYEUR . SCOTT PAGANO + more TBA
once.twice also runs the occasional Treatment night at Sonar, the last one in November featured Magda and Sammy Dee.
― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 20:22 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 4 March 2004 04:26 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 06:53 (twenty years ago) link
On a different note, any musicians (d.j.'s?) who wanna perform for free outdoors or maybe at Carter Barron or other locations during the June 18-21st 2nd annual Fete de la Musique DC should call 202-724-5614 or e-mail jose.dominguez@dc.gov . There will also be meetings at the DC Arts Commission, 410 8th St. NW , 5th Fl. on Mon. 3-15 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 and on Thurs. 3-18 from noon to 1.
I'm trying to encourage them to expand the musical horizons of this event...
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 4 March 2004 16:52 (twenty years ago) link
Five is a great venue, nearly perfect, but the different promoters that do nights there only really book house, d+b, and reggae. There was the electroclash/breaks night there, too, but that's over and has turned into a retro night.
9:30 Club, as you mentioned, is a live music venue. They'll have the occasional DJ, but it always comes off as a bit out of place.
It costs a lot of money to run a club in DC due to the scarcity of suitable spaces. In a town with 8-foot ceilings in 95% of all buildings, there’s going to be a lot of competition for the remaining few with large open spaces. Permitting, safety codes, and accessibility standards are pretty tightly enforced, which means you have to sink a lot of money into a space before you can do anything with it. This goes for bars, dance clubs, live music clubs, and pretty much everything. And don't even get me started on ANC's and "voluntary agreements".
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 18:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 March 2004 00:56 (twenty years ago) link
"After over 4 years in business, the owners of Now! Music and Fashion have decided to close permanently, so we can move on and pursue other opportunities. We've had a blast talking to you about music, putting on instore performances, and participating in the local community. But the best thing about running a record store has been the opportunity to meet you. Many thanks to our loyal customers and friends we've made along the way.
We will be having a going-out-of-business sale beginning this weekend. All clothing and music (except consignments and bargain bin stuff) will be on sale for 30% off the regular price."
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 05:45 (twenty years ago) link
So I don't think DC's gone utterly down the pan. Close, but not gone yet.
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 15:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:35 (twenty years ago) link
They're also stocking the Ellen Allien album and remixes, Coloma's Finery. I think I even saw that Damon Album demo double 10" there, too!
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:40 (twenty years ago) link
Melody on Conn. Ave. is very underrated - I always thought they were better than DCCD for keeping up with current releases and pointing customers in the right direction. Good international and classical sections, too.
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:27 (twenty years ago) link
― scott m (mcd), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:40 (twenty years ago) link
I also have given them a list of stuff I'd like. They have an account with Forced Exposure, so I'll soon have the Lawrence album I've been gasping to hear for ages.
Re: Melody: While they're matchless on international, classical and jazz, their electronic section is showing conspicuous gaps since Joel, who used to buy for the electronic section left for Baltimore at the end of last year. CD Warehouse deserve to clean up!
― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:45 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:48 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:25 (twenty years ago) link
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities invites musicians to participate in the 2nd Annual Fête de la Musique DC. The Fête is an internationally recognized music festival that marks the first days of summer. Festival dates are June 18-21, 2004 with performances throughout the afternoon and evening. The Arts Commission is sponsoring special workshops for area musicians interested in participating in the Fete and conducting live auditions for “acoustic” and “acapella” musicians and performers.
All types of musicians and bands interested in learning more can attend one of two special festival workshops. The workshops will provide valuable information on how musicians can participate and receive promotional assistance from the Arts Commission. The workshop dates are:
Dates and Times: Monday, March 15, 2004 at 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 12 Noon – 1 PM
P Place: DC Arts Commission, 410 8th Street NW, 5th floor
Please call (202) 724-5614 or send an email to jose.dominguez@dc.gov with any questions that you may have.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:34 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:30 (twenty years ago) link
― mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 15 March 2004 06:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 15:34 (twenty years ago) link
st ex has chimay, stella and delerium and a few more that i cant remember on draft. really nice people there. the barback, by mistake, bussed my last cigarette and matches when i went up to the bar to get another beer. when i mentioned this to the bartender, he gave me matches, a regular hooked me up with a cigarette, and a woman who was with the DJ said she was going out a cigarette run, and asked me what i wanted. i was actually confused by kindess.
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 20:40 (twenty years ago) link
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:44 (twenty years ago) link
My attempts to get the DC Arts Commisssion to add more indie-rock, Latin, African, go-go and hiphop to the upcoming June 20th Free Music Fete seem to have run into bureacratical walls and lack of money. Oh well, I tried.
― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 8 April 2004 16:17 (twenty years ago) link
f you have any interest in late 1970s rock that paved the way for punk, or just have seen Jeff Krulik docs ( Heavy Metal Parking Lot & others) then you might want to consider seeing RAZZ(The)Doc, co-directed by Krulik, at AFI Silver Saturday, July 20 @ 3pm about that 1970s dc band
― curmudgeon, Friday, 19 July 2024 21:33 (two months ago) link
https://www.capitalbop.com/the-carlyle-room-has-closed-after-two-years-of-trying-to-bring-music-back-to-downtown-d-c/
Upscale 2 years in dc r& b and jazz club closes. Was interested in some gigs there but never did go. It was more expensive than Blues Alley, Birchmere, and the Hamilton Live. Food & drink minimum plus ticket plus fees . Some people loved it though
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 August 2024 15:04 (two months ago) link
My City Paper editor emailed me that another City Paper contributor was writing a short article on a dc punk band for the Best of DC 2024 special for City Paper, and did I have any other local music ideas for coverage. She wanted a quick response and turnaround. I submitted 4 ideas and she said she had room for 2 of them . So I wrote about promoter District of Raga and the Capital Bop dc jazz website.
https://bestof2024.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts-and-ent-editors-picks/best-eye-for-great-music
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 August 2024 15:18 (two months ago) link
On the link you will see my 2 included with dc punk band Ekko Astral and others .
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 August 2024 15:19 (two months ago) link
Finally posted my August Steve K blogspot dmv concert calendar
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 3 August 2024 12:56 (two months ago) link
Thanks for all your work on that
― Bad Bairns (Boring, Maryland), Saturday, 3 August 2024 17:25 (two months ago) link
Thanks. Always updating it too, as I sometimes miss stuff and some events are jut announced last minute. Ethiopian pianist Girma Beyene suddenly did a last minute scheduled show at Makeda in Alexandria last night . I had seen him in Bethesda a few weeks back. But this farewell gig before he flies back to Ethiopia was posted on social media just 2 days before the show.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 5 August 2024 16:41 (two months ago) link
Per the Bmore Art site the Washington Post is cancelling freelancer Mark Jenkins DC area art galleries column after next week. This is sad news as Jenkins provided detailed coverage of visual art that generally cannot be found anywhere else
https://bmoreart.com/2024/08/washington-post-cancels-regional-arts-coverage-effective-immediately.html
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 August 2024 20:17 (one month ago) link
Here's a gift link to a recent Jenkins galleries column piece
https://wapo.st/3AtFYcj
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 August 2024 20:19 (one month ago) link
The @NatlParkService of Greater Washington finally announced that 3 2024 Fort DuPont Park in SE DC gigs will happen in September starting with EU, the Blackbyrds, & DJ Lance Reynolds on September 7. In some prior years they had gigs every summer weekend
https://www.nps.gov/fodu/learn/news/three-dates-for-this-year-s-fort-dupont-park-summer-event-series.htm
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 28 August 2024 20:35 (one month ago) link
Kim Gordon has a new song and video out with DC duo Model Home ( Nappy Nappa and Pat Cain)
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 28 August 2024 20:36 (one month ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/747583/washington-post-kills-column-on-local-artists-and-gallery-exhibits/
City Paper article on Washington Post dropping Jenkins art gallery column, reducing number of local news columns, and hiring a NY based theatre reviewer who has yet to come down to Dc to see any local theatre productions
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 28 August 2024 20:40 (one month ago) link
Jeez
― Bad Bairns (Boring, Maryland), Thursday, 29 August 2024 00:00 (one month ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/747803/dave-alvin-and-jimmie-dale-gilmore-dc-tap-fest-and-more-city-lights-for-aug-29-sept-6/
I previewed Thursday night's Dave Alvin w/ Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Birchmere show with Jon Langford and the Bright Shiners opening . Langford designed the cover of the latest Alvin & Gilmore album Texicali. Always love seeing Langford, but am going to be out of town
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 29 August 2024 03:27 (one month ago) link
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/09/03/2024-best-fall-pop-concerts/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzI1MzM2MDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzI2NzE4Mzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MjUzMzYwMDAsImp0aSI6IjMyMjY0ZTI0LWFjZmYtNDI1MS1iNjRjLTI2ZTNkMDIwZDY4NCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljLzIwMjQvMDkvMDMvMjAyNC1iZXN0LWZhbGwtcG9wLWNvbmNlcnRzLyJ9.PJuWtScB5CdDdTBa6gEAcAf1kLOYLH9GGS9eO9RCWWY
Chris Kelly pop, indie, rap , r& b shows he's looking forward to
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 4 September 2024 05:16 (one month ago) link
Always adding more to my DC concert calendar--
Thurs Sept 5 in DMV DC- Next Now Fest w/ Feeble Little Horse @ 7:45 to 8:30 @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr courtyard (rock); Verny Varela @ 9:30 @ Bossa (Colombian valenata, salsa ); Raw Image @ 7 @ Sycamore & Oak Se (go-go); Anees @ 6 popup @ Malcolm X Park
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 5 September 2024 15:26 (one month ago) link
https://www.stereogum.com/2277849/bad-moves-video-for-new-song-outta-my-head-features-margaret-cho-josh-gondelman-chris-gethard-more/music/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 5 September 2024 15:40 (one month ago) link
I get the Hometown Sounds substack even though sometimes it is too bland dc rock only for me
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 5 September 2024 15:47 (one month ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/748643/the-best-world-roots-and-jazz-music-to-see-live-this-fall/
My fall preview of some shows including Julieta Venegas, a Creole and Cajun supergroup, Ebo Taylor, MakYa McCraven and a more
― curmudgeon, Friday, 6 September 2024 16:02 (four weeks ago) link
Sat Sept 14- Music producer Joe Boyd with his new book — And the Roots of Rhythm Remain - with dj/musician Bob Boilen — @ 6 @ Union Market via Byrdland Records
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 7 September 2024 16:12 (four weeks ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/748735/what-to-listen-to-david-combs-recommends-raging-post-punk-emo-tinged-indie-pop-and-more/
Bad Moves member David Combs also books shows at Quarry House, Comet, & some at Black Cat . He tqlks about that and gigs he recommends for fall
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 7 September 2024 18:00 (four weeks ago) link
City Paper has since added a list from a Cp contributor of upcoming metal and hardcore shows he’s looking forward to ; and another guy did a list of upcoming rap shows and hiphop DJ ones he’s looking forward to.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 13 September 2024 13:31 (three weeks ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/749685/craving-go-go-darrin-x-frazier-says-theres-a-show-for-that/
Me talking to Darrin X Frazier, former RE Keyboardist & TCB manager, regarding where he likes to go see go-go and bouncebeat bands
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 18 September 2024 03:42 (two weeks ago) link
Nice
― Heez, Wednesday, 18 September 2024 11:40 (two weeks ago) link
Just saw final DC JCC showing of "Ain't No Back to a Merry-go-Round," Ilana Trachtman's powerful film doc re the Howard U students, & Montgomery County Black & Jewish, Quaker, & Union locals whose 10 weeks protest ended the segregation of Glen Echo Park in 1960. The Park then had a roller coaster and large pool and the merry go round . The title of the film comes from Langston Hughes who noted that Black were forced to sit in the back of buses but were barred from amusement parks and that there ain't no back to a merry go round. Deep, dense sad film. The director is hoping to get more showings at the AFI Silver and or the Avalon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmloeCXXJ78
― curmudgeon, Friday, 20 September 2024 04:46 (two weeks ago) link
Blacks
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/09/23/dc-punk-senior-citizen-food-insecurity-we-are-family/
Mark Andersen of Positive Force dayjob is working with volunteers to help bring groceries to poor seniors.
They do good work, though it’s too bad the DC government or the Feds aren’t doing this
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 24 September 2024 01:48 (one week ago) link
https://www.capitalbop.com/fred-irby-howard-university-interview/
Jazz musician and professor Fred Irby retiring from Howard U after 51 years of running the jazz ensemble
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 24 September 2024 01:56 (one week ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750175/they-got-the-beat-claudia-a-lawrence-knows-where-to-go-when-youre-craving-cumbia-chicha-and-more/
My email interview w/ DJ Claudia Lawrence of Leon City Sounds who spins chicha, cumbia, and more on vinyl (& sometimes punk, ska, and reggae) regarding where she spins, her background, and a gig she is looking forward to
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 24 September 2024 15:31 (one week ago) link
And my latest and final City Paper Fall arts piece. An email interview with DJ Dr Nick about southern soul, r& b, and blues gigs in the DMV
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750272/feel-the-blues-dj-dr-nick-johnson-recommends-southern-soul-blues-and-jazz/
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 26 September 2024 14:10 (one week ago) link
Added some Art All Night events and Fiesta DC on PA Ave info to my concert calendar
― curmudgeon, Friday, 27 September 2024 16:37 (one week ago) link
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750792/meshell-ndegeocello-explicating-documentary-photography-and-more-city-lights-for-oct-3-9/
I previewed Meshell Ndegeocello and her James Baldwin tribute that will be at Strathmore Sat. Oct 5
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 2 October 2024 21:11 (three days ago) link
https://open.substack.com/pub/discerningeye/p/afro-cuban-history-salvaged?r=2ck8a&utm_medium=ios
The Washington Post dropped Mark Jenkins weekly dc area art galleries column so he he is doing a substack now
― curmudgeon, Friday, 4 October 2024 15:49 (yesterday) link