Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

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Baltimore: city in decay + large warehouse/manufacturing base = cheap venues. Cheap venues + art students + laissez faire police/health/fire department = good scene.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 06:53 (twenty years ago) link

So is Nation (Buzz people) afraid to book some of those folks coming to Baltimore, and is 5 too small, and is the 930 too booked up with bands to consider those artists (and also unwilling to face police/fire dept. scrutiny)?

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

Nation needs to take in a huge amount of money at the door just to break even for a night, so they don't have a lot of incentive to book artists that won't appeal to their existing crowd. There would have been a better shot there in the Buzz days when they would let a different promoter/collective take over the patio, but now they're really only booking the main room.

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

Ghostly International showcase at Warehouse Next Door, April 1. Not sure who's playing.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 March 2004 00:56 (twenty years ago) link

The indie-rock stores keep dropping one by one. What's left? The below is from an e-mail from Now...

"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

CD Warehouse in Georgetown (M and 30th), despite its location and hideous clientele, is really outstanding. This weekend I picked up Books' Lemon of Pink, Ghost's Hypnotic Underworld, Arthur Russell's Calling Out of Context, and M83's Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts.

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

You found those "used" or "new" in Georgetown? The one time I was there I didn't see much in there. Wow, that's quite a haul. I'm actually as guilty as anybody in buying stuff online rather then local stores. The last time I tried to go to Now (in early january), it was closed despite its hours being listed as open.

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:35 (twenty years ago) link

They were new. But not outrageously priced. Between 14.99-18.99 (Ghost - M83).

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

Hey, I was the one that got Coloma and Ellen Allien in there! I walk by it on my way home from work, so I stop in every couple of days. They're stupendously nice and will go as far as setting up new accounts with distributors to get special orders. I email them a list of upcoming releases I want and they'll have them for me the day they're released. They can be a little slow on imports, but they usually track them down.

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

Can I plug my band here or is that gauche? We are the Vowels from New York/New Jersey, it's our first time playing in DC. We're playing next Saturday, March 13th at Velvet Lounge with Detachment Kit and Apollo Sunshine (spinART). OK I am done. Sorry.

scott m (mcd), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:40 (twenty years ago) link

Agreed about CD Warehouse. And thanks for being the instigator of Coloma and Allien! I did ask John there to get in Silverware, Coloma's debut. I'll be asking them for Junior Boys nearer the release date.

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

part of the problem is that NOW moved to Old Town. why did they do that? I might be the only person in the city who knows who David Ware is.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 20:30 (twenty years ago) link

After they lost their lease in the pricier part of Arlington(Clarendon near a metro), they moved to an out-of-the way Arlington location practically in Falls Church. I guess they then assumed that an Old Town Alexandria location would be more accessible. But it really wasn't.

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:10 (twenty years ago) link

no not at all, and the stock was always the same. i am going to go to the sale this weekend and buy the same stuff i have been eyeing for over a year.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:24 (twenty years ago) link

I've got The Delgados and Malcolm Middleton of Arab Strap coming to DJ at Saint-Ex after their show at the Black Cat Tuesday, March 30th.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 21:48 (twenty years ago) link

Cool. So I tried to buy stuff at NOW on Saturday. Got there at 12:10 and the store was closed. By 12:50 there were about 15 people waiting and the damn place hadn't opened. Their e-mail said they'd open at noon. I had other things to do so I left. No wonder they went out of business. This happened to me once before trying to go there.

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:25 (twenty years ago) link

We need good local bands and djs to get involved in the below:

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

Is the Ghostly thing still on at the Warehouse Next Door on April 1st? I thought I saw something else listed there for that night in their City Paper ad. I e-mailed the label and they didn't respond back.

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 15 March 2004 01:34 (twenty years ago) link

I don't have the ad in front of me, but I know at least one of the acts listed, Output Message, is on Ghostly.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:10 (twenty years ago) link

finally checked out cafe st ex tonight. i went downstairs and had a few chimays on draft. not bad. my improv group might be playing the electric maid in takoma this weekend.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:29 (twenty years ago) link

oh also does anyone have the kind of connections that would help a hardworking bartender get a job in DC?

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 15 March 2004 05:30 (twenty years ago) link

cafe st ex has draft now? excellent

mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 15 March 2004 06:17 (twenty years ago) link

Aaron, I know the Kimpton Group properties are hiring - Topaz, Rouge, Helix.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Monday, 15 March 2004 15:34 (twenty years ago) link

already went to all of those places :-( i always have a hard time getting new jobs, but when i do get them, i become one of the best employees within a few months. its a frustrating process.

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

hello all. my band Indent will be playing tomorrow (sat) night at the electric maid in takoma park at 236 carroll, right near the metro. sets are at 7pm and 10pm, $7. i am the drummer. come have a smoke break with me between sets and introduce yrselves. oh we are a free improv band.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:44 (twenty years ago) link

two weeks pass...
No Ellen Allien DC dates for her US tour, but Ghostly e-mailed me that Mathew Dear may be coming here in the summer.

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

Yea, yea I know DC has a lack of cheap rent warehouses and is stuck with a not exactly helpful government bureacracy. But I'm still counting on Aaron with his bartending profits or someone else to create events I want to see!!!

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 8 April 2004 17:28 (twenty years ago) link

i still need a good bartending job for bartending profits. and then there is the matter of a good venue... every time i go out in dc, i feel like there is a lot of great talent, and no place to collect it all. Tom and I went to the first floor bar of Reef last week for the open turntable night. we both DJed for a while, and had fun, but the guys who played after us were tremendous, and as far as i can tell, they usually play in their bedrooms.
i played (this is not 100% correct in order, but generally in order):
convextion "convextion" (matrix 1)
Schatrax "?" (Schatrax)
Paul Kalkbrenner (can't remember)
R is R "Nude Photo" (transmat)
K. Alexi "All for Lee-sah" (transmat)
Pierre's Phantasy Club "Fantasy Girl" (Trax)
Sleezy D "I've Lost Control" (Trax)
Jaime Principle "Baby Wants to Ride" (Trax)
Suzy Q "Two of Hearts"
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam "I Wonder if I Take You Home"

didnt mix, just having some fun. am going to see Ken Mcintyre of AACM fame tonight I think.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 8 April 2004 19:17 (twenty years ago) link

Andreas Tilliander and Normal Music are on tomorrow night (4/9) at DC9.

6/11 is Richie Hawtin and Magda at Cubik

here's the day-by-day linup for the once.twice festival in Baltimore...

>>>>>>>>>

avant hip-hop + twisted rhythms
THURSDAY APRIL 15TH
2549 N Howard Street
www.theottobar.com
All ages / Doors open @ 9pm / ADMISSION $10

DABRYE [ DETROIT - Ghostly International ]
GHISLAIN POIRIER [ MONTREAL - 12k / Chocolate Industries ]
JIMMY EDGAR [ DETROIT - Warp / M3rck / Audio.NL ]
NAUTICAL ALMANAC [ BALTIMORE - Heresee ]
MARC LUSSIER [ BALTIMORE ]

>>>>>>>>>

PERLON LABEL FOCUS
FRIDAY APRIL 16th
THE SUPREME IMPERIAL
223 Pearl STREET
http://www.thehush.net/supreme.htm
All ages / Doors open @ 9pm / ADMISSION $10

AKUFEN [ MONTREAL - Perlon / Force-Inc / Musique Risquee ]
DIMBIMAN aka ZIP [ BERLIN - Perlon ]
MATTHEW DEAR aka JABBERJAW [ DETROIT - Perlon / Plus8 / Ghostly ]
SOMEONE ELSE [ PHILADELPHIA - Foundsound / Musik Krause ]
BEN PARRIS dj set [ Baltimore - Once.Twice / Foundsound ]
MISKATE dj set [ PHILADELPHIA - Foundsound ]

>>>>>>>

SATURDAY APRIL 17th JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
MATTIN CENTER ROSS JONES BUILDING, SDS ROOM
3400 N CHARLES ST,BALTIMORE MD
All ages / Doors open @ 8pm / ADMISSION $10

AGF [ BERLIN - Orthlorng Musork / Kitty Yo ]
+ SUE.C [ SAN FRANCISCO - Orthlorng Musork ]
CHRISTOHPER WILLITS [ SAN FRANCISCO - 12k / Fallt ]
+SCOTT PAGANO [ SAN FRANCISCO - Reline ]
MYLENA BERGERON [ MONTREAL - Oral ]
+ CAROLINE HAYEUR [ MONTREAL ]
LOADBANG [ BALTIMORE ]


Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 20:15 (twenty years ago) link

I'm looking forward to this. I was at the once.twice exhibition a few years ago with Moonstealingproject/Richard Chartier/Taylor Deupree/Mokira, and it was a really nice (though obv. subdued) time. Definitely making the drive up on Friday, and possibly Saturday as well.

I've been really pleased with the ridiculous amount of good music available to us in the last month or so. Bummed about missing TV on the Radio, but Xiu Xiu were great, and the prospect of seeing Sunburned Hand of the Man + Four Tet (again, in Baltimore, Tuesday the 20th) = more excitement. Add CocoRosie on to that, and I'll be near broke.

Dare, Thursday, 8 April 2004 21:45 (twenty years ago) link

i really really want to go to friday night's performance with dimbiman, akufen, dear, tc, but i have no ride. is anyone going?

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 16 April 2004 05:11 (twenty years ago) link

four weeks pass...

RICH
tech house & techno

resident DJ's Milo & Daedau

every Friday starting tonight

at Saveur
2218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Glover Park, DC
10ish-2ish
NO COVER CHARGE


Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 14 May 2004 19:08 (twenty years ago) link

nice. i need to take a night off and check it out.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Sunday, 16 May 2004 18:09 (twenty years ago) link

Revive.

What's happening this summer? I don't think the Fort Reno schedule has been announced yet. I'm excited about the D.C. Caribbean Carnival and the related shows happening in a few weeks. Also, the Smithsonian Folklife Fest is gonna be featuring Latin and Haitian music. Anything new folks to tell me about dancehall, electronica, hiphop and go-go wise?

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 03:52 (twenty years ago) link

Sorry I didn't catch your April 16th post, Aaron. If I'd noticed, I would have offered you a ride.

I'm excited about a few DC-area shows coming up in the month of June. MF Doom w/Talib Kweli at the 9:30 Club, Sunday June 13. Madvillain has finally clicked for me, you have to listen to it as a series of vignettes ... looking forward to the show. I've seen Decembrists and Neko Case before, so I'll probably skip their shows the next two nights in order to check out Acid Mothers Temple at the Ottobar in Baltimore, Thursday the 17th. Two good acoustic shows at Iota in Virginia the next week: Iron & Wine, Tuesday the 22nd, and Devendra Banhart Thursday the 24th. I'm from Florida orig., and really looking forward to hearing Sam Beam(Iron & Wine)'s voice live.

Dare, Monday, 7 June 2004 16:14 (twenty years ago) link

schedule is much tighter now as i work monday, tuesday, thursday, friday and saturday but i would love to go to some shows with more advance notice. and thanks for the retroactive ride offer :-)

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 7 June 2004 22:18 (twenty years ago) link

Are there any new go-go bands that anyone likes? Are go-go bands just doing covers of rap hits mostly these days?

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 03:48 (twenty years ago) link

No Fort Reno free indie rock shows schedule posted the last time I looked.

Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 17:00 (twenty years ago) link

the fake accents are playing the black cat backstage tonight. we... i mean... THEY... are a pretty awesome fun indie rock quartet. some of their stuff sounds like one or more of the following:

the fall
early superchunk
unrest
the wedding present (fast strummy guitar)
pavement
the strokes

and theyre all TOTALLY nice awesome kids. and this hardcore band, kudzu wish is opening.

ALL FOR $5!!!

so, if you wanna party like its 1995, come to the black cat backstage tonight.


peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 17:31 (twenty years ago) link

two months pass...
hey so coming up in the next couple of months...
scissor sisters, faint w/ tv on the radio, mouse on mars w/ junior boys. i am going to try to attend most or all of the above.
also, my band might be playing with avant-hop groop Dalek sometime in September, i will give heads up when date is confirmed.

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 30 August 2004 09:17 (twenty years ago) link

four months pass...
So is there any d.j. in d.c. playing the stuff Paul kennedy is spinning in NYC:

bubblecrunk, grime, ragga, favela funk, 2step, neukÖln, soca, ardkore jungle, lover's rock +

steve-k, Sunday, 9 January 2005 00:00 (nineteen years ago) link

I missed Mathew Dear at club 5. Did anyone go?

Also, anyone been out to the Crossroads or other joints that feature dancehall?

steve-k, Sunday, 9 January 2005 00:40 (nineteen years ago) link

Are the Medications the most exciting Dischord band these days?

I've listened to that latest Q and Not U cd and imho their punk-funk w/ falsetto vocals pales compared to the circa '81 stuff, and even to the best DFA singles.

steve-k, Sunday, 9 January 2005 16:02 (nineteen years ago) link

Yo Aaron, and other D.C. folks, what do ya think?

steve-k, Monday, 10 January 2005 06:16 (nineteen years ago) link

bump

steve-k, Thursday, 13 January 2005 16:23 (nineteen years ago) link

(x-post on all this)

At my night at Saint-Ex, SALT (1st Wednesdays monthly), I generally play a fair amount of grime, dancehall, crunk, and german goodness. But that's only around half the playlist, and we vary quite a bit month to month. We've going to have another grime focus night coming up (our 4th!), this summer Dizzee and Wonder were there after their DC show.

Matthew Dear was very disappointing. Tracky techno with little personality, and the bass was a little overwhelming (and not in a good way). It had nothing on the Jake Fairley live set at Andalu a couple of months ago.

I'm pretty happy with the new Q & Not U, but I haven't heard The Medications yet.

And in case anyone doesn't know, Kingpin burned down. It's maybe the only place in the city I'd ever been where you knew anyone could have a great time anytime. There were a lot of good DJs that played there, too, though not as recently.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 13 January 2005 16:40 (nineteen years ago) link

Cool re: your d.j. night, but for me alas, Wednesdays are not good. Oh well.

Thanks for the other stuff.

There are a couple other D.C. threads floating around right now.

washington dc record stores?

steve-k, Thursday, 13 January 2005 17:04 (nineteen years ago) link

Hey d.j. Brian Miller:

Please get in touch with me before Monday. I need to talk to you about a City Paper thing...-Steve

steve-k, Friday, 21 January 2005 14:35 (nineteen years ago) link

Got your email, Steve - I'll be sending you a list of responses this weekend.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 21 January 2005 14:51 (nineteen years ago) link

Also, if anyone's interested, The Arc@de F!re is going to be doing a low key post-9:30 club show DJ set at S@int-Ex on Sunday the 30th.

Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 21 January 2005 14:57 (nineteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US3oi-M7fZg

Go Go Go and Vote by Shorty Corleone and friends

curmudgeon, Tuesday, 5 November 2024 03:50 (two weeks ago) link

Caught up on seeing some exhibits in DC . Saw the Haitian Art; 70s photos; and Gordon Parks photo portrait s ones at the National Gallery. Then saw the small and provocative exhibit at American History museum about Mack McCormick, Texas blues collector who was also sadly dealing with some mental health issues that led him to take advantage of some poor musicians and create conspiracy theory hoaxes about musicians as well

curmudgeon, Tuesday, 12 November 2024 18:20 (one week ago) link

Joe Lally is back from touring and doing bass lessons again

curmudgeon, Thursday, 14 November 2024 17:38 (five days ago) link

Went to the 618 H St NW lounge last night for first time and saw UK dub reggae great Mad Professor w/ Model Home opening . Near Capital One Arena in Chinatown above a restaurant on second floor ( & maybe another floor too). Gig was advertised by a techno programmer and tix were sold in advance on Resident Advisor. So there were no attempts to reach out to an older Caribbean audience in the area that would have also loved seeing Mad Professor. Me highlighting it on my concert calendar was likely only crossover attention. I don’t think Washington Post, Washingtonian, 730 DC email mentioned it.

So it was a fun show ( bass was booming)and they had free food ( baked chicken legs, plantains, salad) plus free water and a bar .

curmudgeon, Friday, 15 November 2024 15:18 (four days ago) link

Missing various gigs this weekend that interest me but you can't do it all.

curmudgeon, Sunday, 17 November 2024 20:32 (two days ago) link

I feel that

Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Sunday, 17 November 2024 21:18 (two days ago) link

Go-go museum ribbon cutting and live music from Backyard Band and Junkyard 11 am to 1pm today. Streamed at http://www.youtube.com/@go-gomuseumcafe2736

and on Facebook Go-go museum pages

curmudgeon, Monday, 18 November 2024 15:33 (yesterday) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-kDjtIGvbo

The sound went out for a bit but its back and still go going

curmudgeon, Monday, 18 November 2024 17:27 (yesterday) link


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