When I moved from the D.C. music scene to Farmington, NM I expected close to nothing in the area of “good music.” I got less than that. In my most recent move to Pocatello, ID, home of Idaho State University and a handful of fantastic bars, I expected at least a little more. That little… Continue reading Finn Riggins
Category: Live Reviews
MNDR @ 9:30 Club
Ever since I read about – and got hooked on – electropop-IDM sensation MNDR (Amanda Warner) on Sheena Beaston’s blog, it seemed that well-earned hype has grown exponentially. MNDR is everywhere: magazines, radio, blogs, Facebook advertisements, Mark Ronson’s infectious “Bang Bang Bang,” and now on tour with Chromeo. Maybe it was all the hype or… Continue reading MNDR @ 9:30 Club
Kate Miller-Heidke @ 9:30 Club
I really didn’t want to enjoy Kate Miller-Heidke‘s 45-minute set last night in Washington, D.C. My other concert reviews on this site have been full of praise and I wanted to write a scathing review; certainly the Australian’s quirky pop, which I had only limited exposure to prior to the show, couldn’t win me over. I… Continue reading Kate Miller-Heidke @ 9:30 Club
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan @ Rock and Roll Hotel
“What is she? Some kind of magician?” my wife inquired as Isobel Campbell shaked, rattled, and pounded several unique percussion tools during “Back Burner.” Indeed, she is. As the songwriter in her unlikely indie-folk collaboration with enigmatic Mark Lanegan, Campbell has masterfully orchestrated the musical backdrop to highlight perfect vocal constrasts. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan… Continue reading Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan @ Rock and Roll Hotel
Wild Nothing impresses in DC
I first heard Jack Tatum (aka. Wild Nothing) while listening to FM4 radio in Germany a few months back. “Summer Holiday” rang out through the car speakers and ended without the DJ identifying the band before starting another song by another artist. I assumed it HAD to be some obscure, Sarah Records band from back… Continue reading Wild Nothing impresses in DC
Justin Jones @ 9:30 Club
My first impression of Justin Jones is that he – like this concert review – is the guy who shows up late to the party. Jones, a Virginia/D.C. singer-songwriter who is the first signed to 9:30 Records, a new label launched by 9:30 Club co-owner Seth Hurwitz, casually walked on stage to tune his guitar… Continue reading Justin Jones @ 9:30 Club
Interpol @ The NorVa
After a nearly two year hiatus from touring and a lineup change, the atmospheric and always fashionable Interpol demonstrated Friday night at The NorVa in Norfolk, VA, that it’s back in full stride. In support of its upcoming self-titled fourth record, the NYC-based post-punk kings immediately showed off the new (not the song): the absence of lanky… Continue reading Interpol @ The NorVa
Harlem @ Siren
A lot of bands with complicated sounds like to take their act to the stage and put on a big, complicated show. Sometimes, this works very well (see Holy Fuck) and sometimes this falls short (see Cymbals Eat Guitars). But sometimes a band with a very simple sound and a very simple show to match… Continue reading Harlem @ Siren
Wye Oak @ Siren
Wye Oak is what happens if you take Matt and Kim, sap them of their top-40 savvy and say “Hey, this whole folk genre isn’t too bad.” What I’m trying to say is that the two bands are very much not alike, except they’re both guy/girl duos. What an awful introduction that was. During its… Continue reading Wye Oak @ Siren
Earl Greyhound @ Siren
By Brittany Borghi Rounding the corner of the Stillwell Stage for the 4:30 set, one thing became clear to me: Earl Greyhound is immediately awesome. Lithe lead guitarist Matt Whyte looked like Anthony Kiedis from the “Under the Bridge” video; long scraggly hair blowing in the beach breeze while he shredded the most delicious licks… Continue reading Earl Greyhound @ Siren