Archive By Author
High Tea with The Petticoat Tea Room
Who knew that the DC/MD area could claim home to not one, but two Petticoat Tea Rooms? Fans of the first–an actual tea room located in Baltimore–are primarily men and women whom enjoy sipping tea and nibbling on finger sandwiches. Fans of the second–a local band that (other than name, origin, and a passion for hot beverages) has little in common with said room–are primarily men and women whom enjoy an invigorating blend of alt-rock, alt-country, Americana, and just a nibble of ambient electronica. The latter, of course, is much more DoS’s taste.
Q&A with Birdlips
Birdlips may be the best band you aren’t listening to. The band’s delicate blend of classic folk instrumentation and earthy psychedelia is often compared to folk gods Nick Drake and Andrew Bird. However, it’s been about two years since the band recorded their remarkable debut LP, Cardboard Wings, and the 2009 single featured on the band’s website only teases listeners with a promise of great things to come. District of Sound was able to catch up with Birdlips members Clifford Usher and Lindsay Pitts after their live performance during September’s H Street Festival to find out what the future holds for the band and exactly what makes their music take flight.
Birdlips
Folk Rock
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10.21.09 |
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Christen |
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Interviews |
Welcome to The Alt-Country Club
Everyone knows the saying, “You can take the boy out of the county, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.” Substitute “band” for “boy” and you’ve created the perfect bumper sticker for The Moderate — a local DC band with a flair for alt-country, rock and roll, and the blues. With two of its four members hailing originally from North Carolina, their roots are clearly grounded in country music. But it’s the kaleidoscope-colored leaves, which are saturated in other musical influences that make their sound truly unique. As the band prepares to release it’s first full-length album later this month, they also prepare to prove that they are anything but moderate.
The Moderate
Alt-country
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08.22.09 |
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Christen |
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Featured, Reviews |
Change is in the Air!: DoS Gets a Makeover
Change has always had a soundtrack. Flower children witnessed The Byrds wave daisies in the air; declaring “To everything (turn, turn, turn). There is a season (turn, turn, turn).” Frustrated, British rebels pumped their fists to “God save the queen we mean it, man.” And, of course, the Millennial Generation watched Mufasa proudly present baby Simba to the entire African animal kingdom as they sang, “On the path unwinding. In the Circle. The Circle of Life.” Okay…so that last one is small potatoes. But what I’m trying to say is that we at DoS aren’t afraid of change, especially when the soundtrack is produced by DC artists and fans of DC musicians, like you.
Ou Vous Sont Le Loup?
Le Loup (French for “the wolf”) was widely known as DC’s musical “success story” in 2007. Created in 2006 by Sam Simkoff, the music of Le Loup gained attention of many via MySpace, including that of Hardly Art-an indie label started by Sub Pop founder Jonathan Poneman in early 2007. Simkoff was joined later by several Craigslist recruits (six to be exact) to play one live show, and they were all signed shortly thereafter to said label. The release of Le Loup’s debut album, The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium Assembly garnered much praise by DCist; Brightest Young Things; and even nationally recognized outlets, including Stereogum-who named them a “Band to watch,” and NPR who described the album as “original and mesmerizing.” Le Loup was even named “Artist of the Day” by Spin.com.
Le Loup
Alt-rock
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06.21.09 |
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Christen |
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Featured, Reviews |