Archive
The Best Part of Waking Up
Still haven’t found your summer get away? Take a listen to Hot Coffee, Mississippi and travel to a bygone era without ever having to leave your home. After hearing the band perform at The Red and the Black on June 26, I imagine life in the real city of Hot Coffee, MS, to be simple, honest, and pure—much like the band’s music. With their own special blend of Americana, country and a little disco, the band falls somewhere in the musical spectrum between the Decemberists and Dwight Yoakam. Key to their success as a band is their ability to tell a story while fusing together the traditional and conventional with the modern and unanticipated—giving their music a “voice” all its own.
Hot Coffee Mississippi
Bluegrass
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07.09.09 |
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Emily |
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Featured, Reviews |
Cat Fight!!!
Summer is officially in full swing and that means Fort Reno is open for business. This venue is perfect for enjoying lazy summer evenings while checking out local bands for free. So when I heard that Meow vs Meow (MvM) was playing on June 24th, I got the blanket and picnic basket and settled in for an evening of great, live music. When I arrived, the lawn was scattered with people enjoying the beautiful day. Unleashed dogs were chasing Frisbees and children where dancing all the while the band supplied the perfect soundtrack.
Meow vs Meow
Alt-rock
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07.03.09 |
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Bryan |
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Featured, Reviews |
Once Is Just Never Enough
To know them, is to love them. The sweethearts of the DC music scene, Once Okay Twice formed in 2006 and have earned much critical acclaim and local success while working their way around town. They continue to successfully evolve as a band—due in part to necessity—which has been one of the main reasons they have been able to maintain such a strong fan base. Indeed, in some respects they have outgrown their earlier, self-proclaimed “DC party band” label and now take on comparisons to bands such as Kings of Leon and Bloc Party with their inspired blend of rock, pop, and chamber. Capturing their trademark exuberance and unfailing optimism, their songs such as “Welcome” and “Indie Soul” offer listeners dance worthy beats, flying chord combinations, and lyrics that encourage you to sing along as if they were your own songs. Add to that the band members’ refreshing and often unconventional styles with an intent love of life, and there you have Once Okay Twice.
Once Okay Twice
Alt-rock
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06.25.09 |
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Emily |
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Featured, Reviews |
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 |
Your Ace in Music
The four men of Tennis System are a disarming bunch of young fellows. Complete with polished looks, eager smiles and firm handshakes, they are ready to win over all of DC with their original rock music. The band performed live at The Red and the Black on June 2 and entertained a large crowd with their own style of exploding rock music.
Tennis System
Experimental
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06.11.09 |
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Emily |
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Featured, Reviews |