A Case of the Fridays

Here’s two mp3s to take with you into the new year. I’m really liking The Strohs’ new album, Bardo. It’s filled with rollicking rhythms topped with clever arrangements and interesting (but in a good way) lyrics. And it’s catchy, too. Take a listen...

* Got A Girl She's A Woman - The Strohs
* Elizabeth - The Strohs

A Case of the Fridays

Kanye West has been on many "Best Albums of 2005" lists - so here's a remix of "Diamonds From Sierra Leone," featuring Jay-Z.

* Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) - Kanye West, f/ Jay-Z

On Tap Launches Texas Roadtrip 2006

For the fifth year in a row, On Tap Magazine is organizing a promotion around the South By Southwest Music Festival and Conference, with their On Tap Texas Roadtrip. For the 2006 version of the contest, the magazine will be sending a singer/songwriter to the festival, which takes place in Austin, Texas from March 15-19, 2006. The contest winner will be selected through a competition that will take place every Tuesday night from January 10 through February 7 at the Austin Grill Silver Spring. According to the contest rules, each artist must play solo and all contestants will play three songs. At the end of each Tuesday night, a winner will be selected. Those winners will compete in the finals on Sunday, February 19 and the winner of the finals that evening will win a trip for two to the festival that includes airfare, hotel and an event pass. For more information or to enter the contest, send an email to [music at ontaponline.com]. All entries are due in to On Tap by Friday, December 23, 2005.

Holiday Benefit Shows

Two locally-based organizations, the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) and Hungry for Music, are each putting on a series of benefit concerts throughout the Washington Metro Area over the course of the holiday season.

The WAMA Crosstown Jam for Flood Relief concert series will help victims of Hurricane Katrina, focusing on musicians most hurt by the disaster. The funds raised will go to the Tipitina's Foundation and the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, who plan to build a musician's village. The concerts will be held at IOTA Club and Cafe in Arlington, VA and Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA on Tuesday, December 27 and Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg, MD on Wednesday, December 28. More details, including the artist line-up for each show, are available online at www.wamadc.com.

Hungry For Music's Holiday Benefit Concerts will raise money for the organization's ongoing effort to "provide musical instruments to individuals, schools, and community music programs who cannot afford them." The series began this past week with a show at IOTA Club and Cafe and continues with shows taking place on Saturday, December 17 at Potter's House in Northwest Washington; Sunday, December 18 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD; and Thursday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 28 at the Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. For a full list of artists and more details on all these shows, see the Benefits section of HungryForMusic.com.

A Case of the Fridays

No work for me this friday, and i'm in a guitar kind of mood, so here's a live 1975 jam w/ Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. It's 24 minutes of sweetness.

"Eyesight to the Blind/Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad"

A Case of the Fridays

Here’s two mp3s for the road, kids. First up we’ve got “Pure,” by Paul Kamran. Flowing and melodic, perfect for a drive through the country with the windows down. If you like what you hear, Paul Kamran and his band will be playing at DC9 this Sunday with Supercade and Boxcar Collision.

And we close out with a live version of Swedish band, The Perishers’ lovely song, “Pills,” with Sarah McLachlan. Sad and beautiful.

Six Points Music Festival 2006

Details for the 2006 Six Points Music Festival are now online on the festival's website. Last year's festival showcased over 40 acts at venues throughout the D.C. area. This year's festival will take place Thursday, April 6 through Saturday, April 8 at DC9, IOTA Club and Café, Jammin’ Java, Rock N Roll Hotel, Staccato Lounge, The State Theatre, Strathmore, Velvet Lounge, Whitlow’s On Wilson and other to-be-announced venues. The festival is now accepting submissions from artists through January 15, 2006 and the line-ups for this year’s festival will be determined by the festival Performer Selection Committee and announced in early March. MetroMusicScene.com and the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) are co-sponsoring this year's festival.

A Case of the Fridays

Two tracks for today. Susan Greenbaum took home the grand prize from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest with the rocking “Spin Like A Top.” She may be 4’11”, but she packs a powerful voice. Download “Spin Like a Top” on Washingtonpost mp3 here.

The second track, “Pass The Word,” is one of the best mash-ups I’ve heard, combining the Beastie Boys’ “Pass the Mic” and The Beatles’ “The Word.” Give it a spin.

Baltimore Music Conference: This Weekend

The Baltimore Music Conference originally planned for October 8th & 9th suffered through the torrential downpour that was brought on by Tropical Storm Tammy. Although the show did go on in some aspects as DJswere moved inside the Paradox nightclub to perform and stages were erected under the viaduct by many, theban, live acts, and some DJs had to be postponed as there was no way or where to accomodate them. The BMC has now made arrangements to host the 2nd segment at SONAR!

The conference itself features of 50 artsits, seminars, and DJs. A complete listing can be found at: http://www.baltimoremusicconference.com.

There are several MMS community artists that will be performing like Laura Burhenn, The Fallen One, Chrysalis, The big Hurt, and more.

BMC 2005 - LIVE!
December 3rd & 4th
SONAR..
407 E Saratoga St
12 noon until closing!
$10 at the door/$15 for the weekend