A Case of the Fridays

That’s right, kids, it’s finally Friday, and it’s time to party…Bloc Party, that is. Sorry, couldn’t resist that one. Anyway, I’m really digging the anthemic sound and vaguely 80s English flavor that seems to resonate throughout Bloc Party’s “I Still Remember.” Take a listen.

MP3: I Still Remember – Bloc Party

And so we close out with “Blue Ribbon Baby,” by local act Alec Gross (above). It’s a beautiful acoustic song, driven only beautifully layered male and female vocals and acoustic guitar. Alec Gross & The Districts will be at Galaxy Hut this Saturday, January 27th.

MP3: Blue Ribbon Baby - Alec Gross

2007 DC Counter Culture Festival

This Saturday, January 27th, the second DC Counter Culture Festival will be going on at Dr. Dremo's in Arlington. There will be a mix of arts, crafts, food, alcohol, and music starting at 4:00 (see the schedule for details). Music acts such as Death By Sexy and Cutest Puppy in the World will be playing at this festival hosted by the DC Conspiracy.

Coachella Reunions

In case you're planning on flying out to Cali from DC in April (27-29) for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, reunions seem to be the theme. Both Rage Against the Machine and Crowded House supposedly playing reunion sets. The full lineup is here.

A Case of the Fridays

It was a short week, but my new job definitely kept things busy, at least for me. Anyway, we kick things off with “Forty,” by John Eddie. It’s rollicking, swaggering guitar rock with clever lyrics that proudly celebrate getting older – or at least being only as old as you feel. You can see John Eddie rock the house at IOTA this Sunday, January 21st.

MP3: Forty - John Eddie

Yep, it’s American Idol season again, so let’s close out with Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino’s “Hood Boy.” It’s got some head bobbing beats paired along with her distinctive raspy growl. And check out Big Boi of Outkast on the guest verse at the end.

MP3: Hood Boy – Fantasia (f/ Big Boi)

A Case of the Fridays

The week is almost up, and it’s about time, frankly. So let’s get on with it, beginning with “Elizabeth,” by The Strohs. It’s a catchy pop number featuring tight harmonies and cool instrumental arrangements, complete with keys and horns. And if you like what you hear, The Strohs will be at IOTA Tuesday, January 16th.

MP3: Elizabeth – The Strohs

Yeah, it’s disco-y, but damn, Under the Influence of Giants’ “In the Clouds” has a beat and a half! With vocals that nearly rival the falsetto of The Darkness at times, this song really lights it up on choruses that rock the party that rocks that body. Give it a listen.

MP3: In the Clouds – Under the Influence of Giants

New Wammies Award Announced

The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) has just announced a new award, the "Fan's Favorite" Award, to be presented at the 21st annual Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies) ceremony.

Cast your vote for your favorite band or artist by Friday, February 2, 2007. You don't have to be a WAMA member to vote for the "Fan's Award,"or to win a Wammie. The artist with the most fan votes wins. Click here to vote.

The Washington Area Music Awards recognize significant career achievements by area musicians. Nominations and balloting come from the WAMA membership. Past show participants include Emmylou Harris, Joan Jett, The Clovers, Bo Diddley, Jorma Kaukonen, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Jimmy Dean. The Wammies will take place on Sunday, February 18th at the State Theatre in Falls Church, VA. To order tickets online click here.

WAMA is a non-profit tax exempt organization of music industry professionals committed to raising the profile of the region's diverse music community. WAMA's main goal is to promote Washington area music in general and to achieve national recognition of the region as an important center for live and recorded music. Just as the nation's capital is comprised of a rich cross section of cultures, WAMA's membership embraces all musical styles from classical, bluegrass, go-go, R&B, and reggae, to rock, jazz and folk.

Only WAMA members can vote for Washington Area Music Award winners (Other than the "Fan's Favorite" award which non-members can vote for here.) so apply for your membership today and help make a difference in the Washington DC area music scene. Click here for the list of this year's Wammie award nominees . As with any voting process, the more people who participate, the more representative the results. Your vote is very important. Even if you are only familiar with a handful of artists in just a few categories, send in your ballot - it counts. Please consider these 2 things when voting: Who had the most significant career gains during the past year; AND excels at their craft. Deadline: Ballots must be received by WAMA no later than 5PM , Friday, January 12, 2007 .

To learn about the other benefits of joining WAMA, check out the About WAMA page. Membership is only $30.00 per year. Your membership and donations are tax deductible. Click here to fill out the WAMA Membership Application.

A Case of the Fridays

Finally, we’re into 2007! Funny, it feels a little bit like 2006. Anyway we open up this week (and this year) with Hotspur’s “Young & Reckless.” It’s a glorious ball of pounding drums, high energy, urgent vocals and tasty hooks. And if you like what you hear, they’ll be bringing their hyper-kinetic live show to IOTA Friday night, January 5th.

MP3: Young & Reckless - Hotspur

And we close out with “Wishing Well” – Not the song by Terence Trent D’Arby, mind you, but a different track by The Airborne Toxic Event. The eighties-flavored pulsing beat and whirring keys whisk the song along, as the vocals are delivered with a hint of English flavor. Take a listen.

MP3: Wishing Well – The Airborne Toxic Event

Strathmore Announces Local Performer Auditions for 2007-2008 Season

Strathmore (Bethesda, MD) is currently seeking talented, local performers in the Washington D.C. area (including Maryland and Virginia) to apply for auditions. These auditions will identify performers for concerts and festivals presented by Strathmore throughout the 2007-2008 season.

Interested musicians should send a package including:
1. CD
2. Biography
3. Performance history of the last 18 months

Please send to the attention of the Strathmore Local Performer Auditions, Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. Packages should be postmarked no later than Friday, January 26, 2007. Incomplete packages will not be considered.

Artists selected from the initial application period will be contacted for live auditions at Strathmore on April 2, 4, or 5. The auditions are open to residents of Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Musicians of all ages and musical interests are invited to submit materials.

For more information, please call (301) 581-5237 or visit www.strathmore.org. There is no charge to apply.

Strathmore, a 23-year old established presenter and destination, nurtures art, artists, and community through creative and diverse programming of the highest quality. Strathmore is supported in part by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

Black Cat on Playboy's List

DC music venue Black Cat has gotten some national recognition, making Playboy's list of "America's 10 Best Rock Clubs." Brooklyn Vegan has more details, as well as the link, in the post here.

-12 Galaxies, San Francisco, CA
-Black Cat, Washington D.C.
-Cake Shop, New York, NY
-Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
-The Earl, East Atlanta, GA
-The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
-Emo's, Austin, TX
-Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
-First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
-Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Smoking Ban in D.C.

Beginning today, D.C. bars and nightclubs will be smoke-free.