A Case of the Fridays

Well, my server is over its limit for the month, so no songs for this week. But I can say if I could divide myself into a VA-self and DC-self, Multiplicity-style, I’d hit the IOTA and Rock & Roll Hotel shows Saturday night.

Kicking off the night at IOTA is Getaway Car, albeit an acoustic version of the band, but I’m pretty sure the hooks should still be there, even if they’re unplugged. And I’ve been curious to see The Reserves after hearing alt-country-ish bits and pieces of their little gem of a CD. Honor By August closes out the night with their ready-for-radio modern rock.

That same night we’ll have the ultra-catchy power pop of Brooklyn’s Hello Tokyo (above) going on at the Rock & Roll Hotel in DC. Definitely an act to catch. Though I’m not sure what to make of the accordion-powered folk-rock opener, Golem, however.

The Sound of Webcasting Silence

Webcasters unite!

"On Tuesday, June 26, thousands of U.S.-based webcasters plan to turn off the music and go silent in a unified effort to draw attention to an impending royalty rate increase that, if implemented, would lead to the virtual shutdown of this country's Internet radio industry.

Internet-only webcasters and broadcasters that simulcast online will alert their listeners that "silence" is what Internet radio may be reduced to after July 15th, the day on which 17 months' worth of retroactive royalty payments -- at new, exceedingly high rates -- are due to the SoundExchange collection organization, following a recent Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision."

For the full story on this media event initiated by RAIN, go here. [thanks for the tip, Mike]

Prepare for the Swell Season

If you haven't already seen it, you should by all means check out the film Once. Starring Glen Hansard of the Frames, the movie is directed by former bandmate John Carney. Hansard stars as the unnamed busker and part-time vacuum repairman who falls for an unnamed Czech flower girl, played by Marketa Irglova, that he meets while performing. Guy and Girl tell the story of their budding romance through the songs they write and perform throughout the movie. Once is a quiet, gentle, earnest film that will make you feel better for having seen it.

Why am I writing about a movie, albeit a musically themed one, on a music blog? In an interesting music-movie tie-in, The Swell Season, the Hansard-Irglova side project that produced many of the songs used in the film, will be playing 3 concert dates in the States in late July. Swell season will commence on Thursday, July 26, at DC's own 9:30 Club in a rare seated show. Don't miss it.

Autism Benefit @ IOTA 6/26/07

This coming Tuesday, June 26, IOTA is hosting a benefit concert for the Vienna, VA-based non-profit, Autism Care and Treatment (ACT) Today at 8:00. The event features acoustic R&B songwriter, Eva Castillo, followed by funky folk-rocker Justin Trawick and then the PA-based indie-folkists Raise Up Roofbeams. All proceeds will benefit ACT, funding immediate, emergency, and ongoing services to children, adolescents and adults with autism.

A Case of the Fridays

This weekend will be bringing the heat, once again. Former local Brice Woodall will be back in town for a show at IOTA Friday, June 22. So we’ll start off things with his catchy modern rock track “Redwoods.” Haunting vocals soar over top of a chugging bass line and reverbed Edge-esque electric guitar. Give it a listen.

MP3: Redwoods – Brice Woodall

And we close things out this week with Rooney’s “When Did Your Heart Go Missing?” It’s packing 80s retro flavor, complete with synths and those bouncy irresistible choruses. If you like what you hear, Rooney will be at the 9:30 Club this Saturday, June 23.

MP3: When Did Your Heart Go Missing? - Rooney

2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival

Nah, the 2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival hasn't been moved to DC, but the schedule has just been released. No time like the present to book your flight to Austin...

A Case of the Fridays

It’s 90-degrees, so there’s no use in waiting. We kick things off with “I Should Be Lost Without You,” by David Condos. It’s a beautiful starry-eyed, dreamy pop song that soars along, carried by David Condos’ Chris Martin-esque vocals, chiming guitars and piano. If you like what you hear, David Condos will be opening up for Gasoline Heart at IOTA this Saturday, June 9th.

MP3: I Should Be Lost Without You - David Condos

It’s like stepping into a time machine when you slip on your headphones and listen to the Motown-y sounds of Ryan Shaw. It’s only 2:15, but it’s packed full of goodness, with the Stevie Wonder-esque soulful vocals, whirring keyboards, and little searing guitar fills. If you like what you hear, you can check Ryan Shaw out at Wolf Trap Wednesday, June 13th.

MP3: Do the 45 - Ryan Shaw

US Air Guitar Championships

Aight, kids, it's time to pick up your invisible axes and take to the 9:30 Club. Wednesday they'll be having the US Air Guitar Championships - at least the DC Regionals, for what that's worth. But I'm betting it'll be entertaining. Right? Now, the question is, what song would you air guitar to?

Wes Tucker & The Skillets / Laura Tsaggaris

Tonight, Tuesday, June 5th, Wes Tucker & The Skillets will be rocking the IOTA with their brand of soulful alt-country. Singer/songwriter Laura Tsaggaris will be opening the evening with a full band in tow. Check out the achingly lovely “I Just Can’t Share” on her MySpace page. And the whole evening is for a good cause - the show will benefit RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

MP3: Casting Stones – Wes Tucker & The Skillets