Tilly & the Wall and Exit Clov at the Black Cat

Being generally familiar with Tilly & the Wall but not being what one would consider a fan, I wandered into their sold out show at the Black Cat wondering what I was in for. As an added bonus, local band Exit Clov was the first of two opening acts.

Exit Clov, their name a nod to Samuel Beckett's one act play Endgame, are a DC-area quintet led by twins Emily and Susan Hsu. They are often compared to the Canadian duo Tegan & Sara; I would find that comparison valid if Tegan & Sara had Chris Walla as a producer. Although their sound is undoubtedly similar by virtue of the twin lead vocalists, Exit Clov displays strong 80s New Wave and post-punk influences, with songs like MK Ultra demonstrating a Blondie-esque rhythm. Moving Gaza blends influences like the Talking Heads and Scritti Politti with a taut disco feel. Adding a Matt Pond, chamber pop element to their songs is the band's liberal use of violins.

I caught exactly one song of the Auckland duo the Ruby Suns before retiring to the bar downstairs. Their "emotronic", easy listening sound may be for some, but it wasn't really my cup of tea.

I'm not even sure where to begin with Tilly & the Wall. If you aren't familiar with them, you should be. Their sound draws equally from 80s bands like Bananarama, the Go-Go's and the B-52s. Aside from their sonic influences, their songs are reminiscent of Britpop bands like Pulp and Blur. Throw those ingredients in a blender, strain heavily through the rich Nebraska rock scene of the past decade from which the band emerged, and you have Tilly & the Wall. And yes, they really do utilize tap dancer Jamie Presnall (née Williams) as their primary source of percussion. Their stage presence is manic, like a harder and more chaotic Rilo Kiley (which shouldn't come as a surprise, since uber-producer and Conor Oberst collaborator Mike Mogis produced their last record). Smart, danceable, and unapologetically profane, their set was the most fun I've had listening to music since Stars at Sonar. Book your ticket now, or risk being left behind by the Tilly & the Wall express.

Juniper Lane Opening For Coldplay 8/3

Congratulations to DC’s Juniper Lane for scoring the opening gig at Coldplay’s August 3rd show at the Verizon Center.

A Case of the Fridays - Early Edition

It’s been a busy July so far, at least for some people, and we lead off with “What Should Have Been,” by Amy Sullivan & The Whiskey Darlings (above). It’s a sad, beautiful song good for shedding an alt-country tear in your beer and remembering those who aren’t around anymore. Love the string/pedal steel arrangements that tug on the heartstrings and delicate harmonies on the choruses. If you like what you hear, she’ll be at IOTA in Arlington Friday, July 25th.

MP3: What Should Have Been – Amy Sullivan & The Whiskey Darlings

And then we close out with Flo Anito’s “No Good.” It’s warm and jazzy, full of piano and bluesy organ fills, with lyrical phrasing that lazily wraps around the lines, creating a nice smoky atmosphere. You can catch her across the river at the The Red & The Black in DC Friday, July 25th.

MP3: No Good – Flo Anito

Bellman Barker @ Black Cat Saturday

DC indie-poppers Bellman Barker are back with a couple of new studio tracks on their myspace page (“Top of the Stairs” & “Two Bees”) and a big show at the Black Cat in DC. Good enough for you? They’ll be rocking out this Saturday the 19th with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Ha Ha Tonka. Go and give them a hug.

MP3: Two Bees – Bellman Barker
MP3: Glue Girls - SSLYBY
MP3: St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor - Ha Ha Tonka

Gasoline Heart @ Ottobar Wednesday

Gasoline Heart is going to be rolling into Baltimore’s The Ottobar Wednesday, July 16th. I finally picked up their CD You Know Who You Are a couple weeks ago at my favorite used CD store, and I’m glad I did. Lead singer Louis DeFabrizio has got a great rock and roll voice that’s a bit Vedder-esque. The guys can really throw down their share of triumphant Springsteen rockers with some nice Moon-y drums. Yeah, that’s a lot of big-name comparisons, but it sounds like they’d be a good time live.

MP3: Move Along – Gasoline Heart
MP3: Long Island – Gasoline Heart

Photo Credit

Vote For Coldplay's DC Opening Act

Yup, Coldplay is coming to DC’s Verizon Center August 3rd, you’ve got no choice about that one. But, you can help decide which local band will be opening for them. All the contestant bands have live videos up for your perusal, so go and vote at the website here.

A Case of the Fridays

We kick off things this week with a “Come Home” from the UK power-trio Back Door Slam. They’ve got a throwback bluesy rock sound that belies their ages. It’s a chance to catch guitarist/vocalist Davey Knowles stateside – and yeah, the kid can play. They’ll be at the Rock and Roll Hotel Monday, July 14th.

MP3: Come Home – Back Door Slam

And then on the poppier front we’ve got Jon McLaughlin’s “Beating My Heart.” This keyboard-based track has got a good bounce to it, as well as a nice lift in the chorus as McLaughlin’s lilting voice floats above it all. If you like what you hear, check him out at Jammin Java Wednesday, July 16th.

MP3: Beating My Heart – Jon McLaughlin

Photo Credit

Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons

I’ve really been digging Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons as of late. I love the way Chisel’s textured, smoky vocals effortlessly fit into the folky, Americana arrangements. Especially when Adriel Harris is singing harmony. The achingly lovely “Angelina” has been a favorite of mine for awhile, and check out “Home In The Woods” from their new EP, Cabin Ghosts below.

MP3: Home In The Woods - Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
MP3: Angelina - Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons

New Birdmonster

I’m really liking the new track from Birdmonster, “Born To Be Your Man.” It’s acoustic-based with a nice pub-rock bounce, and a touch of the cheerier side of The Cure, thanks to those reverb-drenched guitar-lines. Anyway, I’m definitely looking forward to them dropping their new album, From The Mountain To The Sea in August.

MP3: Born To Be Your Man - Birdmonster

David Ford @ West Mount Vernon Park July 3rd

David Ford becomes his own band, playing all the instruments, singing all the tracks at the same time, courtesy of this cool four-panel video style for the slow burner, “I’m Alright Now.” You can get your holiday weekend started early with David Ford – he’ll be performing a free show at West Mount Vernon Park in Baltimore Thursday, July 3rd starting at 5:30 or so.