The Cursive Army wants YOU at the Black Cat - Sunday 5/3

Have you ever wanted to break free of the shackles of modern life and return to a more primitive and simpler time? If so, you have a kindred spirit in Tim Kasher, the howling walking Id of a frontman of Nebraska post-hardcore outfit Cursive. The band is touring in support of Mama, I'm Swollen, their latest album for Saddle Creek records. On the album, Kasher channels the spiritual and emotional angst of an unwilling participant in modern life who consciously longs for a more authentic and visceral existence. Come on out to the Black Cat on Sunday and prepare to howl at the moon.

MP3: From the Hips - Cursive

Photo courtesy of the band and Wendy Lynch Redfern

Noah & the Whale at the Black Cat - Saturday 5/2

English folk rockers Noah and the Whale bring their jangly and spirited road show to the Black Cat on Saturday, May 2nd. Oft-compared to Neutral Milk Hotel, the band evokes complex themes in their vivid yet deceptively simple songs. Lead singer Charlie Fink's warbling calls to mind the singsong quality of Clem Snide's Eef Barzelay.

Photo courtesy of the band and 230 Publicity

Modern Skirts @ Black Cat Thursday 4/23

Athens (GA, not Greece) indie-poppers Modern Skirts will be at Black Cat this Thursday, April 23rd, supporting their new album, All of Us In Our Night. They’ve got a lush sound, mixing in some electronics in with their keys here and there, often times taking off on rather unexpected chord progressions, for better or worse. Lead singer Jay Gulley seems comfortable in his higher range, and gets some help from his friends, as all of the members of the band contribute to their tight vocals.

MP3: Like Lunatics - Modern Skirts

Photo: Jacquelyn Pierson

Daniel Lee / CD Release in College Park

Soulful and slinky-voiced singer-songwriter and guitarist Daniel Lee has got a new album coming out, Decibel Lustre. His stuff generally isn’t the typical singer-songwriter fare, yet he finds a way to still keep things melodic, interesting and groovy. He’s got a CD release party out in College Park, MD at a home show (4603 Harvard Rd, College Park, MD). Check out the video to “Bottleneck” from his new album above…

Wes Tucker & The Skillets CD Release Saturday

Local alt-country act Wes Tucker & The Skillets are having a CD release party for their new album The Scorpion and the Dove this Friday, April 17th at IOTA in Arlington. It’s a well-crafted, balanced effort throughout, with thoughtful lyrics and soulful vocals a la Ben Harper style. The band is especially tight, and Arch Alcantara’s lead guitar work shines when given a chance to stretch his chops on tracks like “Good To Go.”

MP3: Good To Go – Wes Tucker & The Skillets

photo by Alicia Daugherty

Not If You Were the Last Dandy on Earth...

Frequent Dandy Warhol collaborators, sometime friends, and occasional antagonists The Brian Jonestown Massacre bring their neo-psychedelic brand of world-tinged rock to the 9:30 Club tonight. The BJM is the brainchild of Anton Newcombe, a profilic multi-instrumentalist whose famous talent and infamously difficult personality are somewhat legendary in the music industry. Probably best known for being profiled in Ondi Timoner's 2004 documentary DiG!, the BJM is one band not to miss, if for nothing else than the chance to witness bedlam break out onstage.

All joking aside, the BJM is one fantastically talented band and a compelling spectacle, filtering shoegaze, late 60s psychedelia, and late 70s post-punk/New Wave into a sonic assault that incorporates influences and instruments from around the world. Newcombe allegedly plays upwards of 80 instruments, and is involved in everything from playing to mixing and engineering his compositions. Courtney Taylor of the Dandies credits Anton with pushing him creatively during their bands' intertwined early years, and notable alums of the BJM include Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Peter Hayes. Longtime BJM members Matt Hollywood and Joel "Spokesman of the Revolution" Gion are expected to be among the band's touring lineup.

Photo courtesy of the band

Chuck Mangione Donates Items To Smithsonian

Jazz legend Chuck Mangione was in DC yesterday donating a bunch of his music memorbilia to the Smithsonian - items included his signature hat, music scores, and an animation cell from “King of the Hill.” And best of all, he even found time to have a quick little interview with me. Check it out over here. If you’re not quite sure who he is, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll recognize his smooth jazz mega-hit “Feels So Good” above.

A Case of the Fridays

We kick off this week with Running With Giants’ track “Stars.” It’s a tasty slice of pop punk, complete with buzzy guitars, pounding beat and especially strong female vocals. If you like what you hear, Running With Giants (above) will be at the Sterling Community Center this Saturday, April 4th.

MP3: Stars – Running With Giants

And we close out with a live version of “Memphis,” by Michael Jantz & The Davenports. Yeah, it’s an acoustic arrangement, but it’s done right; it sucks you right in and gets your foot tapping and Jantz’s vocals are strong and very likeable. If you like what you hear, Michael Jantz & The Davenports will be doing the acoustic quartet thing at The Red & The Black in DC Wednesday April 8th.

MP3: Memphis (live) – Michael Jantz & The Davenports