The Dreamscapes Project return with with Day 9 of the 12 Days Project - Bellweather

Our friends in The Dreamscapes Project are back with their multidisciplinary performance piece The Twelve Days Project.  The Day 9 single is Bellwether, an uptempo number reminiscent of chamber pop stalwarts Ra Ra Riot, The Arcade Fire and the Decemberists.  The prominent string arrangements, sudden tempo shifts and anthemic battle cry of "Let's Go" during the song's bridge highlight the depth and versatility of one of the DC area's longest-running bands.

As with other TDP songs, the band has commissioned local artists to create multimedia "re-imaginations" of this month's single.  This month's crew of re-interpreters includes Innovation Station producer Dave Mallen, local filmmaker Anne Wells of Lunatic Productions, and SOMNUS graphic artist Jakki Noir.

The 'Scapes will hold a benefit concert for the USO of Metropolitan Washington on Thursday, September 30th, at Bethesda's Union Jack's, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.  A suggested donation of $10 gets you a free drink and a raffle ticket to win great prizes.

Dear New Orleans Benefit Concert at the Black Cat - October 4 @ 8 p.m.

It should come as no surprise to the MetroMusicScene audience that New Orleans is near and dear to my heart, the city of my birth and where I spent most of my first three decades.  I had a chance to attend a Future of Music Coalition sponsored pre-release listening party for the Dear New Orleans benefit album, a project of the music non-profit Air Traffic Control.  So I am immensely pleased to announce that FMC, in conjunction with their Policy Summit, and ATC are hosting a benefit concert on Monday, October 4 at The Black Cat.  Details from our friend Jem Bahaijoub of ImaginePR:

FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION CELEBRATES

10TH ANNIVERSARY POLICY SUMMIT WITH

ALL-STAR BENEFIT CONCERT 

Featuring Bonerama, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Jenny Toomey & Franklin Bruno, Hank Shocklee (Public Enemy),  Jonny 5 of Flobots, Tim Quirk of Wonderlick (and half of Too Much Joy!), Rebecca Gates, Crossover Clarinetist Mariam Adam,
plus special guests!

"Dear New Orleans - A Benefit Concert,"  Monday, October 4, 2010, Black Cat

Washington, D.C.—National non-profit organization Future of Music Coalition (FMC) celebrates a  decade of  fighting for musicians this October with their highly engaging three day flagship conference. The 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit brings the brightest minds in music, technology, policy and law together to discuss the key issues affecting the entire music ecosystem. 

http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010

In addition to the conference, FMC and Air Traffic Control (ATC) are pleased to announce "Dear New Orleans - A Benefit Concert." The concert takes place at the Black Cat on Monday, October 4, and showcases several of the artists who contributed to the critically-acclaimed compilation, Dear New Orleans. The benefit album was produced by ATC to mark the fifth anniversary of Katrina and the floods. This D.C. show pays tribute to the city of music with one-of-a-kind collaborations between album artists and celebrated New Orleans musicians.

Since Hurricane Katrina, a diverse group of musicians have headed to the cradle of American music to participate in a series of artist-activist retreats produced by FMC and ATC and to learn firsthand about efforts to rebuild and sustain this vital city and its music communities. Proceeds from the album and concert benefit nonprofits working to support the region's unique musical and cultural traditions, and to restore and protect crucial environment and community resources.

Dear New Orleans can be downloaded here:

http://www.dearno.la/

"Dear New Orleans - A Benefit Concert." 

Black Cat, Washington D.C.

Doors at 8 p.m.

$20

http://www.blackcatdc.com/

Bonerama with
Damian Kulash of OK Go
Jenny Toomey & Franklin Bruno
Hank Shocklee
Jonny 5 of Flobots
Wonderlick (and half of Too Much Joy!)
Rebecca Gates
Crossover Clarinetist Mariam Adam
Plus special guests!

The benefit concert is one of numerous can’t-miss events at the 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit. which takes place at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from October 3-5. Speakers and presenters include T Bone Burnett (renowned musician, composer and producer), Chuck D (Public Enemy), Damian Kulash (OK Go) Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), Eric Garland (founder, Big Champagne Media Measurement), musician Erin McKeown, Ian Rogers (CEO of TopSpin), Tim Westergren of Pandora, independent label legend Tom Silverman of Tommy Boy Records as well as representatives from YouTube Music, Google, and Facebook.

The full list of confirmed presenters and panelists can be seen here:

http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010

The conference kicks off on Sunday, October 3, with a "Musicians Education Day" featuring presentations and interactive discussions on subjects ranging from fan analytics to direct-to-consumer case studies to the possible impact of health care reform on musicians. Artists and music entrepreneurs are sure to welcome Ariel Hyatt, who will present her sought-after “master class” on music marketing and social media on Sunday morning. 

On Monday October 4 and Tuesday October 5, programming will include presentations, interviews, and panel discussions about the future of the music industry, the government’s role in sustaining creative communities, artists as cultural ambassadors, and the viability of music delivery moving to “the cloud.” In addition, attendees will choose from nearly a dozen “supersessions” on topics ranging from international copyright issues to artist activism. 

For full details visit http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010

###

For further information please contact:

Jem Bahaijoub

imaginePR

A Virgin-Free Weekend Primer - David Bazan, Basia Bulat, Razzmatazz Dance Party & Daddy Lion

Looking for an alternative to the Virgin Craigs, errr, Free Festival?  Tonight, we have a doubleheader at the Black Cat.  David Bazan, the former Pedro the Lion frontman named one of the 100 Best Living Songwriters by Paste Magazine, headlines the Main Stage at 9:00 p.m. for a $15 cover.  If you haven't heard Bazan cover Radiohead's Let Down, you should stop what you're doing & Google it.  Heartbreaking doesn't begin to describe it.  If Sam Beam has made the Postal Service's Such Great Heights his own, then Bazan has done the same with my favorite Radiohead song.

Although DJ nights are normally a little outside our purview at MetroMusicScene, the Razzmatazz dance party taking place in Black Cat's Backstage bar is a hella lotta fun for those of us who remember the 80s (and those, who for reasons both chronological and chemical, don't).  If androgynous, danceable Britpop like Bowie and Suede, heavy on the Pulp, is your thing, check it out.  Doors at 9:30 and the cover is $5.

MetroMusicScene alumna Basia Bulat hitches her folky Canadian roadshow at DC9 tomorrow.  I didn't think folk could be accurately described as smoky or soulful until I stumbled upon the dusky-throated Bulat.  An incomparable voice and the chance to see an autoharp should be motivation to turn out for this show.  Doors at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12.

Another MMS favorite, the Metro DC's own Daddy Lion, are touring in support of their eponymous debut EP.  If you like your rock music fuzzy, complex and introspective, then Daddy Lion is the band for you.  Featured as an NPR Song of the Day in January of this year, the band has scored a coveted spot opening up for legendary J-Pop band Shonen Knife at the Rock & Roll Hotel tomorrow night.  Doors are at 8 and tickets are $15.  As an added bonus, the band has graciously agreed to provide MMS readers with a downloadable single from the Daddy Lion EP.

Daddy Lion - Divine

Mike Dunn & The Kings of New England

If you’re a fan of The Damnwells, chances are you’ll like the new album from Mike Dunn and The Kings of New England (Sundowner).

With a comfortable rasp in Dunn’s vocals (a la Alex Dezen of The Damnwells) and an anthemic quality to their rock, Mike Dunn & The Kings of New England have offered up an album that’s strong from start to finish, an uncommon feat these days. Hailing from Florida, their sound is influenced by a more traditional rock sound, along the line of Springsteen and fellow Sunshine Staters Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

MD&TKONE first came upon my ears a few years ago when I heard their track “Paper Candy” from their Edge of America EP. I loved the sound of it, and it made me want to keep an eye on the band and see what they’d do next.

Dunn wrote on their Facebook page,“I want to make windows-down music,” which perfectly describes what they’ve done. And I want to listen to it. Mike Dunn is on a solo tour, sans royalty, and you can catch him at IOTA tomorrow, Wednesday, September 15th.

MP3: The Promised Land – Mike Dunn & The Kings of New England

The Parlotones @ DC9 Tuesday

It’s not often that we get South African modern rock bands here in DC, but The Parlotones will be squeezing their stadium-sized act into the confines of DC9 this Tuesday, September 14th.

Already multi-platinum in their own country, they were one of the bands selected to play at this year’s World Cup, and lead singer Kahn Morbee was pretty geeked about it. “Pretty cool gig is an understatement,” Morbee recalled. “[It was the] most memorable show of my life, even though it was one song. Sadly all the players I was excited to see play really never sparkled-Milner, Rooney, Ronaldo, Torres and my favourite, ‘Messi.’ However there were still some amazing performances, and I enjoyed the vibe and period immensely.”

The Parlotones have yet to achieve the same success here in the U.S. that they’ve achieved in South Africa. But they’re hoping that’s to come with the release of their new album, Stardust Galaxies, and an American tour kicking off here in the nation’s capitol. Packing a pop-friendly punch with soaring, sweeping vocals by Morbee, they possess a grandiose sound that echoes bands such as James and The Killers.

It’s a strong CD all the way through, with songs ranging from the giddy energy of “We Call This Dancing” to the crooning balladry of “Fly to the Moon.” Still, Americans can be very fickle when it comes to embracing acts that are successful in other countries. “We write music that covers a spectrum of energies and we’d like to believe that it’s music that can resonate across borders,” says Morbee. ”Even if it doesn’t, we’ll certainly have fun trying.”

Words With Jesse Malin

Hailing from New York City, Jesse Malin and his Noo-Yawk accent bring the genuine, rollicking, ragged dirty rock you didn’t even know you were missing. He’s touring with a backing band, the St. Mark’s Social, in support of a new album of original material, Love it to Life, and it’s brought an added electricity and intensity to his performance. Check him out this Sunday (9/12) at DC9, and check out my email interview with him below:

A lot of acts distinctly take on the character of their hometown. How do you recognize a New York City flavor in your songs?
I've been born and bred in New York City–been playing music here since I was a snotty little kid. It's a transient town, it's a town, as Woody Allen says, "a dying city," but I see it more as a cat that has many, many lives. A lot of my songs deal with renaissance, redemption & the phoenix act. New York is a great backdrop and metaphor for the cycles.

Describe your music in three words using all nouns.
Lovers, leavers & believers.

On your previous tour, you came through the area acoustic guitar in hand, but for this album tour, it looks like you’ve revved things up with a rocking band behind you. Were you looking for an energy boost?
I dig the energy I get playing acoustic, but I like the gang-like feelings of being in a band. St. Marks Social gives a little bit more rhythm to my blues, plus we have Todd Youth on guitar.

Do you have any favorite tracks in particular off of the new album? (It’s OK, I won’t let the other songs know.)
Songs are like your kids–you love them all, but some days other ones treat you better. Today I'm feeling "Revelations," "All The Way From Moscow," and "Disco Ghetto."

What do you want to leave the audience thinking after your set this Sunday night?
That life can be hard & dark & sometimes seem meaningless, but the music and the gathering of people together connecting, even for a couple of crazy hours, can help celebrate this discontent, striving to make the most out of this mortal experience. Make shit happen, give love, get love, live outside the main. Do it now. PMA (positive mental attitude).

MP3: All the Way from Moscow – Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social

The Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit Wants You!

The Future of Music Coalition, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to education, research and advocacy for musicians, is holding their 10th anniversary Music Policy Summit October 3-5, 2010, at Georgetown University.  The summit unites recording industry artists and insiders with policymakers, technologists and representatives of the media to tackle issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and the law.  This year the conference will feature presentations by luminaries such as Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer T-Bone Burnett, OK Go frontman Damian Kulash (of my favorite video of the year so far), Tommy Boy Entertainment CEO Tom Silverman, Pandora founder Tim Westergren, Calexico frontman Joey Burns, and Wonkette founding editor and current GQ Washington correspondent Ana Marie Cox.

This year's summit will also include a Musicians' Education Day on Sunday, October 3, with presentations and interactive panels on subjects as diverse as fan analytics to direct-to-consumer marketing and the possible impact of health care reform on musicians.  Panelists will include Ariel Hyatt of Ariel PR and TopSpin Media CEO Ian Rogers.  These events will be invaluable to current or aspiring local musicians.

More information about the summit is available at the FMC site at http://futureofmusic.org/press/press-releases/more-amazing-speakers-announced-10th-anniversary-future-music-policy-summit.