new EP: Absofacto - Tagalong (Jonathan Visger of Mason Proper)
I got a great e-mail this weekend from my friend Jonathan Visger of Mason Proper letting me know about his newest EP under the moniker Absofacto. It's called Tagalong and I encourage everyone to check it out. I love it, obviously.
concert reminder: Mew at Constitution Hall (opening for Pixies)
Tomorrow night Mew is opening up for Pixies at DAR Constitution Hall. This is night #2 for Pixies here in DC and tonight's show was SOLD OUT, so better get your tickets fast if you don't have them already.
As most of you probably know, Neil Young's Dreamin' Man Live '92 is a complete live performance of Harvest Moon (before the studio version was actually released) taken from multiple solo acoustic performances. This one is out on CD December 8 and available on vinyl in January. If you'd like a chance at winning a copy, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject "Dreamin' Man Live '92." Contest ends Tuesday, December 1 at 9pm ET.
Track Listing: 01 Dreamin’ Man 02 Such A Woman 03 One Of These Days 04 Harvest Moon 05 You And Me 06 Hank To Hendrix 07 Unknown Legend 08 Old King 09 Natural Beauty 10 War Of Man
If you've had too much turkey and too much family time on Thanksgiving next Thursday night, step out to 9:30 Club here in DC for Zero 7. Door open at 9pm and tickets are $25. To celebrate this event, I have a few copies of their latest CD to give away. If you'd like a chance to win a copy from me, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with "Yeah Ghost" as the subject. Contest ends on Sunday (11/22) at 9pm ET.
Tour Dates: 11/26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club 11/27 - New York, NY - Terminal 5 11/28 - Boston, MA - House of Blues 11/29 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts 11/30 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live 12/02 - Montreal, QUE - Club Soda 12/03 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Concert Theatre 12/04 - Chicago, IL - Metro 12/05 - Minneapolis, MN - Epic 12/07 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre 12/08 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Aspen 12/09 - Salt Lake City, UT - Depot 12/11 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom 12/12 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market 12/13 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom 12/15 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre 12/16 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre 12/17 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
I cannot get enough of Lights On and I'm happy to hear they'll be putting out a new EP in early 2010. Tonight they're playing in their hometown of San Diego at the House of Blues with Peter, Bjorn And John and then again on Saturday in L.A. at the Nokia Theater. With tracks like "John And Ann" it's easy to see why they were snatched up as an opening act for PB&J.
Drink Up Buttercup was one of my favorite bands I got to see at CMJ, so I'm thrilled that they'll be here in DC tomorrow night at Rock & Roll Hotel playing in between Casper Bangs and Stellastarr*.
I think I've admitted before that I am greatly affected by a band's name. ArpLine is not one that really appealed to me, but I finally broke and I'm glad I checked 'em out. "Fold Up Like A Piece Of Paper" definitely shows influence from Animal Collective and the video for it will be out December 9.
CFCF has finally released his own collection of music. Continent came out yesterday on Paper Bag Records. And yes, "Big Love" is a Fleetwood Mac cover!
Thursday night welcomes Throw Me The Statue and Bishop Allen to the Mainstage at Black Cat with Darwin Deez opening up the show. If you'd like to go for free, email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with "Creaturesque" as the subject. Contest ends Tuesday (11/17) at 9pm ET.
Monday night (11/16) is going to be hot hot hot at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show and the bill includes Local Natives, Fool's Gold, and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. I think this one will sell out... (UPDATE: JUST GOT WORD FROM BLACK CAT THAT THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT!) ...so I'm happy to have a pair of tickets to be able to give out to one lucky reader. E-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject "Surprise Hotel" by Saturday (11/14) at noon for a chance to win.
In support of their latest disc, Dead Zone Boys, Jookabox will be here in DC at The Red & The Black on Thursday night. If you'd like to catch this one, email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Jookabox" for a chance to get free tickets.
Wanna hear new material from a great Brooklyn band here in DC? E-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com for your chance to see Mussels at Velvet Lounge on Saturday night (11/14) for free. Contest ends Friday (11/13) at noon. Good luck!
Doors 9pm / Show 10pm / 21+ / $8 The State Department Mussels Impossible Arms
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes continue to gain steam across the country with their live set. In honor of their DC show one week from tonight at Black Cat, I have a few copies Up From Below to give out to some lucky winners. E-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com and give me an outstanding reason why you deserve one. Contest ends Thursday (11/12) at noon.
And make sure to get to Black Cat early next Monday (11/16). It's going to be a stellar triple lineup - Local Natives and Fool's Gold are opening! It's a Mainstage show, doors 8pm, tickets $12.
Moondagger from Deastro is undoubtedly one of my favorite records of 2009. On top of being able to lay down amazing tracks in the studio, Randolph Chabot is able to effortlessly translate his unique style to the live performance. If you'd like to catch this performance at DC9 on Thursday with a buddy of your choice, please e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Moondagger." Contest ends tomorrow (Tuesday, 11/09) at 9pm.
The main act for this show is the equally enjoyable Max Tundra. Doors open on Thursday night at 8:30 and the show starts at 9:30.
Cold Cave is the main act at Rock & Roll Hotel on Friday night. If you'd like to go for free, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com by Wednesday (11/11) at 11:59pm with the subject line "Love Comes Close." Openers for this show are Lode Runner and Silk Flowers. Doors 8:30pm / show 9:30pm.
Ticket / Music Giveaway: Slumberland Records Celebrates 20 Years at Black Cat
Come celebrate 20 years of great music from Slumberland Records on Friday night at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show with doors opening at 8pm. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 the day of the show. However, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com using the subject line "Slumberland DC" by noon on Wednesday (11/11) and the first prize winner will get a pair of tickets for the show. Second prize winner will get a music prize pack (your choice of two CDs or two 7" records). Lineup for the DC celebration below.
Crystal Stilts Brown Recluse Pants Yell! Frankie Rose and The Outs The Ropers Nord Express Lorelei
More shows are in the planning stages for early next year. Early 2010 will also see the release of a series of compilations of rare and in-demand Slumberland albums from Black Tambourine, The Ropers and Henry's Dress.
A Brief History of Slumberland Records: Indie record labels aren't always noted for longevity, and in this as well as many other things Slumberland Records stands apart. Started in 1988/1989 as a collective effort on behalf of members of DC-area bands Velocity Girl, Big Jesus Trash Can/Whorl, Black Tambourine and Powderburns, Slumberland was inspired by such musical happenings as C-86, early Creation, Flying Nun, Postcard Records, K Records, Bus Stop, lower East Side noise, and the renegade art aesthetics of people like Cage, Burroughs and Duchamp. Slumberland's first release, the What Kind of Heaven Do You Want? 7" compilation from December 1989, staked out a unique place in the indie underground, marking the label as being equally concerned with noise and pop melodies.
Over the next 18 months, the first fifteen or so 7" releases spooled out in quick succession, introducing the world to the core DC-area Slumberland posse as well as sonic confederates from the UK and New England such as Jane Pow, Small Factory, HoneyBunch and Swirlies. Adding to the growing roster a series of influential releases by bands like Velocity Girl, Lilys and Black Tambourine, Slumberland was up and running.
Early 1992 saw the move of label principal Mike Schulman to Berkeley, CA and the label with him. Slumberland's first full-length albums from Lilys, Sleepyhead and Jane Pow quickly followed. During the mid-to-late-1990s Slumberland went from strength-to-strength, with well-received albums from Stereolab, Rocketship, The Ropers, Boyracer, Hood, Lorelei and Henry's Dress coming to define a crucial segment of the US indie underground. Slumberland wasn't easily categorized as indie-rock, noise-pop, post-rock or indie-pop; all of these sounds were represented and then some. The watchword was quality, and the reputation of so many Slumberland records from that era as classics is based on the label's "music first" policy.
As the '90s turned into the '00s, Slumberland continued to release classic records from bands like The Aislers Set, The Saturday People and Nord Express, but the dissolution of the core Slumberland bands and the grind of ten years of hard work took their toll and the release schedule slowed. While the label relaxed its pace, the indie world gradually caught up with the Slumberland aesthetic. Throughout the mid-00s bands claimed the Slumberland legacy as inspiration, and in 2006 the label was ready for another run. The last three years has seen an amazing spate of activity, with albums from bands like The Lodger, Sarandon, Bricolage and Liechtenstein leading up to the label's recent successes with Crystal Stilts, Cause Co-Motion! and The Pains of Being Pure At Heart. Slumberland is arguably more active than ever, and its knack for nurturing the very finest bands continues to both please old fans and charm a new generation of indie kids.
Hypnotic and super groovy... in the same vein as Memory/Weird/Tapes/Cassettes. Love it! A great big thanks to my good friend Beth from Danger Village for turning me on to MillionYoung.
"Magic Marker" is the first single and title track from the second EP this year from Kite In The Air. It's due out in two weeks from Zero Brains Records.
Amy Millan is probably most famous for her contributions to beloved Canadian bands like Stars and Broken Social Scene. She's released a couple solo records and she'll be at DC9 on Sunday night (11/08) in support of her latest, Masters Of The Burial. For a pair of tickets to this one, e-mail me by noon on Friday (11/06) with the subject line "Oh Amy, Don't Hate Me" to 5actsblog at gmail dot com. Looks like it's the final live date listed on her website as of now, so good luck!
Tour Dates: 11/04 – Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs 11/05 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 11/06 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bell House 11/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s 11/08 – Washington, DC @ DC9
ticket giveaway: The Hidden Cameras and Gentleman Reg at Rock & Roll Hotel
The Hidden Cameras are currently touring North America with labelmates Gentleman Reg and stopping off in DC on Saturday night at Rock & Roll Hotel. If you'd like to attend the show and take someone sexy with you, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com by tomorrow night at midnight. Please use the subject line "Origin:Orphan."
Tour Dates: 11/04 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge 11/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s 11/06 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall 11/07 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel 11/08 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 11/10 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl 11/12 – New Orleans, LA @ The Parish 11/13 – Denton, TX @ Hailey’s 11/14 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s 11/17 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah 11/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland 11/19 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill 11/21 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge 11/22 – Olympia, WA @ Northern 11/23 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door 11/24 – Victoria, BC @ Alix Goolden Hall 11/25 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Cabaret 11/27 – Edmonton, AB @ Avenue Theatre 11/28 – Calgary, AB @ Broken City 11/29 – Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo’s 11/30 – Winnipeg, MB @ Royal Albert Hall 12/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry 12/03 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
CD prize pack: Portland Cello Project and Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Friday night Black Cat welcomes Portland Cello Project and Thao With The Get Down Stay Down to DC. It's a Mainstage event with doors opening at 9pm. To celebrate, I'm giving away the latest CD from each act. For your chance to win this prize pack, just e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com using Thao's last name as the subject of the message. Tour Dates: 11/04 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom 11/05 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church 11/06 - Washington, DC - Black Cat 11/07 - Richmond, VA - The Canal Club Downstairs Lounge 11/09 - Atlanta, GA - EARL 11/11 - Houston, TX - The Studio at Warehouse Live 11/12 - Austin, TX - Mohawk 11/13 - Fort Worth, TX - Lola’s 11/14 - Lubbock, TX - Jake's 11/17 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room 11/18 - Tucson, AZ - Plush 11/19 - San Diego, CA - Casbah 11/20 - Pomona, CA - The Glass House
ticket giveaway: Spring Tigers at North Hall of Eastern Market
Maybe you're not familiar with Spring Tigers just yet, but now would be a great time to get to know this Athens group. They're playing here in DC at the North Hall of Eastern Market, and I've got a pair of tickets for one lucky person. For your chance to win, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com and name a former band any of the members of Spring Tigers have been in.
Tour Dates: 11/06 - North Hall of Eastern Market - Washington, DC 11/07 - Rivermont Pizza - Lynchburg, VA 11/08 - Clementines - Harrisonburg, VA 11/09 - Plaza Bowl - Richmond, VA 11/10 - The Cave - Chapel Hill, NC 11/11 - The Evening Muse - Charlotte, NC 11/12 - Flicker - Athens, GA 11/13 - The Warehouse - Jacksonville, FL 11/14 - Anti-Pop Fest at Backbooth - Orlando, FL
Wanna surprise your lover with a pair of free tickets the Le Loup CD release party on Saturday night at Black Cat??? Email me by 12:00 pm ET tomorrow (11/05) with the subject line "The Wolf" for your chance to win.
Wanna see Kurt Vile at Black Cat on Thursday night for free? Email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Childish Prodigy." I'll pick a winner by midnight for a pair of tickets. Good luck!
Tour Dates: 11/03 - Atlanta, GA - 529 11/04 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 11/05 - Washington, DC - Black Cat 11/17 - Brooklyn, NY - Europa 11/18 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Masonic Temple 11/19 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall 12/08 - Porto, Portugal Maus H�bitos 12/09 - Libson, Portual - Fragil 12/10 - Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Club @ Sidecar 12/11 - Madrid, Spain - Primavera Club @ Wurlitzer 12/12 - Den Haag, The Netherlands - State X New Forms Festival 12/13 - Dublin, Ireland - The Twisted Pepper 12/14 - Manchester, England - The Deaf Institute 12/15 - London, England - The Lexington 12/16 - Paris, France - Le Scopitone 12/17 - Brussels, Belgium - Les Ateliers Claus 12/31 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
Between NYC and DC, you'd think I would have gotten to see Real Estate by now. Not the case! Super thrilled to be catching them tonight at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show with doors opening at 8pm and tickets are just $12.
Tour Dates: 11/04 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie 11/06 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom 11/07 - Boston, MA - Great Scott 11/08 - Ithaca, NY 11/09 - Montreal, Quebec - Il Motore 11/10 - Toronto, Ontario - El Mocambo 11/11 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Cafe 11/12 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle 11/13 - Madison, WI - Der Rathskeller / U of W 11/14 - Iowa City, IA - Public Space One 11/15 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive 11/16 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court 11/18 - Seattle, WA - The Funhouse 11/19 - Portland, OR - Holocene 11/20 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock 11/22 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place 11/23 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland 11/24 - San Diego, CA 11/25 - Phoenix, AZ - Modified Arts 11/26 - El Paso, TX - Black Market 11/27 - Austin, TX - Mohawk 11/28 - Dallas, TX - The Cavern 11/29 - Little Rock, AR - Sticky Fingerz 12/01 - Atlanta, GA - 529 12/02 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 12/03 - Baltimore, MD
I got a great e-mail this weekend from my friend Jonathan Visger of Mason Proper letting me know about his newest EP under the moniker Absofacto. It's called Tagalong and I encourage everyone to check it out. I love it, obviously.
Tomorrow night Mew is opening up for Pixies at DAR Constitution Hall. This is night #2 for Pixies here in DC and tonight's show was SOLD OUT, so better get your tickets fast if you don't have them already.
Please tune into WOXY.com today at 3:30 pm ET for Headlights' first Lounge Act performance in the radio station's new home of Austin, Texas and their fourth session overall. Also, check out the band's awesome new video for "Love Song For Buddy" below. Wildlife is available now from Polyvinyl.
As most of you probably know, Neil Young's Dreamin' Man Live '92 is a complete live performance of Harvest Moon (before the studio version was actually released) taken from multiple solo acoustic performances. This one is out on CD December 8 and available on vinyl in January. If you'd like a chance at winning a copy, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject "Dreamin' Man Live '92." Contest ends Tuesday, December 1 at 9pm ET.
If you've had too much turkey and too much family time on Thanksgiving next Thursday night, step out to 9:30 Club here in DC for Zero 7. Door open at 9pm and tickets are $25. To celebrate this event, I have a few copies of their latest CD to give away. If you'd like a chance to win a copy from me, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with "Yeah Ghost" as the subject. Contest ends on Sunday (11/22) at 9pm ET.
Thursday night welcomes Throw Me The Statue and Bishop Allen to the Mainstage at Black Cat with Darwin Deez opening up the show. If you'd like to go for free, email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with "Creaturesque" as the subject. Contest ends Tuesday (11/17) at 9pm ET.
Monday night (11/16) is going to be hot hot hot at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show and the bill includes Local Natives, Fool's Gold, and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. 
In support of their latest disc, Dead Zone Boys, Jookabox will be here in DC at The Red & The Black on Thursday night. If you'd like to catch this one, email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Jookabox" for a chance to get free tickets.
Wanna hear new material from a great Brooklyn band here in DC? E-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com for your chance to see Mussels at Velvet Lounge on Saturday night (11/14) for free. Contest ends Friday (11/13) at noon. Good luck!
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes continue to gain steam across the country with their live set. In honor of their DC show one week from tonight at Black Cat, I have a few copies Up From Below to give out to some lucky winners. E-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com and give me an outstanding reason why you deserve one. Contest ends Thursday (11/12) at noon.
Moondagger from Deastro is undoubtedly one of my favorite records of 2009. On top of being able to lay down amazing tracks in the studio, Randolph Chabot is able to effortlessly translate his unique style to the live performance. If you'd like to catch this performance at DC9 on Thursday with a buddy of your choice, please e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Moondagger." Contest ends tomorrow (Tuesday, 11/09) at 9pm.
Cold Cave is the main act at Rock & Roll Hotel on Friday night. If you'd like to go for free, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com by Wednesday (11/11) at 11:59pm with the subject line "Love Comes Close." Openers for this show are Lode Runner and Silk Flowers. Doors 8:30pm / show 9:30pm.
Come celebrate 20 years of great music from Slumberland Records on Friday night at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show with doors opening at 8pm. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 the day of the show. However, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com using the subject line "Slumberland DC" by noon on Wednesday (11/11) and the first prize winner will get a pair of tickets for the show. Second prize winner will get a music prize pack (your choice of two CDs or two 7" records). Lineup for the DC celebration below.
Amy Millan is probably most famous for her contributions to beloved Canadian bands like Stars and Broken Social Scene. She's released a couple solo records and she'll be at DC9 on Sunday night (11/08) in support of her latest, Masters Of The Burial. For a pair of tickets to this one, e-mail me by noon on Friday (11/06) with the subject line "Oh Amy, Don't Hate Me" to 5actsblog at gmail dot com. Looks like it's the final live date listed on her website as of now, so good luck!
The Hidden Cameras are currently touring North America with labelmates Gentleman Reg and stopping off in DC on Saturday night at Rock & Roll Hotel. If you'd like to attend the show and take someone sexy with you, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com by tomorrow night at midnight. Please use the subject line "Origin:Orphan."
Friday night Black Cat welcomes Portland Cello Project and Thao With The Get Down Stay Down to DC. It's a Mainstage event with doors opening at 9pm. To celebrate, I'm giving away the latest CD from each act. For your chance to win this prize pack, just e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com using Thao's last name as the subject of the message. 
Maybe you're not familiar with Spring Tigers just yet, but now would be a great time to get to know this Athens group. They're playing here in DC at the North Hall of Eastern Market, and I've got a pair of tickets for one lucky person. For your chance to win, e-mail me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com and name a former band any of the members of Spring Tigers have been in.
Wanna surprise your lover with a pair of free tickets the Le Loup CD release party on Saturday night at Black Cat??? Email me by 12:00 pm ET tomorrow (11/05) with the subject line "The Wolf" for your chance to win.
Wanna see Kurt Vile at Black Cat on Thursday night for free? Email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with the subject line "Childish Prodigy." I'll pick a winner by midnight for a pair of tickets. Good luck!
Between NYC and DC, you'd think I would have gotten to see Real Estate by now. Not the case! Super thrilled to be catching them tonight at Black Cat. It's a Mainstage show with doors opening at 8pm and tickets are just $12.
