5 Acts: April 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Reigns

Little Big Adventure

Still Flyin

Paul And The Patients

MSTRKRFT

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

ticket giveaway: Junior Boys at Black Cat

Next Tuesday night it's going to be an all Domino night at Black Cat with Max Tundra and Junior Boys, and I've got a pair of tickets to give away. Just email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com with "Begone Dull Care" as the subject for a chance to win. I'll pick someone randomly over the weekend. Good luck!

Also, make sure to catch both acts on WOXY.com today. Junior Boys will be on at 12:30 pm ET for a DJ set and Max Tundra will be live in the Lounge at 1:30 pm ET.

Junior Boys on MySpace

Junior Boys on The Hype Machine

Max Tundra on MySpace

Max Tundra on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fitz & The Tantrums

Alligators

Hungry Villagers

The Temper Trap

Halloween, Alaska

Monday, April 27, 2009

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Glasgow, Scotland

Goddamn, I'm so in love with We Were Promised Jetpacks. Gotta wait a few weeks for the full-length - scheduled for June 15 in the UK from FatCat, July 7 in the US.

"Ships With Holes Will Sink"

We Were Promised Jetpacks on MySpace

We Were Promised Jetpacks on The Hype Machine

South Ambulance

Micachu & The Shapes

Japandroids

Crystal Antlers

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Cursive giveaway:
signed CD and poster

One week from tonight Cursive will be returning to Black Cat. It's a mainstage show with opening acts Andrew Wright and Man Man. Doors open at 8:00 and tickets are $15 in advance / $17 day of show. To celebrate their return to DC, I'm giving away a signed CD and poster. For a chance to win this fine package, just email me at 5actsblog at gmail dot com and the title of Cursive's new album as the subject. I'll pick a winner on Wednesday.

Here's the band performing "From The Hips" last month on Letterman.

Cursive on MySpace

Cursive on The Hype Machine

Wednesday at 9:30 Club: Bellman Barker

If you're looking for some hump day fun in the early evening this week, check out my buddies in Bellman Barker and Cage The Elelphant at 9:30 Club. Doors open at 6pm and tickets are just $10.

Bellman Barker on MySpace

Bellman Barker on The Hype Machine

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Passion Pit - The Reeling


Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of

Post War Years - Whole World On Its Head


M83 - We Own The Sky


The Answering Machine - Cliffer


Friday, April 24, 2009

Travels

Somerville, MA

I was a huge fan of Metal Hearts and Victory At Sea. In February, Anar (from Metal Hearts) and Mona (from Victory At Sea) put out their third album as Travels. The Hot Summer is dark and beautiful and recommended for everyone.

"Favorite People"

Travels on MySpace

Travels on The Hype Machine

Great Northern

Los Angeles, CA

It seems that Great Northern is all about continuing themes. Their first disc had "Home" and the new one has "Houses." Remind Me Where The Light Is will be in stores on Tuesday from Eenie Meenie.

"Houses"

Great Northern on MySpace

Great Northern on The Hype Machine

Maria Taylor

Los Angeles, CA

Maria Taylor tends to make me drowsy most of the time. Just on the edge of jumping onto the adult contemporary train. However, this one's pretty catchy.

"Time Lapse Lifeline"

Maria Taylor on MySpace

Maria Taylor on The Hype Machine

BLK JKS

Johannesburg, South Africa

I'm not really familiar with a lot of South African music, but this isn't what my narrow mind would expect.

"Lakeside"

BLK JKS on MySpace

BLK JKS on The Hype Machine

Arbouretum

Baltimore, MD

I became intrigued with Arbouretum last year after they did a split with Pontiak. Now I'm really enjoying Song Of The Pearl, out now from Thrill Jockey.

"False Spring"

Arbouretum on MySpace

Arbouretum on The Hype Machine

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Faunts

Edmonton, AB

So diverse and textured. Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. is one of my favorites for 2009.

"Feel.Love.Thinking.Of."

Faunts on MySpace

Faunts on The Hype Machine

Eagle And Talon

Los Angeles, CA

Missing the soothing sounds of Sleater-Kinney? Time to get some lady love from Eagle And Talon.

The Answering Machine

Manchester, England

I try to listen to "Cliffer" every morning to put me in a good mood.

"Cliffer"

The Answering Machine on MySpace

The Answering Machine on The Hype Machine

Immaculate Machine

Victoria, BC

High On Jackson Hill was recorded in a basement, but you wouldn't know that from listening. It's available Tuesday from Mint Records.

"Sound The Alarms"

Immaculate Machine on MySpace

Immaculate Machine on The Hype Machine

Speck Mountain

Chicago, IL

With sultry vocals like this, it's hard not to get completely lost in Speck Mountain. Some Sweet Relief is available now from Carrot Top Records.

"I Feel Eternal"

Speck Mountain on MySpace

Speck Mountain on The Hype Machine

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Boy In Static

Fol Chen

Jean On Jean

Obits

M. Ward

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Love Language - Sparxxx

tonight at IOTA: Headlights

Headlights will be in town tonight at IOTA with opening act The Love Language, who I'm equally excited to finally see. Show 8:30, tickets $12.

Headlights on MySpace

Headlights on The Hype Machine

The Love Language on MySpace

The Love Language on The Hype Machine

Monday, April 20, 2009

Deastro

Detroit, MI

We're not even halfway through the year yet, but I already have quite a few albums I feel could be my favorite. Moondagger from Deastro has been my most played so far and it isn't even out officially until June 23 (Ghostly International).

"Parallelogram"

Deastro on MySpace

Deastro on The Hype Machine

Kite In The Air

San Francisco, CA

Emma Lucia (Jed & Lucia) with production from Mark Reveley (Jed & Lucia, WZRDZ) and Mike Genius (WZRDZ). Pretty perfect.

"Filed Away"

Kite In The Air on MySpace

Kite In The Air on The Hype Machine

Papercuts

San Francisco, CA

You Can Have What You Want is available now. Tour dates below.

04/24 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
05/02 - Arlington, VA - IOTA
05/03 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
05/04 - Petersborough, NH - Glass Museum
05/05 - Winooski, VT - Monkey House
05/06 - Allston, MA - Harper's Ferry
05/07 - Brooklyn, NY - The Bell House
05/08 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
05/09 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
05/10 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
05/11 - Athens, OH - Union Bar and Grill
05/12 - Chicago, IL - AV-aerie
05/13 - Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room at The Crofoot
05/14 - London, ON - Call The Office
05/15 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
05/16 - Buffalo, NY - Big Orbit's Soundlab
05/17 - Pittsfield, MA - Copperworks

"Future Primitive (The Ruby Suns Remix)"

Papercuts on MySpace

Papercuts on The Hype Machine

Hair And Aino

Snow In Mexico

Sunday, April 19, 2009

tonight at IOTA: Heypenny

If you're like me and looking to prolong the weekend, there's no better way to do that than with a live music and lots of booze. Heypenny is at IOTA tonight with Polite Sleeper. Doors open at 8:30 and tickets are $10.

Heypenny on MySpace

Heypenny on The Hype Machine

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Papercuts - Future Primitive


Gliss - Morning Light

Gentleman Reg - We're In A Thunderstorm


Project Jenny, Project Jan - Junk

Michael Zapruder - Ads For Feelings

Thursday, April 16, 2009

new tune: BMSR

Graveface Records is now offering the Black Moth Super Rainbow's "Born On A Day the Sun Didn't Rise" single from Eating Us (out May 26) as a free mp3 download.

http://www.graveface.com/born_on_a_day_the_sun_didn't_rise.mp3


The deluxe CD version of Eating Us, featuring a 16-page art booklet and hairy summer jewel case jacket, is a limited edition. Graveface has set up a reserve list for fans to ensure they get their own.

http://www.graveface.com/eatingus.html

Also, look for the band's "Born On A Day" 7-inch single this weekend at participating Record Store Day outlets.

http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venues

Mew Announces New Album Title

Hmmm... not sure what I make of this...

Mew have announced the title of their new record in a messege to their fans on MySpace. See below:

Subject: No Title
once upon a time there was a band called mew. they made a record every third year. the records they made were made by them and they made the records and the songs for the release of the albums that they had once made. once upon a time mew made a record. the record was called:

No more stories
Are told today
I'm sorry
They washed away

No more stories
The world is grey
I'm tired
Let's wash away

Mew on MySpace

tonight at Rock & Roll Hotel:
The Life And Times

It's been a loooooong time since I've seen The Life And Times, but they're always so amazing live. Tonight they make their return to DC at Rock & Roll Hotel with Deleted Scenes and Medications opening up. Doors are 8:00 and the music starts at 8:30 (supposedly).

The Life And Times on MySpace

The Life And Times on The Hype Machine

tonight at Black Cat: Stereo Total

This evening at Black Cat you can catch a backstage show with Stereo Total and Karmella's Game. Doors open at 9:00 and tickets are $12.

Stereo Total on MySpace

Stereo Total on The Hype Machine

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Empire Of The Sun - We Are The People

James Yuill - No Pins Allowed

Ebony Bones - The Muzik

Black Dice - Glazin

M. Ward - Rave On

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Hockey - Too Fake

Datarock - Give It Up

Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line

St. Vincent - Actor Out Of Work

Maria Taylor - Cartoons And Forever Plans

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

WOXY.com SXSW 2009: We Have Band

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

tonight at Black Cat:
Title Tracks 7" Release Show

I can't wait for this one! Dischord celebrated the release of the new 7" from Title Tracks yesterday and tonight is the official release show at Black Cat. With both of her bands playing, local celebrity Merideth Munoz is ready to rock! It's a backstage show and doors open at 9pm.

Authorization on MySpace

Pash on MySpace

Title Tracks on MySpace

Also, please check out the interview Merideth did with herself over at Brightest Young Things. Yes, she interviewed herself.

"It has been a pleasure conversing with myself."

Brilliant!

Monday, April 06, 2009

Home Video

Brooklyn, NY

Home Video has their new EP available for free ---> http://
www.homevideo.fm.

"I Can Make You Feel It"

Home Video on MySpace

Home Video on The Hype Machine

Suckers

Brooklyn, NY

Suckers is a little different of a sound for this label, but naturally I love anything from IAMSOUND.

"It Gets Your Body Movin'"

Suckers on MySpace

Suckers on The Hype Machine

Telekinesis

Seattle, WA

No denying that this one was produced by Chris Walla.

"Coast Of Carolina"

Telekinesis on MySpace

Telekinesis on The Hype Machine

Like Bells