5 Acts: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

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.

"Safari"

Absofacto - Tagalong EP

Absofacto on MySpace

Absofacto on The Hype Machine

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.

Mew on MySpace

Mew on The Hype Machine

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Kisses Over Babylon

Little Big Adventure - Happiest Times

Yeasayer - Ambling Amp


Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions


Fever Ray - Keep The Streets Empty For Me


Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Brunettes - Red Rollerskates

The Sounds - Beatbox

Moby - One Time We Lived

Ash - Arcadia

Little Girls - Youth Tunes

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

WOXY Lounge Act: Headlights

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.

Headlights on MySpace

Headlights on The Hype Machine

Sunday, November 22, 2009

CD giveaway:
Neil Young - Dreamin' Man Live '92

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

Neil Young on MySpace

Neil Young on The Hype Machine

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Wallpaper. - Gettin' Drip

Charlotte Gainsbourg / Beck - Heaven Can Wait

Dragon Turtle - Island Of Broken Glass


Atlas Sound - Quick Canal


The Most Serene Republic - Heavens To Purgatory

Friday, November 20, 2009

Lymbyc Systym

Free Energy

Bang! Bang! Eche!

Javelin

Omo

Berlin, Germany / London, England

"Tea Break"

Omo on MySpace

Omo on The Hype Machine

Thursday, November 19, 2009

CD giveaway: Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost

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

Zero 7 on MySpace

Zero 7 on The Hype Machine

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Lights On

San Diego, CA

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.

"John And Ann"

Lights On on MySpace

Lights On on The Hype Machine

Beat Radio

Bellmore, NY

Safe Inside The Sound is the latest disc from Beat Radio. This is the music that should be #1 on iTunes, not Owl City.

"Sunday Matinee"

Beat Radio on MySpace

Beat Radio on The Hype Machine

Drink Up Buttercup

Philadelphia, PA

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*.

"Even Think"

Drink Up Buttercup on MySpace

Drink Up Buttercup on The Hype Machine

ArpLine

Brooklyn, NY

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.

"Fold Up Like A Piece Of Paper"

ArpLine on MySpace

ArpLine on The Hype Machine

CFCF

Montreal, QC

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!

"Big Love"

CFCF on MySpace

CFCF on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Uninhabitable Mansions

Brazos

Ex Norwegian

Cast Spells

Hallelujah The Hills

Monday, November 16, 2009

Hurricane Bells

Tape Deck Mountain

Surfer Blood

We All Have Hooks For Hands

Flashy Python

Sunday, November 15, 2009

ticket giveaway:
Throw Me The Statue at Black Cat

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.

Throw Me The Statue on MySpace

Throw Me The Statue on The Hype Machine

Saturday, November 14, 2009

The Soft Pack - Answer To Yourself

Animal Collective - In The Flowers

Bishop Allen - True Or False

Chris Garneau - Fireflies

Casxio - Boiling Point

Thursday, November 12, 2009

ticket giveaway: Fool's Gold at Black Cat

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.

Fool's Gold on MySpace

Fool's Gold on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

ticket giveaway:
Jookabox at The Red & The Black

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.

Jookabox on MySpace

Jookabox on The Hype Machine

ticket giveaway: Mussels at Velvet Lounge

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

Mussels on MySpace

Mussels on The Hype Machine

Monday, November 09, 2009

CD giveaway:
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

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.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros on MySpace

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros on The Hype Machine

ticket giveaway: Deastro at DC9

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.

Deastro on MySpace

Deastro on The Hype Machine

Sunday, November 08, 2009

ticket giveaway:
Cold Cave at Rock & Roll Hotel

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.

Cold Cave on MySpace

Cold Cave on The Hype Machine

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.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able


Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications

Eastern Conference Champions - Sideways Walking

Reverie Sound Revue - You Don't Exist If I Don't See You

The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin

Friday, November 06, 2009

Drummer

The Swimmers

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Church

Maps

Thursday, November 05, 2009

MillionYoung

West Palm Beach, Florida

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.

"Weak Ends"

MillionYoung on MySpace

MillionYoung on The Hype Machine

Kite In The Air

San Francisco, CA

"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.

"Magic Marker"

Kite In The Air on MySpace

Kite In The Air on The Hype Machine

Jump Clubb

Beverly Hills, CA

"I was the first one in Brooklyn, so don't even try..."

"Spraypaint"

Jump Clubb on MySpace

Jump Clubb on The Hype Machine

My Milky Way Arms

Red Wire Black Wire

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

ticket giveaway: Amy Millan at DC9

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

Amy Millan on MySpace

Amy Millan on The Hype Machine

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

The Hidden Cameras on MySpace

The Hidden Cameras on The Hype Machine

Gentleman Reg on MySpace

Gentleman Reg on The Hype Machine

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

Spring Tigers on MySpace

Spring Tigers on The Hype Machine

ticket giveaway: Le Loup at Black Cat

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.

Le Loup on MySpace

Le Loup on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

ticket giveaway: Kurt Vile at Black Cat

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

Kurt Vile on MySpace

Kurt Vile on The Hype Machine

tonight at Black Cat: Real Estate

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

Real Estate on MySpace

Real Estate on The Hype Machine