you're in the mix with nouveau riche.

Steve Bock and Andrew Wallace are two of the nicest guys I know. Also known as Steve Starks and Nacey, these fixtures in the District music and party circuit have put out an EP that packs the heat. The Starks & Nacey EP is an ambitious collection that manages to hit all the right notes. As DJs and producers, Starks and Nacey never fail to deliver innovative and fun material. Taking cues from house, electro, and hip-hop these tracks will keep you dancing. Recently, they have been generating a high level of hype, and hopefully they continue to receive the attention they deserve.


Be sure to catch them, with fellow Nouveau Riche DJ Gavin Holland, on the last Saturday of each month.

DOWNLOAD HERE

treat me like i fucking matter.

Emotion is what I notice right off the bat about The Laughing Man. This DC-based group puts feeling into everything they do and exude and air of living in the moment. Their show on Monday at DC9 was no exception. The simple set-up of one guitar, one bass, and one drum kit translates to elegance on stage, especially with the addition of a sax solo. At first listen, the music may seem to have a hard edge, but underneath there are many layers including influences of jazz, funk, and soul. This infuses the tunes with a bit of a retro vibe. The vocals sit in the front of the mix and add melodic pieces to a heavier background. Singer/guitarist Brandon Moses shows personality and raw passion with his role, while drummer Michael Harris and bassist Luke Stewart mesh well to keep the beat and increase the funky feel. All in all, DC9 was an intimate setting where the real elements of The Laughing Man showed through to reveal a unique band. I look forward to an interview with them in the near future.

The Paper Chase, from Texas, headlined. This noise rock outfit is definitely more loud and alternative than The Laughing Man. Though they are a bit more hardcore than what I usually choose to listen to, they put on a good and energetic show where the music really stood out.

[CROSSPOSTED ON READYSETDC]

walking back to you is the hardest thing that i can do.

After hearing snippets of The Jesus and Mary Chain for years, but not knowing who was behind the music, they came to my attention when I bought a Filter Mag in the summer of 2005. I was drawn to the article by the unique band name and I proceeded to read a fantastic interview with singer and guitarist Jim Reid. Since then, I have only become increasingly enamored with the Scottish shoegaze/post-punk band. From their formation in 1983 until their near-decade long disbandment in 1998, the JMC spanned a wide range of sounds and genres. The often volatile partnership between brothers Jim and William Reid was able to produce musical genius.


The JAMC's first two studio albums are vastly different from one another. Psychocandy (1985) begins on a semi-quiet note with the veiled "Just Like Honey," made especially brilliant by Bobby Gillespie's percussion. But, it is quicky noticeable that this album is all about feedback as it continues to build up. What makes it unique is that melody is never far from the forefront. No matter how much noise they made, the reverberating vocals and underlying gentleness still manage to show through. With Darklands (1987) came a shift to softer guitars and electronic drums. It has a much more mellow sound, but they executed the change with ease, losing nothing musically. In my opinion, it is often times more listenable than Psychocandy, but neither is inherently "better" than the other.

The following album, Automatic (1989), is a sort of mixture of the other two. It includes "Head On," which became a classic cover by The Pixies. Although it has not received as much attention, perhaps for its less abrasive and more synth-heavy approach, I still greatly appreciate the songs and sounds.

Notorious for short gigs and antagonistic shoegaze tactics, like performing with their backs to the audience, a Jesus and Mary Chain show was often enough to incite a riot. They were simply always a band who did what they wanted. That is, up until the drama became too much and William Reid walked off stage in 1998, angry that Jim was in no state to perform. Luckily, the brothers seem to have reconciled and they continue to exude their trademark effortless cool as they currently work on new music.

Links:
Never Understand (1985)
Just Like Honey live (1985)
April Skies live (from Darklands)
Take it (1989)

For extended listening, I highly recommend the compilation The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities (2008).

the wait is over baby, you're free to go.

California experimental/pop/rock group, dios (malos), make music that is both simple and good. The self-titled album dios (2004) has helped me through some recent sleepless nights. It is mellow and listenable, but still intelligent enough to hold interest. Who else can call to mind both Animal Collective and the Beach Boys?



My favorite song right now:

and it's all in the way that you hold up your head.

US Royalty, a DC based rock band, have so much local hype that any blog I write won't compare. But, after tonight's wild, Jameson-infused performance I really want to speak on one of my favorite district groups. Bringing in my own perspective, they are an extremely talented, friendly, and fashionable group of guys who are always down for some hijinks after a show.

The exact genre of their tunes is really undefinable because they draw from so many different influences. Hints of classic rock and R&B blend with pop-caliber hooks. They are very vintage to me. Live, they light up the stage, all working together to bring energy and create flawless sound. John Thornley's soulful vocals are reminiscent of past rock bands where it was actually important to be able to carry a tune. While John is handling lead vocals, keys, harmonica, and tambourine, his brother Paul is on lead guitar. Paul is one of the best guitarists I've seen and he also throws in backing vocals. Jacob Michael and Luke Adams contribute rhythmical bass and drums, completing the foursome.

US Royalty really seem to have the skills and drive to succeed on a great scale. They are definitely ones to watch. Check out their tunes on Myspace. Here is a video of my first favorite USR song, "Raincoats":



John Thornley and Ryan Wakeman also throw an amazing, chill weekly every Wednesday at Chi Cha Lounge.