I love my job - Arden and Georgie James at UMBC

Sometimes I really love going to work. Saturday's in April when its 80 degrees and awesome bands will play live music all day are certainly included in that category. Last Saturday was "Quadmania" at UMBC; Our big spring festival. Its usually at least entertaining, but this year included a bunch of really amazing campus and local acts, including Arden and Georgie James.

I'd seen Arden once before, but for only about five minutes, so this was my first valid impression of them, and the impression is FUN. Arden will likely be compared to fellow B-more band Karmellas Game, what with the female singer who play some keys, but this is not a copycat band. Arden has the full package. Great drums, tight bass, exceptional guitars, and of course, intriguing vocals. They are energetic and captivating. Catch them at Fletcher's this Friday, April 25th or the Brass Monkey on May 3rd.

Mp3: Arden - Kiss & Make Up --> Website --> Buy


Closing the night was D.C.'s Georgie James. Our admiration for GJ has already been stated HERE, but this was my first chance to catch them live. And it was glorious. Playing an acoustic set actually showcased how talented GJ are. Often when you strip a band down to its core, it can be disappointing, but GJ were well within their element. They were loose and were clearly amused by all the weird noises coming from the surrounding carnival rides. Laura Burhenn's vocals really matched the feel of the night. It was warm and blustery, and her voice sounds like a warm spring breeze, refreshing and liberating. A great performance indeed.

For those lucky people at Western Kenturcky University, GJ are playing w/Army of Me and Martin Royle & Pash on April 29th. Enjoy Washington D.C.'s finest in your back yard.

Long Week


mp3: Georgie James - More Lights --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - Hard Feelings

Lots more pix from both shows are HERE

The Run Down - Saturday April 5, 2008

Saturday's are always pretty grand and this one keeps the tradition going. In Baltimore there's a phenomenal show at the Talking Head with HEALTH, Ponytail, Ecstatic Sunshine, and Videohippos. In DC there's three dynamite events. The Black Cat has Georgie James, Tereu Tereu, and Olivia Mancini and The Housemates, while the Rock and Roll Hotel has Kelly Stoltz, Julie Ocean, and the Dirtbombs, and finally DC9 has Bellman Barker, My Robot Friend, and Wooly Mammoth. In Philly don't miss Ambulance LTD, Bear Hands, Will Light at the North Star.

mp3: Georgie James - Cake Parade --> website --> buy
mp3: Julie Ocean - At The Appointed Hour --> website --> buy
mp3: Ambulance LTD - Ophelia --> website --> buy
mp3: Bear Hands - Bad Blood --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Two Bees --> website --> buy
mp3: My Robot Friend - My Robot High School --> website --> buy
mp3: HEALTH - Crimewave --> website --> buy
mp3: Videohippos - Narwhals --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday March 19, 2008

Holy crap! It's a jam packed Wednesday for local shows. Here in Baltimore, Georgie James, The Courtesy Line, and Gary B and the Notions play the Ottobar and don't miss Stars at Sonar. In DC, The Cribs, Ra Ra Riot, and Jeffrey Lewis & The Jitters play the Black Cat, Holy Fuck, A Place To Bury Strangers, and Sons & Daughters play the Rock and Roll Hotel, and The Most Serene Republic, Miracle Fortress, and Liam Finn play DC9. Finally in Philly, Tilly and The Wall, Capgun Coup., and The Bee Team play the First Unitarian Church.

mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Ghost Under Rocks --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - More Lights --> website --> buy
mp3: The Courtesy Line - The Lake --> website --> buy
mp3: Holy Fuck - Royal Gregory --> website --> buy
mp3: A Place To Bury Strangers - I Know I'll See You --> website --> buy
mp3: The Most Serene Republic - Why So Looking Back --> website --> buy
mp3: Miracle Fortress - Have You Seen In Your Dreams --> website --> buy
mp3: Liam Finn - Lead Balloon --> website --> buy
mp3: Stars - Reunion --> website --> buy
mp3: Tilly and the Wall - The Freest Man (CSS Remix) --> website --> buy

If You're Going To SXSW....

There's a couple of SXSW shows that feature bands that we enjoy greatly at Pasta Primavera. If you're heading out that way in March, be sure to check out Georgie James, Le Loup, Pash, Middle Distance Runner, These United States, Carol Bui, Jukebox The Ghost, and Exit Clov at the Cream Vintage Store on the 13th. The address is 2532 Guadalupe Street. Another band that we adore playing SXSW is Ravens & Chimes. They hit the SXSW day stage on the 13th and a showcase at Club Deville on the 14th. If you catch either of these shows, please feel free to let us know how it went.

mp3: Georgie James - You Can Have It --> website --> buy
mp3: Le Loup - Planes Like Vultures --> website --> buy
mp3: Pash - 1000 Cranes --> website --> buy
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Monochrome Boys --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Diving Boards Pointed At The Sky --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - Working Class Hero --> website --> buy
mp3: Ravens & Chimes - General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone! --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday December 15, 2007

It's Saturday and many glorious shows await you! First off why not take a drive up to the city of brotherly love to see Illinois rock your screendoor off with Ian Hunter at the Trocadero. There's a great hip hop act with Flex Mathews at the Velvet Lounge in DC. Finally there's the mega Washington Social Christmas show at the 9:30 club sponsored by SPIN and BrightestYoungThings.com. The line up includes Laura Burhenn of Georgie James, Jukebox The Ghost, Caverns, The Dance Party, Exit Clov, and more!

mp3: Illinois - Nosebleed --> website --> buy
mp3: Flex Mathews - B.P.M. --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - Violent Berries --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - Long Week --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day (Andrew Maury Remix) --> website --> buy

I Can't Complain About Georgie James

There seems to be an abundance of great pop music out there these days. That's great for everyone, but sometimes a band can be over looked. Don't let that happen with Georgie James. The pop duo of John Davis and Laura Burhenn has released their first full length this year on Saddle Creek entitled Places, and it struck me from the first note to the last. Places is filled with vivid lyrics, catchy melodies, and gorgeous instrumentation. Overall they remind me somewhat of the New Pornographers. Not so much as their sound, but the combination of two strong song writers fusing their musical styles together to form a indie pop masterpiece. If you are looking for well-crafted, intelligent pop music, it doesn't get any better than Georgie James.

mp3: Georgie James - More Lights --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - Hard Feelings

Be sure to check them out on New Years Eve at the Rock and Roll Hotel!