The Run Down - Saturday February 23, 2008

There are some great shows today, and you better hustle if you want to catch one of them. Thrushes is playing Space 2640 here in Baltimore from 10am-12pm for a Rocknromp show featuring the author of Alternadad, Neil Pollack. It's all ages (duh). Later on tonight in Baltimore you can catch an amazing show at the Metro Gallery with Telesma, Aligning Minds, and DJ Knowledges. Down in DC Daniel Johnston plays the Black Cat along with Benjy Ferree. Finally up in Philly, you don't want to miss The Sw!ms, The Besties, Cordova, and Castles at the North Star.

mp3: Thrushes - Heartbeats --> website --> buy
mp3: Telesma - Immanence --> website --> buy
mp3: Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End --> website --> buy
mp3: Benjy Ferree - The Countryside --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sw!ms - We Need Lava --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Sunday February 17, 2008

Nothing like a good ole laaaaazzzyy Sunday. If you do happen to make it out of the house today, there are a couple of supremely good shows. The first being at a new venue in Alexandria, VA called the Lab. It's a all ages benefit show for Cal Robbins and features performances by Tereu Tereu, Bellman Barker, and Jawbox (On Cello). If you like electro pop travel on up to Philly to catch Freezepop, Boy In Static, and The Model at the North Star Bar. Or you can just relax on this mellow Sunday with some music.

mp3: Freezepop - Chess King --> website --> buy
mp3: Boy In Static - Skull (Sebadoh Cover) --> website --> buy
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore, Farmer John --> website
mp3: Bellman Barker - Charles Kil --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday February 14, 2008

Before I run down the list of ridiculously good Philly shows, I must mention a fine Valentine's Day show right here in Baltimore. The Lo-Fi Social Club is dimming the lights and lighting candles for Famous Lovers and the Soundscapes. Find someone and go to that show. If you're in Philly, you can't complain about the shortage of shows for the next couple of days. Today is no different. Johnny Brenda's has A Sunny Day In Glasgow, Remote Islands, and The Offering. North Star has Small Town Fires, Sounds Under Radio, Hey Angel, and The Armchairs. Finally the epic Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival continues at the Fire with a folkish night of These United States, Wes Matthews and the New Way Down, Extraordinaires, Birdie Busch, Hezekiah Jones, Bee Team, and Sister Three. Go. Love. Listen.

mp3: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - No. 6 Von Karman Street --> website --> buy
mp3: Remote Islands - Philadelphia --> website --> buy
mp3: Small Town Fires - The Abdomen Drum --> website --> buy
mp3: Famous Lovers - John Batt --> website --> buy
mp3: The Soundscapes - Here's When --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Slow Crows Over --> website --> buy
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Albert Hash --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday February 8, 2008

So you're bummed that you missed not one Vampire Weekend shows, but two Vampire Weekend shows. Well luckily today there are a few good ones to help you cope. In Baltimore you have the choice of two sure-to-be-awesome concerts. First up at the Lo-Fi Teletextile from NY (who I posted on here) plays with Photovoltic/Dygn, Cinemasophia, and Kadman. The other is the great White Williams who is smoking out the Ottobar with Ecstatic Sunshine. In Philly you can catch a great local show at the North Star Bar with the Major Leagues, Brown Recluse Sings, and Birmingham's own Wild Sweet Orange. Continuing the sold out theme of the week, catch if you can Cat Power at the Starlight Ballroom with Appaloosa. Have a good Friday!

mp3: Teletextile - Heartquake --> website --> buy
mp3: White Williams - Fleetwood Crack --> website --> buy
mp3: The Major Leagues - Fire --> website
mp3: Cat Power - Free (Diplo Remix) --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday January 5, 2008

Wow. That's all I can say about the shows going on tonight. At the Lo-Fi in Baltimore a serious rock and roll show is happening. There is no doubt that Le Rug, Pianowire, Screaming Females, and Abiku will tear it down. Also in B-more, the Talking Head plays host to Jason Dove & The Magic Whip, Prabir & The Substitutes, Frenemies, and Labianca. Up in Philly there are two great shows. At the North Star Bar, The What Monsters play along with Infinica, Falkonr, and Triggers. Finally at the Fire there is an amazing line up of bands including Drink Up Buttercup, Cheers Elephant, Ezra Furman, Hezekiah Jones, and Small Flightless Birds. Wow.

mp3: Le Rug - The Loveless Fuzz --> website --> buy
mp3: Screaming Females - Fun --> website --> buy
mp3: Jason Dove & The Magic Whip - End Of The Year --> website --> buy
mp3: Prabir & The Substitutes - Oh, Marie --> website --> buy
mp3: Labianca - Tracks --> website --> buy
mp3: The What Monsters - The Suburbs Of Hell --> website --> buy
mp3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed --> website --> buy
mp3: Ezra Furman - I Dreamed Of Moses --> website --> buy
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Nothing's Bound --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday December 21, 2007

If you're like me, there's nothing a good show can't cure. The only problem is when there is multiple good shows on the same night. That's the case today. In Baltimore, home town heroes Lake Trout take on the Ottobar with Gunwife Gone and Cocos Palme. Down the road at the Talking Head, Judd and Maggie play with Water School, Steve Hefter & Friends of Friends, and Quick Step John. You couldn't ask for a better show at the Black Cat in DC where Hammer No More The Fingers take the stage with New Rock Church of Fire, Velvet(CD Release), and Mas Y Mas. Up in Philly at the North Star Bar a fantastic band called Small Town Fires plays the North Star Bar with Evro, Betty Iron Thumbs, and Somerset Project. Finally also in Philly Brown Recluse Sings plays Johnny Brenda's with The Neighborhood Choir, Hermit Thrushes, Surefire Broadcast, and DJ Kyle Intensified. Enjoy!

mp3: Lake Trout - Sounds From Below --> website --> buy
mp3: Judd & Maggie - Hunger --> website --> buy
mp3: Water School - Whole Town --> website --> buy
mp3: Hammer No More The Fingers - Fall Down, Play Dead --> website --> buy
mp3: Small Town Fires - Pink Pixels --> website --> buy
mp3: Brown Recluse Sings - Rainy Saturday --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday November 30, 2007

November's going out with a bang. Well in the Baltimore/DC/Philly area it is. As I said yesterday, if you missed M.I.A. at the 9:30 last night in DC, be sure to check out her set at Sonar tonight in Baltimore. If you're traveling north, why not swing by North Star, where Via Audio, The High Strung, and The Teeth are playing. Finally if you want even more great indie rock then drop down to DC where Ra Ra Riot, These United States, and Jukebox The Ghost will be tearing down the Rock and Roll Hotel. Good Times!

mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - The Business --> website
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost Good Day (Andrew Maury Remix) --> website --> buy
mp3: M.I.A. - You're Good (Diplo Mix) --> website --> buy
mp3: Via Audio - Modern Day Saint --> website --> buy