The Run Down - March 27, 2008

If you have a ton of energy and are looking to vent it somewhere, might I suggest the Lo-Fi Social Club in Baltimore. There you'll find the high octane performances of Matt & Kim, The Death Set, The Pharmacy, Naked on the Vague, and Soiled Mattress & The Springs. If you look for a much calmer, yet still entertaining evening perhaps mosey your way down to the Black Cat in DC to see Xiu Xiu, Thao With The Get Down Stay Down, and Chris Garneau.

mp3: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Feet Asleep --> website --> buy
mp3: Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah --> website --> buy
mp3: The Death Set - Had A Bird --> 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

A Remix & The Run Down - Saturday February 9, 2008

Finally it has happened. When I first popped in MGMT's super great fantastic album Oracular Spectacular, I had two thoughts. The first was, "Dang this is the bee's knees!" The second was, "There's gonna be some killer remixes of this." Sadly I waited and waited, checked the hype machine, checked my email, checked my mailbox, but nothing....until last night. I received an email last night containing the first remix of MGMT's Kids blended with DFA 1979. It's great. Check it.

mp3: Peter Dragontail - KFA 1979 (Power Of The Dragon Edit) --> myspace

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As far as shows are concerned, there's many great ones tonight. At Johnny Brenda's in Philly, White Williams smokes out another venue with Ecstatic Sunshine and Rings. In Baltimore you have the choice of going to the Lo-Fi to check out The City Veins and Lights Resolve or heading down to the Metro Gallery for The Squaaks, Baby Aspirin, and Goldbug. Enjoy.

mp3: White Williams - Route To Palm
mp3: Rings - You Remind Me (Ruby Beats Remix)
mp3: The City Veins - Toe The Line
mp3: The Squaaks - Two Hippies

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 - Friday February 1, 2008

It's the first of the month...wake up...get up...go see some shows. The question is...which one? Well here are your options. In Philly there are two super sweet concerts. The first being National Eye, The Sw!ms and Pepi Ginsberg at Johnny Brenda's. The second is Sarsaparilla, Famous Lovers, Nicole Reynolds, and Alex Rodes at the Fire. In DC there are also two super sweet shows. The first is Exit Clov, Army of Me, Good Night States, and The Dance Party at the Rock and Roll Hotel. The second is at the Black Cat. Unfortunately Celebration has canceled from this show, but DC's Junior League has graciously filled in to play along with one of my new faves, Shortstack and Suns of Guns. Finally there are two more super sweet shows here in Charm City. The Talking Head hosts Ilad, Yeveto, Blackbirds, and Andy Abelow. If you want some serious rock with no fillers, then come with Pasta Primavera to the Lo-Fi to see Avec, Remote Islands, Karmella's Game, and A Sunny Day In Glasgow. Talk about the ultimate run down!

mp3: National Eye - Snowing In April --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sw!ms - We Need Lava --> website --> buy
mp3: Sarsaparilla - Only Hunt --> website --> buy
mp3: Famous Lovers - John Batt --> website --> buy
mp3: Nicole Reynolds - Call The Guard --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - MK Ultra --> website --> buy
mp3: Shortstack - House On Fire --> website --> buy
mp3: Junior League - Chess Records --> website --> buy
mp3: Ilad - Holy Wars --> website --> buy
mp3: Avec - Beautiful Veins --> website --> buy
mp3: Remote Islands - Philadelphia --> website --> buy
mp3: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - A Mundane Phone Call To Jack Parsons --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday January 12, 2008

There are two shows that should satisfy your musical hunger tonight. In Baltimore, The Lo-Fi Social Club plays host to Among Wolves, The Courtesy Line, Red Vines, and Abby Mott. All you Philadelphians are in for a treat because Ravens and Vultures, Dragons of Zynth, and Ape School are rocking Johnny Brenda's tonight. Good times.

mp3: Among Wolves - Queen of England --> website --> buy
mp3: The Courtesy Line - Goodnight Goodbye --> website
mp3: Ravens and Vultures - Willow Song --> 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 January 4, 2008

If you want to be busy tonight, there are definitely plenty of options. Hopefully your first choice would be attending a fabulous art opening, Society Of Mary, at space 2640 (St. John's) on 27th and St. Paul in Baltimore. It's from 7-10 and features the assemblage work of April Wood, Claes Gabriel, Kelly Walker, Alyssa Dennis, Jed Digney, Outtama Tulachahn, Charlotte Benedetto, Kathy Fahey, Matthew Craft, Liz Kasameyer, Neilie Meyer, Laurent Hrybyk (that's me), David Cunningham, Chris Taylor, and Missing Eyes. There also be some great music there as well including Cakes Of Light, Violet Hour, Orion Rigel Dommisse, and Noble Lake. I hope to see you there. Also in Baltimore is a great show at the Lo-Fi Social Club with Savory James, Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad, Wail Sounds, and Butane Variations. Finally if you head on up to Philly, you can check out Blood Feathers, The Cobbs, and Cowmuddy at Johnny Brenda's. Have a good one!

mp3: Orion Rigel Dommisse - Fake Yer Death --> website --> buy
mp3: Savory James - Sleep The Day Drive --> website --> buy
mp3: Butane Variations - Angels --> website --> buy
mp3: The Cobbs - Say You Never Knew Me --> website --> buy
mp3: Cowmuddy - Fire Warms Everyone --> website --> buy

Its time to stand in The Courtesy Line

Hailing from right here in B-more, The Courtesy Line, have a crisp indie sound with strong vocals. They have an EP called Needle and Thread which they are apparantly giving away at shows while supplies last. If you want to get your hands on one, or just rock out, go see them January 12th at the Lo-Fi Social Club.

Mp3: The Courtesy Line - Goodnight Goodbye --→ website
Mp3: The Courtesy Line - So Long