The Run Down - Sunday April 20, 2008

So it's that day again....why not slowly make your way over to some great events around town. The National Mall in DC has some sweet performers for the Green Apple Festival including Talib Kweli, The Roots, and Thievery Corporation. OR maybe you would like to be indoors fo Greenland and Pranir at the Black Cat in DC or Mystery Palace, Grandchildren and DJ Heavy Flow at the Millcreek Tavern in Philly.

mp3: Greenland - We Are Clipper Ships --> website --> buy
mp3: Prabir & The Substitutes - Oh Marie --> website --> buy
mp3: Mystery Palace - Nascar Survivor --> website --> buy
mp3: Grandchildren - Saturn Returns --> website
mp3: Talib Kweli - Get By --> website --> buy
mp3: The Roots - Web --> website --> buy
mp3: Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Gate --> website --> buy

The Run Down - March 14, 2008

While many of you might be out in Austin this weekend, there are still a few sweet shows around the area tonight. Here in Baltimore, The Metro Gallery has Kadman's CD Release with Rain The Shining and The Water opening for them. In DC there's a great show at the Rock and Roll Hotel with *****Pela*****(UPDATE!!! Pela has canceled due to injury---refunds at the door---- Greenland, Bellflur, The Coats, and The Shakes are still performing----that's still a pretty darn good show). Finally in Philly you don't want to miss Black Lips and Quintron & Miss Pussycat at Johnny Brenda's.

mp3: Black Lips - Veni Vedi Veci (Diplo Remix) --> website --> buy
***SHOW CANCELED***mp3: Pela - Lost To The Lonesome --> website --> buy
mp3: Greenland - Solace In The Sea --> website --> buy
mp3: Kadman - Sorry --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday January 30, 2008

While I may be a bit out of sorts today, that doesn't stop the good shows going on tonight. The 9:30 club has everyone's favorite MC, Lupe Fiasco lyrically tear the roof down. There's a solid show at the Black Cat with DC's Greenland, Len Bias (the band, not the deceased b-baller), and More Humans. Finally here in Baltimore, everyone should go check out Among Wolves, Sissy Jupe, and The Herd Of Main St. at the 8x10. Among Wolves is amazing live so don't miss it.

mp3: Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin' --> website --> buy

mp3: Greenland - Cardplayer --> website

mp3: Among Wolves - Seems To Me --> website --> buy

The Run Down, Saturday December 8, 2007

If you re looking to see some great local music then tonight's the night. In DC, the great Bellman Barker take the stage at the Party Pit along with the many sounds of These Elk Forever and 5acrosstheeyes2k. In Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda's, treat your ears to some great all around pop music from B.C. Camplight, Audible, Buried Beds, and Girl Friday. Finally in Arlington, Virginia you can check out DC's Greenland who plays the Galaxy Hut with Twin Earth.

mp3: Bellman Barker - In Their Defense --> website --> buy
mp3: These Elk Forever - Pink Lights --> website --> buy
mp3: B.C. Camplight - Blood and Peanut Butter --> website --> buy
mp3: Audible - Sunday Bell --> website --> buy
mp3: Buried Beds - Insomnia --> website --> buy
mp3: Girl Friday - If You Are --> website --> buy
mp3: Greenland - Solace In The Sea --> website --> buy

Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies

The year isn't even over yet, but I've already have my ears set on next year's releases. One of those releases will be Cadence Weapon's second full length, Afterparty Babies, out on Upper Class Records. On his first album, Breaking Kayfabe, Mr. Rollie Pemberton dazzled us with his crazy Edmonton flow over raw electronic beats. It was a place hip hop hadn't been yet. Now, everyone's been there. What does the Weapon have in store? Well for the track "In Search of the Youth Crew" he offers up a twisted rollerskating jam with his trademark lyrics bouncing all over the track. When I heard this track, I let out a sigh of relief. Rollie's back!

mp3: Cadence Weapon - In Search of the Youth Crew --> website --> buy

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Are you trying to end your weekend on a high note? Then go check out Greenland at the Galaxy Hut in VA.

mp3: Greenland - Shipwreck on the Watery Eye --> website

Greenland

Greenland is a three piece indie outfit from Washington, DC who put out a full length LP in July of this year called Call Message. When you listen to their music you get a sense of depth. There's more to what you're hearing. There's power. Yeah, I know that sounds a bit strange, but trust me, they're good. The music side is solid and tight. The lyrics are not contrived and really come across as poetry when I listen to them. Another thing I'm impressed with is the lack of formula to the writing of songs. Most young indie rock bands like to stick to the old verse chorus verse style(which has worked for a while now, so it's not bad), but Greenland seems to compose the structure of the song around the lyrics, striving to produce a desired emotion or statement. This gives each song a honest and fresh feel. If that doesn't get you interested, I don't know what will. Their next show is December 9th at the Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA. Go check 'em out!

mp3: Greenland - We Are Clipper Ships --> website --> myspace
mp3: Greenland - Salome