The Run Down - Monday March 3, 2008

Heeeeere we go. In Philly there's Say Hi at Johnny Brenda's. In Virginia catch These United States at IOTA. In DC you have the choice between The Sketches opening up for Blind Melon at the 9:30 club, The Muggabears and Sisters at the Red and the Black, or Ilad, Lindsay Holler & the Dirty Kicks, and Stella Schindler at DC9. Have a good one.

mp3: Say Hi - Bluetime --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sketches - Dizzy --> website --> buy
mp3: The Muggabears - Automatic Others --> website --> buy
mp3: Ilad - Looking Glass --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Burn This Bridge --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday January 31, 2008

The last day of January has some quality shows for you. Here in Baltimore the Ottobar is hosting Judd & Maggie's CD release party with performances by Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends, Carousel Rogues, and Harrison Hudson. In Philly you can catch Lupe Fiasco at the Fillmore or head on over to the Khyber to see C Rayz Walz, Reef The Lost Cauze, Viro the Virus, and more. In VA, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down is having their CD release at IOTA with David Shultz and the Skyline. In DC the Red and the Black has Ilad, with Square Trio and Sun Committee. Finally at DC9 be sure to catch Zulu Pearls. Many of you were probably expecting to see Robbers On High Street, but a band member had to be taken to the hospital. Hopefully everything is okay. Zulu Pearls is still a fantastic band, so keep your plans intact for DC9 (it's only $5).

mp3: Judd & Maggie - Sleep Interrupted --> website --> buy
mp3: Lupe Fiasco - Little Weapon --> website --> buy
mp3: C Rayz Walz - Electric Avenue --> website --> buy
mp3: Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Feet Asleep --> website --> buy
mp3: Ilad - National Flags --> website --> buy
mp3: Zulu Pearls - Dancing + Drinking --> website --> buy

Toofer Toosday - Okay & Ilad

Okay...I get it...again I'm a bit later then some other folks picking up on this band, Okay. A musical project of mainly Marty Anderson who produces this wonderful music out of Freemont, CA. Okay has an album coming out in April of this year on Absolutely Kosher called Huggable Dust. This album is full of beautifully written, simple, dreamy pop songs. Most of the songs are short, but don't strive to be longer. The are complete emotions stated and contained in Anderson's mini epics. The defining characteristic of Okay is Anderson's raspy voice. Think Tom Waits with a bag full of helium. Like Tom Waits, Anderson can't fool you with gorgeous vocals. They have to really craft the melody and drive of each song for it to be approachable. Marty does this and more making memorable pop songs that many will be singing the praises of.

mp3: Okay - Natural --> website --> buy
mp3: Okay - Pretend

Ilad is a four piece band from Richmond, Virginia that I've recently come to enjoy. They play a style of music that's hard to describe. There's definitely the influence of ambient free form jazz flowing through their music. On the same hand there's whispers of bands like 764-HERO and Modest Mouse floating around in there too. I guess if I was forced to come up with an analogy it would be like Medeski, Martin, and Wood suddenly switching their focus to mellow indie rock instead of jazz. I must warn you, though. This isn't everyday music (most music isn't). This is great music to relax and sketch or paint to. It would also be good card playing music or music to drink a glass of wine to. I guess that's why I perceive Ilad's music as introspective and emotive. The free flowing openness of their music lends itself to contemplation. I could rant on and on about this...you better just find out for yourself.

mp3: Ilad - Looking Glass --> website --> buy
mp3: Ilad - Holy Wars