New music from TR/ST (!) and a new video for the single Destroyer. Hundred Waters has a stunningly filmed video for Wave to Anchor. Disclosure has a new video out for Holding On ft. Gregory Porter.
Bonus: SSION just put out his new video for The Comeback… wait for it.
The incredible snow we had last night couldn’t have been a more charming backdrop for a great show by SZA at the House of Blues last night. She was on fire, with full leg kicks and throwing her hair all over the place. She and her band sounded top notch, and the audience was lit. Such a great show by SZA!
"SZA bounded off the momentum of her excellent openers — in an oversized pink bubble jacket, a black crop top, camo overalls, and flowing locks, her stage presence was natural and brightly energetic, swaggering and vulnerable. She’d arrived late on a flight and missed soundcheck, but hit her vocals strong, standing out as she riffed gorgeously to close out ‘Go Gina,’ or sang 2014’s ‘Sobriety’ a cappella."
A second night in DC, and another good concert! It’s particularly notable being here over a Sunday & Monday night. Hiss Golden Messenger presented “An Evening With…” which signaled it was all Hiss - no opener. I’ve had a cursory familiarity with his work, but had been diving in deep these last couple days. Very much along the lines of Blitzen Trapper, Springsteen, Langhorne Slim and Ryan Adams. But as I learned, he’s had quite a long and venerable career himself, talking about touring in DC in the 90’s (to no one in the audience). He’s come a long way, and his live performance is indicative of how that happened.
Traveling again, which means I’m looking for live shows in Washington DC area. So happy I stumbled on the Michl show, particularly since this would be my first time at DC9. I noticed he was characterized as elusive, which is easily validated by these photos. The sound was this superb, dreamy grand pop music with stunning visuals timed to support the live show. Turns out he’s a former songwriter who was sick of writing music for people he didn’t like - with different values than his. Noble. I like it.
Opening the show was MACK. Her EP on Apple Music had me interested, but her live show was excellent! Light, vibrant, and totally enjoyable. This was her first tour and you wouldn’t have known it. Keeping my eye on her.
First up is MØ’s visually stunning video for When I Was Young. Next, I’m embarrassed to say that A Tribe Called Red caught my attention because of the obvious reference, but I still ended up really enjoying their video for The Light II ft. Lido Pimienta. SSION is finally back with a video for Comeback that only SSION could make, with a new album coming next year!
BONUS: SOPHIE just dropped a banger of a new video.
Something to keep an eye on. The industry is changing.
"With the industry’s responsiveness to data at an all-time high, it’s becoming possible to use our voices to adjust its course. In theory, how we determine popular taste is democratic—which should be great for diversity and inclusion, in an idealistic, utopian sense. But the tyranny of the majority is real, and online buzz will grab the attention of record labels regardless of what the music sounds like or how the artist acts. Your listening habits have literally become a vote—maybe it's time we start using it."
A last minute decision brought me to Maple Lanes - finally. I’ve never seen a show here! The music was fine. Shagg did a good job. Looking forward to the next show here.
There are nights that I’m just looking for a concert in town. Somewhere. I ran across this band, Sound of Ceres performing at the Winchester Tavern. Pop sound, liked I heard recorded - and it was a great chance to see a good show at the Winchester. Their live show took on a whole additional perspective with the light, movement and position of their stage show. Very exciting and what a great surprise.
A last minute decision put this show on my agenda. At first glance I was pretty excited about their sound, and I like what I’ve recorded. But I’ll say that for the most part, I was not a fan of this show. They just spread it on a little too heavy. But an A for effort.