Author Archives: Clara Mora

TVD Recommends: Monument presents
The Everymen, a
Benefit for Back on
My Feet at Beats, 4/27

By Clara Mora | Published: April 26, 2013

Monument Music and Arts Festival is back once again with a cool band and a great cause that will benefit from the concert’s proceeds. This time they’re hosting the New Jersey-born eight-member band The Everymen. Also featured is the youthful Maryland band The Sea Life, at Beats.

For $12, you can get tickets to see these bands live, and 100% of the proceeds go to the DC chapter of Back on My Feet, a national non-profit organization that helps those experiencing homelessness gain self-sufficiency by providing them opportunities through running. Pretty cool, right?

So back to the music, The Everyman just released their debut album, New Jersey Hardcore, last October. This rock and roll band’s got some kick, whose style is said to be a mix of Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, and some doo-wop girl groups from the 1950s and ‘60s. They’re releasing an EP of covers on April 30, so be sure to check that out. The Sea Life, a group of four kids still in college, has got more of a pop vibe in their music. Despite their youth, they have already released their first album, Basements, last fall.

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TVD Ticket Giveaway: Akron/Family at U St. Music Hall, 4/26

By Clara Mora | Published: April 22, 2013

“Our story, a story, all stories. Told in verses, in underground language, in sub frequencies. Not audible, only felt, intuited, imagined in some deepest psychic space that you are yet to know. A strange story. Of the future, of yourself. Of everyone.”
—Steve Olinsky

The best way, and perhaps the only way, to accurately label Akron/Family, is out-of-this-world. The three-man band, consisting of drummer Dana Jansen, guitarist Steve Olinsky, and bassist Miles Seaton, who all collectively serve as vocalists, is known for their otherworldly style that impassioned them to record songs from their most recent album S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT on the side of the mountain.

Akron/Family is about to release another album on April 30, Sub Verses, which they are touring now—and we’ve got your chance to catch them live with tickets to see their show presented by the 9:30 Club at U Street Music Hall!

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 3 Comments

TVD Vinyl Giveaway: Crystal Castles, (III)

By Clara Mora | Published: April 1, 2013

After some delays, plenty of teasing European audiences with new tracks on tour, and the unveiling of select songs online for the rest of their fans, Canadian electronic ensamble, Crystal Castles finally released their third album, (III), in November of last year. The wait was well worth it—and we’ve got a copy on vinyl to award to one of you.

Already known for their ethereal, not-of-this-world sound, (III) did not disappoint those who enjoy Crystal Castles’ unique style. The album was recorded in Warsaw and Berlin, an aspect that clearly influenced the mood of various tracks such as “Plague,” a 5-minute pre-released song, or “Violent Youth,” which can only be described as surreal.

Structured around a theme of oppression, (III)’s lyrics are dark and moving. Producer Ethan Kath was inspired to create an album different from the band’s previous two, Crystal Castles and Crystal Castles (II), refusing to use computers for recording, tossing out the synthesizers and keyboards for a grittier quality and sound. The result is something raw and fresh, reflecting the development of the band as they’ve progressed onto their third album.

Posted in The TVD Storefront | 12 Comments

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Solange at the 9:30 Club, 4/23

By Clara Mora | Published: March 21, 2013

Having a successful, well-known, and attractive older sibling sucks sometimes when you’re trying to form your own identity. (Believe me, I know—I have two.) But Solange Knowles, sister of Beyoncé Knowles, makes it look easy.

The 26-year-old singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, model, and producer, who recently released her third studio album True, has clearly established her own path from her sister and is doing an impressive job at it. After touring throughout Europe, Solange is back in the states, and we’ve got your chance to win tickets to see her live at the 9:30 Club on March 23 before tickets even go on sale!

Listening to “Losing You,” or any of Solange’s songs, you definitely won’t mistake her for Beyoncé. Solange invokes old-school Motown with ’80s R&B to create a modern and distinctive sound that differentiates her, not only from her sister, but from other artists as well. The mix of synths with electronic beats peppered with Knowles’ soulful vocals lends to a contemporary funk style that’s fresh and exciting.

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 14 Comments

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Alice Smith at the 9:30 Club, 4/4

By Clara Mora | Published: March 20, 2013

It’s been seven years since Alice Smith released her debut album For Lovers, Dreamers, & Me, which is quite a long time in the music industry. Nonetheless, her following and popularity is stronger than ever, and Smith has rewarded her patient fans with the recent release of her sophomore album, SHE, on March 19—and we’ve got your chance to see her live at the 9:30 Club on April 4!

Smith was born and raised in both Washington, DC and Georgia, a contrasting mix of urban and rural experiences that is represented in her songs. A blend of soul, country, ‘60’s pop, blues, and much more, her music is a combination of genres that help to convey the mix of emotions expressed through her lyrics.

“Dream,” “Do I,” “Love Endeavor” and “Gary’s Song,” the four songs on her first album that Smith wrote, are perfect examples of these contradictory yet complementary sounds and words that Smith so coherently combines and develops in accordance with her unique style. Her individualistic tunes continue to flourish and impress in SHE with heart-wrenching yet catchy songs like “The One” and “Another Love.”

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 6 Comments

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Jukebox the Ghost at the 9:30 Club, 3/16

By Clara Mora | Published: March 12, 2013

“I want this record to be the first in a line of records that I say ‘I’m really proud of everything we did.’”—Tommy Siegal.

They’re baaaack. Jukebox the Ghost is returning to the 9:30 Club as they tour their third album Safe Travels. And the band, which includes Ben Thornewill (piano, vocals), Tommy Siegal (guitar, vocals), and Jesse Kristin (drums), certainly has traveled quite a bit. The Brooklyn-based group, which met in Washington, DC, at the George Washington University, moved from New York to Philadelphia after the release of their second album in 2010. Prior to its release, they toured and traveled across Europe.

Their traveling continued in 2011 and 2012 as they opened for Barenaked Ladies and Jack’s Mannequin, respectively. We’ve got your opportunity to accompany them as their trip continues with a chance to see them live this weekend!

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 9 Comments

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Garbage at the Fillmore Silver Spring, 3/24

By Clara Mora | Published: March 1, 2013

“I think we’ve all come to the point in our lives where we have surrendered to the fact that we will never fit in.”
—Shirley Manson

Seven years is a long time to be apart—but luckily for us, Garbage reunited and finally released a critically acclaimed album. Vocalist Shirley Manson, guitarists Duke Erikson and Steve Marker, and drummer Butch Vig are back and as bold as ever, touring for their self-released album Not Your Kind Of People, via their own label STUNVOLUME. And we’ve got your chance to welcome them back with a pair of tickets to see them on March 24 at the Fillmore Silver Spring!

The band has certainly experienced their share of ups and downs. Formed in 1994, they quickly garnered international recognition with their first album Garbage. Their second album Version 2.0 earned them Grammy nominations, and their third, Beautiful Garbage, was named one of Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Albums of the Year in 2001. Despite this success, Garbage disbanded briefly, then created their fourth album before entering their hiatus of seven years in order to pursue other creative endeavors.

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 14 Comments

TVD Vinyl Giveaway: Johnny Marr,
exclusive test pressing
of The Messenger

By Clara Mora | Published: February 20, 2013

“It’s a bit of a shame that records come and go so quickly sometimes. I still believe they can be beautiful things.”
—Johnny Marr

From The Smiths to Modest Mouse and The Cribs, Johnny Marr has made his mark as one of the most celebrated guitarists in the history of contemporary history. But it’s Marr’s turn in the spotlight with the debut of his solo album The Messenger, which will hit stores on Tuesday, February 26, via Warner Bros. Records/Sire Records. Filled with songs and beats reminiscent from his days with The Smiths, Marr’s new record will not leave fans disappointed, and we’ve got your opportunity to win a limited test pressing of The Messenger.

Marr’s ingenious and dynamic talent with the guitar has been evident since the 1980s when he co-founded The Smiths alongside Morrissey. The duo challenged pop conventions with their chart-topping hits during their five year collaboration. Marr continued to morph the face of rock-n-roll as a member in The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, and The Cribs. Even though his role was principally “the guitar player,” he undeniably led these groups onto center stage with his skill and talent.

Posted in The TVD Storefront | 6 Comments

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Rufus Wainwright at the 9:30 Club, 2/12

By Clara Mora | Published: February 7, 2013

Although Rufus Wainwright spent some time away from producing music while pursuing other creative endeavors, including the premiere of his opera Prima Donna and the recreation of Judy Garland’s Carnegie Hall concert, Wainwright’s most recent album Out of Game is definitely not out of touch.

Inspired by the birth of his daughter Viva, his engagement and marriage to partner Jorn Weisbrodt, and the death of his mother Kate McGarrigle, the album reflects Wainwright’s powerful, but conflicting, emotions. With soulful tunes that fans know and love, upbeat electric rhythms, and echoes of ’70s beats that inspired him in the first place, Wainwright keeps it fresh throughout his album.

Just two days before Valentine’s Day, Wainwright is bringing his sound to D.C. at the 9:30 Club , and we’ve got your chance to win a pair of free tickets!