Author Archives: Maeve McDermott

Everything about Gossip screams glamour, from their dance-punk beats to powerhouse frontwoman, Beth Ditto.

Three years ago, Gossip’s Rick Rubin-produced breakthrough album Music for Men broke through in a major way, catapulting the trio from Olympia, Washington to phenom status both in the US and overseas.

Gossip’s fifth album, A Joyful Noise sees the band poised for a serious return with a newly released video for their latest single “Move in the Right Direction.” A Joyful Noise revolves around Ditto’s heart-stopping vocals and further develops Gossip’s sleeker, disco-referencing sound they’ve been moving toward on previous releases. Considering Gossip’s grittier beginnings as opening acts for Sleater-Kinney and the White Stripes, the aggressive pop of A Joyful Noise shows Gossip taking a step away from the blues and post-punk that influenced their earlier recordings toward shiny electronica.

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This Tuesday (July 17) Austin, TX lends a little of its legendary “weirdness” to DC for the second round of the YouGotGot and AllOurNoise concert series. Throwing down at the Baron in Dupont Circle is a doubleheader of rising Austin electronic acts, featuring Missions and Lean Hounds.

Headlining the evening is Missions, the project of Austin-based beatmaker Josh Mills who uses a fusion of analog and digital machinery to make synth experimentations.

To add to the otherworldliness of Missions’ live shows, his sets are accompanied by visual art courtesy of collaborators VIDKIDZ, and their lasers and projections serve as perfect counterparts to Mills’ futuristic beats. The Missions/VIDKIDS team have leant their technicolor stage show opening for acts like Yeasayer, John Maus, and Matthew Dear.

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It’s not easy being a Britpop band in 2012, at a time when the Gallagher brothers have embarked on their seperate, unspectacular side projects and when the announcement of a new Bloc Party album is greeted with a wave of nostalgia for the glory days of British alternative.

But while other dandies from across the pond burnt out or faded into obscurity, Yorkshire garage-rock threesome, The Cribs have managed to navigate the late ’00s quite well, releasing albums every few years and even enlisting legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr among their ranks.

The Cribs stopped by the Black Cat on June 7, touring in support of their fifth album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull. As is the case with any once-hip band looking to progress after their niche grows stale (see: the Futureheads, Maximo Park, the Pigeon Detectives), The Cribs’ new material produced by Steve Albini, showcases a harder and more mature sound. Regardless of the big-name and grown-up production of their latest record, a modest group of rowdy fans who gathered at the Black Cat Thursday night were treated to an unpolished, yet snappy vintage Cribs performance.

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Another long work week in the District beckons another weekend full of intriguing shows for you to sink your teeth into, whether you’re hanging out on the lawn of Merriweather Post Pavilion or slam-dancing in a church fellowship hall.

DC Queen fans, your night has arrived – Friday’s big draw is the Queen Extravaganza at the 9:30 club. Promising to be the “Official Queen Tribute Show,” the concert features a band hand-picked by the surviving Queen members performing Queen’s biggest hits.

On Saturday (6/9), top off your day at the Pride Parade with the Gay/Bash! Dance Party at the Black Cat Backstage. If thrashing around to two of the strongest young punk bands around sounds more your style, don’t miss Ceremony and Screaming Females at St. Stephens Church.

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After a week of oppressive humidity and rainshowers, this weekend offers a respite from the temperamental DC weather with live jazz, punk karaoke, and – what else? – Southern-style booty rap.

This weekend, the Capital Jazz Fest brings legendary musicians, comedians and performers from a breadth of genres to Merriweather Post Pavilion for three days of live music. From Bill Cosby to George Benson to KC and the Sunshine Band, the Capital Jazz Fest is a must-see event for fans of all types of live entertainment, featuring a stellar lineup the likes of which DC rarely sees.

Also appearing in DC on Friday (6/1) is roots-rockers Dawes, who will bring their soaring Americana sound to the 9:30 club. Come early for an opening set from fiddle player and singer-songwriter Sara Watkins, a former member of contemporary bluegrass legends Nickel Creek.

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