As we enter into the second weekend of 2013, we might as well fill it up. This weekend is full—so full in fact that you will need to take a break on Sunday and head right back into it on Monday, which you should pretend is still the weekend for this round. Head into January’s double digits with a local label showcase, a special record store treat, and familiar faces.
Friday, January 11th: Bad Friend Records Showcase at U Street Music Hall featuring: Tereu Tereu with Gordon Withers accompanying on cello, solo set from Tommy Siegel of Jukebox the Ghost and headliner Laughing Man – EARLY SHOW starting at @ 7:30PM
Ryan Little and Tommy Siegel went to the same neighborhood pool as kids, and years later reconnected to form Bad Friend Records, as discussed in an interview we had with Little last year at the onset of their label. Tonight you can get a taste of what Bad Friend has to offer one year later, so don’t be late!
The showcase will feature DC bands Tereu Tereu and Laughing Man. Tereu Tereu has been producing “bright, noisy pop” since 2006. The duo, Ryan Little and Brendan Polmer, will have a special guest, cellist Gordon Withers of Office of Future Plans, accompanying them tonight.
The headliner for the showcase, DC’s Laughing Man, released their debut album, The Lovings (’63-’69), in 2010 on Sockets Records, and has plans to release their follow-up EP Be Black Baby this year. The trio, Brandon Moses, Michael Harris, and Luke Stewart, will bring their “art punk, jazz, garage rock soul music” to U Street tonight, so get out and see what all of that is about!
But wait there’s more…Olivia and the Mates opening for Mucca Pazza with Mission South at the Black Cat
All shows at U Hall end by 10pm so instead of hitting up the next bar for a random DJ set, head down the street to the Black Cat where the night will just be getting started. Olivia Mancini has been a staple in the DC music scene since the early 2000s and while other interests have taken her down many paths, she continues to make music in the District.
The Mates feature former members of Washington Social Club. They last released a 7-inch vinyl single featuring “For Ricky/You’re the One” in 2011, but have plans to release a new album early this year.
Saturday, January 12th: Paint Branch at Red Onion Records and Books at 6pm
Paint Branch is John Davis and Chris Richards, formerly of Q and Not U, not to be confused with Paint Branch High School, who also took their name from a stream running through two counties in Maryland.
The duo released their first album, I Wanna Live, in electronic format this week on Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon. Saturday night you can catch them for FREE in a rare performance of only a handful to be played this year.
Saturday, January 12th: Ugly Purple Sweater with Kingsley Flood at the Black Cat
Ugly Purple Sweater is an “acoustically tinged, indie rock” quintet from DC. Multi-instrumental vocalists Sam McCormally and Rachel Lord started the band as a duo, later adding Will McKinley Ward (electric guitar), Mike Tasevoli (drums), and Rishi Chakrabarty (bass guitar). They released their 3rd album, an EP, DC USA this week and have plans to release a separate full length album this Fall.
The name Ugly Purple Sweater is derived from McCormally’s former “eponymous ugly purple sweater” which he wore despite opposition. He associated the sweater with his own comfort, translating that comfort into his honest musical approach. McCormally told TVD, “UPS started out as my personal musical project where I was recording and writing things that I found interesting and inspiring, rather than trying to write things that I thought other people would like.”
While comical in its own name, UPS’s vision is a virtuous one, stemming from one ugly sweater. So stop making fun of your friend’s choice of apparel and head out to the Cat Saturday night for their record release party.
Last Sunday was a hard one, let’s take a break this Sunday, catch up on Downton Abbey and get your rest for a late Monday night.
Monday, January 14th: Ava Luna with Poor But Sexy, Celestial Shore, and Teen Mom at DC9
If you didn’t snag tickets before they sold out for Purity Ring, console yourself with a night of Ava Luna, a septet out of Brooklyn. Carlos Hernandez is the ringleader, but lady vocalists Felicia and Becca complete the heptagon. Ava Luna released their latest album, Ice Level, in February of 2012 via Infinite Best Recordings and will squeeze onto the DC9 stage for you Monday night.
Make sure you are prepared for the long haul, as with three bands ahead of Ava Luna, you’ll want to make sure you rest up and don’t leave early because Ava Luna is not to be missed!
Get out there and get you some live music DC, you music freaks!
