Rêve, the Baltimore band once known as Playground Etiquette, have released a new video in advance of the remixing/mastering and partial re-recording of their album La Marionnette. On the heals of their The Joanne Sessions EP, recorded at the Joanne Trattoria in NYC, Rêve improves upon Playground Etiquette with more (somehow) shine and professionalism. "Agency and Accountability" demonstrates a great level of polish and improvement to the sound of a song that already had a solid sound. It’s exciting to see a band, which already put so much effort and talent into everything they do, take it to the next level. Also, the video is kinda creepy, which is always good. –Natan Press

Paperhaus released a new single, "So Slow", through Alt Citizen yesterday. The third single (the first being "Cairo," the second "Untitled") off their forthcoming album, this one’s the prettiest, opening with a gorgeous reverb, and breaking into a mellow island jam, with low background vocals echoing and panning off the main vocal, and then gradually, and oh so subtly picking up with casual "oo-oos" before the fiery lead guitar and an organ lift a chorus out of the chill waves and into a sparkly sky of an indie-rock mid-section. "And if you want to feel emotion, then you need to stop thinking that you’re going slow." A life lesson, and an instruction manual to this delicate and intricate track. It’s my favorite so far.

The full album will be released Saturday, February 7th, at DC Music Download’s Third Birthday and Benefit for DC Punk Archive (with Deli favorites Loud Boyz, and Baby Bry Bry). –Natan Press

Richmond has one of the most exciting local scenes in the country, and this Friday, January 16th, two of Richmond’s most entertaining bands will play DC’s Black Cat mainstage, complimented brilliantly by DC local M.H. & His Orchestra, for what is sure to be one of the tightest, most energetic, and interesting lineups of the year.  

People’s Blues of Richmond (or "PBR") are already well known to many. They’re a psychadelic blues power trio, like (early) Led Zeppelin from the Dirty South. Crazy-tight and loud, they deliver the energy live, and their fans are wonderful and almost as entertaining. I saw them on a pirate boat on the Potomac a few months ago, and it was easily the best show of the year.

M.H. & His Orchestra is wild and chill at the same time. Like a lot of the music I love from Richmond, they mix the cheesy, the dirty, and excellent musicianship into weird pop perfection, making them the perfect group to sandwich between two bands from RVA. M.H. is psychadelia and lounge music and soundscapes and fearless arrangements. Every listen puts a smile on my face, and each song is a unique surprise.

Toxic Moxie describe themsevles as "disco punk," and, while apt, that description doesn’t express the balls-out freakshow awesomness of this band. Toxic Moxie‘s super sexyness sneaks up on you, ’cause they come at you super weird. I want to watch this band and dance and do unsavory things until the sun comes up. And they’re opening the show. Like booster rockets.

Do it. Friday January 16th, Black Cat. Doors at 9. $12 adv/$15 day of.  –Natan Press

Loud Boyz is finally releasing a 7" this Saturday, January 10th, at Comet Ping Pong! The single includes the songs Hard Feelings and 4 the Ladies, and can be pre-ordered at Cricket Cemetery.

Loud Boyz will be joined by DC garage/surf heartthrobs Shark Week, who are preparing the highly anticipated album, Beach Fuzz, for 2015 (check out lead single "Desire"). This is a super lineup, featuring two of DC’s hottest bands, poised for national success, on one stage, and not to be missed. Saturday, January 10th, @ Comet Ping Pong. 10PM. $12. –Natan Press

Remember what it felt like to discover dope hip-hop? The ominous tones this track open with immediately captivate the listener’s attention, leaving us wondering what’s coming next. Featuring dope production by Flying Lotus, Saturday Samurais transform "Wavey" into a smooth, hip-hop masterpiece. With lyrics floating easily over intricately sampled production, we’re introduced to their carefully constructed sound. Their flow reminds me of elements of Mos Def and Q-tip, bringing hip-hop back to a place of story-telling as the song explores the definition of "Wavey" according to Saturday Samurais. Press play and get lost in this cool collaboration. –Opal Rose

Philip Lassiter is a master band leader with a resume to die for, and he’s taking the fabulous funk and soul scene in DC to a new level. For the last few years, Philip Lassiter has been the section leader and horn arranger for The New Power Generation. Yes, you read that correctly. Prince’s horn man is in DC, and he’s set to go crazy and tear the roof off the sucker. These horns are the product of Philip’s talent, and his very own band of locals is bringing that talent to the streets and clubs of DC.  

He’s already written and produced two full lengths this year. In February Phil dropped Philthy, followed quickly in June by DreamZzz.  Both albums are chock full of top-of-the-line funk. Relentless rhythms drive the walls of sound to boogie. Horns, keys, guitars, choruses, blips and bloops, beat-boxing and scratching; anything and everything combines into a non-stop party. Listening to tracks like this, you can’t imagine anyone else being Prince’s horn man. 

Despite being a horn man to the stars, and a rising star himself, Philip is totally down to earth. He just released a totally adorable video for the track STRUT off DreamZzz. Check it out below, and keep your eyes peeeled for news of upcoming shows. –Natan Press

 This is such a great week for DC music. So much for us to be thankful for. There is a cornucopia of music tumbling and pouring out of this city, and none of it more fulfilling than Jake Starr and the Delicious Fullness‘ new full length Tastes Good! 

When your family’s gathered together next week, and the tensions rise before dinner, break out the alcohol and drop the needle on this record (available on purple vinyl in the US, red or pink in Spain, white in Japan on Nov. 20th). Your grandparents will shake their hips and flail their arms, reliving their glory days at the Whiskey A Go-Go (who knew Grandma could move like that?). Your parents will ask you to pull out your stash and hot-box the sun-room. Your significant other will think your family’s the coolest. This album will baste you and broil you, mash you and boil you. Tastes Good! is a feast of freakbeat revival, and you’ll be in a food-coma before the turkey leaves the oven.

We get by by the Grace of Mod. Thank you, Jake Starr. Thank you. –Natan Press

Wanted Man is vicious. So much rock and roll. So much swagger. If they made a gum out of this EP it would be a bite-sized chew with a flavor that lasts forever and blasts your teeth off through the back of your head. And you’d just keep chewing, cause it’s soooo good.
Back in college, my friends and I would listen to The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on our headphones as we walked to class, and marvel at how we just couldn’t keep from strutting. If you listen to this EP walking down the street, the passersby will stare as the strut breaks down into a jiggly dance, the weight of the guitars crushing your bones to mush, leaving nothing but a puddle of gelatin to ooze into your seat. WHY ONLY THREE SONGS?? It’s cool. It’s on repeat, and I was already exhausted after one listen. –Natan Press

 DC’s Young Rapids are back! "Melt," the lead single off their forthcoming second LP Pretty Ugly (on DC’s Chimes Records), is an epic psychedelic trip. A majestic collection of tones, sparkly and dirty, smooth and gnarly, all folding on each other and pushing the next along in waves. Guitars, organs, Beatlesy tape sounds, walls of shimmering metal and light necessitate repeated listens, as each instrument’s unique sonic journey takes the listener to a different place. Dream guitar-pop with a heavy dose of Magical Mystery Tour era Beatles, and Soft Bulletin era Flaming Lips. Excellent.

Don’t miss Young Rapids live, November 22nd, at Black Cat with Drop Electric and Cigarette. –Natan Press

DC’s Opal Rose recently teamed up with Triple Threat to create a fantastic electro-RnB cover of the jazz classic "Strange Fruit" (on Brave New Breed). The two are developing a sound they’re calling "Doom&B," and the track is an epic journey. A run through jungle drums launches the vocal to flight over the canopy of rainforest instruments and insects. I get the impression Opal has emerged from some ancient haunted psychadelic pyramid. And I love the ending, hinting at a space launch, easing the listener into oblivion. Look for more from Opal and her collaborators in the comming months. –Natan Press

I first became aware of Virginia based artist Dannie in August of this year with her first single, Girls Time. Dannie is a strong vocalist, one of the few singers that are still breathing life into what I’ll label pure R&B. Her second single, Wait 4 It was released on October 14th and has been doing well since that date with over 80,000 plays on Soundcloud. This sexy track highlights strong harmonies interlaced with smooth melodies that are sure to be caught in your head after first the listen. Wait 4 It tells the story of a playful seductress keeping her potential lover on his toes to the point of full desire. The track used properly accompanies the concept of this song and reminds me of what a slow jam is supposed to sound like. Emotion is clearly felt within the vocals of this track as Dannie flirtatiously explores her full range and leaves the listener yearning for more by the time they realize that the song has ended. –Opal Rose