Win Tickets To See Dan Tyminski at Juanita’s, September 11

If you’re a fan of bluegrass, then a night with Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman was made for you. Here’s what The Bluegrass Blog had to say about the duo:

Bluegrass heavyweights and former Lonesome River Bandmates Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman will be touring together this spring and summer. The two have long been known for how well their voices blend and complement each others, and have not performed together regularly since the LRB days.

We’re giving away a pair of tickets for this show, and all you have to do is fill out the easy form below.

Win Tickets for Memphis Belles, Three Bad Jacks and Kinch at Maxine’s!

We have some great ticket giveaways for shows coming up at Maxine’s, and all you have to do is fill out the form below to enter.

On September 4 you will be treated to a night of burlesque with the beautiful girls known as The Memphis Belles.

Get your dose of psychobilly with Three Bad Jacks and Josh the Devil and the Sinners on September 9.

And finally, enjoy the lovely indie pop sounds of Kinch on September 17 with REMMA and Eddie Cohn.

CD Review: Jenny and Johnny — I’m Having Fun Now; Playing Black Cat, September 16 – SOLD OUT!

Jenny and Johnny
I’m Having Fun Now
Warner Brothers

By Al Kaufman

Those who complain that Rilo Kiley does not have enough Jenny Lewis will have the same problem with Jenny and Johnny. Jenny and her flame, Johnathan Rice, basically trade songs on their coming out disc, relegating the other person to back-up harmonies and oohs and aahs. But they are both incredibly strong songwriters who sound sweet together. And the photo on the back of the disc is simply adorable (as opposed to the artsy, and over-red cover photo). This is two people in love having in love, so forgive them their trespasses. … Continue Reading

Live Review: Thriving Ivory, Ryan Star, Free Micah at Juanita’s, August 12

Review and photos by Sarah Spencer

Thriving Ivory returned to Juanita’s Cantina during the hottest summer in recorded history, and on this particularly sultry August night, the air conditioner wasn’t working properly for the full house of musical fans, not literal fans. Although the air temperature was less than ideal, it did not seem to have a diminishing effect on the audience as the night wore on. First up to entertain was the local Little Rock sextet, Free Micah. This popular Arkansan folk rock band has been making waves and building a solid fan base the last few years. One of the key elements of their sound is the unique juxtaposition of the soft and subdued sounds of the cello, keys, and female vocals with the harder, more heightened sounds of the dual electric guitars and the male lead vocals.  … Continue Reading

CD Review: Dead Confederate — Sugar; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel, September 29

Dead Confederate
Sugar
The Artists Organization (TAO)

By Ellen Eldridge

From the start of the warping and undulating tones of the guitars, it would be easy to instantly feel lost. For fans who expected some semblance of similarity from the debut Wrecking Ball, prepare to take a turn through the jungle of sound and emotion brought on by Dead Confederate. The sophomore release Sugar doesn’t disappoint, but it does take getting used to if listeners anticipate that harsh Southern bite found in tracks like “The Rat” and “Start Me Laughing.” Tracks like the drawn out yet incredibly inspiring and poetic “Flesh Colored Canvas” are missing from Sugar as well. The longest song on the album is the single, “Giving It All Away,” at four minutes and 50 seconds and includes a guest appearance by J. Mascis. An aching sentiment still exists in driven and introspective lyrics written by frontman Hardy Morris and bassist Brantley Senn, but the music exchanges the telltale slide guitar and whining tone for a more pop albeit cinematic atmosphere. … Continue Reading

“Ace of Cakes’” Duff Goldman Comes to Georgetown University!

We have a special event coming to Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown University next month. Food Network star Duff Goldman of “Ace of Cakes” will be coming to the university’s Gaston Hall on September 7 to discuss his life, creative vision and passion for all things sweet and delicious. And of course he’ll also be creating one of his amazing cakes while this all goes on. And did we mention, in the following reception the audience will have the chance to meet Duff and enjoy free cake from his own Charm City Cakes. A sweet night indeed!

Tickets are available to university students and faculty only; you must have a GoCard under your name, you can only buy one ticket per GoCard and you must have your GoCard at the door for the event to be checked.

13th Floor Elevator’s Roky Erickson Returns for a Show at Black Cat on November 5

Austin, Texas’ 13th Floor Elevators broke boundaries in the late 1960s, with Roky Erickson leading the way in a psychedelic revolution. The band was short-lived, breaking up before the ’60s were even over, but the influence of 13th Floor Elevators reverberated with bands for decades afterward, from Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company to Primal Scream.

Before the band even finished, Roky Erickson was already struggling with hints of mental illness. In the following years, Erickson’s state declined, though interest in his music during the ’80s and ’90s increased. Finally, in 2001, Erickson’s younger brother was granted custody of Roky, and together they got Roky out of the myriad of problems – both mental and legal – that had been plaguing Roky for decades.

What followed was a slew of activity, from playing at the Austin City Music Limits Festival, Coachella Festival, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Austin Music Awards, South By Southwest and more. He also released a record, True Love Cast Out All Evil, in April of this year, which was recorded with Okkervil River.

And now Roky Erickson is back on tour, and will be stopping in Washington, D.C. for a show at Black Cat on November 5.

CD Review: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin — Let It Sway; Playing Black Cat, September 10

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Let It Sway
Polyvinyl

By Lizzie Burnham

As a bright, impressionable 19-year-old college sophomore, I was introduced to Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (SSLYBY).  However, let me backtrack a little and give you a bit of insight on how and why they came to play at my school.  I attended Earlham College in Richmond, Ind.  Some people scratch their heads at the mere mention of Richmond, Ind., and I assure them it is indeed a small town in seemingly the middle of nowhere.  However, even though Richmond as a whole town is not an ideal place to see music, Earlham managed to pull in some great names.  I’d been seeing these posters around campus advertising for a dual bill of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Detholz!.  Needless to say, I was intrigued and glad I did not skip the show. … Continue Reading

Decatur Craft Beer Festival 2010 Tickets Go on Sale September 20

We’re very excited to announce that tickets for 2010′s Decatur Craft Beer Festival are going on sale September 20. The event is set to take place on October 16 in downtown Decatur, Ga., and will feature more than 100 of  the best local, national and international beers, as well as live music and food from local restaurants. Decatur truly is one amazing beer town, and this festival has a history of selling out pretty fast, so be sure to get your tickets for this incredible beer-lovers paradise.

Hardcore D.C. Legends Government Issue Return for a Benefit Show at Black Cat, December 11

Singer John Stabb returns with fellow punks Tom Lyle, J. Robbins and Pete Moffett to reform Government Issue, the legendary hardcore punk band part of the seminal D.C. scene in the ’80s. The band will be playing with The Goons and Set To Explode at Black Cat on December 11. The event is a benefit show for D.C. mainstay DJ Stereofaith, who had to have brain surgery recently. Tickets just went on sale this morning, and they’re already going fast, so grab yours now.