Kanye Protege Kid Sister Comes To U Street Music Hall – July 15

Chicago hipster rapper Kid Sister is gearing up to be on the road for a handful of dates this summer. Signed to Downtown Records (Cold War Kids, Miike Snow, MSTRKRFT, Art Brut) Kid Sister’s 2008 single “Pro Nails” (featuring Kanye West) received a healthy dose of buzz, securing the rapper a comfortable spot on indie-dance playlists everywhere.

Kid Sister released her full-length debut Ultra Violet in the fall of 2009. The record includes her Kanye West collaboration as well as a track featuring Cee-Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley, Goodie Mob), Estelle and DJ Gant-Man.

See Kid Sister at Washington, D.C. at the U Street Music Hall on Thursday, July 15.

Follow Kid Sister on Twitter at twitter.com/KIDSISTER

Washington D.C.’s Black Cat Announces: Gary Numan, Jenny & Johnny, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes

Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan paved the way for synthpop bands around the globe with his 1979 debut solo release The Pleasure Principle. The album was full of synth percussion, signature robotic sounds, and liberal use of the polymoog keyboard, specifically for it’s distinct “vox humana.” … Continue Reading

The Lemonheads Come to Black Cat – June 18

90′s alt-rock band The Lemonheads, fronted by singer/guitarist Evan Dando, are back on the road. The band started getting some major attention since their 1992 release It’s A Shame About Ray followed up by an excellent cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,“ which was featured in Wayne’s World 2 and became one of the band’s biggest single releases.

Throughout the years, the band has had a volatile lineup – over a dozen drummers and at least 10 bass players have performed as a Lemonhead. After an eight-year break-up, The Lemonheads came back with their 2006 self-titled release and have since followed up with 2009′s Varshon’s, and album of cover songs including tracks by Leonard Cohen, Gram Parsons and Christina Aguilera.

See the band live – Friday, June 18 at Washington D.C.’s Black Cat.

The Big Pink Play Washington D.C.’s the Black Cat – Friday, July 30

It’s safe to say London-based electro-duo The Big Pink have been making a ton of noise lately. Yep, recording  their 2009 debut A Brief History of Love in New York City’s Electric Lady Studios, headlining several UK festivals, … Continue Reading

CD Review: Sleepy Sun — Fever; Playing Black Cat, September 8 and The EARL, September 12

Sleepy Sun

Fever

ATP Recordings

By Eileen Tilson

Rumor has it that if you walk into certain bars in Amsterdam, you can walk up to the bartender who will then promptly ask you how you would like to “feel,” which you can then order from a long list of drugs to give you your desired effect. From hot to hazy, Sleepy Sun’s latest export Fever, could be referred to as the Cornucopia of Amsterdam’s goodies. With the capability to mix dark psychedelic rock with spaced out vocals, and smoky mountain voodoo, Fever will leave you wondering whether you accidentally ate the “special” mushrooms on your pizza. … Continue Reading

4th Annual Songwriters Series: Tribute to Kenny Chesney at the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville – June 10-12

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville hosts the 4th Annual Songwriters Series, a three-night tip-of-the-cowboy hat to Nashville’s top songwriters and a special tribute to country music superstar Kenny Chesney, June 10-12.

Held in Hard Rock Cafe Nashville’s new Reverb Room, proceeds from each show will benefit Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in health care facilities in Nashville and across the country.

Thursday, June 10, 2010
Songwriters Series: Kenny Chesney Tribute
This year, the Songwriters Series kicks off with a tribute to Kenny Chesney. Hit songwriters Mac McAnally, Craig Wiseman, Brett James, Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley, and Casey Beathard will share stories about how their songs were cut by today’s biggest country superstar. The entire special show will be broadcast LIVE on Kenny’s very own internet radio station, No Shoes Radio!

Friday, June 11, 2010
ASCAP Songwriters in the Round
Featuring: Chris Tompkins, David Berg, Craig Wiseman, Marc Beeson, Kyle Jacobs

Saturday, June 12, 2010
BMI Songwriters in the Round
Featuring: Dallas Davidson, Tom Douglas, and Wynn Varble (And surprise guests!)

Leila’s Three Picks: Goldfrapp, MGMT, Sleigh Bells

Good evening all! Hope you’re having a fab Friday and have a glorious weekend to look forward to. We certainly do. Naturally there are some great shows on the horizon, and we’ve also got some brilliant new music to listen to too. … Continue Reading

Check Out: Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek)’s Video for “Midnight Hour,” Feat Estelle; Playing Black Cat in D.C., June 10 & The Loft, June 14

The duo of Reflection Eternal sure put out some great vibes. Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek have teamed together again and they’ve brought in sassy British soulstress Estelle to lend some smooth vocals to their track “Midnight Hour.” And we love the result. It’s got that old school feel that the likes of Amy Winehouse have been making a must, with plenty of brass and ’60s dance moves. Not to mention the slick threads. Love it. … Continue Reading

Cheap Trick at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, June 5

We can’t think of a more covered or more popular karaoke song than Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.”

Three decades after the song that everyone can sing-along to was first released, Cheap Trick continues to tour regularly, rocking out for several new generations of fans. With more than 5,000 performances, 20 million records sold, 29 movie soundtracks and 40 gold and platinum recording awards – it’s clear – the band is serious about putting on a Rock ‘n’ Roll show.

Cheap Trick
Saturday, June 5
Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater
2010 BMW of South Atlanta Concert Series

Peachtree City, GA
… Continue Reading

Luis’ 3 Picks for the Weekend – 8th Annual Boulder Strong Ale Festival, Bassnectar, Echo and the Bunnymen

As busy and jam packed as the weekdays can be, lately it seems like the weekends are equally, if not more, insane. So in case you need a couple more suggestions of what to do, here are a few things I think are worth checking out!

… Continue Reading