This coming Saturday, October 10 marks the District’s second annual Fall Classic hosted by All Things Go and they’ve got one fine lineup. Thus in lieu of our usual weekend Remix Roundup, we thought to do a preview of some of the notable artists that will be playing at the all-day festival at Union Market. The inaugural festival brought together the talents of Future Islands, Haerts, Tove Lo, and Young Summer and this year ATG has assembled another electric lineup with eminent producer Kygo headlining.
Listen to a remix from the Norwegian producer, along with some cuts from featured artists Chelsea Lankes,Penguin Prison, The Knocks, and Vampire Weekend‘s Baio below. Additional talents you’ll find at the fest are Powers, Tigertown, and DC’s own The Walking Sticks. The fest will also curate some of the city’s top culinary talents so round up your friends and get your tickets today, as they’ll go up 25% in price the day of the show.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, CHVRCHES are getting ready to release their sophomore album, Every Open Eye — out next week (September 25) via Universal. They’ve shared a couple of tracks leading up to the drop, and this week they’ve unleashed what might be their best yet — a song called “Clearest Blue.” Propelled by an electronic beat with their classic synth-drenched sound, the anthemic track embodies everything that makes the Scottish trio so beloved. Watch the lyric video for “Clearest Blue” below.
On the heels of their album release, CHVRCHES will be headlining Washington DC’s inaugural Landmark Festival September 27. Meet us halfway?
And if that’s not enough for you — here’s a brill CHVRCHES cover of Arctic Monkeys‘ “Do I Wanna Know.”
For those unfamiliar, Communionis a label founded by artists — Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons fame, Kevin Jones from Bear’s Den, and producer Ian Grimble. One of the unique platforms they offer for new artists is called Communion Residency, in which they host a monthly, multi-genre showcase of local, national and international emerging talent. This September they’re expanding to 11 US markets, including a stop at DC’s Jammin Java. The lineup for the September 11 show includes Conrad Sewell, Freedom Fry and Clara-Nova. To encourage everyone in the area (or one of the other host cities) to support this innovative medium for music discovery, we’ve provided a mini-preview of what these respective artists have to offer below.
Conrad Sewell is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter and new talent who hails from Australia. Fans of music producer Kygowill recognize him as the voice of his single “Firestone,” co-written by Sewell. Check it out below.
Another talent currently making a name for themselves is French/American duo Freedom Fry, who were ranked in the “100 Emerging Artists from SXSW” list on Spotify and had a #1 single on The Hype Machine this past year. For a sample of their sound, stream “Break Into a Musical” below. According to bandmates Bruce and Marie, the track is about “someone looking back on a failed relationship and remembering how they used to sing silly songs together, and now that memory is fading out. It’s actually a sad song with a happy sounding chorus.” Nonetheless, most of their songs are fairly upbeat so don’t be too disheartened.
Last but not least, the artist we’re probably most excited about sharing from the lineup is CLARA-NOVA. The name and concept for LA songstress Sydney Wayser sprung from her subconscious, in the form of a dream. Clara-Nova is essentially a distillation of all the qualities Wayser wished to possess: “She’s the newer version of myself. She’s a hybrid between Athena, Joan of Arc and Aphrodite. She’s a power woman, but still really feminine.”
Wayser’s debut single, “An Island” is a sprightly treasure of a tune with a backing track that keeps you guessing. She also has an EP in the works which was produced in part by Shawn Everett (known for his work with Alabama Shakes, Weezer and Julian Casablancas). Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of sources such as deep sea dance parties, ancient Egyptian ritual and Martian folklore, the new EP is sure to be one to watch out for. Better yet, go see her perform the tracks live before her stardom usurps her stage persona.
A lot of end-of-summer remixes have surfaced as of late, which means it’s time for another Remix Roundup. To start, we wanted to share the Star Slinger rendition of swim good‘s “Since U Asked.” The original was a nostalgic gem of a track, and the UK producer takes it to the next level with his stellar upbeat spin. While leaving Merival‘s vocals at the forefront, Star Slinger shakes up the tempo and brings out the beat, ensuring the danceability factor. Stream below.
Next is the new mix of filous‘ first original track, “How Hard I Try” by prolific Portland producer RAC. The original track, by rising Austrian artist and music prodigy filous (the french word for “Rascal”) features vocals from James Hershey and has an inherently tropical tone. RAC takes it in a different direction with a more muted approach to the synths and haunting echoey instrumentation, which is apt given the subject matter.
In related news, RAC is actually going on tour with filous, Big Data and Pink Feathers this fall so be sure to check out their tour dates. For those in the District, they’ll be at DC’s 9:30 Club November 10 so get your tickets now!
Last but not least, we’re loving the fresh Four Tet take on the new CHVRCHES single “Leave A Trace.” CHVRCHES — everyone’s favorite Scottish synthpop outfit — caused a stir on the internet with the announcement of their sophomore album, Every Open Eye, due out September 25 on Glassnote Records. The English electronic artist strips down the poppiness of the original and instead supplies an underlying tension, building the track around the hook: “I know I need to feel relief.” It’s a masterful case of the production mimicking the message of the song, as only Four Tet is capable. Listen below.
Electropop trio Superhumanoids have offered up new track “Norwegian Black Metal,” which is the second cut from their forthcoming album Do You Feel Ok?. According to the LA act, “the song is about obsession, escapism, and the power of something random to bring two people together — in this case the book True Norwegian Black Metal.” Despite the radical content of the book, the track itself is super dreamy, driven by lithe synths and singer Sarah Chernoff’s sugar-coated vocals.
Do You Feel OK? — the follow up to their 2013 debut Exhibitionists — drops September 11 via Innovative Leisure. Stream the new cut below and check out the dates for their fall headline tour, which includes a stop at DC9 on September 30.
Superhumanoids Upcoming Tour Dates:
9/15 – San Francisco, CA; Rickshaw Stop
9/17 – Seattle, WA; Barboza
9/18 – Portland, OR; Holocene
9/21 – Madison, WI; Frequency
9/22 – Chicago, IL; Beat Kitchen
9/23 – Cleveland, OH; Euclid Tavern
9/24 – Toronto, ON; The Drake
9/26 – Montreal, QC; Divan Orange
9/28 – Boston, MA; Great Scott
9/29 – Philadelphia, PA; Johnny Brendas
9/30 – Washington, DC; DC9
10/1 – Brooklyn, NY; Baby’s All Right
10/3 – Richmond, VA; Stranger Matter
10/4 – Asheville, NC; The Mothlight
10/5 – Atlanta, GA; Drunken Unicorn
10/6 – Nashville, TN; Hi-Watt
10/7 – Houston, TX; Rudyards
10/8 – Austin, TX; The Mohawk
10/10 – Phoenix, AZ; Pub Rock
10/13 – San Diego, CA; Casbah
10/14 – Los Angeles, CA; El Rey Theatre
Minneapolis-based trio Bad Bad Hats released their debut album, Psychic Reader this July via Afternoon Records. The opener of the LP, “Midway” is a dreamy, indie pop track befitting of a languid, summer soundtrack with its steady beat, distorted guitar and singer Kerry Alexander’s sweet warble.
Portland’s Pure Bathing Culture have shared the title track off their forthcoming LP, Pray For Rain. An offshoot of the group Vetiver — PBC was formed by Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman — who recorded the upcoming release with Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Chelsea Wolfe). “Pray For Rain” is an exuberant tune which contrasts upbeat instrumentation with sobering lyrics. Listen below and look out for the album to drop October 23 on Partisan Records.
Also check out their full tour dates below — DC folk can catch the indie act at DC9 Nightclub October 7, with Wild Ones supporting.
PBC Upcoming Tour Dates:
08/23 – Portland OR @ MusicFestNW 09/18 – Seattle WA @ Barboza 09/19 – Vancouver BC @ Fortune Sound Club 09/22 – Fargo ND @ Studio 222 *
09/23 – St. Paul MN @ Turf Club *
09/24 – Madison WI @ The Frequency *
09/25 – Chicago IL @ Schubas * 09/26 – Champaign IL @ Pygmalion Music Festival 09/27 – Cincinnati OH @ Midpoint Music festival
09/28 – Columbus OH @ The Basement *
09/29 – Cleveland OH @ Beachland Tavern *
10/01 – Toronto ON @ The Drake *
10/02 – Montreal QC @ Bar le Ritz *
10/03 – Boston MA @ Middle East Upstairs * 10/04 – Brooklyn NY @ Baby’s All Right *
10/06 – Philadelphia PA @ Boot & Saddle *
10/07 – Washington DC @ DC9 *
10/08 – Carborro NC @ Cat’s Cradle Back Room *
10/09 – Atlanta GA @ Drunken Unicorn *
10/10 – Asheville NC @ The Mothlight *
10/12 – St. Louis MO @ The Demo *
10/13 – Kansas City MO @ Record Bar *
10/29 – San Francisco CA @ The Chapel
11/01 – Santa Barbara CA @ SOHO Restaurant and Music Club *
11/02 – Los Angeles CA @ The Echo
11/04 – Phoenix AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
11/07 – Dallas TX @ Three Links *
11/08 – Norman OK @ The Opolis *
11/09 – Omaha NE @ Reverb Lounge *
11/11 – Denver CO @ Hi-Dive *
11/12 – Salt Lake City UT @ Kilby Court *
11/13 – Boise ID @ Neurolux * * – w/ Wild Ones
Following the release of their debut EP Religion earlier this year, Brooklyn folktronic band Howardwill embark on their fall tour this week. Founded by Howard Feibusch (guitar, vocals) after a former project fell apart, the nascent group is rounded out by Myles Heff (bass), Chris Holdridge (drums) and Alex Chakour (synths, guitar). Together they create hypnotic, homespun polyrhythms through the use of acoustic guitars and layered electronics. For a sampling of their work, listen to “Money Can’t Buy” and “Falling” — the latter of which was sonically inspired by Other Lives.
Howard will be playing at NYC’s Mercury Lounge August 6, then stopping by DC9 Nightclub August 7. Be sure to come out to the shows if you’re in either locale and in the mood for live music!
Mac is back with a new mini-LP this week, arriving August 7 via Captured Tracks. The mini-album, Another One is a collection of love songs that was conceived and recorded in Mac DeMarco‘s Far Rockaway bedroom in Queens within the time span of just a couple of weeks. He’s teased a few tracks from the album already, including latest offering “No Other Heart” below.
It’s a warm and romantic jazz number that Mac wrote on the synthesizer. He tells NPR: “For some reason, the chord progression reminds me of a John Lennon chord progression because he had very simple, chunky piano parts in his songs. I like the chorus. I feel like the chorus is quite cute.” We couldn’t agree more — stream below and if you’re in the DC area, we hope you’ll make it out to see Mac at The Howard Theatre October 14.
Following their EP Five Spanish Songs released in 2013, Destroyer makes a solid return with the first single off their forthcoming album Poison Season. “Dream Lover” retains the band’s characteristic identity, employing horns and delayed saxophones in support of Dan Bejar’s vocals — all sustained by a steady and melodic beat. Consistent with his previous works, the song denotes the jubilant refrain of an optimist whose heart is cloaked in cynicism. The new long-play will be unveiled August 28 via Merge Records, and DC area folk will have the opportunity to see Destroyer live at 9:30 Club October 5.
poetry in an empty coke can 