DC concerts – Page 7 – poetry in an empty coke can

Marian Hill – Wasted

Posted on February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Philly electropop duo Marian Hill are back with a new EP and stellar lead single, “Wasted.” Made up of Jeremy Lloyd (production/songwriting) and Samantha Gongol (vocals/songwriting), the rising duo have a singular style that consists of sliced vocals, silky synth lines, sultry electronic soundscapes and even elements of trip-hop. With playful lyrics and punchy percussion to boot — as demonstrated on the latest track — Marian Hill can rest assured their immense talent isn’t wasted on us.

Marian Hill’s second EP Sway released today via Photo Finish / Republic Records. Stream “Wasted” and check out their upcoming tour dates below.

Marian Hill 2015 Upcoming Tour Dates:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love

Posted on February 9, 2015February 9, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Last week Unknown Mortal Orchestra announced the release date of their new album, Multi-Love, due out May 26 on Jagjaguwar. This will be the group’s third studio album and follow-up to their 2013 record II. UMO also shared the title-track, which according to a press release is a reflection on relationships: “airy, humid longing, loss, the geometry of desire that occurs when three people align. Where [frontman Ruban Nielson] addressed the pain of being alone on II, Multi-Love takes on the complications of being together.”

Stream the swoon-worthy track and check out their upcoming North American tour dates below.

UMO North American Tour Dates:

06/02 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
06/03 – Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
06/04 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
06/05 – Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room
06/06 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
06/08 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
06/09 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
06/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
06/11-14 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
06/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
06/14 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
06/15 – Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
06/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
06/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
06/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

RMX ROUNDUP: VÉRITÉ + backstroke. / Jack Garratt + Prides / Young Summer + Avec Sans

Posted on January 31, 2015June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Welcome to another Remix Roundup, in which we bring you the latest and greatest mixes currently stirring up the blogosphere. Starting us out is the new backstroke. remix of VÉRITÉ‘s “Echo,” off the recent remix collection of her debut EP by the same name. 2014 was a breakout year for the NY-based alt-pop artist, who will be on tour in March — stopping at DC9 March 12. We love DC producer backstroke’s revision of the VÉRITÉ track with its driving synths and 80s-infused soundscape that perfectly compliments the soft and sonorous vocals of VÉRITÉ. Trust us that you’ll want this rendition ringing in your head long after you listen below.

Next we have the new Prides remix of the Jack Garratt original, “The Love You’re Given.” Taking the soulful electronic track from the British singer, Scottish synthpop group Prides gives it a beautifully polished makeover with luminous synth lines and smooth production style. Stream the effort below.

Finally, UK production duo Avec Sans have resurfaced with their impressive rework of the Young Summer single “Severing Ties.” Similar to VÉRITÉ, last year was a favorable one for the DC-based songstress Bobbie Allen (aka Young Summer), who received a good amount of acclaim in 2014 for her debut LP Siren. The shimmering pop ballad gets a dance reboot from the UK act, spinning it into a grittier electronic number. Locals can catch Young Summer performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall February 20.

José González – Leaf Off / The Cave

Posted on January 21, 2015January 21, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

José González has shared the second taste off his forthcoming album, Vestiges & Claws — scheduled for release February 17 via Mute Records. It will be the Argentinian-Swedish songwriter’s first solo effort since 2007, after spending time collaborating with his band Junip and contributing to various other projects. According to a press release, the new LP includes an array of influences, from ’70s Brazilian productions, to American folk rock and West African desert blues.

In anticipation of the album listen to new single “Leaf Off / The Cave.” Also check out José’s recent cover of Arthur Russell’s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon” while you scope out his 2015 North American tour schedule below.

2015 North American Tour Dates:

4/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4/07 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
4/10 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/12 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
4/13 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
4/14 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
4/16 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
4/18 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
4/21 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
4/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
4/24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
4/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial
4/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
4/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent

HAERTS – Giving Up

Posted on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

After stealing hearts everywhere with the release of their EP, Hemiplegia in 2013 and a host of North American tour dates, HAERTS released their self-titled debut album this September. The Brooklyn-based group revealed several new songs with the release, including our favorite, “Giving Up.” This track shows off what they do best — soaring synth production and rousing vocals (in the vein of Kate Bush) from Nini Fabi that build until the final anthemic chorus swoops in to solidify its greatness. Stream below and pick up their album on iTunes.

HAERTS is also one of those rare synthpop acts that sound just as good live as in the studio. Those in the DC area will have a chance to see them this Wednesday, 11/26 at 9:30 Club with St. Lucia and The Knocks.

THROWBACK THURS: Yo La Tengo – ‘I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’

Posted on November 20, 2014November 21, 2014 by Jon

Hoboken trio Yo La Tengo have made it 30 years into their career, and what better way to celebrate than to listen to them a lot and catch them on their 30th Anniversary Tour. Husband-and-wife duo, Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, along with bassist James McNew, have crafted a fantastic catalog over the last three decades, making it damn hard to choose just one album to highlight for a throwback. Alas, after much deliberation, 1997’s LP I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One seizes the spotlight.

From the instruments used to the genres explored, this is an album that boasts exceptional variety — with shades of the likes of Sonic Youth and Pavement slammed jarringly against lounge and folk. Song to song, the album sounds directionless, but played together, each track acts as respite from one to the other.

Boasting one of the greatest consecutive four tracks of any record, the span from the frenetic “Sugarcube” through the greyed-out “Shadows” is a prime example of YLT deftly executing and balancing the album’s variety of styles. Sandwiching the dulcet “Damage” between the classic trappings of lo-fi and shoegaze in “Sugarcube” and “Deeper into Movies,” each genre feels like a refreshing change of pace. The album continues its trend of experimentation until it concludes, producing some of Yo La Tengo’s best work — among them the calming ache of “Green Arrow,” and “We’re an American Band,” which showcases Ira’s understated but superb guitar work.

What makes this compilation stand out isn’t that YLT can play ten genres on one album, but that its disparate nature evokes a complete picture when viewed as a whole. Listen to it a few times and you’ll be left with a distinct impression of the more salient moments of your formative years. I Can Hear the Heart is replete with all of the hopeful, painful ingredients: the anticipatory excitement that precedes an overdue reunion, the feeling of freedom you can only experience when you’re young, the kind of longing you can feel on a back porch in July, and the sense of accomplishment at having grown up a bit after having felt all those things.

Stream the album in full on Spotify, and check out their remaining tour dates below.

Upcoming YLT Tour Dates:

12.3 – Town Hall, New York
12.4 – Town Hall, New York
12.5 – 9:30 Club, Washington DC
12.6 – Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia

Tei Shi – Bassically

Posted on November 12, 2014November 12, 2014 by santiago

tei shi

Tei Shi is the sobriquet of Valerie Teicher, the Brooklyn-based, Argentinian-born songstress who’s been generating a ton of buzz as of late. Having inhabited Buenos Aires, Bogota, Vancouver and Boston at various stages throughout her life, her multicultural background is reflected in the complexity of her music and the texture of her voice. She recently released her first single, “Bassically” with the Mom + Pop imprint Mermaid Avenue. The compelling track is confected of high notes, low tones, and lush melodies — all backed up by Valerie’s soft reverberated vocals and a strong synth bassline. Stream this gem below.

For the locals, Tei Shi will be performing tomorrow night at DC’s U Street Music Hall with Gems and VÉRITÉ as part of the All Things Gold concert series.

Vance Joy – Mess Is Mine

Posted on October 24, 2014October 24, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy rocketed to international success this past year with the help of breakout single, “Riptide,” which rose to the top of the HypeM charts within hours of release and the Billboard Alternative Songs chart soon after. The indie folk artist (born James Keogh) abandoned a career in law to pursue a more creative path, playing open mic venues in Melbourne until eventually scoring a deal with Atlantic Records.

His debut album, Dream Your Life Away released this September is pure raw folky goodness with infectious hooks and pop influences. Listen to his single “Mess Is Mine” along with “Riptide” below, and pick up the album on iTunes.

Vance will be playing to a sold-out audience at DC’s 930 Club this Saturday, October 25.

[GIVEAWAY]: TV On The Radio @ 9:30 Club on 11/16

Posted on October 16, 2014October 16, 2014 by Jon

Gather ’round Coke Can denizens, we’ve got two tickets to give away to the sold-out TV On The Radio show on Sunday, November 16 at DC’s 9:30 Club. If you missed your chance to grab tickets to see Tunde, Kyp, and the rest of the lads make music, well now’s your chance. Enter to win by leaving a comment below or sending a tweet to @CokeCanPoetry.

They’re sure to be in good form as they parade their latest wares from their forthcoming album Seeds, notably among them the new single “Happy Idiot” (which you can preview below). Even if you’re new to TVOTR’s scheduled programming, we highly encourage you to check them out. Their recent fare boasts seriously catchy melodies backed by resolute basslines, while their older releases run the gamut from lo-fi funk to semi-orchestral threnodies.

Standout tracks from their back catalog include “Ambulance,” “Will Do,” and “Wolf Like Me.” To whoever wins: if they play “Blues From Down Here” or pull out their a capella cover of the Pixies’ “Mr. Grieves,” please leave our contributor Jon a message telling him how it was.

Ready, set, good luck!

Odesza – Say My Name

Posted on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Hot off the release of new album In Return via Counter Records earlier this month, the Seattle-based duo Odesza — who’ve experienced a steady stream of success over the past year — have sold out more than half of their fall tour dates. Standout track off the LP “Say My Name” features the vocals of Zyra alongside their signature inventive soundscapes, and some additional chopped vocals from Madelyn Grant. Incidentally, there’s a slew of remixes of this song happening as part of the This Song Is Sick official remix contest. So if you’re dying for different variations of the tune, head over to the contest page and vote for your favorite before it ends October 17. Listen to the original below, along with some of our other faves, “Always This Late” and “Sun Models.”

Odesza is performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall TONIGHT! If you missed your chance to get tix, you can still purchase the album here.