WeirdCurves
11.24.2004
bluestate
Saturday, January 8, 2005. Black Cat backstage. The bluestate DJ Collective--DCSOB, information leafblower, Seeking Irony and yours truly--will host Black Cat's newest dance party. More details to come soon.
11.23.2004
December 4
Don't blow your entire holiday gift budget this weekend. Save some funds and energy for December 4 and head over to the Guy Mason Studio Arts Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair and Silent Auction. Students and instructors from the studio arts program will be there to sell their creations. Oh yeah, and I'll be there selling my Polaroid image transfer prints. Here's a sample of my work.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Clearwater Beach, Florida
11.18.2004
FMHg on Earlash
Not tired of reading about Full Minute of Mercury? Good. Check out my review of their Black Cat show over at Earlash. It has a few more details than my "golly gee whiz they're super" post here. Check out some of the other reviews and features over at Earlash while you're there. It's a real classy zine. And I ain't just sayin that cause they let me write for em.
11.17.2004
The List
Wanna know what's hot in music right now? Check out information leafblower's list of the Top 40 Bands in America Today. I'm happy to see that seven out of the 10 bands/artists I submitted ended up on the list. Maybe stellastarr*, Washington Social Club and Carlsonics will make it next year.
The Cause @ Velvet Lounge
Last night was the third time I saw the Cause perform. Their set definitely got better with each performance. The band appeared very compfortable on stage as they strutted and posed like rock stars. I really enjoyed watching them have a good time. They did an excellent cover of "Bad Moon Rising" and seem to have put "Hey Ya!" to rest, which is probably for the best.
Ben Vivari and Devin Heritage
The Cause
Shane Blocker
Matt Smith
Ben Vivari
Devin Heritage
Ben Vivari and Devin Heritage
The Cause
Shane Blocker
Matt Smith
Ben Vivari
Devin Heritage
11.16.2004
Won't you please help the children?
Well, it's getting to be that time of the year when the average Jane and Joe feel a wee bit philanthropic. As you're looking around for organizations where you can spread your wealth, consider throwing a few dollars WVSA's way. WVSA arts connection is a D.C. nonprofit providing arts-infused education and employment-training programs to children and young adults with special needs. Kids without any disabilities in the D.C. public school system have enough challenges--think about what those LD kids face. WVSA does a lot to help those kids thrive and build confidence in themselves. It's a great organization. If you can spare $10 or so, click here. Tell 'em MG sent you. If you prefer to make an offline donation, send an e-mail (weirdcurves [at] gmail [dot] com) to me with your mailing address and I'll get a donation card to you.
Support the Cause
One D.C.'s up and coming bands, The Cause, will play Velvet Lounge tonight. Velvet Lounge opens at 8pm--$6 cover for the show. Take a listen to my favorite track from their demo, "Wasting My Time." Also playing tonight with the Cause are The Dreggs and Sour Tongue.
Don't forget to TiVo the two-hour special first episode of The Amazing Race 6! It starts at 9pm on CBS.
Don't forget to TiVo the two-hour special first episode of The Amazing Race 6! It starts at 9pm on CBS.
11.15.2004
Crooked Fingers and Delgados
Sunday night was a good night for the calming sounds of Crooked Fingers and Delgados. Both sets were straightforward and tight. I didn't find either performance remarkable, but that's probably par for this kind of music. Their music isn't terribly energetic, so it makes sense that their performance would come off the same way. One interesting part of the evening was seeing Emma and Stewart from the Delgados join Eric Bachmann to help him out on a couple of tunes since he was sans band. Here are some pics from the show.
11.14.2004
Weekend Highlights
Artomatic was a blast. I was much more impressed with the quality of the art than I thought I would be. And the spaces the artists carved out for themselves in the building are really interesting. The place was packed when I was there between 8:00 and 10:00 on Friday night--and more people piled in as I left. I was happy to see that the rain and a review from a bitchy old man did not keep the masses away from the opening. I definitely want to go back before the show ends in three weeks to get a better look at some of the pieces.
Digital camera + forgetting to charge the batteries = no pictures of cute rockers wearing school uniforms. Yes, I broke the first rule of photography--I neglected to take back-up batteries with me to the Rockbot/Karmella's Game/Full Minute of Mercury show on Friday night. All three bands put on great shows for the elbow-room-only crowd at Velvet Lounge. I really enjoyed Karmella's Game's set. Lead singer and keyboardist, KTO, was cute as a button in her red sweater, plaid skirt and knee-highs as she totally rocked out during each song. While no member of the band looked to be older than 19 (I'm sure the school uniforms had something to do with this), they played polished rhythms and melodies like old pros. I look forward to seeing them again when they come back to D.C.
I finally got to the Dan Flavin exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. I wasn't blown away by it. If you go, don't be put off by the first floor. The second floor offers, what I found to be, his more interesting works. I enjoyed seeing how he blended the three primary colors of light--red, blue and green--to create pinks and purples. I wouldn't recommend rushing out to the show, but it's worth stopping by in you happen to be at that end of the Mall. Here's a pic of Flavin's work just outside the entrance to the exhibit in the east building:
Digital camera + forgetting to charge the batteries = no pictures of cute rockers wearing school uniforms. Yes, I broke the first rule of photography--I neglected to take back-up batteries with me to the Rockbot/Karmella's Game/Full Minute of Mercury show on Friday night. All three bands put on great shows for the elbow-room-only crowd at Velvet Lounge. I really enjoyed Karmella's Game's set. Lead singer and keyboardist, KTO, was cute as a button in her red sweater, plaid skirt and knee-highs as she totally rocked out during each song. While no member of the band looked to be older than 19 (I'm sure the school uniforms had something to do with this), they played polished rhythms and melodies like old pros. I look forward to seeing them again when they come back to D.C.
I finally got to the Dan Flavin exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. I wasn't blown away by it. If you go, don't be put off by the first floor. The second floor offers, what I found to be, his more interesting works. I enjoyed seeing how he blended the three primary colors of light--red, blue and green--to create pinks and purples. I wouldn't recommend rushing out to the show, but it's worth stopping by in you happen to be at that end of the Mall. Here's a pic of Flavin's work just outside the entrance to the exhibit in the east building:
11.12.2004
FMHg Explosion
Can I read a blog today without seeing something about Full Minute of Mercury? Gosh. I think it's great that they're getting lots of blogger love. I hear that tonight's show will be their last area performance for several months. Make sure that you get out there tonight. I also hear that Karmella's Game and Rockbot (both opening for FMHg) are excellent bands. Get to Velvet Lounge early to check them out.
11.11.2004
PlugoMatic
The opening of Artomatic 2004 will be the place to be tomorrow night. The party starts at 7pm and goes until 1am. Check it out at 800 3rd St. NE -- corner of 3rd and H St., NE. Don't forget to stop by my pal Brian Hewitt's space to see his awesome paintings.
By Brian Hewitt
By Brian Hewitt
11.10.2004
Black Cat Fun, Part II
Prepare for some major gushing. I love, love, love Full Minute of Mercury! I had so much fun at their Black Cat show last night. They started off the show with their backs to the audience, then turned around in a synchronized fashion. That wasn't the end of their choreographed moves--there was jumping, air punching and pointing. One of the best aspects of their performance was that they smiled and laughed through almost every song. They looked like they were having so much fun on stage. Plus, they played tight power pop tunes. Be sure to catch them at Velvet Lounge this Friday. Doors at 9pm.
Here are a couple of pics from last night.
Kelly Landers
Michele Maurer
Here are a couple of pics from last night.
Kelly Landers
Michele Maurer
Black Cat Fun, Part I
Juliette Lewis is definitely a great performer. She and the Licks put on a really fun show at Black Cat last night. Their music is pretty standard punk. I probably wouldn't listen to any of their tracks on my own, but I would see them live again. The crowd, while not all that large, was incredibly energized. Their excitement about the show inspired me join the mosh pit during the band's encore song. As I slammed my body against those of strangers, I couldn't remember the last time I was in a mosh pit before that. However, I quickly remembered that, man, mosh pits are totally fun. Here are a couple of pics from the show.
Juliette Lewis
Professor Ill
Todd Morse
Juliette Lewis
Monkey on Juliette and the Licks' amp
Juliette Lewis
Professor Ill
Todd Morse
Juliette Lewis
Monkey on Juliette and the Licks' amp
11.09.2004
Juliette and the Licks
I'm not all that familiar with Juliette and the Licks. However, by the looks of this picture from Warped Tour, the show at Black Cat tonight should certainly be entertaining. I haven't been able to find any downloads of full songs. You can listen to samples from the band's new EP here.
(pic courtesy of Ause)
(pic courtesy of Ause)
11.08.2004
Pretty, pretty music
Mates of State make me happy with their pretty, pretty music. You can read more about how much I heart them here (yes, I used the word "whimsical." Shut up). If you want to take a listen for yourself, download "Goods."
11.05.2004
Dancin'
Check out Liberation Dance Party tonight at DC9 tonight. No cover before 10pm. You'll have fun.
11.03.2004
Must Read
Veiled Conceit is one of the most entertaining blogs I've read in quite a long time. I suggest you check it out. Make sure that you read this post about a French horn player and a chick lit writer--don't forget to read the comment left by his mom. (link via Lindsayism)
The Girls
Add the Girls to the pile of 80s-inspired bands out there right now. I don't expect them to shoot to superindiestardom anytime soon; however, they're a pretty good option when you're tired of listening to your Killers and Franz tracks. Want more of my opinion about their cd? Check out my review over at Earlash. The Girls have graciously offered three of their songs as mp3s on their site. Check out "Flesh." If you dig that, download the other two and buy the cd.
11.02.2004
Delgados
The Delgados' new album, Universal Audio, is one of those that gets better and better the more you listen to it. Check out a 30-second clip of "I Fought the Angels" here. They'll be at Black Cat on Nov. 14.
Spooky gets deep
DJ Spooky, a.k.a. Paul D. Miller, spoke at Provisions Library last night about his work and his book, Rhythm Science. He filled the hour and fifteen minutes with commentary about music in a cultural context and voice as signifier and signified. He's a smart guy but nearly let himself get carried away with esoteric rhetoric. I was prepared to walk out if he started talking about Saussure. Luckily, it didn't come to that. He also referenced some of his personal experiences with listening to jazz albums left to him when he was two by his father and growing up in DC (BTW, his mother owns Toast and Strawberries). After hearing him speak last night, I highly recommend the party he is throwing tonight at Black Cat. There will be several big screens set up in the venue on which DJ Spooky will project his remixes of live election coverage. He emphasized last night that this will not be a boring political event; it will be a dance party with lots of music.
