![INTERVIEW: The Hush Sound
Ahead of their co-headline with Hockey this Friday at U Street Music Hall, the lovely voice and piano behind The Hush Sound’s lush indie-pop, Greta Salpeter, took some time to answer our questions about their hiatus, new tour, and their new album.
[9:30] Was it difficult getting back into the Hush Sound groove after the hiatus?
[Greta] Not at all. There’s a very natural brother / sister relationship that comes back into play immediately when we all enter a room together. it just felt like we had all been away at college and were coming home for a holiday.
[9:30] What are you most looking forward to about touring and writing together again?
[Greta] Being able to enjoy the experience with a clear head. When we were experiencing our greatest success as an act happened to be a time when the four of us were each mentally / emotionally / physically drained and we were all dealing with some personal issues which kept us from enjoying the touring, writing, and recording. It’s great that our fans are still packing these clubs and that we can actually have fun playing our songs.
[9:30] How does the new record compare to So Sudden, Like Vines, and Goodbye Blues? Has your sound changed at all?
[Greta] The new songs released on our “45” 7 inch vinyl are the most natural presentation of our band in my mind. We arranged the songs in a fun and spontaneous way, recorded them live all in the room together, and didn’t over think it or polish them until there was nothing left, as I feel we had done in the past.
[9:30] Do you think your solo work has influenced the new album in any way?
[Greta] Absolutely.
[9:30] How do you choose album artwork?
[Greta] Generally, one of our extremely talented significant others will pitch us artwork before we even ask. We feel lucky to keep our partnerships all in the family. We work on records, graphic design, videos, web design, etc. pretty much exclusively with friends.
[9:30] What are your favorite songs to play live?
[Greta] Mine on this tour is “Stranger” . Also “Echo” is great because the crowd reacts very strongly to it.
[9:30] I think I speak for every THS fan when I say that I’m really excited to hear your new stuff. If you had a message to your fans who are super pumped that y’all are back together, what would it be?
[Greta] WE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE!! Come to a show and let’s all jump up and down together.
[9:30] And finally, if you could change places with any other artist for a day, dead OR alive, who would it be?
[Greta] Oh god, there are so many.
I would love to dance like Martha Graham, ponder like Alan Watts, play piano like Billy Preston, write like Joan Didion, sing like Bobby Gentry, write songs like John Lennon. Depending on the day, it would be any of those people.
Performing live at U Street Music Hall THIS Friday.
-Kelsey Butterworth](http://24.media.tumblr.com/80a90a599a6aebbe1e5e4418f41ab7d7/tumblr_mmt6bmXD541qec814o1_500.jpg)
INTERVIEW: The Hush Sound
Ahead of their co-headline with Hockey this Friday at U Street Music Hall, the lovely voice and piano behind The Hush Sound’s lush indie-pop, Greta Salpeter, took some time to answer our questions about their hiatus, new tour, and their new album.
[9:30] Was it difficult getting back into the Hush Sound groove after the hiatus?
[Greta] Not at all. There’s a very natural brother / sister relationship that comes back into play immediately when we all enter a room together. it just felt like we had all been away at college and were coming home for a holiday.
[9:30] What are you most looking forward to about touring and writing together again?
[Greta] Being able to enjoy the experience with a clear head. When we were experiencing our greatest success as an act happened to be a time when the four of us were each mentally / emotionally / physically drained and we were all dealing with some personal issues which kept us from enjoying the touring, writing, and recording. It’s great that our fans are still packing these clubs and that we can actually have fun playing our songs.
[9:30] How does the new record compare to So Sudden, Like Vines, and Goodbye Blues? Has your sound changed at all?
[Greta] The new songs released on our “45” 7 inch vinyl are the most natural presentation of our band in my mind. We arranged the songs in a fun and spontaneous way, recorded them live all in the room together, and didn’t over think it or polish them until there was nothing left, as I feel we had done in the past.
[9:30] Do you think your solo work has influenced the new album in any way?
[Greta] Absolutely.
[9:30] How do you choose album artwork?
[Greta] Generally, one of our extremely talented significant others will pitch us artwork before we even ask. We feel lucky to keep our partnerships all in the family. We work on records, graphic design, videos, web design, etc. pretty much exclusively with friends.
[9:30] What are your favorite songs to play live?
[Greta] Mine on this tour is “Stranger” . Also “Echo” is great because the crowd reacts very strongly to it.
[9:30] I think I speak for every THS fan when I say that I’m really excited to hear your new stuff. If you had a message to your fans who are super pumped that y’all are back together, what would it be?
[Greta] WE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE!! Come to a show and let’s all jump up and down together.
[9:30] And finally, if you could change places with any other artist for a day, dead OR alive, who would it be?
[Greta] Oh god, there are so many.
I would love to dance like Martha Graham, ponder like Alan Watts, play piano like Billy Preston, write like Joan Didion, sing like Bobby Gentry, write songs like John Lennon. Depending on the day, it would be any of those people.
Performing live at U Street Music Hall THIS Friday.
-Kelsey Butterworth
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The Killers (@ Merriweather) their last show at GMU Patriot Center sold out insanely fast, so naturally this Merriweather ticket is a hot one. Come see the glam, the drama, the anthemic rock soar throughout Symphony Woods this August
Alan Jackson (@ Merriweather) the country musici staple is back, and prepared to bring his own brand of Summer fun to Columbia in September. Hits old and new, sentimental and fun loving, bring the whole family to enjoy Mr. Jackson’s large repertoire.
El-P & Killer Mike (@ 9:30)both hip hop acts highly buzzed about in their own right combine forces to take our stage. With Kool A.D. rounding out the bill, come see these acts before they are too big for the club to hold!
Jimmy Eat World (@ 9:30)is a show that always gets talked about. I mean, it’s been a good bit since we have had them and we still hear “THAT WAS THE BEST SHOW EVER” on a regular basis. The lesson here? Do not wait on these tickets and you can join the masses of happy faces screaming in our crowd.
Bosnian Rainbows (@ U Hall) If you aren’t familiar (or maybe aren’t obsessively following the offshots of The Mars Volta like we are), Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Deantoni Parks formed on the heels of TMV’s decision to take a hiatus. Basically, this show is going to be completely kick ass. Don’t miss out.
SHOW STYLE: James Blake
Singer James Blake oozes hip British style, from his asymmetrical haircut, posh and proper button-down shirts. That explains why his show was full of young male fans doing the same, all flaunting their messy hair and collared shirts. But this fashion pick stood out from the crowd – check out his look!
Name: Jalen
Age: 20
Occupation: studying meteorology at Virginia Tech
How would you describe your style?
Very comfortable and very expressive, I like a lot of patterns and color. Just something that reflects who I am as a person.
Where did you get your outfit - top to bottom?
Shirt - thrift store
Pants&Suspenders - Forever21
Watch-Nixon
Why did you choose this outfit?
I wanted it to match what I was seeing. It just felt right.
Who or what inspires your style?
What I see in movies or TV, or some of my idols. A lot of musicians.
What style advice would you give a friend that told you there were coming to this show?
I would say something basic, you don’t want to do too much for a show like this. A little bit of color, but nothing too much.
-Yohana Desta
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WE LOVE OUR PARTNERS: DC United
I’ve bragged to you about roof decks, Record Store Day, and so many of my other favorite things as we head into the glorious season of summer. So get ready.. I’m about to make summertime even better with this. With what you ask? How about.. DC United games! #winning. That’s right folks, our Partner Feature this week is DC’s very own Major League Soccer Team, DC United (crowd cheers).
Housed right here in DC at RFK Stadium, DC United has captured more than 12 major domestic and international titles since 1996. Can I get an “Aw Yeah!?” The games are packed with fun, friends, and a sure-fire good time (no jokes). They are the perfect Saturday afternoon summertime activity. And with promotions like “College Night,” “Armed Forces Night,” “Have a Beer On Us!” and “Night Out,” there are seriously zero reasons not to go. For your easiest shmeasiest convenience, you can buy tickets here. Be sure to get their early, their tailgates before each game are killer.
So put on your Red and Black, and get to a DC United game before the season is over!
-Sara Sopher