Our weekly playlist of our current tunes in heavy rotation is ready for you! Happy Music Monday!
What tracks are you blasting today?
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
ALBUM REVIEW: The Great Gatsby Soundtrack
It’s only fitting that the opulent, Jay-Z-produced Great Gatsby soundtrack starts off with a song from the legendary rapper himself. Boasting like a lavish, modern-day Jay Gatsby, the lyrics flow about a fabulous life full of “Benjamin Franklins filled/folded just for the thrill.” It’s a telling start for a luxurious film about the Roaring Twenties, based on the famous book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The soundtrack is full of tonal, ‘20s influences and quirky, reimagined tracks, like the slow-pulsing, funky cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” by Beyoncé and Andree 3000, and Emeli Sande’s vintage, orchestral take on Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love.”
Given the film’s portrayal of decadent nightlife, there are some fun, throwaway club bangers like “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (We All Got) by Fergie, Q-Tip, and GoonRock, and “Bang Bang” by will.i.am. Though these tracks could find a home in any modern nightclub, they’re filled with vintage trumpet trills and fun vocals that recall a ‘20s-esque singing style.
But this is The Great Gatsby, so there has to be lush, dramatic tracks as well. Perhaps the most talked-about track thus far has been Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful.” It slides the soundtrack out of its party mentality and slows it down to Del Rey’s trademark doom-pop sound, replete with her cooing voice, dripping fatalist, honey sweet lyrics from a perfectly shaped pout. Del Rey’s drama is only matched by that of British songstress Florence and the Machine, whose track “Over the Love” sticks to her already well-known sonic territory: heavenly vocals, echoey orchestral backing, and a slow verses that build into an explosive chorus. Both of these songs seem to be built for the Daisy Buchanans of the world, those shallow, pretty party girls who lead doomed lives.
Though the album has its problems here and there, it’s Jay-Z doing what he does best — entertaining the masses with a wave of his million-dollar hand, as Gatsby would have wanted.
-Yohana Desta
REASONS TO COME EARLY: The Felice Brothers
The Felice Brothers have come a long way from their start as frequent performers on various NYC subway platforms. Since 2006, this Americana group of five has released nine studio albums and ventured far beyond the stage of the public transportation system. They have toured with high profile acts including Old Crow Medicine Show and the Dave Matthews Band, as well as making appearances at Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival.
Be prepared for accordions, fiddles, and gritty vocals that will make you wish that you got to witness some of their early days in the 42nd Street station. The Felice Brothers’ approach is unbridled and definitely invites a fair amount of foot stomping. Check out ‘Penn Station’ as an introduction to their New York roots and alt country style. These men who hail from the Catskill Mountains sure know how to put on a show, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to see them open for Josh Ritter & and the Royal City band TONIGHT and tomorrow!
-Emily Hirsch
VOTD: Janelle Monae - ‘Q.U.E.E.N.’
The over-conceptual-yet-always-fabulous Janelle Monáe drops yet another video in her futuristic narrative. The song “Q.U.E.E.N.” - from her upcoming album The Electric Lady - has her teaming up with Analog Girl Erykah Badu (known here as “Badoula Oblongata”). The neo-soul divas recreate a science fiction version of Night at the Museum as they come to life to strut around and pose fem-powerment isms like “am I a freak for getting down?” Check out the video below, directed by Alan Ferguson (Solange’s boyfriend).
-Nick Velleman
NEW TRACKS: Lemaitre - ‘Cut To Black’
Tickling piano and an electronic groove that reminds us of an ‘If I Ever Feel Better’-era Phoenix, you can’t help but sway to this simplistic and sweet tune from the Norwegian duo. Throw this on your next party mix and prepare to watch everyone Shazaam it within the first 20 seconds.
SIDE NOTES: The National’s 6 Hour MoMa ‘Sorrow’ Set
I’m still trying to process and I wasn’t even there. On Sunday, brooding indie rockers of The National took residence in NYC’s Museum of Modern Art and proceeded to perform their song “Sorrow” for six hours straight. I repeat, six hours. By the end of this six hour-long show/exhibit, the band had played the song 105 times. “Sorrow” is a pretty darn sad song, so how they managed to continue repeating “sorrow waited, sorrow won” that many times without collapsing in tears, I’m not sure. As depressing as this event sounds, more importantly it is a reason why we should keep being excited about music. The band must have learned a great deal about both the song and themselves through that much repetition. Although this was a little insane, it was also very innovative, especially given the unusual interaction between indie rock and modern art. Freshness, even if that entails singing a sad song 105 times, is never a bad thing. Expect an incredible performance from The National at Merriweather on June 6th, but don’t get too upset if neither the song “Sorrow” nor even the word “sorrow” are uttered anywhere near the pavilion. They deserve a break.
-Emily Hirsch
DISCUSS! What are your thoughts on their performance?
PREVIEW: Americanarama Festival of Music
YEAH, OK, SO LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS LINE-UP. It might be what dreams are made of. Not that these three need much of an introduction, but just for kicks, let’s break it down.
Over 30 albums in, Bob Dylan is undoubtedly one of rock’s living legends. Poetic lyrics, a signature sound, furious touring, and the ability to still create fantastic records (last year’s release, Tempest, received rave reviews), Dylan is one of those acts you just HAVE to see once. Or twice…or three times… With his band in tow, fans are in for a special evening showcasing why he is one of the greats.
Joining Dylan are rockers My Morning Jacket. Frontman Jim James has been busy supporting his debut solo record (anyone catch his awesome show at the Club last week?), but the entire band is back to melt faces with their blistering live show. The Kentucky boys promise to turn the amps up loud, jam a little, and leave you with a smile on your face. The band also knows how to mix things up- being known to change their setlist nightly, you never know what surprises you’re in for!
Rounding out Americanarama are Wilco, indie/alternative godfathers, who have been making crowds happy for over 15 years now and are no strangers to MPP. Hitting the road for this epic tour right off of their very own Solid Sound Festival, Wilco’s upbeat, dynamic show will either: further your love for Jeff Tweedy & Co., or turn you into a fan for life. Like MMJ, to add to the excitement, the band constantly changes their sets, which span their entire career. Basically, to say they’ve got it down would be an understatement!
All three of these acclaimed acts together in one night? You’d be a fool not to snatch up tix!
-Samantha Turnbull
PHOTO SET: Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite
The album was completely incredible, and their live show together certainly exceeded expectations. The show was sold out well in advance, but you can get a taste for their set courtesy of house photographer Mike Danko on our Facebook page.
SHOW STYLE: Foals & Surfer Blood
For an epic, rock’n’roll show like Foals and Surfer Blood, concertgoers need to dress appropriately cool. This girl caught our eye with the perfect rocker chic outfit.
Name: Maddie Pericak
Age: 19
Occupation: VCU Arts student
9:30 – How would you describe your style?
MP: Kind of like a cross between punk and indie. Alternative. It’s cool, things don’t match and I’m really chill with whatever I wear.
9:30 – Where did you get your outfit?
MP: Shirt – a Double Suns band t-shirt designed by Yannis Philippakis (lead singer of Foals)
Pants – Not sure, probably T.J. Maxx
Boots – At a thrift store for $8
9:30 – Why did you choose this outfit for this show?
MP: I like to be comfortable and wear stuff that might have connections to people in the band.
9:30 – Who or what inspires your style?
MP: A lot of bands and a lot of fellow students from the school I’m at, VCU, so kind of like the style around the city.
9:30 – If your friends asked you what to wear to this show, what would you say?
MP: I’d definitely say close-toed shoes, because it can get crazy out there and some sort of comfortable jeans or shorts, and a comfortable top. Whatever the hell suits you that you want to show off to people.
-Yohana Desta
