NEW TRACKS: Eleanor Friedberger - ‘She’s A Mirror’

You either relate to Eleanor Friedberger pretty completely or you don’t get her at all. You either appreciate narrative in song or you just want to dance. You either dig horn section breakdowns or they remind you of crying babies in movie theaters. You either love the control in her voice or, well, you just don’t, and probably think it comes off pretentious.

Well file me into the first group. AND I’m all about the nuances in her presentation as well. In this song, “She’s a Mirror,” off her soon to be released album, Personal Record, there is barely any indication of perspective. I love nothing more then not knowing exactly what to think of her lyrics. They’re so well put together that they make you guess and question not only the song but also yourself. Talk about being reflective.

-Ian Signore

Performing live at U Street Music Hall on June 27th.

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

NEW TRACKS: Hockey - ‘Wild Style’

Indie band Hockey seamlessly blends a variety of musical influences into a whirlwind of rock, electronica, new wave and hints of reggae in their new track “Wild Style.” Lead singer Ben Wyeth has a lazy drawl that floats along the song’s easy melody, murmuring the chorus “You got that wild style.”

It’s a change from the genre-bending last album, 2009’s soulful Mind Chaos. The latest release, Wyeth IS is out now, taking new and old fans on an experimental journey. Catch the band at U Street Music Hall on May 17, with co-headliner, The Hush Sound!

-Yohana Desta

NEW TRACKS: Oberhofer - ‘Earplugs’

This song is filled with grandeur. Just a little while ago I swore I heard Brad Oberhofer’s voice crack and his guitar nervously thrashed. Oberhofer have come a long way in a short while. Not only does this show in the production of their new song “Earplugs”, but also in the lyrical content. I’ve met Brad Oberhofer one time at 9:30 club Backbar after their show. It doesn’t seem like he’s a real party animal. Maybe a little more grounded? Not as high as the rest of us? This new song, off their upcoming release Notalgia, is about his disappointment he’s found in his attempts to bring people close to him back from the brink of addiction and depression. If you can’t tell the difference between lyrics in this new song like, “I’m hear to hold your hand before you hit the floor,” and those of their previous offerings in songs, “o0Oo0Oo0” and “Away Frm U”, then maybe you need to take your earplugs out.

Listen to the exclusive song stream via Rolling Stone.

-Ian Signore

Make sure to tune into this up and coming band when they perform at U Street Music Hall on Friday, May 3rd.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Our shows on sale this week!

Fall Out Boy (@ GMU Patriot Center) their new single may be titled “The Phoenix,’ but we don’t think FOB ever were truly ever in the ashes. The band makes their triumphant return to Save Rock and Roll. with a 9:30 Club show that literally sold out in minutes, we’re thanking our lucky stars for what’s sure to be an explosive and energetic set at the GMU Patriot Center!

No Scrubs 90’s Dance Party (@ 9:30) ain’t no party like a Will Eastman & Brian Billion dance party! You were here for the sold out new addition, Hot In Herre, now let’s take it back to our 90’s roots for one of the most fun and sweaty nights dancing you’ll ever have on U Street! Always a sold out show, make sure you snag your tickets in advance!

Dandy Warhols (@ 9:30) Courtney Taylor-Taylor and crew return to our stage to celebrate their 13th anniversary with ‘13 Tales of Urban Bohemia.’ That’s a lot of 13, but we are still counting ourselves damn lucky to have this night on our schedule! (And seriously, could it be better timed with the recent Veronica Mars movie rustlings?)

moe. (@ 9:30) the jammy favorites are BACK and gracing us with an intimate club show amidst their summer festival/arena tour. Pinch yourself. THIS IS REAL. So bust out those loose flowy garments and comfy shoes and prepare to let it all hang out for these tunes this May!

Richard Cheese (@ 9:30) you haven’t heard “Get Down With The Sickness” until you have heard it from the sassy, ring-a-ding croon of Mr. Cheese, honestly. Grab your tickets, prepare for martinis, smoking jackets, and probably you losing a little of that martini out of your nose during this hilarious set.

OMD (@ 9:30) they’ve touched us once, and now they are back to touch us twice (oh we went there)! But in all seriousness, these new wave masters have stood the test of time by continuing to expand on their sound, while staying true to their danceable synth roots. And guess what? They’re bringing the new generation with them with an opening set from Diamond Rings. SOLD!

AM & Shawn Lee (@ U Hall) the latest release from the collaboration of multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee and his band AM is titled Celestial Ecclectic, and thank goodness for that, because it’s quite hard to put your finger on exactly all of the elements the music encompasses. ESL darlings fuse soul, electro, pop, funk, jazz and about a million other genres into something truly beautiful live.

Selah Sue (@ U Hall) soulful and funky, this chick has major good vibes and a completely magnetic personality. The ‘Ragamuffin’ was even named one of Rolling Stone’s new faces of 2012. Not to shabby! Get your tickets to this show, we have a feeling it isn’t long before you are griping about sleeping on ticket to a sold out 9:30 Club show down the road.

TOUR BUS TOP FIVE: The Postelles

We talk and walk with The Postelles to pick their brains about what they can’t live without while on tour.

Who caught them at U Street Music Hall with Arkells and Ambassadors? Favorite moments from the show?

Morrissey  (@ The National Theatre) oh he’s back. After a completely stunning set at Strathmore, we are lucky enough to host Moz once again! Even better? It will be The National Theatre’s FIRST ever rock show in it’s 175 year history. If this wasn’t already a show to check off your bucket list, think again.

The Postal Service (@ Merriweather) the 10 year anniversary of the hugely successful and stunning, Give Up, The Postal Service are back and bringing along the lovely Jenny Lewis with them! Prepare to fall in love all over again on the 10th anniversary of an album that, let’s be real, was pretty important to a lot of us.

Kegs & Eggs 14 The yearly tradition from Elliot In The Morning that truly proves it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere. Hear sets from some of the station’s favorite bands (Dropkick Murphys, Carbon Leaf to name a few), and kick off your St. Patty’s day festivities!

The Dan Band The band that caused literally everyone you know to fall back in love with the dramatic magic that is “Total Eclipse of The Heart” and a genuinely hilarious (and sensual) performance every year. Can you take all the heat?

Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3 an album due out in March from Yep Roc, solid as hell band, support from Peter Buck. Seriously, what more do you want from us? Set that damn alarm and get your ticket!

Tomahawk boasting members from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, The Jesus Lizard and Helmet (DANG! Right?), this band has always been on the cutting edge of experimental hard-hitting rock music. Come see why they are a force to be reckoned with live!

Animal Collective we have graciously lent the magic and wonder of AC live to Merriweather for the past couple seasons, but baby, now they are back in our loving arms. Trippy visuals and sets, fun beats, plenty of dancing. We are already counting down.

Turquoise Jeep  (@ U Street Music Hall) for rhymes as catchy as they are hilarious, the comedic hip-hop group make their triumphant return to U Street Music Hall will certainly be a party you want to get in on.

Youngblood Hawke (@ U Street Music Hall) many of you left our sold out Passion Pit shows as new fans of this band, which is no surprise at all. Their upbeat anthemic indie pop certainly made us instant addicts, and we personally can’t wait to host their headlining gig at U Street Music Hall. Come see what all the fuss is about (SPOILER: it’s about a lot of great, fun music).

PREVIEW: How To Dress Well/Sky Ferreira @ U Hall

An unlikely pairing that somehow makes complete sense, dream-hop crooner How To Dress Well and fledgling pop vixen Sky Ferreira share a bill at U Street Music Hall on Tuesday, March, 19. 

Sky Ferreira’s lived many lives for a 20-year-old, transitioning from modeling to film to a music career that unexpectedly took off with the release of her Ghost EP last year. Ghost’s 5 songs ran the gamut of pop styles, from the Paramore-lite “Lost in My Bedroom” to the country-tinged, Jon Brion-produced “Lost in My Bedroom.” But the album’s standout closing track, “Everything is Embarrassing,” four minutes of breathlessly stylish dance-pop straight from an imaginary ‘80s prom, launched her from wannabe ingénue to the toast of the blogosphere. A woman of many personas, Ferreira’s live presence is all leather-clad posturing, but don’t let her indifference fool you – Sky can sing her face off.

While Ferreira opts for sultry belting, Tom Krell employs his lithe falsetto in his re-imaginations of modern R&B under the moniker How to Dress Well. Characterized by lo-fi, ebbing synths, layered vocals and Krell’s lyrics of heartbreak and loss, How to Dress Well’s chilling bedroom pop comes off as alternately sensual and wracked with pain - sometimes in the same song. Krell joins a recent crop of R&B artists (most similarly the Weeknd and Blood Orange) who have looked introspectively to redefine the essence of their genre, stripping away the spectacle and decadence to mine for raw, bittersweet emotion. None have done so as starkly as Krell, whose pitch-black hymns shift from distorted bedroom pop to minimal electronica to orchestral dirges, never managing to shake off his profoundly heavy heart. Krell’s shadowy virtuosity is crafted for live catharsis – especially one that’s pumped through U Hall’s monster soundsystem.

-Maeve McDermott