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

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.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Futurebirds - ‘Serial Bowls’

Sun-summoning folk fun in this new track from Futurebirds of their latest album, Baba Yaga, sure to get your week moving in the right direction. WARNING: dancing at your desk, and purchasing of tickets for their May 23rd show likely to occur, and well, frankly, encouraged.

Download ‘Serial Bowls’ here.

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 42^nd 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

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

Loretta Lynn the country queen returns to reign on our stage. Her sweet spirit and stunning sounds (and dresses) regularly bring us to cheers, and well, tears, live. We hope you are ready for an extremely special night at our club.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band the party is here! RRTB will roll into town to show off their serious musical chops, seriously groovin tunes, and a seriously good time. Get on those tickets early, they certainly wont be around come August!

Beth Orton the prolific and angel-voiced songstress is always a treat to host. We’ve been fortunate enough to present her at smaller venues (with extremely sold out crowds) and are so ready to be transfixed by her presence in our house this August!

VOTD: Tegan and Sara - ‘I Was A Fool’

Tegan and Sara are simply heartthrobs, end of story. The video for “I Was a Fool,” one of the tracks from Heartthrob, is chock full of Quin sister woe and charm. Mae Whitman is also thrown into the mix; you may recognize her from Parenthood and early seasons of Arrested Development. Whitman is featured in the video as a broken hearted girl, discarding everything that reminds her of that soul-crushing/wonderful boy. Vinyl is smashed, postcards are burned, and paintings are tossed outside. Meanwhile the scene keeps flashing back to Tegan and Sara with their moody, captivating vocals that we know and adore. This alluring sister duo will be at Merriweather with Fun. on July 20th, you’d be a fool to miss it!

-Emily Hirsch