One of the things I love most about this new era of music is discovering new artists. And that process is certainly helped by a plethora of avenues to find them digitally, as well as some great friends with even better music taste. Here are a few you need to know about now, with all of them playing the D.C. area in the near future.
One of the things I love most about this new era of music is discovering new artists. And that process is certainly helped by a plethora of avenues to find them digitally, as well as some great friends with even better music taste.
Here are a few you need to know about now, with all of them playing the D.C. area in the near future.
An Horse
Live in D.C., 8 p.m., March 27 at DC9, $10
This Indie duo from Down Under started as work buddies and ended up making beautiful music together. Seriously. Kate Cooper and Damon Cox punched the clock at a Brisbane record store where they would rehearse after hours. Just a few years later and the pair has opened for beloved Indie acts Death Cab for Cute and Tegan & Sara among others.
The best part of their sound is the kick back to yesteryear when garage bands didn’t seem to need to lean on synths and Prozac to put out an album. Though just a combo of drums and guitar, An Horse puts out an angsty buzz that, when paired with Cooper’s vocals, recalls the best work of Joan Jett.
After winning over critics with their first album, Rearrange Beds, their follow-up, Walls, is set for an April 26 release. I’d predict big things to follow. Those eager to get in on the ground floor shouldn’t miss their upcoming show at DC9 March 27. They may never play a venue that small in D.C. again.
For more on An Horse, visit www.anhorse.com.
Small Sins
Live in D.C., 8:30 p.m., March 13 at Red Palace, $8 in advance ($10 day of show)
With driving force and songwriter Thomas D’Arcy at the helm, Small Sins puts out a more refined, pop sound that falls somewhere between The Cure, Maroon 5 and maybe even a kinder, gentler, Trent Reznor who decided to sex up his sound with some lighter, playful synthesizers.
With two LPs already to his credit – Small Sins (2006), Mood Swings (2007) – D’Arcy released Pot Calls Kettle Black in October. But the new music doesn’t stop there. D’Arcy also regularly releases a song of the week on his website. Those tracks are usually orphans that fall too far outside his usual spectrum of songs to find a home on an album. For example, the site currently shows off power pop tune “I Want Everyone To Love Me,” a really fun track that perhaps D’Arcy should carve out a space for on an upcoming album. Perhaps it will work its way into the live set at Red Palace.
For more on Small Sins, visit www.smallsinsmusic.com.
The Felice Brothers
Live in D.C., 9 p.m., March 31 at Rock and Roll Hotel, $18
Once subway buskers in Grand Central Station, the brothers – Ian and James Felice – sound eerily like the love children Bob Dylan. Despite their residence in Brooklyn, the brothers and band members Christmas Clapton, Greg Farley and Dave Turbeville are a straight up roots rock group that can pick and fiddle with the best of them.
Best known for “Frankie’s Gun” off of their eponymous album, I’d argue the virtues of deliberately paced ballad “Murder by Mistletoe” against any you put against it. And I’d strongly argue that you need to get yourself to Rock and Roll Hotel on March 31 to check them out live.
For more on The Felice Brothers, visit www.thefelicebrothers.com.
