Hip Hop/R&B Crosstown Jam

Storm the unpredictable will host the
February 4 benefit show. Photo from MySpace

Continuing with a series of benefit shows that began in December, the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), SPP Waxworks and Capital City Records present a Hip Hop/R&B Crosstown Jam for Hurricane Katrina Relief on Saturday, February 4 at Capital City Records. Artists include DP of Poemcees, Green Tea, Stephanie Renee, LK, Hueman Prophets, K-Beta, 20 Below, Uninterrupted, Heveway, Flex Mathews, Soulstice, Educated Consumers, Y.U., O.U.O., Tamara Wellons, and DJ 2Tone of The Blackedemics Show on 89.3 FM WPFW. The show will also include an open mic portion (must sign up by 3:25pm the day of the show). The event will be hosted by Storm the unpredictable.

Capital City Records is located at 1020 U Street, NW. For more information call 202-736-3788 or send an email to [info at wamadc.com] or [info at sppwaxworks.com].

A Case of the Fridays

First up is "Little Round Mirrors," from Harvey Danger. Their new album, Little By Little, was one of my favorites of 2005 - and the entire thing is available for free download on the Harvey Danger website. I really dig Sean Nelson's James-esque vocals on this song, and the arrangement and instrumentation is top-notch.

And we close with "Everything Good," an eighties-sounding slice of pop from TwinTwelve. The lush female vocals and irresistable chorus will have you singing long after the record stops.

MP3: Little Round Mirrors - Harvey Danger
MP3: Everything Good - TwinTwelve

Final Wammies Ballot Released

Logo from wamadc.com

The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) released the final ballot for the 20th Annual Wammie Awards this afternoon in an email to members. Members have until 5PM on Monday, February 6 to return their ballots. The ballot can be downloaded as a PDF here.

A note at the top of this year's ballot announces the creation of a new Wammie award, the Emeritus award. As is explained on the ballot: "In many categories of music there is one person or group whose name and talent are synonymous with the style and the scene. These artists have become the royalty of their genre. This year, the Washington Area Music Association has decided to create a new Wammie award in which these music legends can best be honored. The Emeritus award is presented to those musicians who over the years have repeatedly been the award recipient in their category. The Emeritus Award is our way of expressing to those talented artists our appreciation of their immeasurable contributions to our music scene and to the world. They are indeed in a category unto themselves. In presenting the Emeritus award, WAMA is also paving the way for the successors in that category’s musical lineage. The new heirs apparent will be given a chance to emerge and the legacy of the music will continue to evolve."

The awards will be presented at the State Theatre on Monday, February 20. To learn more about the Wammies and to view past winners back to 1985, visit this page at wamadc.com.

Holden DCist Article

There's a neat little article on MetroMusicScene.com founder Mike Holden, complete with interview, in today's DCist. You can check out the article here, and you can check out Mike Holden's myspace site and listen his new EP, Level, here.

The 20th Annual Wammie Awards

The 20th Annual Washington Area Music Awards (The Wammies) will be held Monday, February 20, 2006 at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia. As explained on the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) website, "The Washington Area Music Awards recognize significant career achievements by area musicians. Nominations and balloting come from the WAMA membership."

According to a WAMA Mini-News email that went out this past Tuesday, the final ballot will be sent to members later this week for voting. More information on this year's Wammies can be found on this page at wamadc.com.

A Case of the Fridays

Now I don't watch The O.C., and I'm a tad late getting into Death Cab For Cutie, I admit. But that doesn't change the fact that "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is one beautiful acoustic love song.

And we close with the track "Our Time," by local band ADHD. I'm a sucker for big soaring vocals with anthemic choruses, what can I say? And if you like what you hear, check ADHD live at DC9 on January 24th.


MP3: I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
MP3: Our Time - ADHD

A Case of the Fridays

Alright kids, time for a three-day weekend. And my favorite band, Marah, is coming to IOTA Saturday night. What more could I ask for?

So naturally I’ve gotta put something up from Marah, and I'm opening with their ode to how nothing stays hidden forever, “It’s Only Money, Tyrone.” This Philly-based band puts on a hell of a rock ‘n’ roll show, bringing a Springsteen-esque intensity onto the stage. Anyway, I know where I’ll be Saturday night…

And I’m closing up with a selection from the DC-based Lucky Day. “Time Will Only Know” is a bouncy, melodic slice of tasty pop w/ jangly guitars and sultry vocals (by Victoria Patchen). If you like what you hear, they’ll be playing backstage at the Black Cat Monday, January 30th.

MP3: It's Only Money, Tyrone - Marah
MP3: Time Will Only Know - Lucky Day

Time Is Running Out

Submissions must be postmarked by Saturday, January 15th, and it's quickly approaching, so make sure to send in your applications! The 3rd annual Six Points Music Festival will take place April 6th through 8th, 2006, showcasing live music at venues throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro area, including DC9, IOTA Club and Café, Jammin' Java, Rock N Roll Hotel, Staccato Lounge, The State Theatre, Strathmore, Velvet Lounge, Whitlow's On Wilson, Clarendon Grill, Galaxy Hut and other to-be-announced venues.

More information is available at:
http://www.sixpointsmusicfestival.com

Jenni Chase On DC101 Tonight

Former Z104 DJ Jenni Chase will be a guest on DC101's Local Lix tonight at 9PM. Z104 went off the air this past Wednesday. In addition to her mid-day time slot, Chase hosted the station's Capital Scene program every Sunday night, showcasing music from artists around the D.C. area, much like DC101's Greg Roche does with Local Lix every Sunday night.

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A Case of the Fridays

Once again, two mp3s to close out your week. First up is “Tied Up Too Tight,” an edgy, Killers-esque track from Hard-Fi, a British band with some swagger. Check out the eruption of a chorus and fuzzed-out guitar solo.

And we close with a track from the Seattle-based emo-pop band, Acceptance. Lead singer Jason Vena’s soaring vocal hooks light up “Different.” Take a listen.

Z104 Is Gone

Anyone who has been following the local news in Washington today or tuned their radio to 103.9/104.1 FM, may already know that Washington's Z104 went off the air this morning. The "Modern Music" of Z104 has been replaced with the classical music of WGMS that was previously found at 103.5 FM. 103.5 FM is now home to WTOP News Radio, which is still airing on 107.7 FM and 1500 AM. However, in March 107.7 FM and 1500 AM will become Washington Post Radio.

For fans of the D.C. music scene, the shut down of Z104 means the end of Capital Scene, a weekly Sunday night show that was hosted by Z104 radio personality Jenni Chase and featured music by local artists. The station's departure from the FM dial also means that DC101, Hot 99.5 and Mix 107.3 are the only stations left in the D.C. area playing any type of modern rock music, with DC101 being the only one of those airing any local music.

Update: On FormatChange.com you can listen "as Z104 plays its final song, gives its last ID, and GM Joel Oxley announces what the future holds for the 104.1/103.9 signal."