MySixPoints

Junkfood – Rock how it should be, with catchy guitar riffs and songs you can sing along to – check out “Next To You.” Junkfood’s next show is at Auld Shebeen Friday, March 31st, and they’ll be headlining the Six Points Jammin Java show.

Bellflur – They’ve got a Radiohead feel about them, in vocal stylings, guitar tones, and overall experimental vibe – check out “First to the Moon.” Bellflur’s next gig is the Six Points Black Cat show.

Ballyhoo! – Party rock with a reggae upbeat, along the lines of harder-edged Sublime – check out “Last Breath.” Ballyhoo!’s next show is at the Rendezvous Inn, and they’ll be playing the Six Points Whitlow’s on Wilson show.

A Case of the Fridays

First up is Blu Sanders with “Get In The Car and Drive.” It’s a very simple arrangement, just Blu and some well-played, well-recorded acoustic guitar - but his voice is so enticing, so intimate, that it leaves you hanging on every word. Give it a listen, and if you like it, he'll be at Jammin Java this Monday, March 3rd.

Janine Wilson’s “Save Me From Myself” closes out today’s selections. Her sultry Bonnie Raitt-ish voice resonates throughout the song, while the band provides some nice bluesy guitar touches and whirring organs. And the chorus has me hooked. She’ll be playing the Six Points Ragtime show April 8th.

MP3: Get In The Car And Drive - Blu Sanders
MP3: Save Me From Myself - Janine Wilson

MySixPoints

Brindley Brothers – Fraternal pop/rock, with some ragged Springsteen-esque rocking - check out their new cut, “Rise Above.” The Brindley Brothers will be headlining The Mansion @ Strathmore Six Points show.

Laura Brino – Folky female singer/songwriter w/ delicate vocals, along the lines of Jewel – check out “Pick Me Up.” Laura’s got a couple of shows at Chief Ike’s coming up, and she’ll be playing the Six Points Ragtime show.

MySixPoints

Shane Hines and the Trance – Catchy pop rock w/ strong vocals - check out “Slowly.” These guys have got back-to-back shows at Jammin Java coming up March 31st and April 1st; they’ll be headlining the Clarendon Grill Six Points show.

Stamen & Pistils – A haunting mellow mix of various electronic sounds and acoustic guitars – check out “Sleep for the Bells.” Their next show is Saturday, April 1st at the Diver House, and they’ll be playing the Six Points Galaxy Hut show.

Wolf Trap Season Schedule Announced

Wolf Trap just released the performance schedules for its upcoming 35th anniversary season. It’s a very cool place to go to see a show on a summer night, and they’ll be having their usual wide variety of acts ranging from Lynryd Skynyrd to Itzhak Perlman. Check out the full schedules here.

A Case of the Fridays

First up today is “Fall Apart Again,” by Brandi Carlile. Her beautiful soaring vocals are the focus of this catchy, well-arranged pop song that would fall in the same category as Michelle Branch or Vanessa Carlton. And if you like this song, she’ll be at the 9:30 Club this Saturday, March 25th.

Bill Deasy’s “I Want To Know” closes out today’s column. “I Want To Know” jumps out and grabs you with its full arrangements, triumphant chorus, and vocals and lyrics that keep you listening.

MP3: Fall Apart Again - Brandi Carlile
MP3: I Want To Know - Bill Deasy

MySixPoints

Here's a couple of singer/songwriters for this edition of MySixPoints.

Michael Jantz: Engaging live show with a good acoustic vibe and some Ryan Adams flavor - check out "O'Savignon." You can find Michael Jantz hosting at the Wonderland Ballroom on Sundays, and he'll be playing the Staccato Lounge show for Six Points.

Janine Wilson: Sultry, bluesy female singer/songwriter with strong vocals and hooks - check out "Save Me From Myself." Janine Wilson will be playing the Ragtime show for Six Points, and she'll be at Summit Station this Friday, March 24th.

MySixPoints

Yes, the upcoming Six Points Music Festival has got a bunch of bands at a bunch of venues over a bunch of nights, and that can be a little overwhelming. So to help you out, I’m going to quickly break the line-up down a few bands at a time in these upcoming MySixPoints columns...

Honor By August: Melodic power pop with excellent vocals, along the lines of Vertical Horizon – check out “Only In Photographs.” They’ll be at Jammin Java for Six Points, and they’ve got their CD release party this Thursday, March 23rd at IOTA.

Hello Tokyo: Punky, full of kick, and female-fronted rock/pop – think The Go-Go’s or No Doubt – and check out the irresistible “Kick It.” Hello Tokyo will be playing the DC9 Six Points show.

Telograph: Majestic modern rock/pop with lush Coldplay-esque instrumentals and hypnotic vocals – check out “DNA.” Telograph will be on the bill of the Velvet Lounge Six Points show.

Six Points iMix on iTunes

Six Points Music Festival founder, Mike Holden, has pulled together iTunes tracks by several festival performers to create a 2006 Six Points Music Festival iMix.

If you have iTunes on your machine, click this link to launch the page for the iMix: http://tinyurl.com/hg2ps.

A Case of the Fridays

Start your day off right with some Adam Richman. “Mary-Anne” is tight and punchy, and if you’re not careful, you just may be singing a certain line from the chorus all day at work. But that’s OK, because it’s Friday. And if you like this song, Adam’s coming back to town next week, playing Jammin Java with Getaway Car on Friday, March 24th. He’d love to see you. And you, too.

And today’s final selection is the gorgeous “Mona Lisa,” by Guster. Once again, I’m a sucker for a sparse acoustic guitar beginning that slowly builds, layer-by-layer, into soaring choruses. And the vocal harmonies are excellent. Take a listen.

MP3: "Mary-Anne" - Adam Richman
MP3: "Mona Lisa" - Guster

Six Points Podcasts

Here's A Hint has posted the first of at least three podcasts featuring artists performing in the upcoming Six Points Music Festival. Check 'em out.

A Case of the Fridays

We open the day with “Fist Like A Glove,” by Virginia’s own Emmet Swimming. It just sucks you in with its irresistible “ooh-hoo-hoo’s” and guitar build-ups over the choruses. Take a listen. And they’ll be playing the State Theatre for the Six Points Festival on April 7th.

And now for a second helping of pop - Fountains of Wayne’s “Mexican Wine.” It’s got quirky lyrics, layers of guitars, and it’s really catchy. And plus, Fountains of Wayne is from New Jersey. What more do you want?

MP3: Fist Like A Glove - Emmet Swimming
MP3: Mexican Wine - Fountains of Wayne

Hip-Hop Katrina Benefit Saturday in D.C.

There’s a hip-hop Hurricane Katrina benefit going on this Saturday on U Street at Capital City Records in Washington D.C. Storm the Unpredictable will be hosting an open mic to start things off at 3:00, and then at 3:30 the concert portion begins. Fourteen acts, including Priest Da Nomad and Storm himself, are scheduled to perform. Admission is free to all ages. This event is presented by SPP Waxworks and Capital City Records, in conjunction with WAMA.

Meadowlark Atrium Concert Series

Tickets are now on sale for the Meadowlark Atrium Concert Series. Artists including Ellis Paul and Last Train Home will be performing at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia starting in April. Tickets for all shows are $15 in advance and can be reserved by calling 703-352-5900. Click here for more information.

Shamrock Fest

Enjoy the beautiful weather this Saturday, March 11th, and head out to the 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Fest in Arlington. This street festival will be taking place from noon until 8:00 on the blocks surrounding the Ballston Common Mall. It’s easily accessible via Metro, and there will be plenty of entertainment for all, with bands (including Welbilt and JunkFood), beverages, and carnival rides and games.

A Case of the Fridays

First off, none of these guys are playing Six Points, in case you were wondering. Anyway, I’m loving this first track by Elwood – check the slick Gordon Lightfoot sample (you’ll recognize it when you hear it) on this hip hop selection. It’s a guilty pleasure, but you’ll be singing that chorus all day.

And the second choice is Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.” I don’t post a lot of R&B, but I can’t get this song out of my head. It’s a smooth slice of R&B, with tight beats, silky vocals, and a sneaky hook that you just can’t escape. Give it a listen.

MP3: Sundown - Elwood
MP3: So Sick - Ne-Yo

2006 Six Points Music Festival Line Up

The 2006 Six Points Music Festival Line up was announced today. You can view it here and don't forget to join us for a happy hour celebration tonight at DC9.