Phil Rossi in On Tap

Some of you may know local musician and debaucher Phil Rossi from around town – anyway, the new On Tap has a little article/interview about the man behind the man, and his new project, “Crescent.”

The Swell Season is upon us (Concert Review)

Frames frontman Glen Hansard, with Czech singer/pianist Marketa Irglova, brought a cool European respite to the sweltering DC summer when their group, aptly named The Swell Season, descended upon the 9:30 Club last night. Opening up for them was the very capable Amy LaVere, who wowed the audience with her stand-up bass technique. The Memphis musician's style can best be described as a little jazz and a whole lotta boogie woogie, the result sounding not unlike a Dixie Chicks cover of a Norah Jones song.

Hansard established early in the Swell Season set exactly why he's the hardest working man on stage, pouring every bit of himself into the fan-pleasing tracks When Your Mind's Made Up and Lies. Marketa took center stage to sing If You Want Me from the Once soundtrack, and an as yet unreleased track entitled Fantasy Man. Glen displayed his versatility, picking up a mandolin and taking a turn at the keyboard while Marketa sang. The band was clearly awed by the response from the audience, given the fact that they toured the US nearly anonymously last year. His graciousness didn't stop Glen from having a bit of fun with two drunk girls near the front of the audience, positing the theory that drunk Irishmen (and women) have spread to the far corners of the world, a view shared by a fellow concert goer and Irishwoman.

The surprise of the set was a lively cover of the Pixies Cactus, which nicely complemented the energy of the Frames' Pavement. The latter song, with it's lyric "I want my life to make more sense to me", eloquently expressed Hansard's surprise "overnight" success because of the movie. He spoke of his struggle as an artice and to get noticed, and how suddenly the world turned around and said "What?!". He expressed that, however puzzling (albeit in slightly coarser language), he was enjoying every minute of the ride. Swell Season concluded with covers of Van Morrison's Into the Mystic and Dylan's You Ain't Goin' Nowhere.

A Case of the Fridays

Working a 5-day week during the summer is for the birds, no doubt, and it’s left me tired and ready for the weekend. But I’m still want more music. First up we’ve got a selection from some raucous rockers from Australia, You Am I (above). “Ain’t It Funny” is some swaggering garage rock, with driving rhythm guitars and strained vocals, gloriously teetering on the edge of chaos. They sound like they’d be a good time live, and they’ll be here in DC at Black Cat Thursday, August 2nd.

MP3: Ain’t It Funny – You Am I

And of course, after we raise things up, we’ve gotta bring em back down a notch with Tereu Tereu’s “Furwinked!” It’s mellower indie rock with a jazzy twist and catchy chorus – and yeah, they even use vibraphone! If you like what you hear, Tereu Tereu will be at Black Cat, Tuesday, July 31.

MP3: Furwinked! (The Lion/Bear Song) – Tereu Tereu

(songs are on box.net, so just left-click on songs to download or play)

The Swell Season Ticket Giveaway

Perhaps you’ve seen the indie musical Once that features Glen Hansard (of The Frames) and Marketa Irglova…or perhaps maybe you haven’t. Anyway, they’re touring together as The Swell Season, playing songs from the movie soundtrack, and DCist is giving away a pair of tickets to the show at the 9:30 Club. Enter here.

The Hard Tomorrows No More

DC's The Hard Tomorrows had their final show last night at The Red and The Black. Joe over at Instrumental Analysis has got a nice post here that includes the band's whole catalog (fully downloadable) and musings about the Hard Tomorrows by a few local musicians.

Travis @ 9:30 Club / Review

I admit, I was pretty surprised about the devoted following of Travis fans in DC, or at least, surrounding me at the sold-out 9:30 Club show last night (thx Brian for the ticket!). Considering the fact that their first album came out back in the late 90s, it’s interesting to see that they’ve still got a strong fanbase – complete with flag-waving Scots.

Travis didn’t take the stage the way I’d expect a mellow-sounding Brit-pop band to do it. Instead, the theme from Rocky blared over the speakers as the band, each member clad in a boxing robe, made their way from the back of the 9:30 Club through the crowd up to the stage, high-fiving fans all the way. I’ve never seen that before, and I’m pretty sure I got a high-five from lead singer Fran Healy!

Anyway, I was very impressed by Healy’s soaring, effervescent voice from the opening lines of their leadoff number, “Selfish Jean.” I had never seen Travis live before, and Fran (or “Franny,” as my flag-waving neighbors called him) could really get his voice up there to nail those high notes throughout the evening. He’s a character with a good stage presence, which is helped out by a thick Scottish brogue that Sean Connery himself would be envious of.

Overall, I’d say Travis put on a pretty solid show, with a strong arsenal of catchy little melodies and earnest lyrics, though some songs seemed to sound vaguely similar after awhile. Of course, I’m not overly familiar w/ the Travis canon, only owning The Invisible Band. I wouldn’t say that Travis really rocked, but they managed to keep a decent energy level going, thanks to the pounding bass drum stomp rhythm that kept people bouncing during most songs.

I did enjoy the subtle lead guitar work of Andy Dunlop, and was happy to see that he survived his much-labored climb up to the balcony of the 9:30 Club for a second-story solo. Other highlights included the band gathering around Fran (above) to group-sing “Flowers in the Window,” and Andy busting out the banjo for the fan-favorite “Sing.”

Watch: “Closer” Video

Photo Credit: J. Americ Pasco (Heroboy)

John Paul White @ 9:30 Club / Review

I usually have pretty good luck with opening acts at the 9:30 Club, and last night’s Travis show was no exception…Yeah, his hair might have been straight out of the late eighties, but John Paul White’s voice soared a la Thom Yorke or even Muse singer Matthew Bellamy (thx, Brian). It was just JPW on acoustic guitar accompanied by an electric guitarist who played some nicely textured and sometimes rocking stuff up there. It was more intense material than Travis, and if John Paul White gets a full band around him, he could do some amazing things. Anyway, JPW apparently has got a new CD coming out soon, and I want it.

Win A Trip to the Austin City Limits Music Festival

The 2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up this September 14-16. The line-up’s pretty stacked, with Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, Wilco, and Arcade Fire, just to name a few acts. And yeah, Texas is far, but local Tex-Mex chain Austin Grill might be able to help you out, since they’ll be giving away a getaway for two to the festival! Get more details here.

A Case of the Fridays

We’re in the midst of tourist season here in DC, so be kind and adopt a tourist. Or at least make sure they go hear some good local music. Anyway, we start with The Daybreak Line’s “Bleeding Hearts.” It’s one tight, hooky pop song, complete with little electronic flourishes for the kids. And I gotta love those electric guitar licks that kick things off. If you like what you hear, The Daybreak Line will be at IOTA Thursday, July 19.

MP3: Bleeding Hearts – The Daybreak Line

And we close out the week with a slice of bluegrass-influenced pop from Junior League (above). In the gentle “Euclid,” Lissy Rosemont’s ethereal vocals waft over a bed of fiddles, plucked banjos, and guitars. If you like what you hear, Junior League will be at IOTA Tuesday, July 17.

MP3: Euclid – Junior League

Garage Bands No More

There was an interesting article by writer Jonathan Mummolo about the decreasing availability and increasing cost of practice space here in the DC metro area in yesterday’s Washington Post. You can check out the article, “Garage Bands No More,” here.

Fort Reno Tonight

Yeah, it's hot. But there's free indie rock to be had, if you're man enough to come out to the Fort Reno Summer Concert Series tonight. Get hydrated with Greenland, Statehood, and Kittyhawk from 7:15 'til 9:30.

DCist’s 6th Unbuckled Concert

DCist.com will be having it’s 6th DCist Unbuckled Concert at DC9 this Wednesday, July 11th. The District’s own recently-signed Le Loup will be headlining the show, and Brooklyn's full-voiced power popsters XYZ Affair will be the opener. Additionally, members of local group and previous headliners Middle Distance Runner will be doing a DJ set in between sets to keep your heads rocking. Doors open at 9 p.m., and tickets are available only at the door for $8.

Live Earth Comes To DC

In case you haven’t heard yet, this morning Al Gore announced that Washington, DC has been added as a host city for this Saturday's worldwide series of Live Earth concerts. The concert will be on the Mall, and will include country singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Looks like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have a little competition this weekend… [thanks, Melissa]

A Case of the Fridays

It’s a strange, shortened, patriotic week, and hopefully y’all don’t have too much work to do. So we kick things off with “Where You Stand,” a new track from Cobbler’s upcoming album, The Change In Frequency. It’s catchy, pulsing modern rock, with haunting vocals and some cool U2-esque guitar work that leaps into the choruses. If you like what you hear, Cobbler will be at the 9:30 Club Friday, July 6th.

MP3: Where You Stand - Cobbler

And now for a little Mickey Avalon. While Butch Walker converts tales of the seamy, sleazy, dirty side of LA and Hollywood into glam-rock anthems, Mickey Avalon uses his lethargic come-hither-gigolo delivery to spin those tales into clever rhymes not-quite-fit for the workplace. And they're sneakily hooky, like “Waiting to Die.” Catch him at the 9:30 Club Monday, July 9th if you dare…

MP3: Waiting to Die – Mickey Avalon

Live Earth in Arlington

If you can’t make it to New York, London, Johannesburg, etc. and you still want to catch Live Earth concerts on a big screen, Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse will be showing live concert broadcasts from 5pm to 11pm this Saturday, July 7th. Go here for more information.

Smashing Pumpkins Show @ 9:30 Club

Alright, kids! A surprise Smashing Pumpkins show at the 9:30 Club on July 10th has just been announced, and tickets go on sale Friday, July 6th at 10am. There’s a 2 ticket limit. Hurry up and wait, and then have at it!