A Case of the Fridays

We get back on schedule this week with “Atom Smashers,” by Chris Mills. It’s irresistibly catchy full-figured indie-pop, in a bouncy and energetic way. Yet Mills still manages to deliver his lyrics like he’s confiding valuable secrets to the listener. You want some more? He’s got a solo gig at the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC next Thursday, June 5th.

MP3: Atom Smashers - Chris Mills

And we close out this week with Laura Secker’s “Distraction.” It’s got a gentle alt-country vibe with a nice little jangle to it. And this melodic track goes down oh-so-easily, flavored with Secker’s sweet yet slightly sultry vocals. If you like what you hear, she’ll be at Vermillion in Old Town Alexandria next Thursday, June 5th.

MP3: Distraction – Laura Secker

A Case of the Fridays - Nashville Edition

I was able to take in some good music during my brief Nashville vacation. One afternoon, I ambled around downtown Nashville and hung out at Tootsie’s for a bit, listening to Steven West (above) do an acoustic set. He sounds a bit like Tim McGraw with better vocals, and surprisingly, he’s originally from Jersey (yeah!). One of the waitresses, Lindsey Lawler, sat in on a duet of “Before He Cheats,” which was pretty damn good. There’s talent all over the place there.

MP3: Make Me A Deal – Steven West

And we happened upon the Don Kelley Band at Robert’s Western World on the Nashville strip. They had an fantastic guitarist named JD Simo playing with them, and he put the rock into their country-rock. JD Simo’s not playing on the following track from their album, but there’s still some very nice lead guitar work, lighting-quick and countrified.

MP3: That’s Alright Mama - Don Kelley Band

A Case of the Fridays - Monday Edition

First up this week, we’ve got Augustana’s track, “Sweet and Low.” Simply put, it’s beautiful, majestic pop with soaring vocals – kind of like harder-edged version of The Fray. Anyway, if you like what you hear, they’ll be at the 9:30 Club this Thursday, May 22nd, which leads us to …

MP3: Sweet and Low - Augustana

…Our second track, “Decimate,” from David Ford, who’ll be opening up for Augustana. It’s kind of like bouncy David Gray (yeah, David Ford’s from across the pond, too), with rhythmic verses and sweeping, well-orchestrated choruses. He’s also got some very cool one-take videos of him playing songs live in a studio, looping individual layers of instruments and vocals – like this one of “Go To Hell.”

MP3: Decimate – David Ford

A Case of the Fridays - Monday Edition

A Case of the Fridays is on Monday again, but we’ll just roll with that. We kick off this week with Lucky Day’s track “Why’d You Have To Go.” It’s sweet-sounding female vocal-voiced wispy pop, complete with ethereal piano fills – and it goes down like a cool glass of lemonade on a lazy summer’s evening. If you like what you hear, they’ve got their CD release party at IOTA in Arlington this Friday, May 16th.

MP3: Why’d You Have To Go – Lucky Day

And we close out this week with “Metal Heavy Lady,” from Lions. It’s pretty much the opposite of the previous track – we’re talking dirty, pulsing, riffy guitar rock that gets your head bobbing...with vocals that don’t sound too different from Kid Rock giving it his Bawitaba best. No fizzy lemonade here - shots of Jack Daniels at 1AM. So if this is more your speed, Lions will be at Rock and Roll Hotel in DC Friday, May 16th.

MP3: Metal Heavy Lady - Lions

Middle Distance Runner Loves Moms

Middle Distance Runner have been MIA for most of this year. Well just in time for Mother's Day, the boys are briefly resurfacing from their basement with a free digital single of "Momma" that they sent my site an advance of. Since they are DC boys, I wanted to share it here as well.

Some of you may remember this song as a hidden track on 2006's Plane In Flames. That version clocked in at just under two minutes. Well, this is an entirely new reworking that they just finished mastering today and it is almost five minutes long. There are also several guest appearances. Jason "Raw Poetic" Moore provides the guest rap, Tony Acampora of Greenland contributes bass and Aaron Gause adds the trumpet parts. Hell, there is even a choir.

Give it a listen and then go find your own mom and give her a hug.

Momma

Justin Trawick & Shane Gamble @ IOTA 5/10

Local Justin Trawick has got his CD release this Saturday (5/10) at IOTA. He’s got a nice folky vibe with a voice that reminds me a bit of Bob Schneider. It should be a good show, with Shane Gamble and the Gentlemen rounding out the bill nicely. I especially like Gamble’s alt-country-tinged track “The Story of Mary,” with its haunting atmosphere and beautiful, anthemic choruses.

MP3: That Old Forgotten Street (live) – Justin Trawick
MP3: Story of Mary – Shane Gamble

Photo courtesy of www.owenshifflett.com and www.shervinfoto.com

Dizzee Rascal @ 9:30 Club 5/8

In case you need your Dizzee Rascal fix before he gets here (he’s coming to the 9:30 Club on Thursday the 8th), here’s “Where’s Da Gs,” featuring Bun B & Pimp G of UGK.

MP3: Where’s Da Gs – Dizzee Rascal (f/ Bun B & Pimp G of UGK)

A Case of the Fridays - Monday Edition

I’ve fallen behind a bit on Case of the Fridays, so here’s a bonus edition for y’all. Band names are traditionally the hardest thing to come up with, but Brooklynites New York Times just literally ripped one from the headlines…errr…the masthead. Their track below, “Monster Eyes,” is classic rock diluted into the tasty basics - sinister riffs and wailing female vengeance. They’ll be at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday, May 10th.

MP3: Monster Eyes – New York Times

And then we’ve got a track “Ha Ha Ha” from another Brooklyn band, the nu-punkers Team Robespierre (above). They’ve got the snotty vocals, hooks, and high-energy thrashy guitars down pat. And then they topped them off with synths to increase the dance quotient (or to increase the potential for causing seizures). Either way, it’s a swirling extravaganza of sorts. They’ll be at Black Cat this Wednesday, May 7th. Take a listen.

MP3: Ha Ha Ha – Team Robespierre

Matthew Ryan @ IOTA Tuesday 5/6

One of my favorite singer/songwriters, the sandpapery-voiced Matthew Ryan has just released a new album Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State that’s pretty damn good. And Jeff over at Popdose is all about the Ryan. He’s got an interview with Matthew here, as well as a Guide To Matthew Ryan complete w/ mp3s here. Anyway, Matthew Ryan will be in town at IOTA this Tuesday, May 6th, supposedly with a full band in tow.

MP3: Dulce Et Decorum Est – Matthew Ryan
MP3: Still Part Two – Matthew Ryan

Mark Olson @ Jammin Java Sunday

I finally listened to The Jayhawks for the first time ever, and wow, I’m really digging them. Their sound isn’t groundbreaking, by any means, but it’s very well-done alt-country on the Byrds/CSN tip, and I really love those fragile vocals and beautiful harmonies. Plus, they’re ultra-melodic - kind of like Fountains of Wayne doing alt-country. It’s just too bad they’re apparently on hiatus, though former and founding member Mark Olson will be at Jammin Java Sunday, May 4th.

MP3: Save It For A Rainy Day – The Jayhawks
MP3: Stumbling Through The Dark – The Jayhawks