Blogs
Jonathan Richman: Concert Preview
71-year old Jonathan Richman, former frontman and founder of The Modern Lovers, has had an immense effect on modern-day punk and indie rock music throughout his 50-year career. Largely inspired by the Velvet Underground, proto-punk band The Modern Lovers ( featuring...
What is it Really Like Inside Harry’s House?
“Welcome to Madison Square Garden! I’d like to thank Harry Styles for taking the night off,” Billy Joel joked to the roaring crowd. Joel took the stage on one of the few nights Madison Square Garden - temporarily “Harry’s House” - was not occupied by its artist in...
Bands Behind Bars: A Quick Look at Incarcerated Concerts
On a clear Chicago day in September 1970, 2,117 inmates assembled in the yard of Cook County Jail, America’s largest jail at the time, referred to as “The jungle”. They came to see BB King, “the chairman of the board of all the blues singers”, make history as he...
Puddle Music: Heartbreak and the Desire for Stability in Del Water Gap’s Self-Titled Album
Del Water Gap is an artist you’ll never get tired of listening to. The solo project of producer and songwriter S. Holden Jaffe, he has been releasing music under the name Del Water Gap since 2015. Alongside his solo music, he has worked with artists such as Maggie...
Suki Waterhouse and Father John Misty: Concert Review
D.C. was graced with two excellent performers on September 20th, Suki Waterhouse and Father John Misty. The concert spanned from 8pm to 11pm, and the energy in The Anthem was electric from start to finish. Suki dazzled the audience not only with her sparkly outfit...
That’s So Lana Del Rey Vinyl: The Commodification of Artists’ Aesthetics
Elegant perfume bottles, red lipstick, pastel pink floral sheets, dainty lingerie, and novels following the trials and tribulations of unlikable female characters: these are all objects that have come to be associated with the musician Lana Del Rey. When scrolling on...
Spotify Playlist #154: Music of New Jersey
There’s something in the water in New Jersey that produces such a great amount of musical talent. Or maybe it’s just the Newark smell. Either way, there’s no denying that New Jersey is where lots of our favorite musicians call home. Surprisingly, it’s also where a...
Best Stomp and Holler Artists to Listen to this Fall
Stomp and Holler is the type of music that is hard to describe in terms of category. This is why I believe it is best to describe it in terms of the vibes that go along with it, rather than the music itself. Stomp and Holler music is exactly what the name suggests:...
Lizzy McAlpine’s five seconds flat: Concert Review
With her debut album released during the height of quarantine, Lizzy McAlpine has never done a headlining tour– until now. With the release of her sophomore album, five seconds flat, Lizzy takes to the road to give ecstatic fans a chance to hear their favorite songs...
Concert Preview: The Garden at Howard Theater 10/6
Hailing from Orange County, California, The Garden is a band made up of twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears. Established in 2011 when the twins were only 18, they have been touring since 2012. Describing their sound as “constantly evolving”, The Garden’s music is...
Becoming Your Parents: Radio Free Washington DC
The first time I heard “Radio Free Europe” by R.E.M., I was a high school freshman, still branching out from the middle school faux-emo bands that paved my preteen years. My dad played it for me one night after asking me what music I was listening to. I sat beside him...
TOP 5 POP PRINCESSES THAT YOU AREN’T PAYING ATTENTION TO
The pop world has been overtaken by many new female stars like Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and Doja Cat, while still favoring more seasoned stars like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Beyoncé. As society places its major influences on pop culture, it is constantly changing at a fast...
Cecily Renns Interview
Last summer, I tuned into the release stream of cool and new volume three, the final album by the bizarre and Homestuck-inspired collective Cool and New Music Team. I expected the normal CANMT fare: ironically low-quality chiptunes and instrumentals. Instead, I was...
Concert Preview: Death Cab for Cutie at The Anthem DC 9/27
Death Cab for Cutie is an indie pop and rock group based out of Washington state, currently featuring members Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr. Using vocals, guitar, piano, bass, keyboards, and drums, Death Cab for Cutie has continued...
Second District Records Concert Review
On April 19th, independent student-run record label Second District Records officially set out to relaunch their brand with the revival concert, a showcase of signed AU Student talent to re-establish SDR as a presence in the student media landscape. Those who attended...
TC Superstar on creating a conceptual album, collaborating remotely, and finding alone time while on tour
I met up with Austin based synth pop band TC Superstar at their sold out show at Comet Ping Pong to talk about their process of creating an album start to finish, thematic inspirations, and embodying music through choreography. Fronted by Connor McCampbell, TC’s sound...
Returning to Strummerville
Towards the start of the pandemic, a video came out celebrating Joe Strummer on what would have been his 68th birthday. In tribute, dozens of artists ranging from those deriving of a similar genre to that of the Punk Rock Warlord himself to total out-of-left-fielders...
Meet the Parents: Tech Director Eric Lo
Meet the Parents: Promotions Director Ellie Balk
Meet the Parents: Programming Director Arielle Small
Meet the Parents: Music Director Lia Patentas
Meet the Parents: Events Director Daniela Spino
Meet the Parents: Art Director Kathryn Staebler
Meet the Parents: Art Director Talia Marshall
Meet the Parents: Station Manager Summer Cirino
Glaive is done with Hyperpop, but so is everyone else
Ash Gutierrez is no stranger to new situations. Starting from his bedroom, while attending high school virtually during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gutierrez, also known by the stage name Glaive, turned to music to distract him. While this isn’t anything...
Concert Review: Black Midi
Black Midi is on a roll. After releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums of last year, touring the world relentlessly for the past few months, and being on track to release another full-length album sometime later this year, Black Midi really is the...
Now That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 420
Happy April 20th. Regardless of whether or not you’re participating in today’s informal holiday, you should still be listening to good music. I wanted to take the opportunity to share my go-to lazy tracks that are sure to make your Wednesday more enjoyable, whether...
Why it Matters: Songs that shaped the music industry and our modern world
Breakup songs: From “You’re So Vain” to “All Too Well” For almost seven decades, the break-up song has remained one of the most ubiquitous and consistent staples of 20th and 21st century pop music. Sometimes they’re angry, meant to be screamed in the car and shouted...
Concert Preview: Mild High Club at Black Cat DC 4/19
Mild High Club is the solo project and psychedelic dream pop group led by LA-based and Chicago-naïve Alexander Brettin. Using keyboards, computers, guitars, and a four-track recorder, Brettin used his affinity for jazz and AOR to develop Mild High Club content in 2012...