…Deep Dark Woods. I am probably a little late in finding this band, as I am with most music, but I’ve had it on repeat all week, and his voice gives me chills, so I thought I would share. This is what I imagine I sound like when I sing in the shower, or in my car. At least, it’s what I wish I sounded like, anyways. I mentioned this to Matt last night, and he so accurately responded, “yeah, but then you’d sound like a man.” well, ok.
Brigid and I went to see Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert last night at the First Mariner Arena in Baltimore. We drank beer out of cups shaped like guitars and cowboy boots and sang along to every tune in our best twangy voices. YEEHAW! Love me some country music.
I just love this house on 8th St NE. I stop to look at all the MJ photos and memorabilia every time I walk by, and I walk visiting friends out of the way just so we can go by it. I’ve never seen the occupants before, except for one time they were outside having a sidewalk party. Never thought to stop and take a picture until today when I was on my way back from yoga… and that got me thinking about it some more. A quick Google search turned up this article from the Post about them. They seem like a really cool family! I’d love to see the inside…
Last Saturday night we saw Yonder Mountain String Band at the Fillmore in Silver Spring. I can’t believe it took us that long to go there since it opened over a year ago. The show was AWE-SOME. We got really lucky and had our seats upgraded randomly for free, so we got to sit down in the first row of the balcony overlooking the stage. Great view of the band, and also, the acoustics in there were amazing. I say this and you should all take note because I am usually the last person to ever say this. I don’t think those words have ever been uttered by me before, and in fact, it kind of bugs me when people say that about venues. Maybe it has to do with my tone-deafness and lack of musical skillz, but unless I’m listening to David’s high school band practice, I think everything sounds good. I can’t think of any concerts I’ve been to where I’m like, “wow, that sounded really crappy.” But the Fillmore was good, and the music sounded particularly great in there. We also had a fantastic aerial view of the crowd, which was about 50% costumed in preparation for Halloween, so that made for some good people watching. As we were leaving I was thinking to myself that I should take up the mandolin so I can be just like Jeff Austin. New Years Resolution 2013? Maybe. Anyone know where I can get a mandolin? If you have not seen YMSB before, and you even remotely like bluegrass, you should do yourself a favor and listen to them.
Last night we went to see The Steel Wheels show at Hill Country BBQ. I didn’t even know this place existed, I guess I must be the last one in DC to hear of it, but anywhere you can drink out of mason jars goes pretty high up on my list, so I’m sure we’ll be back.
I randomly found out about this band a few months back while putzing around online and reading about their “Spokesongs” bike tour where they cycle around with all their musical equipment for 500 miles through the mountains of VA. I decided immediately that they are awesome, bought some of their music, and wondered if they have/need bicycle groupies?
So fast forward several months, I found out they were playing a free show in DC!! My lucky day. So we met a few friends there, got some great seats, and enjoyed an evening of pickin’ and foot-stompin’ of a seriously energetic show. They played a long set, including a lot of stuff from their newest album, and ended with a nice tribute to Levon Helm.
Last night around 9:30, I biked down and met Matt at the Hirshorn Museum on the Mall. He was biking on his way back from class, so it was easy to meet in the middle. We sat outside and watched this awesome movie being projected on the circular exterior of the building. It was pretty amazing, and I remember saying I felt really mesmerized, perhaps a little hypnotized, by the time we left, which was after about 20 minutes of watching and listening to an adapted/updated version of “I Only Have Eyes For You” and the accompanying movie imagery. If you haven’t been to see it yet, it runs until May 13 every night from sunset to midnight.
The song is still running through my head this morning….
Last night I met up with Denise and Erin at Sova for their weekly Thursday night Bluegrass. It was packed in there, and Joe Overton and friends played a great set. Put me in the mood for the weekend!
This past Sunday evening, we had dinner and drinks with my family at the Jetty Dock Bar in Grasonville, MD — just over the Bay Bridge. I had to share this photo — because look how beautiful the sunset was!! We listened to all the oldies by my dad’s friends’ band while the sun went down, just until it got too cold to stay outside any longer. I love live music. Ahhh, goodbye summer…
Last night we saw Langhorne Slim and The Law at the Rock and Roll Hotel. I love that place. It’s just so cozy. The show was awesome – he sang a few solo songs, but most of the time the band was up there on stage with him, including the guy pickin’ the banjo, my favorite part. Now it’s just a rainy Friday afternoon, so I’m listening to all the songs again on repeat. They’re always that much better after seeing them live.
i like this one
We FINALLY made it to the new H Street NE location of HR-57 last weekend. It was long one of our favorite DC spots for live jazz music when it was formerly located on 14th St, and since it was super-nice enough to move along with us into our new neighborhood — well, yeah, we really have no excuse for not getting there earlier.
It’s still got a “new” vibe to it with the white-painted side walls (I definitely prefer the exposed brick at the former location), but the music was just as enjoyable during our evening there… so I’m not complaining. These places take time to settle into and find their real character. And if you judge by these pictures, doesn’t it look just as moody and comfortable and awesome as ever?
One other note of interest! It looks like they are now equipped with crepe-makers up front in the windows where you come inside. Though I didn’t smell any of the fresh doughy treats or see anyone order them, I’m going to have to look into it on our next visit. Wine, jazz, and crepes. Match made in heaven.
The show was great too — lots of long numbers in their set, hilarious commentary by the band members in between jams, and also a few spontaneous breakouts into the theme song from Sesame Street. This song is brought to you by the letters “H” and “R.” Love it!
