Music Picks: April 2017

By Michael Coleman, Trent Johnson and Courtney Sexton

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 – SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Damaged City Fest
Spike up your ‘hawk and get your chains ready. The annual DIY DC (Damaged City, get it?) hardcore punk festival is not for the faint of ear. In its fifth year running, Damaged City is one of the largest punk and hardcore festivals to be found. This year, more than 40 DC-based, national and international acts will be featured over the course of four days in multiple venues around the city. For a taste of what’s local, you’ll want to make sure you catch acts like Red Death, Protester, Coke Bust, Battery, Guilt Parade, Witchtrial and more. Damaged City Fest: Multiple venues and showtimes; www.damaged-city.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Eliane Elias
With her last two albums recorded in Brazil, Eliane Elias approaches music with a different perspective. The Grammy Award-winning artist incorporates numerous Latin influences into her music, making the jazz different from others you might hear around DC. The Brazilian native has racked up accolades for her beautiful piano skills, and hasn’t slowed down one bit, releasing Dance of Time in March. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30-$60. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com 

FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Boss Hog
Boss Hog, fronted by former DC-based Pussy Galore members Jon Spencer and Cristina Martinez, are in the midst of their first nationwide club tour in more than a decade in support of their new album, Brood X. Like much of the band’s earlier work, Brood X promises lots of Spencer’s twisted, abrasive guitar and Martinez’s in-your-face sexuality, all set to heavy punk-blues grooves. At a time when punk rock irreverence is on the wane, Boss Hog is sure to bring a heavy dose of the attitude and ear-crunching noise that made the genre famous. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-$18. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhotel.com 

Crystal Fighters
One of the more original bands on the touring circuit today, Crystal Fighters marry synth and electronica dance music with a slew of acoustic instruments, including some from their spiritual home in the Basque region between France and Spain. The effect is compelling and often uplifting, and it’s no surprise that Crystal Fighters remain an in-demand festival draw seven years after their formation. The five-piece band is passionate about making people dance, but the musical depth is what keeps fans rooting long after the party is over. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com 

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
To carry a moniker like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, you have to be a little off-kilter, which is exactly how folks describe this electro-funk foursome from Baltimore. The group isn’t merely meant to be heard on the radio (or, like, Spotify because it’s 2017) because part of the appeal to these oddballs is their attire, energy and overall stage presence. So, yeah, you can judge them on the sound of their tunes, which is vibrant and fun anyway, or you can venture out for an experience as these guys get as funky as a bird playing ping pong in a college dormitory. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $17. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

Wytold
Wytold is DC’s own rising (risen?) superstar. As a musician, he is the perfect embodiment of the way many millennials (especially here in DC) have created their own paths to success outside of the traditional bounds of their fields. A young, classically trained musician and composer, Wytold can most often be found playing an electric cello with two extra strings. But it’s not just the instrument that makes him stand out – he has made a name by collaborating on projects that would otherwise be deemed outside of his genre (notably with DC rapper Christylez Bacon) and his experimental performances are one-of-a-kind. He “creates his own rock-orchestral accompaniment through live-looping, often accompanied by bass, viola, violin, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo and/or percussion.” Doors at 6 p.m. The show is free. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org 

SATURDAY, APRIL 8
Devin the Dude and the Backyard Band
Houston, Texas has a special place in hip-hop and rap history, as notable MCs and producers emerged from the South as bonafide superstars. Devin the Dude was one of the first rappers from the area with notoriety, and his stoner-friendly persona played well with his use of melodic slow tempos, as his music was largely about just chilling out. Despite his longevity in the genre, Devin the Dude has never really garnered mainstream staying power, but has remained active in the game despite this, appearing on tracks with Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and a score of others. Show at 11 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65. The Howard Theatre: 620 T St. NW, DC; www.thehowardtheatre.com

MONDAY, APRIL 10
Emily Wells
Don’t go to this show if you’re looking for a pick-me-up. Listening to Emily Wells is asking to be haunted. While she plays heavy on the strings, Wells is a multi-instrumentalist and it’s her control over synthesizers and sampling to match her stinging sweet voice (let’s not even get into the lyrics) that ultimately suck you willingly down a deep tunnel. The hope for light at the end isn’t extinguished, but you know damn well there are going to be some demons crawling out of the walls. It’s like drinking your own darkest thoughts, and chasing them with a sweet port – sweet and twisted just enough to make you want more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$15. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 13
Diet Cig
Is it weird that I think a ton of people would be smoking them if there actually were Diet Cigs? Because it’s likely folks would treat it the way of soda, and figure “Why the hell not?” if tobacco could actually produce some sort of comparable product? Sure, there are light cigarettes, but that’s not “diet.” Oh, by the way, this band is splendid. With soft melodies overlaying laid-back guitar strums, these songs kind of sound like a cigarette buzz feels. A little jolt of energy, but still relaxing and easy to listen to. So, no, we’re pretty sure a product titled “Diet Cigarette” isn’t going to hit the market, but Diet Cig is set to hit the stage, and it makes you feel as good without the health drawbacks. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

Dirty Bourbon River Show
With a gravely grunt of vocals laid over top of self-described “hard-edged blues,” this isn’t your typical bluegrass/folk band. With varying speeds in the actual music, the sound is chaotic, at times provoking folks into either slow dances or full-on do-si-dos. Not to mention the fact that you have pianos, accordions, trumpets, saxophones and even a clarinet represented in the act, proving this band is more than willing to stretch itself for the best musical representation of their wide-reaching talents. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8-$12.25. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Sallie Ford
The first time we heard Portland-based Sallie Ford, our immediate thought was “Whose voice is that?” The next was “Wow, she’s also got something to say.” The lead track on Ford’s first solo album, Soul Sick, an infectious song called “Record on Repeat,” encapsulates a lot of what we like about this emerging Portland artist. It’s got a propulsive, 60s-inspired sound, gutsy vocals, clear production and plenty of raw emotion. Ford made her name in the great Northwest with band called the Sound Outside, but she steps fully into solo spotlight here with a new backing band and uses the moment to craft an inspired, introspective album dealing with loss, self-doubt and fear. While Ford’s sound harkens to 60s rock and pop, the modern production and contemporary lyrics keep it fresh. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com 

SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Betty Who
Who is Betty Who? Fair question, as the pop singer sort of pokes fun at the possibility that you might not have heard of her. However, if you listen to pop music, her songs have definitely ventured into your ear holes. “Human Touch” is a sexy anthem about the activities involved in the best “Netflix and chill” session. Need more? Well, she’s from Australia and her actual name is Jessica Anne Newham. So, add some Betty Who to a playlist in the wait for her performance. Who? C’mon, don’t play. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

City of the Sun
This NYC-based trio is part of what seems like a new wave of instrumental music coming back into the collective consciousness – not new wave, mind you though, you will occasionally hear traces of Tears for Fears, etc. in City of the Sun. There is something both worldly, and simultaneously otherworldly, that guitarists John Pita and Avi Snow and percussionist Zach Para produce. Instead of the usual hypnosis we have largely come to expect from instrumental acts of the past, this band’s tracks turn and surprise in clean, delicious ways that make listening delightfully stimulating, rather than droning. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12-$14. Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe: 2475-2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com 

MONDAY, APRIL 17
Sondre Lerche
Norwegian indie-pop rocker Sondre Lerche barreled onto the scene in 2001 at the age of just 19. His releases since then include 10 full-length albums along with more than two dozen EPs and singles. But it’s hard to really pin Lerche to a particular genre or sound – he is described as everything from garage fuzz to jazz to straight pop, and cites such equally varied influences as A-Ha, The Beach Boys and Elvis Costello. His stop here in DC is part of his “Pleasure Tour,” promoting his latest album, Pleasure, which is, from what we’ve heard of it so far, pretty pleasurable indeed. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
Lydia Ainsworth
Toronto’s Lydia Ainsworth is categorized as electronica, but she cites classic rock legend Jimi Hendrix as a primary inspiration. You can see why in her fearless experimentation. Ainsworth’s second album, Darling of the Afterglow, upholds Hendrix’s wisdom in the best way. Vividly imagined and richly felt, the follow-up to Ainsworth’s Juno-nominated Right from Real marries yearning pop classicism with otherworldly synth sounds and weird, gothic R&B influences. While Ainsworth’s sonic palette is adventurous, her meticulous attention to musical detail reflects impressive discipline and vision. Darling of the Afterglow is a bold, beautiful album from a voice ready to be heard. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com 

Ryan Montbleau Band
A fairly regular – and popular – stage presence at Gypsy Sally’s in Georgetown, soulful folk-rocker Ryan Montbleau returns in April with a new solo album and a burgeoning fan base. The album cover for I Was Just Leaving shows the bearded young singer-songwriter alone with a guitar, as soft light pours in from a window in the room. It’s an apt image for Montbleau’s highly personal and introspective lyrics, and it reflects the solitary, acoustic nature of his new album, produced by powerhouse New Orleans rocker Anders Osborne. While Montbleau is a singer-songwriter at heart, he’s also capable of bringing the rock and funk into a live setting. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21
The Hackensaw Boys with The Tillers
The all-string Hackensaw Boys are back on the heels of their 2016 album, Charismo. Known for their rowdy shows pulsating with energy, the group has undergone lineup changes since their 1999 inception, but has always played to their roots of old-fashioned, string-driven country. Opening for the Boys are The Tillers, a Cincinnati-based group that has been relentless in traveling both coasts with their wide-ranging songs, including jazz, punk and bluegrass influences. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

Pat McGee Band
Pat McGee leaves a soft spot on the heart of the prep school hacky-sack-on-the-quad kid/teenage girl watching the sun set on the beach in all of us. A local, hailing from Richmond, Va., McGee and his band have been producing comfortable, softcore rock for more than 20 years. They hit their stride in 2000, and their sound is still very much reminiscent of the early aughts, now with perhaps a little bit more of a country-rock influence. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25. The Barns at Wolftrap: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org 

SUNDAY, APRIL 23
The Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have been around since 1984, which seems unbelievable. They started out on the Twin Cities scene with the likes of Uncle Tupelo, classified in the charts as alt-country/alt-rock. But their sound has grown stronger and more distinct as the decades have gone by, with frontman Gary Louris’ rust-tinged honey vocals leading the way. Arguably still under-known, The Jayhawks create music that is the perfect backdrop for anything – road trips, rainy days, romance, regret…the list goes on. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50. The Birchmere Music Hall: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
Fortunate Youth
This band is easily a throwback to the Bob Marley days. Fortunate Youth acts as a clear retro reggae band mimicking the sounds of their forefathers, writing quippy songs about blazing up, chilling and breaking barriers. Though we don’t believe all of the music from the genre sounds the same, there is definitely a formula for successful reggae music, and it’s okay to throw in those ingredients to create enjoyable music. Fortunate Youth does just that, and if you’re into the 60s Jamaica sound, the band is a good bet for a fun show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$18. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com

Overcoats
Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell are a female duo out of NYC whose debut album hits the streets on April 21. There are some vocal similarities to Meghan Trainor, but overall the sound is much less pop-y and in-your-face. It’s smooth, subdued melodies held up by solid underlying beats. The duo’s clean, gentle harmonies are so well-tuned that you almost forget it’s two different people singing, and not just the treble and bass of the same instrument. We have a feeling this will be a really evocative live show, especially in a small spot like DC9. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $12. DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com 

The Pretty Reckless
It’s kind of hard to believe Taylor Momsen is just 23 years old, considering she’s already well into her third career. The former child actress and model, now the lead singer for acclaimed hard rockers The Pretty Reckless, has the work ethic and the musical soul of a seasoned pro. She recently lamented the proliferation of digital recording gizmos that so many of her pop, rock and rap contemporaries rely on in the studio. Make no mistake, The Pretty Reckless sound is studio polished, but it’s still basically just three guys and young woman making straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll, with dark glam style to burn. The band headlines a few club dates in April, including one at the 9:30 Club, before they rock larger venues with Seattle legends Soundgarden in the late spring and summer. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 27
Generationals
Spawned on the heels of the 2008 presidential election, the duo dubbed their band “Generationals” after hearing ad nauseam how every issue was a generational one. While their music isn’t political, their name is still apt as the music they incorporate and borrows sounds from spans generations – whether it’s synth from the 80s or even 50s doo-wop that you’d hear in a diner serving burgers to teens with slicked back hair and leather jackets. There’s a lot to unpack in the lyrics as well, as the music can trick you with tempo, but the songs are loaded with stories of being lost and other serious topics. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$17. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

Gucci Mane
After a decade spent in and out of jail on weapons, drugs and other charges, talented Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane released two well-received albums in 2016, and is set to embark on his first headlining tour this spring with an April stop at Echostage. Hopefully, Mane – one of the originators of the trap music phenomenon – can keep his eyes on the prize and himself out of trouble. Doors at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $48.40. Echostage: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE, DC; www.echostage.com 

FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Luce Community Showcase: Janel Leppin + Coup Sauvage & The Snips
Luce Unplugged is one of the best concert series around. Held monthly at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the series shines the spotlight on local bands and invites audiences to experience their music (for free) in a gorgeous hall amid old masters. This month, Unplugged features Coup Sauvage & The Snips – think a whole band’s worth of modern-day weather girls dosed with a healthy splash of DC funk – alongside Janel Leppin-Pirog, a conservatory-trained cellist and multi-instrumentalist who has been making waves in the DC new music scene for her ethereal take on blues; it’s so artsy, it’s perfectly suited to the venue. Show at 6 p.m. Free. Luce Foundation Center for American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum: 8th and G Streets in NW, DC; www.americanart.si.edu/luce/unplugged

Lewis Del Mar
No, Lewis Del Mar is not one person named Lewis Del Mar. It’s actually a pair of guys from New York City in Danny Miller and Max Harwood. Off the heels of their self-titled album, the guys have a gift for making folk pop music with an edge – whether it’s the candor or delivery of their lyrics, or their ability to shift things up on the drums. These guys aren’t going anywhere for awhile; in fact, they’re just getting warmed up. Catch ‘em before they blow up! Show at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com 

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Southern Indiana singer-guitarist Reverend Peyton may not get the same amount of media attention as fellow American roots traditionalists The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons, but he and his Big Damn Band make a similar brand of authentic, timeless music. Peyton has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy country blues styles he honed during pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Miss. to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. The band’s new record, The Front Porch Sessions, puts Peyton’s acoustic picking front-and-center to powerful effect. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. Jammin Java: 27 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com www.dc9.com

The Wild Reeds
The Wild Reeds can be defined by one word: harmony. The sound from this L.A.-based band fronted by Kinsey Lee, Mackenzie Howe and Sharon Silva dips in and out of multiple genres – some ethereal folk, some rock ‘n’ roll rhythm and a hint of country twang. But it all comes back to the root of this band’s power: harmonies that create an instrument in and of itself. After spending much of the past two years on the road, The Wild Reeds went back into the studio in 2016, and their second full-length album is set for release this spring. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $14. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhotel.com 

SATURDAY, APRIL 29
BSO Performing Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2
Switch up your regularly scheduled musical intake and indulge your intellectual side with a performance of one of the greats by some world-class contemporary classicists. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be in town to perform Symphony No. 2 from Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose works are among the most well-known and loved in the classical repertoire (because not everything to do with Russia has to be a scandal). This show has the makings of a very capital ‘R’ in romantic date night, with plenty of sensory drama. 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and up. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

MONDAY, APRIL 30
The Black Angels
Austin-based psychedelic rockers The Black Angels land at the 9:30 Club this month in the midst of a national tour supporting Death Song, their first album in four years. The album doesn’t officially drop until April 21, but the release of its first single, “Currency,” suggests fans are in store for some of the Angels heaviest, darkest material in years. The band, formed in 2004, took its name from a Velvet Underground song, and traces of that band’s seminal psychedelic sound are all over The Black Angels impressive catalogue. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW; www.930.com