Music Picks: March 2018

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

Acid Dad
After randomly coming together in 2014 at a drag show, Acid Dad spent the next year and a half establishing a name for themselves by performing in small clubs and venues all over New York City. In 2016 they released their debut EP, Let’s Plan a Robbery – a bipolar mix of psychedelic melodies and raw angst. Now this up and coming band is touring the U.S. and bringing psych punk to the city. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12. Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8

Jonathan Wilson
LA-based artist Jonathan Wilson is releasing his first record since 2013’s Fanfare March 2. The new record, Gentle Spirit, shows the virtues of that sabbatical during which he toured with several artists and worked in studio sessions throughout LA, including sessions for Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy. In fact, he was reportedly Misty’s right-hand man on the Grammy-nominated record. Misty had the following to say on Wilson: “Jonathan’s talent—’mastery’ may be more apt—places him among a rarefied class of musical auteur. You’d be hard pressed to find a comparison, or contemporary for that matter, that would do his recent work justice.” Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8 – FRIDAY, MARCH 9

Excision
Feel like throwin’ elbows? Jump in the pit and head bang with Excision, a dubstep bass god most popular for establishing his own annual music festival, Lost Lands, set in the all-encompassing cornfield that is eastern Ohio. Under his pseudonym, Jeff Abel pairs heavy bass music with psychedelic light shows and trippy visuals to give his fan base a reason to go nuts. If this two day show is anything like the set he played at Everafter Festival in Canada last summer, make sure to swallow lots of water and ibuprofen during your pregame. Lots. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Echostage: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE, DC; www.echostage.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 9

Philip Glass’s 20 Études
Aside from John Cage, there’s likely no 20th century American composer who has been as influential as Philip Glass. He is often regarded as a pioneer in minimalism, however, his stronger contribution might be more his subtle rhythmic manipulation of repetitive structures. This structural manipulation is never so clear and so pristine as in his keyboard music, and specifically his études. The 20 Études were composed over a 20 year  period and he regards them as something of a self-portrait. The concert will feature world-class artists like Jason Moran and Devonté Hynes playing the pieces. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

Ezra Furman
There’s a singular conglomeration of influences to be found in the music of Ezra Furman. The Chicago-raised songwriter shows a strong penchant for Americana music like Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen. It’s there in the sing-a-long melodies and the instrumentation, whether it’s the saxophones, harmonicas or prominent acoustic guitar. But lyrically, Furman draws on his own experience as a queer, Jewish artist. It’s a dynamic mix of influences that’s goddamn catchy. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

Tycho
Tycho is a musician who I feel like almost everyone has at some point encountered in a YouTube deep dive. His records Dive (2011) and Awake (2014) appear in the related videos almost regardless of what you’re listening to. For YouTube, all roads lead to Tycho and I guess that’s because people tend to like his music. His latest record Epoch (2015) follows in a similar vein. The music combines vintage and down tempo synthesizers with a strong ambient melodic influence. Doors are at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Flash DC: 645 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.flashdc.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Dumpstaphunk
Dumpstaphunk stands out among New Orleans’s best as one of the funkiest bands to ever arise from the Crescent City. Born on the Jazz & Heritage Festival stage, and descended from Neville family bloodlines, these soldiers of funk ignite a deep, gritty groove that dares listeners not to move. Their performances combine ingenious musicianship and complex funk and jazz arrangements with soulful melodies that are simple enough for anyone to enjoy. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$23. Write-up provided by venue. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC;  www.gypsysallys.com

High Up
Soul-sister duo Christine and Orenda Fink bring punk, indie and big band music together in High Up–their personal escape from the mundane. After tirelessly working dead-end jobs and finding her true self at karaoke nights, Christine decided she wanted something else out of life. Orenda, a notable singer songwriter, persuaded her sister to do what made her happiest–performing live. Thus, High Up’s smooth mix of big band sound and punk rock vocals was born. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $12. The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 13

Little Tybee
Little Tybee, a sextet hailing from Atlanta, blends elements of folk, psych, jazz and bassa to create their very own genre that’s both relaxing and groovy. Since they’ve been a staple of the Atlanta music scene since 2009, they’ve opened for acts like of Montreal, Maps and Atlases, Victor Wooten and more. Not only is their music complex and moving, but their live shows are too. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave E, VA; www.jamminjava.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14

Head for the Hills
Head for the Hills is perfect for both classic bluegrass lovers and exploratory listeners. By carefully blending intricate banjo runs, homesick lyrics and upbeat tempo with a jazz and folk feel, Head for the Hills can even coax genre purists and timid exploratory listeners into enjoying their music. After ten years and four studio albums, this Colorado-based bluegrass band is heading for the peak of their career. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. State Theatre: 220 N Washington St. Falls Church, VA; www.thestatetheatre.com

Oddisee
Local emcee Oddisee is true to his name. In his lyrics you can find a kind of socially conscious and fluid verse that’s searching for answers. He plays from his influences like the New York hip-hop he heard growing up, or the Go-Go and gospel records his father would play. But Oddisee’s family is also from Sudan and you can hear a sort of cool-balance to his music that’s reflective of years spent listening to his father play the Oud or summers spent in Khartoum learning Arabic and swimming in the Nile. 9 p.m. Tickets are $30. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

Hyetension
Hyetension, a three-piece alt rock group from Virginia, will take the stage at Velvet Lounge on March 16. Their sound is reminiscent of The Strokes or Arctic Monkeys, but with a little more grit mixed in. Low bass riffs paired with splashes of rhythmic guitar layered behind melodic riffs gives their music enough depth to be interesting, but not so much that would ruin the punk feel that they’re going for. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Velvet Lounge: 915 U St. NW, DC; www.velvetloungedc.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

Jon Batiste
You likely already know his face from somewhere on TV. The Louisiana-born pianist and bandleader had a recurring role on HBO’s Treme about New Orleans musicians living in the aftermath of Katrina, and now he’s the bandleader of the house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Batiste is known for his optimism, humor and effortless piano virtuosity. His latest record Social Music (2013) spent a month atop billboard charts as the #1 jazz album in the world. Doors are at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 18

George Porter Jr.
George Porter, Jr. is best known as the bassist of The Meters, along with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste. Few bass players in the history of modern New Orleans music are as storied as George Porter Jr. During the course of a career spanning more than four decades, Porter has not only made a deep impression with his work in the Meters, but he’s notched session work with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, David Byrne and more. He continues to be not only an in demand performing artist but an accomplished studio musician and producer. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Write-up provided by venue. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

Malcolm London
An endorsement from philosopher Cornel West is not the norm for musicians performing in DC. But the Chicago-born artist has gained national recognition for his social activism and has shared the stage with figures including John Legend, Bill Gates, Matt Damon and Lupe Fiasco. Cornel West regards him as the Gil Scott-Heron of his generation. Scott-Hernon is known as the grandfather of rap and for his socially conscious verses as well. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day-of. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, www.blackcatdc.com

Moose Blood
With their emo pop punk sound and Eddy Brewerton’s gorgeous vocals, Moose Blood will bring you back to the days of skinny jeans and black hair in 2008. This British alt-indie rock band is crossing the pond for a U.S. tour this spring to celebrate their latest studio album, I Don’t Think I Can Do This Anymore, which is set to drop on March 9. So put on your liquid eyeliner, jump into your skin tight jeans and slip on your Vans–it’s time to reminisce the golden age of emo while Moose Blood’s in town. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

MONDAY, MARCH 19

AVERY*SUNSHINE
Focused on the brighter side of life, Avery*Sunshine wraps anyone listening in the warm blanket of her smooth and soulful vocals. Think Michael Buble, but with the power and soul of a black mother of two from Pennsylvania. In her most recent studio album, Twenty Sixty Four, a big band with a base-line R&B groove backs her robust vocals as she sings about her experience with love, relationships and staying true to herself. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. The Birchmere: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 20

Wild Child
Wild Child mixes the groove of indie-pop, the soul of folk and the accents of big band jazz together to create their own unique sound that’s perfect for a long drive on a sunny day. Their newest album, Expectations, is nothing like you’d expect from a band labeled as “indie-pop.” While there are some indie-pop elements to their sound, every song on this album sounds different. From reggae to blues, from jazz to folk, you don’t know what you’re going to hear from each track until it starts. Listening to them is definitely a journey worth taking, and if their live show is as unique as their sound, you won’t want to miss it. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

Mura Masa
Electronic producer Mura Masa was famously born on the Isle of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel, close to the Brittany coast but closer to Britain in culture. However, the producer is also famous for looking beyond the island in terms of influence; in fact, well beyond the island. His name comes from a Japanese sword-smith and his samples come from as far as Jamaica and Nigeria, making use of dancehall and afrobeat samples. Doors are at 10 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Flash DC: 645 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.flashdc.com

Son Lux
On their Bandcamp page for their latest record Brighter Wounds, they describe themselves as the “grand, genre-less dream of Los Angeles composer Ryan Lott brought to roiling, vivid life with the help of two New Yorkers” and there really is no better way to describe them. Brighter Wounds came out earlier this year and shows any number of influences from Bjork and Arca to even Vaporwave. Their blend of drums and space is hypnotic and ornate. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 in-advance, $20 day-of. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 23

The Strypes
With hints of indie-pop, punk and blues, British rock ‘n’ roll band The Strypes writes with musical maturity and diversity that brings something new to the classic rock ‘n’ roll table. Their latest album release, Spitting Image, spins the archetypal Rolling Stones rock with a modern sound to carry ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll into the new millennium. And because all four band members are only in their early 20s, they have the potential to grow their sound into something truly impressive over the years. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St.NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

The Marmozets
The Marmozets, a British garage punk band, features angst-riddled guitar riffs, heavy drum beats and lead singer Becca MacIntyre’s Cherry Bomb-esque vocals. The Weird And Wonderful Marmozets, their debut album, is a testament to what it’s like to live in the U.K. as a young and different teenager. With a sound that sits on the border of punk and metal, while Knowing What You Know, their 2018 release, is a little lighter and leans towards punk-pop more than anything. But both albums have a powerful message about casting off society and embracing your inner weirdo. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

Palm
No one in Palm is formally trained on their instruments, but that doesn’t stall these New York musicians and it also doesn’t mean that they make simple music either. Sonically they may have much in common with indie pop music, but rhythmically they tend towards math rock, making use of abrupt rhythmic changes and odd time signatures. It’s what makes their music both distinct and so fun. It’s like a cubist palm tree. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

Caleborate
In the Bay Area, no young hip-hop artist is getting as much recognition from locals like Caleborate. Born in 1993, he has already released three records: Hella Good, 1993 and Real Person, released in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. He’s known for his sharp lyrics about the life of a 20-something and the daily grind of a collegiate youth. His topics range far and wide, but that’s not to say he skims wherever he goes. The boy is deep. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2475 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

Walk Off the Earth
Best known for their 2012 viral cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Walk Off the Earth experiments with popular music to create innovative cover songs that are unique to their style and multi-talented instrumentalists. Most of their music falls under the umbrella of folk-pop, but their wide range of musical talents allows them to explore almost any genre. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. The Fillmore: 8656 Colesville Rd. MD; www.filmoresilverspring.com

MONDAY, MARCH 26

New Politics
What do you get when you mix catchy pop melodies, driving punk guitar riffs and infectious beats? New Politics. Since the late 2000s, this Danish indie band has captured listeners with their popular electronic dance-rock songs and high-energy performances. Hits like “Harlem” and “One of Us” are so catchy they’ll be stuck in your head for days. But we’re not mad about it. The Fillmore: 8656 Colesville Rd. MD; www.filmoresilverspring.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 27

Turnover
From Virginia Beach, Turnover makes indie or dream pop styled rock. Their latest record, Good Nature (2017), can feel like a turn on a dime from their previous record though. 2015’s Peripheral Vision was a sleeper hit for pop-punk kids with a penchant for shoegaze. But Good Nature reflects a different side of the band. Frontman, Austin Getz, up and moved from Virginia Beach to California with his girlfriend and the record sounds like he’s been there for years. Not only sonically, but spiritually too. Doors are at 7 p.m. $20. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

Frances Luke Accord
Chicago-based duo Frances Luke Accord may have a name that has something of an air to it, but once you hear their music you’ll want to lean right into it. The two are serious musicians and meticulous songwriters. They make roots music, but one which draws on more contemporary Americana, jazz, soul and rock. Their debut LP Fluke was released in 2016 and they’re still riding its coattails into 2018. Doors are at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Jammin Java: 2276 Maple Ave. E Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 30

Blair Crimmins and The Hookers
Atlanta-based musician Blair Crimmins and The Hookers puts a modern twist on 1920s ragtime jazz with subtle innuendos that’ll make you laugh out loud. After his debut album dropped in 2010, Crimmins became an Atlanta radio star as his music was the most requested on the air. Now his most recent studio album, You Gotta Sell Something, brings old stylings of Dixieland jazz to a current audience with topical commentary and groove. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12. Pearl Street Warehouse: 33 Pearl St. SW, DC; www.pearlstreetwarehouse.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 31

Caroline Rose
On the artist’s website, the featured photo gives you an idea of where Caroline Rose’s head is at. The photo shows her decked head to toe in red athletic gear and lighting an entire pack of cigarettes in her mouth. This is the cover photo from her record Loner, released February 23, and it’s dark but deeply satirical. The record is a shift in focus from her earlier music making and reflects a change in her own approach to life, what she refers to as a “dismantling [of] my ego.” The result is music which is more causal and pop-oriented, but still backed by those same ironic lyrics. Doors are at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12. Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2475 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

Past Picks

TUESDAY, MARCH 6

Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark
OMD began as Kraftwerk-inspired synth-pop pioneers in England in 1978. They’ve since inspired entire generations of synth-pop acts, from Depeche Mode to Nation of Language, (on whom you can soon look for a profile from yours truly). Yet, OMD continues to craft new synth-pop to this day. Their latest record is The Punishment of Luxury, released in September 2017. It’s their thirteenth record, but on it they say that they still feel they’re making something new. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

pronoun.
Breakups are rough, but they get a little easier with pronoun’s 2016 debut EP, There’s no one new around you. Alyse Vellturo, self-proclaimed emo kid and one-woman band, explores the emotional stages behind a failing relationship in tracks like “just cuz you can’t,” which, with its surprisingly upbeat and groovy sound, can help a broken heart through the worst of times. Vellturo’s deeply personal lyrics layered on top of rhythmic lo-fi will hit you right in the feels…in a good way. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12. Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

We Banjo 3
Mix the skills and strengths of the Flecktones with a bit of Punch Brothers and add a dash of Gaelic Storm and you get one of the best live acts to come out of Ireland in recent years, the multi-awarded winning We Banjo 3. With a seven time, all-Ireland banjo champ, a four time banjo champ, another member who is an all-Ireland champ on both fiddle and Bodhran and with a passionate lead vocalist like a young Springsteen adopted by the Chieftans, the result is truly unforgettable. On both sides of the Atlantic the word is out about this group. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $16.75-$39.25. Write-up provided by venue. The Hamilton: 600 14 St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com