Review: Shlohmo – Dark Red
–Written by Mike Hogan
Right now, I’m sitting on my back porch watching my dog run around and eat sticks. I should probably stop him, but he’s looking pretty content right now. And I have to say, I’m pretty content with myself as well, too content to be bothered to move. It’s about 65 degrees, sunny, and I’ve got a beer by my side. Life doesn’t really get much better than this. But my laptop is doing it’s best to tear this rather satisfying moment apart. It’s currently playing through Shlohmo’s newest full length, Dark Red, and to summarize, I’m not sure if an album title has ever quite so accurately encapsulated the imagery created by the music it contains before.
Read More
Quick Six: A Selection Of Our Favorite NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
–Written by Kevin Madert
Since Bob Boilen first began inviting musicians the world over to play stripped-down shows in his cramped NPR office back in 2008 (seriously guys, hasn’t he earned bigger digs?) over 400 acts have taken part in the Tiny Desk Concert series. Boilen – who’s been with NPR since the 1980s and created the online music program All Songs Considered in 2000 – has seen acts ranging from Andrew W.K. to Yo-Yo Ma take their places in the same tight crook of two bookshelves and perform abbreviated, intimate sets for a few dozen of his coworkers.
Read More
Better Every Time: The Moon Hooch Effect (Show Review)
–Written by Kevin Madert
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it until it’s no longer true: There’s nothing like a Moon Hooch show. Wednesday night in Vienna, VA, 200 people bore witness to the trio’s unmatched musical acumen and stage presence within the intimate confines of Jammin’ Java. Wenzl McGowen, Mike Wilbur, and James Muschler steamrolled through an hour and a half with honed precision, interspersing familiar fan favorites with well-received new material and putting on one hell of a show in the process.
Read More
Show Spotlight: Talib Kweli & Immortal Technique @ Baltimore Soundstage, 4/11
–Written by Mike Hogan
Hip-hop really is a remarkable outlet for the spoken word. It has such endless potential of expression, and the stripped down quality of the music itself lends itself to providing a spotlight on the lyrics. And over the years, there have been many that have truly mastered this craft of taking hip hop and turning it into a lyrical weapon; an instrument of social change, a soap box for political agendas, and a voice of entire cultures. And there are very few artists that have harnessed this power so fully and completely than two of most legendary names in New York underground hip hop, Talib Kweli and Immortal Technique.
Read More
AltFreq Weekend Planner (4/9/15-4/11/15)
–Written by Kevin Madert
It’s nearly impossible to keep track of all the events going on in the area, so we’re here to let you know what’s happening in live music over the next few days. Watch out on Sundays for our “Weekly Planner,” where we’ll cover the remaining four days of the week.
Read More
In Case You Missed It: Dance Gavin Dance – Downtown Battle Mountain
For those of you that haven’t been paying attention, I’ve been going on and on lately about a new album coming out from a little band called Dance Gavin Dance. Instant Gratification will be the follow up to 2013’s Acceptance Speech, and their second album with Tillian Pearson (formerly of Tides of Man) on lead vocals. Pearson was an immediate fit with the band, they put out an album that made it sound like they’ve been making music together for their entire careers. It was a seriously impressive album, and proved to be the biggest leap forward for Dance Gavin Dance since their debut full length Downtown Battle Mountain. Which is incidentally, precisely what we’re here to talk about. There is a ton of hype surrounding Instant Gratification, but this is the perfect time to reflect back on one of the original classics that will always be a huge milestone in the history of the band.
Read More