Father John Misty // Nancy From Now On

Dante says that this artist reminds her of me...Strange music video for a very pretty song.

Topbunk // Springlake Pharmacy

I recently figured out how to use my Windows Media Player (no Itunes on the laptop) and have become more familiar with Bandcamp and the often free digital downloads of music on that site.
I heard one song from Topbunk on Tumblr and since the 6-track album was free on Bandcamp, I thought I might as well download it. I wasn't really interested in listening to the band on a daily basis, but just for the sake of building/saying that I had somewhat of a music library outside of my own brain.
Fast-forward. I have the player on shuffle and every time a really good song came on, I would click over to see that it was one of the Topbunk tracks.
Now I have the album, Springlake Pharmacy, on repeat while cruising through my list of homework.
Self-proclaimed lanky southern boys of emo, this two man lo-fi emo-punk outfit is worth a listen and a download.

My two favorite tracks are "You're always on E & I Worry About You" and "Our Year".

SRVVLST // I Would But I'm Baroque

I know that it is a few months away, but in May, Survivalist is releasing a new album called "The Seven Year Inch" and you can get pumped for that by listening to their last album, "I Would But I'm Baroque".

Inbirdseye // Speak Easy

tinyforest // WithoutDreams

While this isn't along the lines of most of the music that I post, I'm really enjoying this music right now and I wanted to share that with y'all.
It's kind of takes me back to the first time I heard Flying Lotus and this door of music just opened up for me. It's always good to explore, respect, and enjoy other forms of music that are outside of the normal range that you hold yourself within.

DC9: Balance and Composure, The Jealous Sound, and Daylight

I had the wonderful opportunity of going to see Balance and Composure at DC9 on the 20th. Balance and Composure is one of the bands that got me into listening to heavier music so it really felt like things were coming full circle for me. I've said before that DC9 is currently my favorite venue and that was confirmed again after last night. No matter how big of a name band they bring in, DC9 still retains a DIY vibe. You find yourself walking into the venue at the same time as the drummer for B&C and all of the guys in the bands chilling around before they play. Unlike some other venues where they have a backstage area, having the band hanging around definitely brings a sense of community to the music that I love.

Daylight played first and they are definitely gaining a place in my heart. Other than the energy that they brought with their performance, Taylor kicked a kid off of the stage--physically kicked him. Don't worry, Taylor isn't a tool, the kid was. That's one thing that will be consistent in this post is that all of the fans were total assholes. Firstly, just because the bands are high energy--doesn't mean that it's music to mosh. This kid just ran and jumped on everyone like it was a fucking Terror show. Calm your Tits kid! Taylor did apologize and said that he just lost his temper because his mic was slammed into his face. Good on you, Tay. You should have kicked him again, honestly. Which just gives points to Taylor--he had every right to be pissed and still found it in himself to apologize. Good Guy. They played several of my favorite songs from, "The Difference In Good and Bad Dreams" and their new song, In On It, which I've included below.



I will confess that before this show I had never listened to The Jealous Sound. In most scenarios, I listen to the other bands before I go at least and see if I'm into them and in most situations get really into them before the show. I was just strangely apathetic in this situation though and didn't even look up one single fact or song about The Jealous Sound. I regret that because they were genuinely fun. They have this early 2000 indie-emo-punk sound that could best be described as Alt-Rock. It was simple and good, and I keep wanting to compare them to someone but I can't place my finger on who. All of their songs are kind of a jam where it would have been really fun to sing along if I had known them. Besides that, I realized that they were really good and I had totally dropped the ball on that. Never too late to reprimand though, and I am currently cruising through their list of songs and really enjoying it.



Finally Balance and Composure played! Per usual I don't have much to say about the last band because anyone who is reading this already knows that they were good. I had heard a few rumors that they weren't going to be good live, and that rumor can be disbanded because--not true. The same situation that happened during the Daylight set went down. WHY WERE PEOPLE MOSHING TO B&C? I understand bouncing, jumping, throwing around...but their were some honest attempts at slam dancing, that's not okay. Also, bad timing on the fan side--even in the slow section of a song the crowd would be throwing themselves on each other. I'm all about getting thrown around in a crowd and I was definitely IN that crowd, but not every song is like that. I think the only time I got to really listen was during Echo. It was all good though. The music was great,the fans were all assholes but I'm an asshole so I should have known that the people there would be assholes like me.



Great time, and I hope all of these bands come back to DC soon. I know it can be harder to get to DC because of Hotel prices and what not but it really means the world to everyone here who can't make it the shows that skip over DC and go to Baltimore.

Lukestar // In A Hologram

My go to band suggestion.

Kidcrash // Space Between Mountains

All about the guitar work.

The Dead Trees // Killer In Me

Live version.

My Little Pony // Comic Relief

As absurd as it may seem, this song has been a little bit of an anthem for me in the past month.
Every song intends to be meaningful, but this one stands out to me because the message isn't really one that I hear that much.

I think that whole hipster group feels this need to be deep and profound and everyone who isn't is dumb and "mainstream" (whatever that means). I think we forget that people are born the way that they are and just because you don't contemplate life every five seconds, and read Hemingway or Proust, does not mean that you don't understand the purpose of your life.
Some of us are the "comic relief" characters that the song is about. It's totally okay to be mindless sometimes and laugh and not give a shit what someone thinks.
Everyone serves a purpose in life--and if your purpose is to make people laugh then go for it and don't try to be something you're not for the sake of a fad.

Plus the song is cute.

Black Cat: Texas Is The Reason, w/ Title Fight

Black Cat is a famous venue for a reason. They know what shows to book, they know how to handle concert goers, they're organized in getting you into the venue. The venue has this feel to it, as if it's the father of all of the dc venues. Not to be cheesy, but their is a comfort and overall feeling of maturity when you're at the Black Cat
--even when a drunk guy in a Chain of Strength T-shirt is quoting Mean Girls as he stumbles out, post-show.

This was the second of many times that I plan to see Title Fight and the first and only time I will have the opportunity to see Texas Is The Reason.

While Title Fight did not have the same energy that they had when I saw them at DC9, they were still on point with their set. They are a consistent band when it comes to live performance, which is always a plus. I really think that the size of the venue is what took away from of that energy. When you don't have a fan trying to steal your mic (DC9 show) then the set will probably be a little calmer. They are definitely one of those bands that you love twice as much once you have seen them live. The guys are really humble and thanked people for "coming early" to see them--when tons of people came just for them. Also--Mid-set I looked over to see that members from PBTT was standing next to me. It's really great to see bands from nearby/who have toured with eachother, coming out to support eachother.



Texas Is The Reason was great. The fans were great. I've said in past posts that I love it when people know the words to every song and that was really cool to see some of these random people in their late 20s and 30s jamming out to these guys. They sounds exactly the same live as they do on a track--which is consistent with most punk/emo bands but it is still good to have that confirmation that your favorite artists are real artists. A lot of times in modern music, we don't really know what a band is like until you see them live. So it's really assuring to know that you can listen to Texas Is The Reason on your ipod and get the same thing at one of their shows. I also dig older people making a comeback. They were super humble too--the venue had this aura of appreciation. Something To Forget was my favorite song of the night.

The Saddest Landscape // You Will Not Survive

This northeastern band has been around since 2002, playing authentic emo music.

Gaza // I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die

What the actual fuck. This is Amazing.

Apart // Suffer In Rhythm

So glad that this band is in my life right now.
Hardcore? Melodic? Skramz? Screamo? Emo? Post-Hardcore?
I have no idea how to classify these guys, and I really like that.
They're just a dash of all my favorite things.

Through Arteries // The Filth Among Us

Through Arteries released their first single of 2013 titled, "The Filth Among Us". This is the first release of theirs since This is Just The Beginning, which was released back in 2012.
Great mix up of different styles of screams, and the use of synths/violins. I'm a huge sucker for added effects, so I immediately became a fan of their new single. The construction of this song is a great mix up of breakdowns/chorus'/and they even manage to fit a solo in!
Although they don't have any shows booked, be on the look out for something in the near future, as I'm sure they'll be hitting the stage soon.
-Zulu

The Amity Affliction // Open Letter

I'm not searching the sky for a reason to live.
Because I've found beauty right here, and the passion to give.
So let me give you my heart, let me give you my tears.
Let me give you my life, let me give you my fears.



I didn't discover The Amity Affliction until late last year with their release of 'Chasing Ghosts'. I still have no idea how it took me so long, but am I glad I found them. I've had Open Letter on repeat for the last week or so, and it still hasn't gotten old.

On a side note, I wrote before that the Merchant lyric video was the most creative thing I've seen; however, I must take that back and say this video takes the prize for most creative lyric video!
-Zulu

Snowing // Kirk Cameron Crowe

Figured if I was going to keep posting Emo music, then I should probably post a Snowing song.
It's fitting.

Mineral // A Letter

Two favorite things in music.
The 90's and Sad.

Sometimes I read and reread the birthday card you sent me when I turned seven and I know that they will never shine the way it did that day when we threw paper airplanes at your head and sat on your knees laughing

Like Moths To Flames // Learn Your Place

Another well dressed metal band?

Like Moths To Flames recently released their music video for 'Learn Your Place', and this is one of the best music video's I've seen in a long time. Not over edited, aesthetically good, and a great song. I love the look of the video, and whoever directed/edited it deserves major props. Its good to see Greg (Ex-The Air I Breathe) doing well on drums, definitely deserves to be in a band as good as LMTF.



I saw these guys on Scream It Like You Mean It this summer, and they do not disappoint live. They sound identical if not better than their recorded material, and get the entire crowd moving. Most people have probably heard of them, but if not check 'em out!
-Zulu

The Front Bottoms // Legit Tattoo Gun

Modern Baseball // Sports

Seriously, Philly.
Stop reading my Diary.

Two Knights // Lois Lame

Right though.

Moose Blood // Bukowski

This debut EP, "Moving Home" is released this month.

Yeaaa.

My Heart To Joy // Watch Me Live

Topshelf Records band. The album is Seasons In Verse

I have no idea why this only has 800 views on youtube....

Keepsafe // Worth Living

Normally when random bands follow me on tumblr, I don't give them any attention.
I've been really enjoying these guys though, a melodic hardcore band from across the pond.
I'm going to listen to them a little longer before I make comparisons, but the fact that I like it can suffice for now.

This EP was released just a few months ago. Listen to the EP and enjoy.

Nova Prospekt // Shift

I don't understand what it is with me and European bands right now, but it seems like its the only thing I'm writing about.

I should start this out by saying, I'm a sucker for synths, catchy choruses, and this kids singing. This kids vocal range is absolutely unreal. How good is his signing?! I could listen to his voice for days and never get bored.

I can't get enough of this band at the moment, definitely gives these guys a shot!
-Zulu

Rock and Roll Hotel: H20, Terror, Backtrack, and Code Orange Kids

This Friday was the tour kick off for these bands. I really liked that they started off in DC, not just because I'm here but also because it felt like somewhat of a respect to all that DC had brought to this music.

The show started at 7, on the dot. That was slightly frustrating: I think most people are used to shows "started at 7" and not really beginning until 7:30.

That being said, Code Orange Kids kicked off the night with a great set. It wasn't as great as when I saw them at Casa Fiesta in Tenley, but that's to be blamed on the crowd. Not a lot of people were there yet and they did start playing exactly as I walked in the door at 7 (which is normally being a little early). They're a consistent band when it comes to performance and I really love watching them play. I'm trying to avoid writing too much about them because I am a big fan and I don't want to be biased. As a girl, I love seeing a girl in a band and They're all about my age so their success is that much more exciting to me and blablabla all that crap. A number of them are in Adventures and I'm hoping to go out by Pittsburgh to see them play with Owen in March.
Anyways, as a young band I can't imagine how stoked they are to be playing with guys like H20 already.



Backtrack brought a short set but I want to say that their set got the most out of the crowd. Anyone who came into the show not knowing or being super familiar with the NY band, left as fans. From my perspective, the people I was with-- These were the guys that they were talking about post-show. Expect a lot more from them after this tour, they will definitely be blowing up soon.



Terror was a fun time. As great as the music was though, looking back at it I can't help but focus on some of the things that Scott said when he gave this little speech and how many times he said Stagedive. Everything he said was great and he really meant well by it, but it was a little frustrating for a lot of the fans when he said that their weren't any shows going on in DC. As fans, we can't necessarily choose where bands tour. A lot of times people will go from RVA to Baltimore and skip over DC. That doesn't mean that there aren't shows going on. If anything because of bands skipping over DC, the DIY attitude is more alive here than a lot of other places because young people are taking the initiative to put together shows and play locally and really create a scene for themselves that is fading in a lot of ways in DC. If Terror wants their to be more in DC, than they should come here.
Their music was great, they're an awesome band--I'll have Keepers of The Faith stuck in my head for the next two weeks. So, I hope Terror feels free to come to DC again soon.



Umm...I don't have anything to say about H20. It's H20. They were amazing. They're my Dad's age, that's awesome. Most of their fans were too drunk by the time they started playing, so the crowd was pretty sloppy. Drunk people are annoying at shows not because of Edge or anything, like have a beer or 3 if you want but why get trashed at a show? It would kind of take away from the show in my opinion, like you might as well be wasted at your home listening to H20 and pretending that you're at a show and moshing with your imaginary friends. It wasn't as bad as I'm making it sound, I've just been to more strict venues recently. I don't think I've seen drunk moshing since I was at warped tour as an eighth grader.

I wish H20 the best of luck on the tour. Really Really Fun show.



Also-- To Rock and Roll Hotel, I don't know if they painted the floor right before the show or if they just used really crappy paint but everyone left the venue covered in red crap.

-CaveBear

Daitro // Laissez Vivre Les Squelettes

French as Fuck.