Cinema Hearts at National Cherry Blossom Festival
A short set of photos of Cinema Hearts. These were taken at the National Cherry Blossom Festival which certainly explains all the pink.
Normally I hate to post about the same band too quickly. It makes me feel like I haven't been getting out enough and finding other good bands. I photographed Cinema Hearts last year so I guess this will be an exception. I already reviewed their music too. Short version: It's garagey and it's great.
I decided to post about them again because lead singer Caroline Weinroth is also Miss Mountain Laurel, a local Miss America winner, and if you don't believe me check out the sash. In that role she has been raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. I just want to encourage everyone to consider donating to them or to a similar non-profit which raises money for hospitals. All hospitals are facing financial uncertainty this week as our government prepares to vote on another health insurance overhaul. Now would be a really good time to help 'em out a little if you can. Just a thought.
Cinema Hearts' Website, Music.
Posted: 3/21/2017 at 5:50pm Tags: Cinema Hearts National Cherry Blossom Festival Tidal Basin
Death By Unga Bunga at DC9
I still just barely believe that there is really a band called Death By Unga Bunga. Knowing that there is, though, I am totally willing to believe that they're a garage rock band. Also that they're not from around here (they're Norwegian).
Listening to them online before the show they reminded me of The Manikins or Together PANGEA, just without the occasional folksy bits. That's not way off. Like TP they keep the subject matter light as any good party music should. What I hadn't picked up on online are the hints of glam rock influence. Certain songs reminded me of MC5 and Stalkers. So DBUB turned out to be a little edgier than I was expecting but not that much.
Death By Unga Bunga's Website, Music.
Posted: 2/22/2017 at 1:00pm Tags: DC9 Death By Unga Bunga
Priests at Brooklyn Bazaar
Going into this show I had entertained the idea of doing a photoset just of Gideon, the guitarist. It seems to me that 90% of the photos of this band I've seen are of their lead singer, often just their lead singer. Now that's pretty typical of media coverage of bands, we all know that. Still, given the amount of effort this guy puts into bouncing around the stage you'd think people, or rather photographers, would be paying more attention to him. So I almost decided to pay off what I see as a karmic debt here but I chickened out.
With that said please enjoy these photos of everyone in the band Priests except Daniele, the drummer. Yep, I'm creating a whole new karmic debt. Next I'll probably spell Priests wrong or something. Sorry about that but there were no lights pointed even vaguely in her direction or at least from in front which is kind of the point eh? Same thing with Snail Mail in that last photoset. Their drummer was borderline invisible too. Ah well, somebody else must have brought a flash (I should really start doing that).
Priests' Website, Music, Musical Interests. Shoot, they even have a Facebook Page now. I wonder if they know? (Edit: guess not.)
Posted: 1/30/2017 at 11:00pm Tags: Brooklyn Bazaar Priests
Snail Mail at Brooklyn Bazaar
I do not recall exactly which 90s slacker movie soundtrack Snail Mail reminds me of. I just think that their parents should probably check their car thoroughly.
Snail Mail's music has that nostalgic for the present because you're conscious enough to know it's going to pass sort of vibe. That in a jangly guitar, not too loud or overbearing sort of way. Although I don't know for a fact that Snail Mail started out as a solo project of singer/guitarist Lindsey Jordan that just seems right, especially since I've seen her play solo. It just feels like singer/songwriter material at its core. The addition of a band adds depth, plus the ability to rock out once in a while, and if your guitar goes out at least things don't stop dead (which actually did happen at one point).
Posted: 1/30/2017 at 10:17pm Tags: Brooklyn Bazaar Snail Mail
The Lemon Twigs at DC9
The Lemon Twigs. You might remember them from such shows as Sunflower Bean at the Rock and Roll Hotel recently. They didn't cover "Gasolina" this time.
I don't think I've ever seen a (current) band which quite so throughly embodied the 70s aesthetic. Songs which are melodic but don't stick to simple rhythmic structures. Energy but not insanity in their live performance. And those clothes! I really don't think they're just copying the look either. Their sound and really their whole character predates those simplified musical styles like corporate pop and (as much as I love it) punk rock. Musicianship is the key here. They'll toss in whatever flourishes are needed to give a song the desired impact. And may I add that this is particularly impressive given their relative youth. Notice those Xs on their hands. They may not be punk but for now they are straight edge.
The Lemon Twigs's Website, Music.
Posted: 1/19/2017 at 11:00pm Tags: DC9 The Lemon Twigs
