Washington, DC-based quartet Dear Daria wears its love of ’90s pop culture proudly on its proverbial sleeve in their latest song and music video, “Tino.” Inspired by a character in the iconic single season cult classic My So-Called Life, “Tino” is regularly referenced, but never shown. “We all have that flakey friend who makes a lot of promises, but rarely delivers. That’s Tino,” says singer and guitarist Maryjo Mattea. “The idea may have come from a character in a TV show, but Tino is an archetype. Everyone has a ‘Tino’ in their life.” Watch the official music video for “Tino” by Dear Daria o ..read more

Going out with a bang is an apt description of not only Sum 41’s final tour, Tour of The Setting Sum, but also a pretty good summation of their new (and, for the foreseeable future, last) album, Heaven :x: Hell. The record, released last month, is a mammoth double LP with two distinct “sides”: a heaven made of pop punk anthems, and a hell full of rock numbers inspired by heavy metal’s finest. I have to say, for a final album — a record that, for many bands calling it a day, would be mediocre at best — Heaven :x: Hell is one of the Canadian band’s finest. Just try to get songs like “Landmines ..read more

Talented and creative people attract those of the same order, especially in music. Sam Evian has released a compelling album every two or three years since he first started recording in 2016, and in that time, he’s also established himself as a respected producer, as numerous skyrocketing indie rock acts — including Big Thief — have turned to him and his Catskills-based Flying Cloud recording studio to assist on major releases that have gone on to garner critical acclaim. Sam’s growing resume speaks volumes to his abilities and reputation, but with his own latest release, Plunge, he reminds th ..read more

My journey to a new home in Bellingham, Washington, in 2022 has led to a wonderful journey of discovery. One of those discoveries has been the listening room at the New Prospect Theatre (NPT). Not long ago, the theatre again expanded my musical horizons when I and a small, but enthusiastic, audience experienced a gorgeous and gentle Kris Delmhorst performance. At NPT on April 28, Kris, accompanied by Portland, Oregon based multi-instrumentalist Austin Nevins, performed songs from her extensive catalog as well as a couple new tunes destined for an album to be released in “January or February” o ..read more

Last week, DC swooned over the beautifully talented Laufey, who left the bow-filled crowd mesmerized. Having spent a few years of her childhood growing up in Washington, DC, she told her audience at The Anthem that her two back-to-back shows felt “almost like hometown shows.” Her stunning vocals and melodic jazzy tunes truthfully encapsulated the entirety of the venue, and her personable nature swept the audience off their feet.  On April 25, the fully seated show hosted a sold-out crowd of approximately 3,000 people, all of whom were eagerly anticipating Laufey’s arrival on stage. The en ..read more

During Aaron Lee Tasjan’s recent set at DC9, he covered “Drunken Angel,” Lucinda Williams’s ode to the late Blaze Foley, as a duet with opening act Molly Martin. It was a fitting cover, as it paid tribute to another artist who, like Aaron, has been called “country,” even though she’s really not. (At least since the album “Drunken Angel” appeared on in 1998, Car Wheels On A Gravel Road.) Aaron has said, “”I can tell who’s been paying attention by the people who say I’m moving away from country music.” He was never making country music to begin with, even if he does look up to Lucinda (who ..read more

There’s no cutoff date for launching a career in music. Ben Carr has been recording and performing for about two decades, but he believes his is just getting started in earnest. As the mastermind producer and multi-instrumentalist operating the playfully titled project CARRTOONS, Carr’s a testament to steadfastness and fortitude. He quietly put together an impressive list of credits working with a bevy of stars and now, with his own catalogue and a collection of striking videos to accompany it, has a growing hoard of his own followers. Many of them recently showed up for a performance at Songb ..read more

A Blacktop Mojo concert is like diving headfirst into a Southern rock-infused sonic tornado. The Palestine, Texas five-piece definitely know how to captivate an audience! From the second they hit the first chord, the band exuded a raw intensity that instantly grabbed hold of the crowd’s attention in a recent opening set for Clutch at The National in Richmond, Virginia. Matt James’ soulful yet gritty vocals soared above the driving rhythms laid down by the rest of the band, creating a dynamic sound that was both powerful and emotive, at the National on April 26. Guitarists Ryan Kiefer and Malco ..read more

Clutch fans got to experience the band’s whirlwind of rock ‘n’ roll energy firsthand, and it left them exhilarated and craving more, on a recent night at The National in Richmond, Virginia. The moment the band took the stage, there was an undeniable electricity in the air as the crowd eagerly anticipated the first song, at The National on April 26. Neil Fallon, Clutch’s magnetic frontman, commanded attention with his powerful vocals and captivating stage presence. His energy was infectious, and he effortlessly led the audience through a sonic journey filled with blues-infused riffs and thunder ..read more

Few musicians can enchant and regale a venue in the manner of Roberto Carlos Lange. More commonly known by his performing and recording name, Helado Negro, the talented South Florida native is one of the rare songwriters who weaves two languages into his music, and he does so to dazzling effect, as seen in a recent turn at The Atlantis in DC. Helado in recent years has received numerous fellowships and grants, evidence of the mounting respect for this vanguard artist who’s discovered his own realm of experimental electronic folk that pays tribute to his Latin heritage. His ninth studio album ..read more