Monthly Archives: November 2010

When I first picked up RU with Me I was fairly reluctant because Paul Avion is not only an artist that I was almost completely unfamiliar with, but also composed music in a genre that I’ve never listened to. However, upon further research and listening, it came to my attention how fascinating a character and musician Avion is. By all intents and purposes, Avion follows the beat of his own drum. Having moved to Los Angeles from his hometown of New Orleans in 2005, he then moved to Paris where he took up a job as a dishwasher in order to immerse himself in French culture. This However, seems relatively pedestrian compared to his decision  to live over the past year in one of the poorest slums in Kenya where he lived and worked at a school for disabled children. While living there he filmed part of his experiences and posted them on his website. This fascinating story should not in any way overshadow the comparatively interesting nature of his music.

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While perusing the music blogosphere, I find it difficult to conceptualize just how much music exists. Countless artists churn out thousands of songs a day, most of which struggle to find a pair of receptive ears. A shame, no doubt, as musicians like the sincere Carl Hauck deserve better venues than dusky college bars in central Illinois. But earnestness alone won’t win fans, which may make Hauck’s music more fitting for a smaller audience simply seeking a sense of approachable intimacy. Read More »

On Saturday night, WGTB welcomed a sold out crowd of students and the DC public to Bulldog Alley for its annual fall concert. Best Coast headlined the evening with an energetic set of their signature California surf rock. WGTB favorite and DC local Long Walks on the Beach got the crowd dancing, and was followed by the hazy melodies of the newly signed Cults. Click for photos after the jump, and let us know how it went in the comments!

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If you’re like me (and I suspect a lot of my peers are) then you are more than ready for a break. It’s that point in the semester when classes really start to drag, tests keep coming, and you haven’t had a day off since Columbus Day. Thank God for Thanksgiving. It may actually be the perfect holiday. You get to take a break from school, to spend some time at home, and to stuff yourself with ridiculous amounts of food. And you don’t even have to buy anyone presents. Honestly, other holidays need to take some notes. Anyway, here’s a cornucopia of songs, about going home, family, and even food, for you to enjoy along side that Turkey dinner. (Let’s hope you’re family meal is a little better than the Ramone’s: “Sitting here in Queens eating re-fried beans”)

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What is it about the jackal that is so inspiring? I wouldn’t have expected a medium-sized, dog-like predator to be an especially muse-worthy animal, but Ronny Jordan & Dana Bryant’s epic song “The Jackal” and Bruce Willis and Richard Gere’s less epic movie The Jackal provide evidence to the contrary. Irish singer / songwriter Conor O’Brien, under the moniker of Villagers, continued this trend last spring, releasing his debut album Becoming a Jackal.

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Grandchildren, an electroacoustic band from Philadelphia, PA, are looking to make waves in the music industry with their debut album, Everlasting. Formed as a cross between two Alternative legends, the ever-popular Animal Collective and the more orthodox TV On the Radio, Grandchildren fail to impress and live up to the expectations I had for them. Read More »

This Saturday, we’re all going to be taught a little lesson on which coast is really the best. Our east coast doldrums due to the melancholy weather of November are about to be thrown for a loop when Best Coast brings us a little of those California chill vibes. Based out of LA, the trio will transform Bulldog Alley with their lo-fi surf sounds.

Non GU Students buy tickets HERE. Georgetown Students can grab tickets for $5 in Red Square all week.

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Dear Kings Of Leon,

“I just wanna hold you / take you by your hand / and tell you that you’re good enough,” but I’m sorry to say that this indeed is The End.

In the words of NME‘s Luke Lewis, “there inevitably comes a moment in a huge band’s career where they lose their common touch and become slightly ridiculous.” It’s saddening to see a band that previously fostered immense creativity, versatility, and energy in their work begin to fall into a pit of lifelessness, masked by a one-dimensional, melodramatic sound. Needless to say, Kings of Leon seems to be lacking in their usual, quirky, southern rocker charm.

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