music from big chair

Holy moly, the Danes are charming. Even more so when we put them in the beautiful setting of the National Cathedral, our neighbor up Wisconsin Ave., where the acoustics are splendid and the neogothic architecture is lovely. And even more so when they are all smiles and cooperative, pleasant energy, even in a torrential rainstorm. And even MORE so when they play such upbeat, shambling tunes, with just enough garage-rock and psychedelic influences to back Christian Hjelm’s raw, harping vocals. Read More »

More like exercist stairs, am I right?

We proposed another Music From Big Chair session to the Portland-based punky-folk rockers The Ascetic Junkies, but the band had another locale in mind: Georgetown’s famed exorcist stairs, so-called because of the scene in the 1973 horror flick The Exorcist. If you’re from the area, you’ve definitely seen it, 70′s film effects and all; Georgetown hosts a showing every Halloween in Gaston Hall. But in recent years the stairs have been better known for the quad-burning workout they offer (we caught some of these dedicated athletes in the video – thanks folks!) Read More »

I’ll be honest. We listen to a lot of music over here — a lot of great music, a lot of just plain okay music, and a lot of “hey I like this!” flash-in-the-pan music, and it’s not often that you come across a keeper, some music you can really sink your teeth into, listen to on repeat, and invest your interest in for an extended time. Well, the Wilderness of Manitoba is one of those bands. Not only are they friendly (and up for anything, from playing on a giant green chair to moving the whole show to my backyard after a memory card dilemma), but they make wonderful music, with both natural talent and ease with one another as well as what seemed to be a very well-rehearsed, on-point sound. Read More »