The Game Plan
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Go for a dip. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/ Stacie Stauff Smith Photography
For a former Floridian who moved up to the great state of Virginia and read a sign in her apartment that says, “Pools close: Labor Day,” let’s talk about how confusing that was. And still is. No water in The Sunshine State ever shuts down or is covered. Ever. (Proof: I went to/hosted several pool birthday parties in December throughout my childhood. True story.)
But finally! The day we’ve been waiting for all spring is right around the corner: Pool Opening Day.
If this is your first time (like me!) navigating through the maze of community waters, here are a few good tips I’ve picked up along the way:
Our Vintage Film Comes to Jammin Java
Posted by Hunter Woodall / Monday, May 21st, 2012
Indie pop rock group Our Vintage Film will take the stage at Jammin Java this Tuesday, May 22. The band released The Midnight Sun EP in July of 2011.
According to their website, the EP represents the journey the band members faced during their college years. The band’s goal is to release music with themes that tie into “meaningful everyday concepts.”
The group originally started out as an acoustic band, but over time has grown to become a seven piece band. The current lineup features a cello, violin and piano. On the bands website, the group refers to their sound as both “power pop” and “indie-pop progression.”
The band is working to increase fans exposure to their msuic through online marketing, as well as a kickstarter campaign to help fund their 2012 Summer tour.
Our Vintage Film will take the Jammin Java stage Tuesday along with openers Bonaventure, The Offset and Money Can’t Be Eaten. Tickets are $10 prior to the show and $13 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.
From the Green Room with William Beckett
Posted by Hunter Woodall / Friday, May 18th, 2012
Beckett released his first solo effort, Walk the Talk, in April. (Photo Courstey of William Beckett and Fresh Clean Media)
In the span of a year, William Beckett, 27, lost his band and his record contract. The changes allowed him to seek a new start as a solo artist, with a new sound and label.
Beckett spent the first eight years of his musical career as the lead singer of “The Academy Is…“ the band he helped form while still attending high school. The band broke up in October, leaving Beckett at a crossroads in his musical career.
Roughly six months after the breakup of the band he led for almost a decade, Beckett released his first solo EP Walk the Talk. The EP, and the corresponding tour, shows Beckett moving in a new direction musically with material that he says is the best he’s ever written.
In support of his EP, Beckett is touring the U.S. and will stop in Virginia to play Jammin Java this Sunday.
How would you describe fans response to your latest release?
“It was great. I didn’t really know what to expect. A part of you always expects the worst and hopes for the best (to) prepare yourself mentally. But it was awesome, It was a really good response and people are still checking it, listening to it for the first time. It’s a growing process and I’m happy that my instincts aren’t completely off. It’s good to know that my taste is comparable to what people like as well.”
What changes did you make to your writing process as you transitioned into being a solo artist?
“A lot of it has to do with the kind of environment that I’m writing in. For a while towards the end of the band, the writing environment was really hostile and that just wasn’t fun. When you think about it, it wasn’t an ideal creating environment. Since then, I’ve collaborated with really great producers and it really sparked something new in me, or something old that I hadn’t felt in a while. It was like wow, this is what writing is supposed to be like. This is what the creation process is supposed to be.”
Why did “The Academy Is…” decide to break up?
“It was kind of a long time coming. A lot of the reason why is because of it not being a positive environment. The last thing that we wanted to do was to forfeit and pretend that everything was all right within the band and then make another record and hate it and then hate each other even more. I felt like it was the right move as far as taking responsibility for ourselves and also (to) our fans as well to put out the best music possible. I felt like the only way that I could do that most efficiently was on my own.”
After releasing the EP are you planning to release a solo album any point soon?
“I’ve got a full plan. Now that Walk the Talk is out, every three months I’m going to release an EP throughout the year, so at the end of the year you’ll have twelve songs, if you collect all the EP’s, to be enjoyed as one piece.”
Will each of the EP’s have a different theme?
“It’s sort of an evolution of the same story for each of them. The first is to introduce you to where I’m at now and what I’ve been going through and that (will) evolve with each of the EP’s and by the end you’ll have the full story up to now.”
How will the solo tour be different from touring with your former band?
“Well for me, I can really focus on exactly what my vision is for each tour, for each song written for each decision made before it was kind of a trial by committee, it was kind of a communal decision system that in my opinion… that kind of team decision making doesn’t work when it comes to art. Once you start compromising, there’s no end to where you’ll end up. At that point your vision is so clouded and deluded that it’s nothing like you intended. So for me… it’s purely my vision which is very gratifying and I feel like in the end it will make more sense than having a bunch of cooks in the kitchen.”
From the Green Room with Alleghany St.
Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, May 18th, 2012
More musical ammo for NoVA’s ever-expanding scene: Alleghany St., a powerful country-rock duo.
Alleghany St. Photo: Maddy Turley.
I was fortunate enough to catch them downtown at SOVA on May 11, and they blew the roof off. This brother-sister pair–Joshua and Stefanie–seals airtight harmonies with friendly, but raucous energy.
They know how to party and aren’t afraid to show it. Joshua strums acoustic guitar, while Stefanie pounds handheld drums with reckless abandon. But their back-and-forth vocals make the group. They’ll switch in and out of harmony and melody on a moment’s notice; there is no lead singer.
A lifetime spent together has helped their seamless sound. Even the group’s name is a direct reference to their childhood–Alleghany St. is the street on which they grew up in Warrenton.
They just released their debut album, Young Heart, and celebrated with a Jammin Java release party on May 13.
I interviewed them via email about their lively, fun-loving sound, and where they’ll take it next.
First, here’s an example of their music:
Who and what inspires you?
“Our close family bond of music. We grew up listening to our mom and dad jamming with their friends every weekend with full volume on the speakers. So it was a gleam in our eyes at a very young age to do the exact same thing. … We’re also really fascinated by the inspiration you get from REAL life specific situations and how they make you feel certain emotions that make you bond with people on this very down to earth level.”
How did your particular style develop? Where does your sound come from?
“Well when we came together as this singer/songwriter duo, a lot of people were classifying us as country or folky country even though there is no real presence of “twang” or accent. … We credit our unique sound to what it was like to grow up [in Warrenton]. It’s not exactly country, but not suburban or rural either–it’s kind of a blend and we think it shows in our music because we take a lot of what music we were exposed to around the area as inspiration.”
Your live shows are really tight. How did you perfect that?
“Thank you! We really think it’s because of the sibling thing – nothing more! … But really, we also understand each others [sic] musical sense because were [sic] on a very similar page so we have common ideas. With a little bit of eye contact on stage we are able to tell where each other are planning to go or if we need to change something up a bit, it’s really helpful.”
What’s coming up for you?
“We have shows, shows, and shows! We’re working hard to book the summer up with some fun outside events, festivals, intimate settings, and soon some collaboration work with artists from completely different genres to keep things interesting, so it’s definitely something to look out for!”
Where can people buy your music?
“Our official website has links to all our social media, including our bandcamp page where you can purchase the full album online!”
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
The UEFA soccer final is May 19. Don’t get the games on your TV? Check out NoVA’s most futball-friendly game-watching bars.
By Sally Traynham & Julia Harbo
Deklofenak/Shutterstock
Broadlands Sports Bar & Grill
42882 Truro Parish Drive, Ashburn
broadlandssportsbarandgrill.com
Bugsy’s Sports Bar
111 King St., Alexandria
bugsyspizza.com
Bunker Sports Cafe
510-I E. Market St., Leesburg
bunkersportscafe.com
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 S. 23rd St., Arlington
ccsportspub.com
Finnegan’s Irish Pub
1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg
finnegansirishbar.com
Glory Day’s Grill
Multiple locations
glorydaysgrill.com
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
irelandsfourcourts.com
Kilroy’s
5250 Port Royal Road, Springfield
kilroys.com
Lucky’s Sports Theatre & Grill
7027 Manchester Blvd., Alexandria
luckyssportstheatre.com
Public House No.7
6315 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
publichouseno7.com
Summers Restaurant
1520 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington
summers-restaurant.com
The Auld Shebeen
3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
theauldshebeenva.com
(May 2012)
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
We’ve taken on the boulevards (Wilson vs. Clarendon), bases (kickball vs. softball) and bottles (beer vs. wine). Now we’re pitting two of our fave breakaway spots against each other. Which will be the ultimate destination—beach or mountains?
by Lorin Drinkard
haveseen/Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock
MOOLA MATTERS
Beach: $105-$360/night
Mountains: $170-$335/night
Advantage: Beach. The base price for mountain rentals can cost more.
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
Beach: It’s a go. as long as the little ones know how to swim. Besides, what’s a family trip without boardwalks, sand dollars and the possible sunburns?
Mountains: Can they walk? While a stroller isn’t going to, um, stroll well down a bumpy trail, older kids can enjoy the great outdoors, hiking and not getting any cellphone reception (OK, that’s more for the parents).
Advantage: It depends. For elementary age children and older, either will be a hit. Have an infant? A beach umbrella + lots of SPF goes a long way.
PACK THE POOCH?
Beach: Not likely. Many beaches don’t allow dogs during high season (May-Sept.) on the sandy shores or boardwalk.
Mountains: Yes. Some cabin rentals may not be pet-friendly, but most outdoor activities are suitable for a dog on a leash. Check BringFido.com for specific locales.
Advantage: Mountains.
RELAXATION FACTOR
Beach: Extremely high. Stretching out under the noonday sun and listening to the swell of the waves is spa-like.
Mountains: Depends. Driving through windy tree-lined roads and biking along a path can be calming…or exhilarating.
Advantage: Beach.
CLOSENESS TO HOME [from Fairfax]
Beach: 4 to 5 hours (without tra ffic)
Mountains: 2+ hours
Advantage: Mountains. (Shenandoah, anyone?)
VACATION CHAMP:
TIE
Where D.C. United Players Are Hanging Out This Week
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Najar, in action. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/Photo Works
Catch up with the awesomely talented dudes of D.C. United who are coming off a nice win over the Colorado Rapids and a three straight Ws at home as they make quite a few public appearances this week.
Here’s a breakdown of who-where-when:
Celebri-Author Betty White Is Headed to The Zoo
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
The Queen of Funny. / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/ s_bukley
Forgot Cleveland. This week, Betty White will be heating things up by heading to the National Zoo for a book signing. On Friday, May 18, the eternally youthful 90-year-old will be promoting “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo“ and “If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t.”
Grammy-Nominated Kids’ Group Milkshake Rocks Jammin Java
Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
Grammy-nominated kids’ band Milkshake comes to Jammin Java this Saturday, May 19.
Milkshake is different than most kids’ groups. They’re a real rock band who just happen to play kid- and family-friendly music.
Hailing from Baltimore, they formed from the remnants of a ’90s grown-up rock act called Love Riot. But with the band’s demise and arrival of kids, the singer and guitarist from Love Riot decided to partner once more, this time with a group to fit their new lives as parents.
Thus, Milkshake has something most children’s music lacks–coolness. Although the lyrics feature themes like pirates, Halloween and aquariums, true pop sensibility hovers in the background. Part Monkees, part Cheap Trick, all fun.
Their 2009 release, “Great Day,” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Musical Album for Children category.
Saturday’s show provides a sneak preview of songs off Milkshake’s upcoming album, “Got a Minute?” as well as their favorite tunes from the past few years.
Milkshake is a six-piece band, but the Jammin Java performance is a special, intimate event with the Milkshake Trio–Mikel, Lisa and Sheppy.
Tickets are $12, and are on sale now. The show begins at 11 a.m.
Culture: Movie, Music and Book
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Monday, May 14th, 2012
Focus Features
by Colleen Callery
MOVIE
‘Moonrise Kingdom’
In the newest Wes Anderson film, chaos ensues when two kids fall in love and run away together. Look for some familiar faces to be gracing the screen, including Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Bruce Willis and Ed Norton. May 25 release.
MUSIC
‘What We Saw From the Cheap Seats’
Recorded last summer in Los Angeles, the quirky pop singer Regina Spektor has collaborated with producer Mike Elizondo to release her first album since 2009, to the joy of many anticipating fans. Expected May release.
Random House
BOOK
‘Home’
Nobel Prize winner in literature, Toni Morrison’s newest novel “Home” follows a traumatized Korean War veteran as he journies back to America and is forced to visit his childhood home. Now Available.