DMV Music Check-In

Perhaps you were at Trillectro this past weekend or maybe the after party hosted by Jungle Fever. April + Vista sold out Union Stage for their first headlining show last Friday, and Tech Yes has found a new home at Saint Ex on 14th Street. There’s a lot happening in the DMV music scene, we’re checking in.

April + Vista were joined by percussionist Foots of FootsxColes during their sold out show at Union Stage last Friday. Photograph by @africanist

“Playin With Me” by Hipster Woods and Sir E.U

In a now deleted Instagram post, DJ/producer/founder of art collective TrashPass, Hipster Woods, proclaimed his punk-ness for all of the D.C. music community, and the world, to receive. A message so transparent should only be quoted, but his blunt feelings of wanting to convey his own punk experience was received loudly. The message made good promo for a track equally as loud. “Playin With Me” is produced by Woods featuring the turbulent vocals of Sir E.U. Clocking in at around seven and a half minutes, the song is more of a mix, as it was Woods’ intention to manipulate E.U’s voice like an instrument for a beat rather than have him flow in traditional song format.

This Wednesday: What a Night Presented by Jay Cousteau and Filet Mignon

Flyer via Jay Cousteau’s Instagram

If you’re not going to Converge at U Street Music Hall on Wednesday, you should make sure to stop by Velvet Lounge for Jay Cousteau and photographer Filet Mignon’s ‘What a Night.’ The youth will be well represented as Northwest rapper Lul Big Brother, producer Supa Statiq, and fellow member of the Cousteau clan, El Cousteau, are slated to perform.

915 U St NW

8-12am

$15 online; $20 at the door

OG Lullabies’ Red Bull Music Academy Residency

As part of her work with the Red Bull Music Academy, multi-instrumentalist OG Lullabies gives music heads an insight to her music compositions as well as a live tutorial demonstrating the Granular Convolver. Unless you’ve seen OG Lullabies live, it’s hard to discern every instrument she includes in her music because of how well she blends them together. You’ll see how she builds a texture of sounds and ambiance in this Facebook video.

Thursday: Urban Outfitters Live

Flyer via Odd Mojo’s Instagram

The Urban Outfitters in Chinatown is continuing their installment of live performances, and Thursday’s lineup looks to be one for the books. Odd Mojo, who we mentioned is working with Chris Allen, is also collaborating with Jenna Camille—admitting that their music is reminiscent of Janet Jackson. Maybe Mojo debuts new sounds. She is joined by host ArykahB, Babeo Baggins, FootsxColes, along with accompanying DJ sets by Tomiyeyo and Exaktly.

737 7th St. NW

4 - 7pm

“Water Walk” by Tedy Brewski

In his music video for “Water Walk,” Tedy Brewski continues to integrate movie, video game, anime, and internet subcultures into catchy blends of contemporary hip hop that are twinged with glitches and special effects. Did you know Tedy is a painter now, too?

Listen to Trae the Drummer’s New Instrumental Album Off the 6 With Band UnRehearsed

There might not ever be a time when Warren G. Crudup III aka Trae, is not at least 20 feet away from a drum kit. Trae is constantly working whether it be playing regularly with Jenna Camille and The Free Radicals, or at his residency at Bin 1301 on U St, or my favorite, with his partner, bassist Luke Stewart of Blacks’ Myths, a neo-punk-funk-rock band. Thanks to a chance encounter on U Street, ITR learned of Trae’s newest endeavor, an instrumental album with four-piece band UnRehearsed. Off the 6, available on all streaming platforms, is something you turn on to feel good, groovy. If you want to start your day on an uplifting note, Off the 6 will get you there with Trae’s frenetically varied drum rhythms and the band’s funky guitar riffs.

Paid/Job by Chris Allen Premieres Friday

New music from Chris Allen drops Friday. Image courtesy of Allen’s Instagram page.

Washington, D.C. native and Pittsburgh frequenter, Chris Allen, is spreading his wings in both local communities. Those in Pittsburgh will welcome him back to his home away from home at Hounds’ installation/showcase event at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh on Friday. Meanwhile, flicks of the rapper have surfaced on Odd Mojo’s Instagram page, confirming the two have been working on music with fellow DMV rapper, Kassim. We’ll wait patiently to hear what such a collaboration sounds like, but new music is coming from Allen this Friday with the release of “Paid/Job.”

Thraxx King’s Project 79 Merchandise Featuring Words by InTheRough

Thraxx King put an ITR article on a t-shirt.

Offering t-shirts and hoodies, Thraxx King surmises the consumption of his latest album Project 72 through literal moments of engagement. Neon green hoodies are time-stamped at nine seconds with the Apple Music layout of Thraxx’s song “7+2.” We’re honored he chose to print our article, amplifying his album on a short sleeve, mint green t-shirt. Stay tuned to his Instagram for the drop.

Hear Thraxx King's Psychedelia on Project 72

Open your third eye through the journey of Thraxx King's latest album, Project 72.

Streaming on all platforms.  Cover art designed by Maps Glover.

Psychedelic drugs such as LSD, mushrooms, MDMA, Peyote, and more have long been associated with music.  A$AP Rocky and Skepta--tweaking out in a London studio--concocted their hit single "Praise the Lord" while Flacko's psychedelic professor friend was on-hand to monitor the pair's progression through the trip.  And then there was Ken Kessey's famed Acid Tests in the 1960s, basically full-blown parties bumping music and strobe lights, challenging people not to freak out.  Pushing your mind to such depths or heights becomes all the more impactful when its done to an equally as skewed soundtrack. 

One night last November, Thraxx King experienced a "very powerful trip" that he says manifested important realizations.  The cover art of Project 72, designed by frequent collaborator Maps Glover, alludes to the magnitude of Thraxx's psychedelic awakening.  Pictured in the foreground with a drooping dreadlock, the Maryland-based rapper is being pulled through, in, and out of these different portals and dimensions.  The time travel and reality warping seem to have driven him mad as he stares at the listener googly-eyed.  There's no telling what this figure is hallucinating.

Cover art for singles "Anarchy" and "Talking About Nuclear War" by Glover.

If Glover drew Thraxx mid-trip, then the songs of Project 72 are grounded in the consciousness he attained post-trip.  "I learned a lot from it and had to create something," he said over DM. 

While tracks two and three ("Distortion" and "Moon") were already composed before the Maryland rapper's mind-altering trip, much of the project was conceived during the aftermath.  He places himself in this contagious pocket of songs such as "Motion," "Won't Lose," and "Lesson Learned," where bass-heavy 808s drive the listener into a head-banging trance as he raps, "Timing is of the essence.  Follow that frequency.  Boost up that energy.  It starts with self, nobody else," in the latter track. 

Thraxx King is far from the kid who's introduction to music was drumming in church, as he recalled on Late Bloom Radio several months ago.  Although his music still maintains crisp, percussive elements like rudiments on a snare.  Thraxx hopes to soon produce accompanying visuals to continue the strong engagement with his album.  Available on Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and any other streaming platform, Project 72 is firm ground on which Thraxx King can elevate his music career. 

"Pixburgh" Mixed by RB

"Pixburgh" tracklist via farESHBrand.com

Ryan Brown, RB for short, plays his role in the "Pixburgh" sound. His music festival, The City, presented by Brown's streetwear company called farESH Brand, gave over 40 local artists a personal audience. His brand keys on blending the scenes in Pittsburgh focused on culture, music and nightlife. Now, he uses his DJ talent to produce his first mix "Pixburgh" that champions the hip-hop artists in the city even more. 

RB hits a note when his mix starts as female MC Nay Hundo throws a pretty alley hoop to rapper Pk Delay as their respective songs "The Plan" and "Big Finessa" slam. The entire "Pixburgh" project is worth listening to below. Research the tracklist above, especially that Bill Waves "Firefly" song that RB placed in the project. 

I see that Antwon Rose growing through gardens. Flowers in the pavement. Tears that give them showers with the power and the Satan. Media lies and headlines that they routed in the pages, kill ‘em by the thousands if they doubted what we're saying. And Jimmy Wopo's got a viewing soon. The cops wanted him dead too. - Bill Waves in "Firefly"

Listen to Deluxe Songs from Travis Scott's 'Astroworld'

via Travis Scott's Instagram account

How'd you like the-long awaited Astroworld album from Travis Scott La Flame? If you want more of a ride from Astroworld, check out the rapper's radio show on Apple Music, .wav radio with DJ Chase B here. The latest episode that celebrates Astroworld features songs from the album's deluxe edition. 

Travis Scott - Part Time

Travis Scott ft. Gunna - Zoom

Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti - Houdini

"Steel Teeth"

UPDATE Oct. 4, 2018: This video will now be called “Steel Teeth” after it was originally called “Nickelodeon.”

Originally, this video dedicated to culture in Pittsburgh was to be called “Nickelodeon” after the first movie theatre in the world, which opened in the Steel City in 1905. Now, this video is “Steel Teeth.” The bite is more appropriate for the hip-hop environment working in the city now.

The goal is to put rap in Pittsburgh on camera, just like all the greats do. Think how legendary Wiz Khalifa's "DayToday" episodes were. Let alone his YouTube channel period. The video for "Reefer Party" still gives comedic relief. Know the power of MTV music videos too. Although the day-to-day, the fun on camera shows everyone you're real. When you throw rap into the mix, it just becomes cool. Soon, see how lit the hip-hop scene is in the ‘Burgh if you have yet to put the pieces together. Already filming freestyles and shenanigans, shine your bars. This is for us.

Preview “Steel Teeth” here. The release of the film is to be determined.

Mood Board

UPDATE Oct. 4, 2018: This video will now be called “Steel Teeth” after it was originally called “Nickelodeon.”