De Novo Dahl

Speaking of Karnack:

Answer: 930 Club forum

Question:
Washington, D.C.: Hi GOGs – had a quick question about the D.C. "scene." I have some friends, scientists by trade, coming to town in a couple of weeks for a conference. (They're astronomers from the Frosty Drew Observatory up in R.I.) I don't think they care too much about seeing politicos or "the beautiful people" but I wondered if there are places (bars, restaurants, etc.) where "the brilliant people" hang out, like Smithsonian folks, writers, scientists, etc. In short, we're thinking John Bortle, not John Ashcroft or John Riggins. Tks.
Joe: Well, if you've ever listened to John Riggins on the radio or tv, you'd know he was a pretty witty guy. So, right away, I'm suspicious. Anyway, can you imagine a more insufferable place than one populated by people who think they are brilliant?

I would suggest, up their own asses! :D

Originally posted by snailhook:

Do these times still hold for tonight?

yup, more or less. de novo dahl will go on closer to 10:15, so that should give you people with dinner plans a few extra minutes to eat dessert. :p

Thanks.

Originally posted by Suki:
"Unusual" as in anything YOU don't like/agree with/sanction. ..an example being how many board suggestions for your "weekend out" rag you choose to disregard. Oh yeah, journalistic privilege - not reporter accuracy.

OH GREAT CARNACK, WHAT WILL BE HOYA'S NEXT POST: He'll disagree and attack you more for these remarks.

waiting…waiting…BAM!

huh?? i appreciated all of the comments i got from everyone, and tried to use as many as i could in my column … i personally apologize to you for not including your group who is playing in baltimore: a) i try to stick as much as possible to DC and its immediate environs, b) there was a lot of stuff going on this weekend, and the group didn't sound particularly interesting or worth noting

honestly, i appreciate all of your inputs, it helps me out when i'm trying to compile a comprehensive list, and i try to work in as many plugs as i can.

Originally posted by Suki:
"Unusual" as in anything YOU don't like/agree with/sanction. ..an example being how many board suggestions for your "weekend out" rag you choose to disregard. Oh yeah, journalistic privilege - not reporter accuracy.

suki, i went back and looked at this and there were 4 shows posted before my deadline … i included 3 of them in my column … so what's your rub?

*sigh* My meeting lasted until after 11pm so I didn't make it. How was the show?

Well I'm biased but DND were excellent last night. They were looser, edgier and more animated then the Iota show. At Iota for some reason they seem restrained and possible a bit shy, but last night they were clearly having fun with the smooth edges roughed up a bit.

My initial impression of the Hot Pipes via their mp3s, also from Nashville, was that they were bit to disjointed for my tastes. However, they started their set with a trippy vibe which for me was more enjoyable. By the end of the set the disjointed material appeared and they kind of lost me.

Hot Pipes

Didn't catch the Small Shouts as the last Green Line trains were calling…

Hopefully, DND can build from this show. Several people who arrived during thier set were digging them. And at least a couple people who saw them at Iota made the effort to see them this time as well.

Enjoyed the vibe of the Warehouse Next Door, was very nice not to come to stinking clothes. Kosmette enjoyed having the Coffee house down the street to chill in waiting for DND. In fact she thinks all clubs should have this setup :)

Originally posted by El Tee:

Originally posted by Suki:
Kosmo: Don't change!

Sometimes, when I find new music, I take out the Kosmo music gauge-o-meter to determine thumbs up or thumbs down. :D

Thanks for the compliment, maybe I should trademark Kos-mo-eter.

Right now the Kos-mo-eter is slowly rising for the new Ash CD. At first it was in the middle because it was an intial disappoint in the face of "Free All Angels". But, pulling it out six months after getting the record, it's really beginning to grow on my. Should end up a 7.5 to 8 on the scale. "Free All Angels" getting a 9.5.

Sorry I didn't make it to the Warehouse last night. I didn't get out until close to 10:00 - so I went for the closest venue; Iota. Two friends made it to the De Novo Dahl show last night, and really liked the space and show. They also said they thought they were better last night

I thought DND were quite good. The Kosmo-meter is right once again. Nice, fun, poppy stuff. It's a shame more people weren't there though. I'd guess maybe 25 people when they hit the stage. More came in throughout their set. Always a pleasure to see kosmo. Thanks for the CD! I picked up their EP as well.

The Small Shouts were fun, but a bit ragged. They mentioned it was only their 4th gig. Typical 3-piece - drums/bass/guitar. Olivia (from WSC) and two guys. They switched instruments every couple of songs, which was fun at first, but it tended to slow things down after a while. They seemed to be having fun though. We sure did.

Fun night. I love The Warehouse.

I'm very sad I didn't make it, but dinner went until close to 11:00, and I'm beginning to get a cold. Actually, today it's full-blown (the painful kind, with the headache/earache/burning throat in tow).

I'll probably have to miss Saccharine tonight as well. :(

Glad it was a good show for Kosmo, Kosmette and Chutney!

Sorry to hear you're sick, Bags. Hope you're better soon.

Just a gentle reminder that De Novo Dahl play Baltimore on Satuday at the Mojo.

9pm Doors
* De Novo Dahl
* Celia Kipp and The Last Ditch
* Jones Falls
* Hot Pipes

http://www.themojobalto.com/

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
maybe I should trademark Kos-mo-eter.

Right now the Kos-mo-eter is slowly rising for the new Ash CD. At first it was in the middle because it was an intial disappoint in the face of "Free All Angels". But, pulling it out six months after getting the record, it's really beginning to grow on my. Should end up a 7.5 to 8 on the scale. "Free All Angels" getting a 9.5.

:D
& Thanks, I might check out the Bl. Cat show…

everybody, thanks for the kind words. i try my best to create a comfortable environment for people to enjoy the shows.

we did ok last night, about 35 paid. everyone there seemed to be into de novo dahl.

my take on the bands pretty much reflects what kosmo and chutney said. de novo dahl are a great power-pop band with a vintage sound, and of their 40 minute set, there were only two songs that i felt missed the mark. these guys could be an elephant 6 band. the hot pipes were nothing special, but were decent and had a few really enjoyable songs. the small shouts are fun and could grow into something good with more work.

kosmo, how is that sugarplastic cd?

Originally posted by snailhook:
kosmo, how is that sugarplastic cd?

ditto

while out of the blue was one of my favorite songs of last year, I'm still not crazy about the album as a whole

Right now the Kos-mo-eter is slowly rising for the new Ash CD.

For my tastes the Sugarplastic CD is stunning, the fellow who runs Chalkhills, the long running XTC listserve, and also a Sugarplatic fan says the record is the best he's heard in years. I've said before the band maybe to quirky for it's own good. The record is a nice slice of psychedelic pop, with lots of layers of vocals and instruments. The vocals remind of what might have been heard in the 30s.

DND capped off two area shows at the Mojo on Sat, which was a bit more lively due to some extra alcohol beverages being consumed. This of course is not the first time more than the usual amounts of alcohol has flowed at the Mojo. The band is certainly showing signs of getting thier live show together. Even "The Funk" which didn't do much for me at Iota, has now be rocked up a bit and become a set favorite. As with many young bands, they need to work on the stage banter and transitions between songs. I give them props however for not spending time between songs to tune thier guitars.

It's a shame they weren't paired with more like minded bands. Good times all around…

Nice review of the album on CMJ. It's only a matter of time before it gets skewered by one of the "hip" music sites…

DE NOVO DAHL: Cats And Kittens

You wonder how many bands have had the same conversation, all hot and pumped on their first full-length: "Crazy dance remixes of the whole record! Double-album debut!" But to actually go through with it? Thatâ??s some ambitious beginnings. You couldnâ??t accuse Nashville six-piece De Novo Dahl of shying away from wild ambitions, though, well beyond the fact that Cats & Kittens is a big, fat 32- track bear of a debut. Cats houses the straight mixes, an amalgam of ambitious pop, rock, new-wave and party-funk ideas that run from silly to somber to just plain weird. They reach varying results with the genre-jumpingâ??"Jeffrey"'s Flaming Lips-gone-glam quirk, "Ryan Patrick Huseman Darrow"'s Brit-rock bombast and "Be Your Man"'s popped-up garage grit are delectably effective, while "The Funk"'s goofy danceability feels a bit tired with repeated listensâ??but their grabbing from so many different bags is what makes them an exciting find. Kittens, meanwhile, holds the remixesâ??16 almost unrecognizable dance jams cobbled from bits and pieces of Catsâ?? tracks, chunky programmed beats, samples and synth squiggles. Was it better left as an idea that brought giggles to a band meeting? Nope. Had De Novo Dahl only released Kittens, theyâ??d likely rule Williamsburg by now. Itâ??s a wriggly collection of electro-pop that, while perhaps not as affecting as Cats, still purrs. As a whole, the bandâ??s first offering feels something like a well-made mix tape: a little incongruous, maybe, but bursting with brilliant individual ideas.


CMJ review