Chris Allen

DMV Music Check-In by Maxwell Young

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

DMV Music Update by Maxwell Young

OG Lullabies, Chris Allen, The Khan, Dreamcast, Nappy Nappa & Pat Cain, and Winzday Love

New Def Jam Records signee, Beau Young Prince photographed by @iamjakewashere.

New Def Jam Records signee, Beau Young Prince photographed by @iamjakewashere.

The last several weeks have been loaded with major releases and announcements within the DMV music community.  Odd Mojo's remix collaboration with MILK$ featured on the Sounds of D.C. vol. II playlist and the surprise drop of Tony Kill and Sir E.U's joint project African American Psycho feel like timely additions to the sonic landscapes.  Moreover, budding stars Rico Nasty and Beau Young Prince celebrated record label signings with Atlantic and Def Jam, respectively.  Let's recap some of the other music that's been released by DMV artists recently.

OG Lullabies - Raw Channels Vol. I

A virtuoso--adept in violin, guitar, piano, and other instruments I am no doubt missing--OG Lullabies has given listeners a streamlined version of her sound with a short EP, Raw Channels Vol. I.  It's a soothing contrast from her cosmic sounding project Cruescontrol, which she debuted earlier this year.  Focusing on her unique vocals and acoustics, the entire EP runs under six minutes.  Be sure to give her rendition of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" a listen, available on all streaming platforms.

Chris Allen - "60 Seconds"

Maybe you've heard songwriter Chris Allen perform his Ashes EP in Pittsburgh, but his roots are in Washington, D.C.  His latest track, "60 Seconds" leverages a Jay Rock sample as his theme of spirituality delivers an uplifting message, "You will not fall to the wayside."  InTheRough will have more from Allen soon.

The Khan - Free Jesse: The Mixtape

Still embarked on the Resurrection Tour with Sick Boy Rari (AKA Black Kray) and Wifigawd, The Khan has released his follow up mixtape to Khanner.  Both tour mates are on the project converting their hectic shows into a pocket-sized rage mosh-able anywhere. Should you need proof, check out Khan's wild night at Uptown Art House.

Dreamcast - "Throat"

Dreamcast teased the visuals to his latest song, "Throat" way back in January.  Shot in a cabin deep in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Dreamcast is seen bedridden, emotionally paralyzed following the collapse of a relationship.  Read more about the Kevin Chamber directed video in the soulful singer's second media hit by The Fader.  Stay tuned for Dreamcast's long awaited EP, which is set to be completed by end of summer.

Nappy Nappa & Pat Cain - Model Home

Pat Cain at Uptown Art House photographed by Maxwell Young.

Pat Cain at Uptown Art House photographed by Maxwell Young.

Nappy Nappa follows up his latest individual project, +HEARTMATH+ REQUIEM UV UNIVERSAL REQUEST--a 35-minute mix on SoundCloud that nods to the modern wave of hip hop--with experimental textures in Model Home.  The eleven-track tape is a joint effort with experimentalist/audio engineer/saxophonist/tinkerer, Pat Cain. This pairing becomes even deadlier and less predictable when they become Delta 7, a quartet including Sir E.U and Tony Kill. A project looms at large according to fellow member of Lads, Auto Dickerson.

Winzday Love - "DRAGONS"

Winzday Love is full of cosmic energy, and according to her latest single, "DRAGONS" she's walked this earth before.  Love sings, "Yes, yes. We are 1000 years old," as she dances in front of meditating band members Kwesi Lee, Alireza, and Airospvce.  We'll wait and see if a full project is on the horizon since this is her first official video/single release.