Leisure

Reviews and think pieces on music, movies, art, and theater.

Leisure

Critical Voices: The Script, Freedom Child

Known for popular songs “Breakeven” and “Hall of Fame,” The Script released their fifth album, Freedom Child, on Sept 1. The band debuted at number one on the UK charts, marking... Read more

By September 18, 2017

Leisure

Conner Youngblood on Finding Inspiration and Navigating the Music Industry

Texas-native Conner Youngblood first started playing clarinet in his middle school band at the age of 12, but can now play anywhere from 15-20 different instruments. At 27 years old,... Read more

By September 18, 2017

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Concert Preview: Broken Social Scene, September 20, 9:30 Club

With the release of their fifth studio album, Hug of Thunder, indie-rock band Broken Social Scene continues its international tour at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on September 20.... Read more

By September 16, 2017

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Critical Voices: Alvvays, Antisocialites

After spending most of her time on tour for the last few years, Molly Rankin, frontwoman of indie band Alvvays, decided to escape to Toronto Island. There, she found inspiration... Read more

By September 15, 2017

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Critical Voices: Neil Young, Hitchhiker

Throughout his long and storied career, Neil Young has distinguished himself as one the most influential and unique voices in folk rock. Young cut to the fore of the genre... Read more

By September 15, 2017

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It Captivates with both Scares and Laughs

Adapting a Stephen King novel is never an easy task. Most directors have struggled with walking a fine line between creative liberty and adherence to the source material. When filmmakers... Read more

By September 15, 2017

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Concert Preview: Young the Giant, September 16, Merriweather Post Pavilion

Young the Giant has long graced the alternative world with their soft and positive energy, but they recently have taken a social stance by commenting directly on the disparity between... Read more

By September 11, 2017

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Concert Preview: BADBADNOTGOOD, September 17, 9:30 Club

Jazz has a long history of persevering as other genres eclipse its popularity and adapting itself to fit alongside the dominant cultural trend. With rap’s recent move to be the... Read more

By September 11, 2017

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Concert Preview: Nick Murphy, September 11, 9:30 Club

Under the moniker of Chet Faker, Nick Murphy forged a bold path in indie pop with his EP Thinking In Textures (2012) and debut album Built on Glass (2014). Balancing... Read more

By September 5, 2017

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Critical Voices: Pinact, The Part That No One Knows

Marking their first work as a newly minted trio, The Part That No One Knows is Pinact’s second album under the Brooklyn-based record company Kanine Records. With the addition of... Read more

By September 4, 2017

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REVIVAL: A Spectacle of the Unsettling

What does it mean to bring to life the suppressed truths of human nature and force them to the forefront of perception? The effect is unsettling, inspiring. The 16 female... Read more

By August 30, 2017

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Despite Strong Lead, Patti Cake$ is Nothing New

Fluorescent green light cuts through billowing smoke as producer O-Z (Sahr Ngaujah) introduces Patti (Danielle MacDonald) — Killa P — onstage. The crowd roars with approval as Patti ambles onstage.... Read more

By August 30, 2017

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Concert Preview: The Districts, August 18, 9:30 Club

Fresh off the release of their third studio album, Popular Manipulations, the Districts are headed to the 9:30 club for a show on Friday, August 18. The Philadelphia-based rock band’s... Read more

By August 16, 2017

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Critical Voices: Arcade Fire, Everything Now

During the past few months, there were indications that Arcade Fire was nearing the brink of a 2007-Britney-Spears style meltdown. In addition to developing a tendency to refer to their... Read more

By August 14, 2017

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Despite Big Names, The Dark Tower Lacks Development and Excitement

Films with child leads don’t always do well at gaining adult audiences. Director Nikolaj Arcel’s The Dark Tower hit theaters on August 4 and has already attracted large audiences, likely... Read more

By August 12, 2017

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Concert Review: Tank and The Bangas, July 21, Songbyrd Music House

The must-watch video that won Tank and The Bangas NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest offers just a fraction of the contagious energy they brought to their concert at Adams Morgan’s... Read more

By August 5, 2017

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Concert Preview: Petit Biscuit, August 2, 9:30 Club

With his first EP out last year, 17-year old French Moroccan DJ Petit Biscuit continues his international tour at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on August 2. Petit Biscuit’s... Read more

By July 31, 2017

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Dunkirk is a Tense, Beautifully Rendered Struggle to Survive

Five young men roam the empty, eerily quiet streets of Dunkirk, catching flyers slowing falling from the sky that read “We surround you.” One young man carefully reaches through the... Read more

By July 31, 2017

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Concert Preview: John Legend, July 25, Merriweather Post Pavilion

In celebration of his latest album, Darkness and Light, John Legend continues his international tour at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Camden, MD on July 25. The album, released in December of... Read more

By July 25, 2017

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Born from Quirky Comedy, Brigsby Bear is Warm and Fuzzy

Brigsby Bear Adventures — an off-kilter mishmash of Teletubbies and Barney — is such a constant in the life of 25-year-old James (Kyle Mooney) it borders on a religion. Day... Read more

By July 24, 2017