infestdc mixtape

The long wait is finally here, and I'm proud to share with you the latest DZ project, the InFestDC mixtape. This 70-minute compilation features 22 choice cuts recorded live at DIY shows around the District, and showcases talent from DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and more.

Featuring live tracks by:

TWO INCH ASTRONAUT / SWINGS 

WILDHONEY / MANNEQUIN PUSSY / BIG UPS

NEONATES / ROMANTIC STATES / JAIL SOLIDARITY

WITCH COAST / THE OBSESSIVES / ET AL. / RADIATOR HOSPITAL

LAUGHING MAN /  TEEN LIVER / HEMLINES / SITCOM

POLYON / MATTRESS FINANCIAL / TRUNKWEED

PASSING PHASES / MERIDIAN / NICE BREEZE

In 2014, a group of DC musicians, artists, and other community members teamed up to throw the first In It Together Fest, a four-day celebration of DIY culture held at 17 venues around the city. The inaugural fest raised over $2500 for two amazing local non-profit organizations, We Are Family and Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center. This year, we're aiming to raise the bar quite a bit, and in preparation for the next In It Together Fest we've put together a mixtape, limited to 250 copies professionally dubbed on slime green cassettes, All proceeds from this tape and this year's In It Together Fest are going towards one or two local non-profit organizations To Be Announced.

We hope you'll take the time to check out this awesome archive of DC's vibrant DIY show culture, and mark your calendars for the next In It Together Fest, July 31 + August 1!

grip the greats

Packing up all your belongings and moving to another place makes for a great time to reflect on where you've been and where you're going. When thinking about my favorite music from this past year, I ran into trouble trying to narrow down the myriad choices of fantastic releases from 2014. But during the process of transitioning my record collection from its Ikea Expedit shelving unit into milk crates I came to the conclusion that showcasing the albums I loved so much that I actually forked over cash for them is more in line with the spirit of what music means to me. So without further adieu here's my list, complete with pictures and in no particular order:

My 10 Favorite 2014 Records & Tapes That I Actually Bought

Spray Paint "Clean Blood, Regular Acid" (Monofonus Press)

Alex G "DSU" (Orchid Tapes)

Two Inch Astronaut "Foulbrood" (Exploding In Sound Records)

Angel Olsen "Burn Your Fire For No Witness" (Jagjaguwar)

Blank Realm "Grassed Inn" (Fire Records)

Tonstartssbandht "Overseas" 2xLP (Company Etc)

Mannequin Pussy "Gypsy Pervert" (Tiny Engines)

Ricky Eat Acid "Three Love Songs" (Orchid Tapes)

Thee Oh Sees "Drop" (Castle Face Records)

Big Ups "Eighteen Hours Of Static" (Dead Labour)

Best Witches "Tour Tape" (Self-Released)

Jon McCallum "Surf Nazis Must Die" OST (Strange Disc Records)

Dura "Silver/Lawns" (Wounded Knife Records)

Pinkwash "Your Cure Your Soil" (Sister Polygon Records)

The Beds "Ride Again" (Ranch Records)

The Effects "Blister b/w Old Soul" (Self-Released) 

Parasol "Not There" (Lost Sound Tapes)

Jerry Paper / Andy Boay "Jerry Paper / Andy Boay" Split (Hausu Mountain)

The Rebel "The Shingles Collection" 2xCS (Monofonus Press)

Olive Drab "The Big Sleep" (Bird Tapes)

Before signing off, I'd like to thank the Washington City Paper for their nod to Big Hush, including the Wholes EP on their list of The Best Local Albums of 2014. Lastly, there were a lot of great releases I haven't bought yet and therefore could not include on this list, but one final shout out goes to all the independent artists and labels for making my world a much more enjoyable place. Cheers to another year of great music. ♥ Brett

bittersweet

I'm happy to report the Two Inch Astronaut 'Foulbrood' release show may have been the best gig I've gotten to put on at the Dougout. From top to bottom all the bands were amazing, and I was lucky enough to get some halfway decent recordings of each set as part of a new project I've been working on to archive DC's DIY live music scene. While most of the recordings won't be made available just yet, I'm thrilled to share one - the first ever Mannequin Pussy acoustic set! Marisa was kind enough to sit down and play three MP tracks and one brand new song from her upcoming solo debut. Special thanks to WMUC for their help in making this happen. Take an advance listen to the set below, check the soundcloud page for the track list, and tune in to WMUC radio Sunday at 6pm ET for this and some great live music from Au Revoir, Wish List, and Go Cozy on Third Rail.



Another huge shout out to Big Ups, Washer, and Jail Solidarity, plus a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Sam, Andy and Matt on the album release! We were also blessed to have Mike from Red Table Press design and screenprint a limited run of this awesome glow-in-the-dark gig poster below.

Two Inch Astronaut (courtesy of Nicole)

Mannequin Pussy (courtesy of Alex)

Big Ups (courtesy of Alex)

Washer (courtesy of Alex)

Jail Solidarity (courtesy of Alex)

On a more somber note, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that starting in 2015, I will no longer be living at The Dougout. Nearly three years have passed since the mates and I moved in and began hosting DIY shows, and now the time has come for me to make my next move. This place has been so much more than a home to me and I’ll cherish the memories made in this house for the rest of my days.

It was here that I first planted my roots as a resident of the District, forged immeasurable bonds with two awesome amigos, made countless new friends (and reunited with ones from days long ago), showcased an unbelievable number of immensely talented musicians, hosted my first DZ TAPES cassette release show, helped plan and put on the first ever In It Together Fest, cared for four different beautiful animals (and accidentally killed even more innocent plants), and learned more about myself than I’d ever thought I would.

While I will be making my departure at the end of this month, the spirit of The Dougout will live on through Geoff, Marshall and … You, perhaps (or someone you know)?

Let this post serve as a call to anyone who’s ever dreamed of living in a DIY punk house in Washington, DC. The rent is cheap, there’s space aplenty, and many more awesome shows to be put on. If you or anyone you know might be interested in taking my spot, please check out this Craigslist posting to get the conversation started. The new housemate should be ready to move in on January 1.

As for me, this is certainly not the end of my time booking shows in DC, so be on the lookout for more live events in the near future.

foulbrood

Since the release of their debut full-length Bad Brother last year, Two Inch Astronaut have been melting the minds of DIY show-goers here in DC and along the East Coast, but nowhere more-so than at the Dougout. Their new album Foulbrood, out now on Exploding In Sound Records, showcases just how much the band's sound is expanding to become exceedingly more complex while retaining its accessibility, like a rubix cube with shades of post-punk, post-hardcore, and everything in between.

It's been a pleasure to watch the band grow over time, so I'm proud to announce DZ TAPES will be hosting the official album release show, featuring support from some top-notch East Coast talent. Check out the rest of the bands below and click the flyer to RSVP for the show on December 7.

※ BIG UPS (NY) fearsome tough love punctual post-punk
※ ※ MANNEQUIN PUSSY (PHL) razor sharp shitpunk like bats trapped in a tent
※ ※ ※ WASHER (NY) stripped-down punk with melodic distortion
※ ※ ※ ※ JAIL SOLIDARITY (DC) fuck the man post-hardcore noise rock sludge

In other news, the Big Hush cassette release show almost went off without a hitch until the apex of Chris Forsyth's finale, in which a crucial surge protector was knocked loose from its outlet causing the entire build up to come crashing down in a deafening silence.


Notwithstanding this minor calamity, the show was a great success thanks to great music from the aforementioned lovelies as well as the Anthony Pirog Trio and Golden Triangle. Just before the show, Brightest Young Things had some great things to say about Big Hush in an interview piece conducted with co-singer/songwriter Owen Wuerker.

"Big Hush shucks the limitations of the shoegaze sound, pushing vocal melodies and lyricism to the forefront and using their noisy instrumental texture as support rather than the center of the song. The result is a huge step forward for the band; their loudest tendencies now affect the emotive character of the compositions, and showcase their deft songwriting."

You can read the full interview here.

Hazey Jane also received some love recently from Unrecorded, calling DZ13 "a great collection of off-kilter beats composed of odd samples, drum machines, and guitar."

And last but certainly not least, folk freaks in Chicago should be on the look out for Adam Torres, who makes his Windy City debut on December 13 to accompany a preview screening of A Good Person, presented by the Logan Square International Film Series. Click here to RSVP and get more information about the movie.

evil kenevil

The first ever In It Together Fest is in the rearview mirror, and I want to give a special thank you for all the love and support we received from everyone who came out, performed, volunteered, hosted and generally made the weekend one to remember - we couldn't have done it without you! There was some great documentation taken at most of the events, so here are some of the primo photos for your enjoyment plus a very special video featuring one very brave conceptual food artist from the Ryan Troy Ford Memorial Performance Arts Collective jumping over a 50 gallon bathtub of delicious homemade ramen noodles on a dirtbike at a skate park under a bridge (yes, you read that right).

The Effects (courtesy of Brazier)

Loud Boyz (courtesy of Andrade)

Loud Boyz (courtesy of Brazier)

 Pile (courtesy of Schelldorf)

Vundabar (courtesy of Andrade)

ACME (courtesy of Brazier)

Baby Bry Bry (courtesy of Andrade)

Jail Solidarity (courtesy of Brazier)

Jebiotto (courtesy of Bezruchko)

The Public (courtesy of Andrade)

State Lines (courtesy of Brazier)

Meridian (courtesy of Brazier)

BRNDA (courtesy of Andrade)

Mannequin Pussy (courtesy of Sharon)

Hold Tight! (courtesy of Brazier)

Pree (courtesy of Brazier)

Teen Mom (courtesy of Stephanie)

What Moon Things (courtesy of Andrade)

Ramen Jump (courtesy of Evan)

Ramen Jump (courtesy of Sharon)

Ramen Jump (courtesy of Denise)

in it together fest

Washington DC's first ever In It Together Feststarts TODAY, THURSDAY 7/31 to SUNDAY 8/3. If you're in the area you should check out all the sick events happening throughout the city. We've put a lot of hard work into making this weekend chock-full of awesome music, art, cycling, activism and other ways to encourage creativity, highlight the under-appreciated, and bring about positive change to our community, so I hope you can make it out to enjoy the fun!

Things I'm most excited for:

• Robot Butt comedy kicking everything off on Thursday night at Ft. Loko
• ARTSHOW_08 at Hole In The Sky and Pile at the Dougout on Friday night
• Saturday's All-Day Main Stage Event at St. Stephen's Church (also It Is Rain In My Face. performing at Bathtub Republic, although I will be unable to attend)
• Bridge Spot skate demo and ramen jump, Mannequin Pussy at Crack Rock Creek Church, and Playback The Tape's retrospective of DC DIY culture at Furthermore on Sunday

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☆ tickets available here: http://infestdc.bigcartel.com/ ☆

★ JUST TEN BUCKS ($10) FOR ALL DAY 8/2 EVENT AT ST STEPHEN'S ★

☆ JUST FIVE BUCKS ($5) FOR PERKS AT (almost) ALL DIY VENUES ☆

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◆ [7/31] In It Together Fest: DAY 1 – PRE-FEST ◆

○ (8pm - 12am) Robot Butt variety hour + music by Spoonboy, ACME, Paperhaus, Vunderbar, and Wanted Man at FT. LOKO

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◆ [8/1] In It Together Fest: DAY 2 – NORTHEAST BY NIGHT ◆

○ (7pm – 11pm) ARTSHOW_08: Art, Bro at HOLE IN THE SKY DC

○ (7pm – 11pm) Incarcerated Masses: Artists Call for an End to Mass Incarceration, Deportation and Detention at 2B Artist Studios

○ (8pm – 12am) PILE / THE PUBLIC / TWO INCH ASTRONAUT / JAIL SOLIDARITY @ the Dougout

○ (8pm – 12am) Creative Music in DC - A Night of New Music, a Trio of Trios featuring Organix Trio, Trio OOO, and Garrett/Scheible/Tucker at Union Arts DC

○ (11pm – 3am) THE BOUNDARY STONES / FINLEY MARTIN @ Bardo Brewpub

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◆ [8/2] In It Together Fest: DAY 3 – NORTHWEST + ALL-DAY SHOWCASE ◆

In It Together Fest Alleycat presented by DC Bike Party throughout the day hitting various spots including:

★ MAIN EVENT ★ (12pm – 10pm) at St. Stephen's Church featuring The Effects, State Lines, Hold Tight!, Loud Boyz, Meridian, The Public, Slow Animal, Cousin Brian, Entropy NY, Born Without Bones, Brightside, and Two Inch Astronaut + speakers/classes from Knowledge Commons DC, Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center, and Positive Force DC + tables from Dischord Records, Cricket Cemetery, Say-10 Records, DC Zinefest, The Intentional, Food Not Bombs DC, and MORE! ★ $10 TICKET ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR ★

○ (10:30am – 3:30pm) The Beehive's INFEST Drone Brunch and other Creative Musics event featuring Sleepy Kitty, Nightmom, Br'er, and The Bowlegged Gorilla

○ (12pm – 5pm) TEEN MOM / HARMONIC BLUE / REAL CLOTHES / EZRA MAE & THE GYPSY MOON @ Ezra Mae's

○ (12pm – 5pm) Baby Bry Bry & The Apologists ☢ Haybaby  Chimes ☮ The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman at Jamjar

○ (12pm – 5pm) Space is the Place! featuring sound installations, performance art, and dance exhibitions at Communiverse

○ (2pm – 5pm) JEBIOTTO (japan) / IT IS RAIN IN MY FACE. (ny) / THE NORTH COUNTRY (dc) / WARM & COMFY (md) - In It Together Fest at Bathtub Republic

★ AFTER PARTY ★ (11pm – 3am) at The Pinch featuring Cross Eyed, Growwing Pains, and The Rememberables ★ $5 COVER AT THE DOOR ★

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◆ [8/3] In It Together Fest: DAY 4 – FINAL BLOWOUT ◆

○ (12pm – 6pm) Pree, Marian McLaughlin, Pony Bones, What Moon Things, BRNDA, and Meridian at Paperhaus

○ (3pm – 7pm) Shark Week, Mannequin Pussy, Crumms, Sun Young, and Cesspool at Crack Rock Creek Church

○ (4pm – 9pm) In It Together Fest Presents: Skate Demo @ Bridge Spot! featuring skating, grilling, video from Alley Bar, music from DC Vinyl Headz, a raffle sponsored by The DC Wheels, and a Ramen Jump by the Ryan Troy Ford Memorial Performance Arts Collective

○ (6pm – 10pm) Playback TheTape presents a Retrospective on DC DIY Culture at Furthermore

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In It Together Fest is a four-day celebration of underground art, music, and activism at all venues propagating independent culture throughout the District of Columbia. Empowered by the hope to build a community amongst disparate DIY spaces, we've come together to foster participation, encourage new ideas, and highlight the under-appreciated. 

St. Stephen's has been hosting DIY punk shows for almost three decades now and is a respected space for progressive thought. Usage of the venue helps to support We Are Family, a charitable organization working to assist seniors, and Positive Force, an activist collective seeking radical social change, personal growth, and youth empowerment.

We also have two other organizations that we'd like to help raise awareness for: Casa Ruby is a multicultural non-profit community center working to provide food/shelter/resources in a safe space for everyone in the LGBT community. The Way Home Campaign is a working to end chronic homelessness by placing individuals in permanent supportive housing and ensuring they have the necessary foundation to remain there.

For more information on In It Together Fest, please visit the website:

www.infestdc.org