born in a thunderstorm

DZ21 is just around the corner, but there's plenty of cool things to cover for now, like

• this awesome Positive Force benefit show for Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center on Saturday, February 13 at St. Stephen's w/ Aye Nako, Governess, Didi, and Chimp Suit (click flyer to RSVP)

• the Big Hush gig on Friday, February 19 at Above The Bayou w/ The Goodbye Party, Hothead, and Scanners (click flyer to RSVP)

• the Nice Breeze show on Saturday, March 5 at Above The Bayou w/ Two Inch Astronaut, Kal Marks, and BRNDA (click flyer to RSVP)

• the other Big Hush jaunt on Thursday, March 10 at The Lilly Trotter Tea Lounge w/ Real Life Buildings and The Red Lines (click flyer to RSVP)

• this new Romantic States video for "Take My Hand And Run"

• and the beautiful streaming experience of Blithe Field's new album via http://theshadowswillfallbehindyou.com/

plus some other cool shit I probably missed in the rush to get this post up. Check back for more goodies coming soon, and stay sound~

swingin'

In It Together Fest planning is coming along well and we've got lots of fun in store for those of you lucky to be in DC from July 30 to August 2! So far we've got 15 different events planned throughout the city featuring over 40 bands and counting. Some new additions to the festivities include Leapling, Kal Marks, Vundabar, Wing Dam, Hurry, Clique, and Big Hush. More info will be announced later this week, so be sure to check out the facebook and twitter for more details.

In the meantime, there are two DZ artists playing shows tonight that you should check out if you're in DC or Baltimore. Click the flyers below for more details:

Big Hush w/ Nude Beach, Outer Spaces, and Chain Rank at Saint-Ex in DC

Romantic States w/ Alter, Blessin', and Retired at The Crown in Baltimore

Those of you searching for something new from these two bands, here's a sneak peak of one gorgeous new Big Hush track plus live archives from DC's show scene on the latest episode of In Yr Basement Radio and a brand new song from Romantic States on a compilation celebrating the now-defunct KEITH house in Baltimore.

If you miss out of these gigs, don't sweat too hard - Big Hush will be playing with The Swirlies at Black Cat on July 6 (click flyer below for details) and Romantic States have some exciting show news to be announced in the very near future~ :)

contagion

 h a p p y   h a l l o w e e n 

Quick update with two upcoming shows for DZ fans in DC are coming up at the Dougout in early November. Click the flyers below for more details.

Our special Election Day show features out-of-town punks Annabel and Kitten Forever alongside local thrashers Atlas At Last and The Obsessives.

Then on Sunday November 9, Kal Marks playing gritty blues-tinged rock touring from Boston with Exploding In Sound labelmates Lady Bones supported by local post-punk folk project Mattress Financial and queer punks Flamers.