A to Z of DC Love: Shortstack + Vandaveer

December 13, 2007 by Svetlana  Send to a Friend

So, this Friday, Gypsy Eyes label mates and all around good peoples Shortstack and Vandaveer are facing off, playing at Iota and The Cat respectively.
If we could be in two places at the same time, we would, but because we hate picking favorites (especially when its virtually impossible) we decided to do a JOINT FEATURE WITH THEM ALL.
Group hugs all around.
So here we go: A to Z of DC LOVE: Vandaveer starts with A and then they alternate letters. So Shortstack’s Burleigh (->) does B, Vandaveer C, Shortstack (->) D, and so on and so forth.. GOT IT? GOOD.

A ­ Amsterdam Falafel. Cheap eats always do the body good. Now if only they’d get some cold beer in there

B - > Bone-suckingly good wings at Temperance Hall on Mondays. Half price!

C ­ Cheap recycled readin’ @ the Book Bank on King Street in Old Town. See, ole Vandaveer calls Old Town home, and occasionally he stumbles across gems like the Book Bank when he’s out shopping for gaudy antiques and heinously
priced oriental rugs. But since Shortstack stole every other letter in this damn list, he had to turn “C” into something about the Book Bank. It’s just that good.

D - > Dumbarton Oaks. A beautiful place to spend an afternoon appreciating someone else’s yardwork. Also, a source of endless childhood teasing. My brother’s name is Barton. See: Hook, below.

E ­ Etete ­ on the corner of 9th and U, next to DC9. If you’re a fake vegetarian like me, you’ll love adding that crispy side o’ fish to your vegetarian platter for a few measly bucks.

F- > The Federal Reserve. Kitty Hawk, Vandaveer, Revival, Rose, These United States, Let’s French (RIP), Lovehandles, Mikal Evans. A plug for our good friends.

G ­ Great Falls in Maryland. They’re, well, great.

H - > Hook. Yes, my brother is that Barton. His restaurant is great. Go there.

I ­ IOTA Club & Café. An obvious choice? Perhaps. But that’s the sweetest damn staff I’ve ever been served by, and those fries are murderously good.

J - > Jerusalem artichokes, also called sunchokes. Looks kinda like a potato, tastes like an artichoke heart. If you’re like me and can never get enough of the alcarchofa, this tuber is a godsend. Artichokes without the work!

K Kitty Hawk. Do you know Chris Walker? Did you know Chris Walker wields super-secret super powers? The kind that grant him super-secret, super-power songwriting prowess? No? Then try saying that ten times in a row. Fast. In
front of a mirror. Don’t be surprised if Kitty Hawk appears in the reflection, psych-folking your face off. Really.

L - >M ­ Mt. Vernon bike trail. Best damn bike trail I’ve had the pleasure of,er, biking

N - > No smoking in bars! Sorry to those inconvenienced, but it’s for the best.

O ­ Old Town Theater in, you guessed it, Old Town. The seats may be a little cramped, but the flicks are good, and the beer makes ‘em even better

P - > Petworth. A great place to live.

Q ­ Q Street. Where Chris Walker lives. You don’t know Chris Walker? Quick! Run to your nearest mirror, mirror on the wall! Say “Super-secret, super-power songwriting prowess” ten times in a row. Fast. Wait for it! Wait for it! Wham! There he is, straight from Q Street, ready to psych-folk your face off. Really.

R - > Rock Creek Parkway. Petworth to Georgetown in six minutes! (when there’s no construction) A place to appreciate the government’s yardwork. Also good for exercising, I hear.

S ­ Shortstack! Of course! But only ’cause Burleigh threatened me to say so. (Viggo?! Really?! Is he even from DC?! I’ll punch-fight yer whole damn band fer that one, mate.)

T - > Tape Op Magazine. If you’re interested in the artistic process of transforming a performance into a record, this is the magazine for you. Andit’s free.

U ­ Union Station. I’m terrible with names, but the next time you’re waiting to catch a train to NYC or Philly or, hell, even New Carrollton, head downstairs to the Union Station food court for the tastiest, cheapest
sushi for yer buckŠ Honest. It’s good eats.

V - > Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises. One man, so full of coolness. (Sorry Vandaveer!)

W ­ Waltzes & Pleas. The best damn record to come out of DC all year. Curse you, John Bustine. Curse you.(check out our listening part with John here)

Z - > Zoo, as in National, specifically the Goeldi’s monkeys in the Amazonia exhibit. Possibly the cutest creatures you will ever see. They are about 10 inches long and make the sounds you would expect to hear out of a miniature monkey. Adorable.

catch both bands this Friday:

Shortstack at Iota (with Sons of Bill)
and
Vandaveer at the Cat (with Junior League and Olivia and The Housemates)

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