Let me turn you on. by Laura Burhenn

August 2, 2007 by Svetlana  Send to a Friend

We are starting a new column: where every week, or several times a week, as is our want, we will have local heros and people of interesting taste write recommendations of their favorite, favorite things. Sort of like a conversation over coffee, with some whiskey on top, but online.

We kick off with a good one: local song siren and soon to be international rock star, Laura Burhenn, just seconds away from going on her international tour with Georgie James in celebration of their Saddle Creek released new album, and one of the most stylish and pretty girls in DC, and a perennial BYT favorite takes the stand. In hopes of turning you on.to some of her favorite things.

off we go:

Spring is eternally in the air – even in the dead heat of DC summertime – and I find myself falling in love with all sorts of things: places, people, sounds, words, visions that hang in the air like a desert mirage or on a screen like classic silver lions. So what better thing to do than share the whole list (as tangentially as it may come) with you so that you might fall in love, too?

First: Hidden DC Treasures.
The Anacostia feeds its own Eden in Southeast: fields of water lilies and lotuses stretch out forever at the aquatic gardens. The giant pink and white lotuses are in bloom until the middle of August. You really have to see this to believe it exists – and right in the middle of DC, too. Take a friend, a date, or treat yourself. And if so inclined, carry a parasol. P.S. Admission is free… After winding for two miles through the secret ravines and along the creek banks in Rock Creek Park, I stumbled into a clearing and onto the horse stables. Who knew? According to the pamphlets on the wall, you can ride horseback through the park for only $30 for an hour.

Second: The Sounds of Summer.
A new set of records has been in heavy rotation these past few months. There’s a bit of a low-key theme here, but good to go with the slow summer air. I’ve been slightly obsessed with The Republic Tigers, an I-can’t-believe-they’re-not-signed band out of Kansas City, whose demos are basically mind-blowing. Also following that theme is DC’s own These United States , whose album, a perfectly-wrought work of lyrical and production brilliance, deserves a wide-spread, label-backed release. Also from DC, Vandaveer’s latest release (”Grace & Speed,” out on Gypsy Eyes) is so honest it’ll make your heart hurt – but in a really good way. Black Moth Super Rainbow’s latest, “Dandelion Gum,” is incredible; I might even put it at the top of my recommendations list. They’re touring with The Flaming Lips this fall and will hopefully – finally – get the mass recognition of their brilliance that they so deserve. Richard Swift’s “Dressed Up for the Letdown” is a work of quiet genius. I also have special spots for the latest releases from Keren Ann (self-titled), The Clientele (”God Save the Clientele”), The Bees – or “A Band of Bees” as we’re supposed to call them in the US (”Octopus”), and Ryan Adams (”Easy Tiger”).

Third: The Written Word – and More.
After wanting to do nothing more than read Miranda July’s collection of short stories, “No One Belongs Here More Than You,” over and over again forever, I was turned on to Stefan Sagmeister and became slightly obsessed with him. His book, “Made You Look,” is a work of art in and of itself and can be loved by those of us who appreciate good design, but might not know a ton about it. As a musician whose interests stretch miles out beyond music just, the commentary from Lou Reed and David Byrne is especially illuminating. Following this were minor obsessions with David Byrne’s online journal and googling images for more of Sagmeister’s work. One of the best things I found is “Punc’t: Putting Punctuation in its Place”, a set of 24 serigraphs by a horde of artists/designers (including Sagmeister) that are just generally brilliant. For a lover of the confluence of visual art, language, big concepts, and other unexpected ingredients, the collection is very satisfying. There’s a definite relation to surrealism, the wit of Magritte there, for sure.

The list of things this rambles through may not be new (to you or to the world at large). But I think it’s important to take stock every now and again – discover something that’s in your own backyard. And pass it on to someone else.

In any case, I hope I turned you on.

^{(photos of Laura by shervinfoto, and catch her next solo at the Cat on Aug 8th, or at Ft. Reno with Georgie James, Aug. 13th)}

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