photos by Mitchell London
...
I'll be honest, I'd never really heard of Spelling for Bees before two nights ago. But lo and behold, there is this group of emerging musicians in DC that function as a giant collective! Imagine that.
I'm sure they can fill out a lot more about who they are in the comment section to follow than I can, but suffice to say they play once a month at the Velvet Lounge (I'm guessing the first Tuesday of every month?), and usually have some sort of theme to guide the music they play. This week it was all Radiohead covers, and the performances I saw were inspiring. Matt Hemerlein in particular, wowed the audience with his version of Creep played solo on violin. Somehow he managed to loop some plucking he did live onstage with said violin, and it was something special.
Anyways, I'd encourage everyone to come next month as I believe the theme will be performing "guilty pleasures." I for one, hope to hear Fall Out Boy. ;)
Previously in Live DC:
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Adicts @ RNR Hotel
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Donkeys @ Black Cat
- 5/23: LiveDC: The Barr Brothers w/ Kishi Bashi @ The Hamilton
- 5/23: LiveDC: Damien Jurado @ Black Cat
- 5/23: Report: Soundbites 2012
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
God loves a cheerful giver.
Spelling for Bees Residency nights rock!!! More talent than you could fit in one lounge but somehow, it works!
There's so much buzz around the Bees. The music is sweet as honey with rock 'n roll that will sting your soul. I really dig the vibe of this hive, and I would [insert several insect-related puns here].
Was Matt that guy with A.D.H.D. and a severe looping problem with the crown on? Whoops, no...that was me. Come for the music, stay for the train wreck, i always say. be witness next week as we perform the 20 minute pink floyd cover of "silly love songs". good times....
I was at the show on tuesday and i gotta say there were a lot of great performances! I was really impressed with the versatility of the musicians involved and their innovations on the RH classics. Im looking forward to playing next month for "guilty pleasures". keep your ears peeled for some 80's power ballads!
invisible hands were bomb diggity.
Yeah Tuesday was a great night, so many interesting versions of such a great catalog of songs. Guilty PLeasures should be a lot of fun, and i look forward to some more cover nights... Talking Heads? The Cure?
there are quite a few people in the collective who are in bands...one of them in particular, the mean ideas, are playing at the velvet lounge tonight -
go HIVE five them!
bzzzzzzzzzzzz
This was a lot of fun and was really productive! Everyone was enthusiastic and excited. Great night
Oh yeah, much thanks to all of those who worked hard to make it happen!
Psyched to be a part of the collective, and if you liked the version of "Sulk" that night, come see the whole band next wed 11/11 with One Man Machine and Silent Cinema at the Red and Black!
yes, invisible hands were def the bomb diggity!!!! they covered a sweet Guided By Voices song...can't remember the name of it right now...but yeah, it was cool.
there are a few characters from the band dangerosa that are in the collective...those guys have a show at the red and the black sometime next week i think....
also want to thank ryan (the beanstalk library) for coming out to play "anyone can play guitar" -
i have all of the recordings from tues nights event if any of you would like to hear how it went down...
emily (violin) and julie (cello) started the night off with "airbag" and the remaning 15 people at the end of the night ended the night with "high and dry" - how we fit 15 ppl on that stage is mind boggling to me.
go bees go!
www.myspace.com/aparnatron
they are only $5.....what a steal!
Had an awesome time! Thanks again for letting me a part of the night.
(and thanks for another sweet profile pic, BYT)
The SfB collective is the pitch-perfect argument against the haters out there trying to spread the baseless rumor that DC's music scene is dead. These kids are passionate, brilliant and crazy-talented. Hail to the Bees!!!
check out Tues res night!
Go Bees Go!
Why is everyone getting so excited about an open mic night?
Dottie,
This is so much more than an open mic. In fact, it transcends open mic status in that performance opportunity is limited to the members of music collective, wherein "the Bees" (as they're known) join together to showcase their art/talent for all those interested in seeing who and what drives the local music scene. Additionally, this group provides musicians with networking possibilities, allowing us to meet other musicians and further push our creativity and musical abilities creating a truely beautiful and communal music experience for all of DC to enjoy. You should come check out the next residency night on 12/1 to see what the buzz is about!
The Bees are loyal to the collective, to their music, and to each other as a whole. We all want each other to succeed and this is a way to kind of push everyone a little further into a cool music scene. We all experience each other's music and can interact with it at the same time.
it is a bit masturbatory in nature...
Awesome photos! We want more!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169456952219&ref=nf
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=38113&page=&comments=show&state=commented
how do you like them apples?!?
you called it man!!!