Author Archives: Luanne Lim

Athens, Greece is a city known for its great history and culture. Across the Atlantic in Athens, Georgia, emerges an American, indie brand of rock with a hint of psychedelia known as Futurebirds.

The five-piece band is composed of Thomas Johnson, Carter King, Dennis Love, Brannen Miles, and Daniel Womack. Formed in 2008, Futurebirds gained a fan following and a record deal through their first, self-titled EP released the following year. The next couple of years saw a few more releases for the up-and-coming quartet, ultimately leading to the release of their full-length album, Baba Yaga.

Futurebirds has constantly been on tour, expanding their fan base and earning the cache to create and release albums. It’s 2013, and they just kicked off a new tour to promote the long-awaited, second full-length album, the aforementioned Baba Yaga. As part of their cross-country tour, the psychedelic five-piece is making a stop at the 9:30 Club on May 23, and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away!

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Living Colour not only rocked the ’80s musically, they rocked it with racial diversity. 

The band gelled around the creativity and determination of aspiring rocker and guitarist Vernon Reid, who founded the Black Rock Coalition, which took a stand against discrimination in the music industry. The BRC helped overcome racial barriers, allowing bands—including Living Colour—to let their music be heard via any platform—be that radio or MTV.

Twenty-five years later (with a few breaks in-between) Living Colour continues to rock crowds with their powerful lyrics and epic guitar solos. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of their debut album Vivid, the New York band will stop by the 9:30 Club on Friday, April 19 as a part of a celebratory tour, and we have a pair of tickets to give away.

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“We never meant our music to come with a pre-programmed emotional response. We don’t want to tell anyone how to feel and what to take from it…”—Sigur Rós

With their seventh album in the works and set for a 2013 release, Sigur Rós continues to make unique, sometimes lyricless, music that inspires audiences to think outside their usual realm of thought. The Icelandic band emerged into the American music industry after the release of their second album, ágætis byrjun, which ironically means “A good beginning.” It was, in fact, a good beginning for the band. Gaining high ratings and reviews for their great musical artistry, Sigur Rós was approached by numerous record labels, ultimately settling on one that would allow them to exercise their creative freedom.

After releasing their sixth album just last year, Sigur Rós is currently on a world tour, making stops in North America, Europe, and Asia. The “post-rock” band is making a stop at The Patriot Center as a part of the North American leg, and we’re giving away a pair of tickets!

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From winning their native country’s “Battle of the Bands” competition in 2010, to gaining rock-star status across the globe with their single, “Little Talks,” Of Monsters and Men have definitely come a long way within a couple of years. With “Little Talks” reaching platinum status and an ongoing tour, the Icelandic band’s success continues to grow, well, monster-sized.

Of Monsters and Men began as a result of co-singer/guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir needing a bit of extra oomph with her solo acoustic act, Songbird. She rounded together the members that now comprise the band, Ragnar þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson. Liking the sound and music they created as a group, Of Monsters and Men emerged.

After playing shows in Europe and South America, the five-piece will be spending the spring months playing venues across the U.S., including a stop at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 11. Tickets haven’t even gone on sale yet, but we’ve got a pair of lawn tickets to give away!

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“Keep things short and sweet” is exactly what New Zealand-born, England-raised, Willy Moon does. His first album, Here’s Willy Moon, contains less than half an hour’s worth of music. Unlike the length of his songs, however, Moon appears to be headed for an extensive career in the music industry.

At the age of 16, Moon found himself on a plane to London, discovering a passion for music and creating his own unique homage to the ’60s pop sound. His first single, “I Wanna Be Your Man,” released in 2011, gained Moon a following, kickstarting his musical career. It wasn’t long before the now 23-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer had his catchy, upbeat 2012 single, “Yeah Yeah,” featured in iPod commercials across the US.

Willy Moon is currently touring across America, and is making a stop at U Street Music Hall, presented by the 9:30 Club, on Friday, February 22, and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away!

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The last time we gave away tickets to The Lumineers a few weeks ago, we had 200 entries but only 1 winner. Good thing they’ve just announced a date at MPP, so that we can give you all one more shot to win.—Ed.

From emerging into mainstream radio to getting nominated for two Grammy awards, it’s safe to say that 2012 was the year for The Lumineers. 2013 looks just as promising for the folk band. With a sold-out tour, the band has started the new year right. 

The Lumineers were founded in 2005 by front man Wesley Schultz and drummer Jeremiah Fraites. Grief-stricken by the loss of close friend and brother Joshua Fraites, the band served as a way of coping. With a move to Denver and the addition of cellist Neyla Pekarek, The Lumineers gained a following, and so much more, with their hit single, “Ho Hey.”

On July 26, the band will be playing at Merriweather Post Pavilion… and we’re giving away a pair of lawn tickets before they even go on sale!

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