Things to Read:
• When you think about musicians that embody black history, do you think about the Rolling Stones? We don’t either, but apparently Mick Jagger– along with BB King, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo, Gary Clarke Jr., Trombone Shorty, and the Yardbirds’ Jeff Beck (seriously, what is up with this lineup?!)– will be performing at the White House to celebrate Black History Month, according to the NY Times. “Directed by Booker T. Jones of Booker T and the MGs, next week’s event will be taped and then broadcast by PBS on Feb. 27. The president will deliver remarks at the event. The ‘In Performance at the White House’ series goes back to 1978.”
• Fort Reno is now accepting demos for local bands interested in playing the venue this summer.
• We Love DC offers this Q & A with Justin Trawick about his solo work and the 9 Songwriter Series that he curates. The 9 is at the Hamilton tonight (2/15), and Trawick is at the Black Cat on February 24.
• Capital Bop has an interview with saxophonist Tim Berne, who’s playing with his new ensemble Snakeoil at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday night as part of Transparent Productions’ winter/spring season.
• DCist’s this week in hip-hop.
• Heavy Uber Alles brings you six heavy tunes every week. This week’s installment comes courtesy of Scott O’Dowd, guitarist of Massachusetts stoner rock bands Black Thai and Cortez.
• NPR’s Tom Moon on Dr. Dog. The band will be at the 9:30 Club on March 16.
• Photos: Erica Bruce captures Sharon van Etten at the Black Cat [Washington CityPaper]. Last Sunday’s DC Record Fair at the Riot Act Comedy Theater [the Vinyl District].
• Live Reviews: Allison Grossman on the Grey Area at Strathmore [the Vinyl District].
Things to listen to and/or watch:
• Wale on Conan, earlier this week [DCist].
• Video of Foul Swoops live at CD Cellar last week [All Our Noise].
Free stuff:
• The Vinyl District has tickets to Zola Jesus at U Street Music Hall on 2/16 (contest ends today at noon)
• Tittsworth has tickets to Moombahton Massive XII at U-Hall on 2/15 (contest ends today)
• The Rogers Revue has tickets to Disney On Ice at the Verizon Center on 2/18 (contest ends 2/17).