Podcast: These United States
These United States get around. The local alt-folk-pop band is wrapping up a six-week national tour Sunday at the Black Cat. Led by Jesse Elliott, the band features a rotating cast of characters that almost always includes multi-instrumentalist J. Tom Hnatow, usually includes drummer Robby Cosenza and fills in the rest of its spots depending on date, city and mood. This isn't the first extended trek for the band that's the most visible member of the Federal Reserve Collective. Elliott and Co. can have traversed the country and parts of Europe before, but for this latest tour they actually had an album to support.
"A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden" is sometimes as wordy as its title, but since Elliott knows how to spin a phrase, that's not a bad thing. It's also diverse in its musical stylings, offering more than simple singer-songwriter fare, including the subtle electro-flourishes of "First Sight" and the restrained roadhouse rock of "The Business." You can hear both of those songs in full on a special City Guide podcast, linked below. We talked to Elliott, Hnatow and Cosenza about the new album, the next album, life on the road and more, just before they embarked on this most recent road trip.
Download These United States podcast
By David Malitz |
April 10, 2008; 9:00 AM ET
Music
Previous: Nightlife Agenda |
Next: Free and Easy Events
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.