In which I make an appearance (at 3:00) as a paper bag puppet…
Car Seat Headrest – Drugs With Friends (Unofficial Music Video) from Astrid Cardenas on Vimeo.
Author: jim
H.S. performance of Ghost the Musical draws notice
A special guest was watching Jan. 27 as students from Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn gave a spirited performance of “Ghost the Musical.”
Jim Hoare, an executive with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, traveled from New York to view the students’ interpretation of a version of the Broadway musical that was adapted for use by high school theater groups. He wanted to observe several innovations the students made in set design and stagecraft, to see whether other schools could also use them.
The Washington Post, Feb. 5, 2017
Car Seat Headrest in the news – Feb. 2017
“In less than a year, the album Teens of Denial made it to the top of countless best-of-2016 playlists, the band have been booked by high-profile mainstream TV shows such as The Tonight Show and the 24-year-old Toledo regularly faces huge crowds who roar his lyrics back at him in packed venues.”
–James Belfield in The Listener (New Zealand), Feb. 16, 2017
“Even without checking production credits, the imprint that Car Seat Headrest and lead singer Will Toledo has on Gold Connections is unmistakable.”
–Jared McNett in Paste Magazine, Feb. 13, 2017
“Gold Connections is something like the Silver Jews to Car Seat’s Pavement: rich and wandering, hazy and pensive with the sort of thoughtful lyrics and explosive choruses we’ve come to expect from a Toledo production.”
–Rob Arcand in Spin, Feb. 13, 2017
Review of “Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales”
–Erika Kooda in Atwood Magazine, Feb. 2, 2017
“It was certainly an experience we all needed.”
–Danielle Hansen on Howl & Echoes, Feb. 2, 2017
1986 peace walkers reunite for Women’s March
In 1986, about 500 people marched across the United States for almost nine months, from Los Angeles to New York to Washington, in a demonstration against nuclear weapons. The trek became known as the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament.
Last week, a dozen of those peace marchers reunited and laced up their walking shoes once again to take part in the Women’s March on Washington. For KD Kidder, 65, of Leesburg, it was an opportunity to rekindle old friendships and express her concerns about the political direction she thinks the country is taking.
The Washington Post, Jan. 29, 2017
More than 1,000 march on MLK Day
The mood was one of optimism and steely determination, as a diverse group of townspeople, civic organizations and faith communities united Monday to take part in Leesburg’s 25th annual march commemorating the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Town officials estimated that 1,200 people marched through downtown Leesburg from the courthouse to the Douglass Community Center, some pushing strollers and others carrying flags, banners and signs highlighting excerpts from King’s speeches. Many of the marchers stayed at the community center after the march for a program of speeches, readings and musical performances honoring the vision of the civil rights leader.
Washington Post, Jan. 22, 2017
Inauguration blues
Yesterday, Inauguration Day, I sat down at the piano and tried to open myself up to what I was feeling. I began to play, not knowing what notes would come next.
This pretty well sums it up. (Apologies for the big face.)
Forsythe appointed after closed session
The Leesburg Town Council on Monday appointed retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Hugh “Bugs” Forsythe to fill a vacant seat, but not before discussing the nomination behind closed doors.
The appointment came after several rounds of nominations, in which each of five finalists for the position failed to get at least four votes from the six council members. The council then retreated into closed session before emerging 20 minutes later and unanimously approving the nomination of Forsythe.
Washington Post, Jan. 15, 2017
Dancing for fun
As the holidays were winding down, about a dozen people showed up at Dance King Studios in downtown Leesburg on Monday evening to socialize and learn some new moves.
They stood along the mango-colored walls as owner Adam King demonstrated the Argentine tango. Then they moved hesitantly onto the dance floor, some staring at their feet as they practiced the steps.
As the evening wore on, the dancers grew more relaxed, buoyed by King’s infectious smile and words of encouragement. Before long, they were laughing and moving more confidently to the music’s rhythms.
The Washington Post, Jan. 8, 2017
Car Seat Headrest in the News – Jan. 2017
“Their ability to manipulate an entire room of people into becoming the most attentive audience I’ve ever seen is incredible, and indicative of their great talents.”
–Annie Cooper on the interns, Jan. 30, 2017
“This was one of those gigs that you leave with guitar hooks ricocheting around your head, Will’s face swimming before your eyes, and vocals surging up inside you.”
–Margy Noble in The AU Review, Jan. 28, 2017
“…a solo performance from Will would be a rare treat and was sure that he would’ve held that room in the palm of his hand even if all he was left with was a kazoo and maybe a pair of castanets. He’s just that talented.”
–Nick Wagstaff on Moshcam, Jan. 27, 2017
“Car Seat Headrest Explain What’s Up With That Smash Mouth Collaboration”
–Matthew Strauss on Pitchfork, Jan. 26, 2017
“Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo Talks Smash Mouth Plans”
–Peter Helman on Stereogum, Jan. 25, 2017
“Fans of indie rockers Car Seat Headrest may be in for a surprise solo show tonight in Sydney from frontman Will Toledo, as the band have announced members Ethan Ives, Andrew Katz and Seth Dalby have been caught up with flight delays.”
—The Music (Australia), Jan. 25, 2017
“The maker might be aloof and measured in person, but this record is anything but, with brash lyrical couplets bolted to guitar music that’s vivid, muscular, ambitious, unpredictable.”
–Grant Smithies in Stuff (New Zealand), Jan. 22, 2017
“[Will Toledo] reveals how he grew his passion from a cult following to a record deal, the people who inspired his journey, finding motivation as an artist and why we should check out Car Seat Headrest at Laneway.”
–Fiona O’Connor on Concrete Playground, Jan. 18, 2017
“You dreams have been answered: Smash Mouth and Car Seat Headrest look like they are going to make a record together.”
“Smash Mouth have expressed their appreciation of Car Seat Headrest on Twitter before, but now their beautiful online bromance could be blossoming into something more.”
–Peter Helman on Stereogum, Jan. 17, 2017
“…a critically-acclaimed follow-up that captures a youthful and all-too-familiar time of experimentation and discovery.”
–johnnysomebody re: Teens of Denial on The Telescope, Jan. 16, 2017
“Yes they’ve been around for a few years, but they really broke through this year as a new hope for alternative rock.”
–JT on The Bolg, Jan. 14, 2017
“2016’s Teens of Denial, echoed my reality like no other indie rock album has been able to.”
–Jennifer Park on Noisey, Jan. 13, 2017
“…an exhilarating ride…”
–Ed Masley re: “Teens of Denial” in the Arizona Republic, Jan. 13, 2017
“…most of their songs start soft and mellow and quickly build into blaring indie-rock tunes that you can’t help but sing/scream along to…”
–Mariella on KXSU (Seattle University), Jan. 10, 2017
“Thirteen albums in, Car Seat Headrest is on its way.”
–Iain Shedden in The Australian, Jan. 7, 2017
“The record was actually recorded back in 2014 when [Will] Marsh was an undergrad at William & Mary, with help from Marsh’s classmate: Car Seat Headrest mastermind Will Toledo, who produced, engineered, and mixed it in addition to contributing drums, electric guitar, bass, and backing vocals.”
–Chris DeVille Re: “New Religion” by Cold Connections on Stereogum, Jan. 5, 2017
“Will Toledo captures the post modern atmosphere in the most sincere and eloquent ways possible – confessing his anxious thoughts, and wrapping them around haunting melodies.”
–John Naessig on StGA, Jan. 4, 2017
Piano Company is thriving downtown
Transporting more than 100 pianos across town last spring, from Battlefield Shopping Center to Market Street in downtown Leesburg, was no easy task. In fact, Robert Purdon, general manager of the Piano Company, described the move as “a logistical nightmare.”
But after 16 years at the store’s previous site, Purdon is happy with the shift to the current location, near the Loudoun County Government Center.
Washington Post, Jan. 1, 2017
