#dc usa

Day 10: Ugly Purple Sweater, with Kingsley Flood and Kindlewood $12

Another night at The Black Cat in Washington, DC.

Ugly Purple Sweater had their 2013 EP release party at The Black Cat for their new EP, DC USA. The local band is fronted by the talented singer Sam McCormally and backed up with simplistic guitar riffs and solos from Will McKindley-Ward. With a unique sound and a unique name, Ugly Purple Sweater is going places bigger than DC. 

The night started out with the opener, special guest, Kindlewood. Kindlewood, a self proclaimed dream-folk group was complete with an accordion, guitars, soothing vocals and several percussion instruments played by all three members. They reminded me of a toned down combination of Sweden's own First Aid Kit and the Icelandic folk group Of Monsters and Men minus the drummer. They played a great set and came back late to help out Ugly Purple Sweater.

Kingsley Flood was up next and they brought the energy. The drummer was hitting the skins with a dreadful angst while frontman, Naseem Khuri, sang songs of heartache with themes of Christianity and growing up. With a cover of "Heartbreaker" by the Rolling Stones, Kingsley Flood filled out a 17-song set with an encore. Their song "Fired Up" sounded a lot like a Tweedy Wilco song, with a Tweedy style of singing and close to Nels Kline type of guitar solo. Kingsley Flood brought energy and charisma with a punk rock look into country folk music. 

The crowd at this show was very different from previous shows I have attended at The Black Cat. This crowd, filled with friends and relatives of the bands on stage, was also full of high school kids. Turns out these kids go to the same schools as the band members did and treat the band like gods among men. The boys and girls that walked through their halls and took their classes are now making CDs and performing at venues in the DC area and also around the country. These kids look up to their high school alumni with hope and wonder for what they can accomplish after school. 

For more coverage, visit:

http://uglypurplesweater.bandcamp.com

http://kingsleyflood.com

DC USA - Ugly Purple Sweater