John Davis, formerly of Q And Not U and Corm, has a new book out about the history of DC fanzines. "Keep Your Ear To The Ground" is like catnip to folks like us; those who want to preserve the old days, warts and all, and see value in the things that many others might view as trash. John's zine Held Like Sound still holds a special place in my heart. It was my contemporary look at DC when I first moved to the DMV in 1994. I thought I was moving to the DC suburbs; it turned out to be the direct opposite side of Baltimore. Instead of Positive Force, I got the Loft and Reptilian Records. It was all for the better, but I still wonder what might have changed if I had ended up in Arlington, Sterling, or Laurel.
John was also one half of Georgie James, whose sole full-length came out on Omaha's Saddle Creek in 2007, and who are represented by two tracks on this sampler. Saddle Creek's luminaries also show up; Bright Eyes' "Cassadega" and the Good Life's "Help Wanted Nights" both came out that year. Within a year, Conor Oberst would be out on the campaign trail, playing Obama rallies with Bruce Springsteen. It was a weird time. The twelve tracks are rounded out by two each from ex-Azure Ray artists Art In Manila & Maria Taylor, and S.F. folky duo Two Gallants, who I'm pretty sure I booked on their first show in Baltimore around this time. This is all a stretch to suggest y'all check out Davis's book, but I think I got us there.
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