Paperhaus’ “Silent Speaking” (streaming below) beckons you in unabashedly with chaotic rumblings resembling a stampede of cymbals, hi-hats, batucada-esque drumming, and jittery bursts of guitars. The arrhythmic clamor works at once both with and against one another before evening out and transforming into a high energy tune of angular riffs and melodic shifts. The Virginia based band, whose previous work gives a hearty nod towards psychedelic blues with hints of math rock, finds itself leaning ever further into the angular soundscapes of the latter with its most recent single. However, the fervent energy that made their self-titled debut so dynamically spectacular remains ever more present in their sound. If this single is any indication of what we should expect from Paperhaus in the future then color me intrigued. Definitely keeping an eye out for them! Catch Paperhaus on July 13 at DC Nine. - Adriana S. Ballester

Paperhaus released a new single, "So Slow", through Alt Citizen yesterday. The third single (the first being "Cairo," the second "Untitled") off their forthcoming album, this one's the prettiest, opening with a gorgeous reverb, and breaking into a mellow island jam, with low background vocals echoing and panning off the main vocal, and then gradually, and oh so subtly picking up with casual "oo-oos" before the fiery lead guitar and an organ lift a chorus out of the chill waves and into a sparkly sky of an indie-rock mid-section. "And if you want to feel emotion, then you need to stop thinking that you're going slow." A life lesson, and an instruction manual to this delicate and intricate track. It's my favorite so far.

The full album will be released Saturday, February 7th, at DC Music Download's Third Birthday and Benefit for DC Punk Archive (with Deli favorites Loud Boyz, and Baby Bry Bry). --Natan Press

 DC's Paperhaus are ramping up for their first full length release early next year. Shortly after returning from a tour of the east coast, they dropped their first single, "Cairo," and have just released it's companion video. Directed by Nigel Lyons (who's been doing some amazing work for the best bands in the local scene), the video channels booth the energy and excitement of Paperhaus' live show, and the vivid colors and vibrant tones of the band's recordings. These masters of DC's current DIY scene are set to dominate the national stage. Catch them locally while you still can at The Black Cat on October 13th, and DC9 on October 23rd. --Natan Press

BRNDA is releasing a new single, called "Apple King," this Saturday, 9/13 at Comet Ping Pong. The lineup for the night is a superb collection of local favorites. Paperhaus will be headlining the show, fresh from tour, including a stop at the Hopscotch Music Festival, in advance of the release of their new album. Before the tour, Paperhaus released the lead single "Cairo" to much acclaim, and the locals are restless to see them tight off of tour with new material. 
Also on the bill are DC favorites, and perpetual performers, The Sea Life who also recently released a new single, "Prozac & Merlot." Between sets, DJ Outputmessage will be spinning his magical sound-webs. Earlier this ear, Outputmessage released the ambitious and fantastic album The Infinite Void.
This show is a superb collection of local powerhouses, all with new material. It is not to be missed. --Natan Press

 It's finally here! In It Together Fest starts tomorrow, Thursday 7/31. The first night features some of my favorite bands in the city, all on one mindblowing bill. Acme's indie-psyche funk, Wanted Man's blazing blues-rock, and Paperhaus' oh-so-tight indie-rock join together for a night no one who loves local music should miss at Fort Loko. The show will be opened with a comedy show (cause, in this festival, musicians are in it together with all sorts of other creative people, see?), and Vundabar (from MA) brings some of my hometown (Boston) sound to the District.

After that, it's like 3 more days of crazy. Look at that map! There's shows everywhere. Which ones do you choose? Which ones do I choose?? How many can we pack in to our memory-holes? I'm getting a bit stressed. I'll tell you one thing: I am going to know the bus routes in this city so well by the end of the weekend. At the very least, there'll be a good show near you at some point. Stop by, make a small donation and support local music! --Natan Press