DC's art-pop rockers Pree released a video today for "The Dog", their single from that great fancy-dancy record they put out this May, "Rima". The video features lead songbird, May Tobol, doing something many of us would never consider -- following a strange clown into dark alleyways and empty playgrounds. Together they explore spinning colors, magical swings, and strange signs on the wall while the song's narrator explains a tipsy-turvy world and a desire to escape into someone else's shelter using a pity story : "time to climb/ into the cab and take a drive.../guess I needed another pair of eyes/ so I woke them when I made it to your door/ "I lost my dog"--you let me in/ although I know/ I've told you that before." This is a solid album with funk, psychedelic, and blues explorations, electronic decorations, displays of lyrical and vocal strength, warm choral flushes, and occasional distortion. Whenever they've been asked to describe themselves they've never left out the word colorful. Check out the video bellow, and if you haven't given "Rima" a listen, get on it! Pree will be playing Brooklyn's Northside Festival this week (congrats!) before returning home.

- Leora Mandel

 Pree's new single, "Two Feet Shy," is their best yet. The lead single off their new record, Rima (Paper Garden Records), "Two Feet Shy" is a delightful and bright jumble of nerves and hope. The off-kilter arrangements of chiming guitars and ringing keys swirl around May Tabol's sweet warbling jazzy vocals. A thick kick-drum in the opening section beats like the heart of a nervous lover, creating as much anticipation in the listener as the narrator. It's a moving song, with glistening tones and splashes of color, perfect for a walk with headphones on through the cool breezes and dancing leaves of the approaching autumn. Rima is set to drop in February of 2015. For now, we eagerly look forward o more singles and you can catch Pree on tour across the country. --Natan Press
 

Don't miss an incredible DC Area show tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 9th, at Rock and Roll Hotel, when three of the DMV's best bands join together for an amazing bill, complimentary and cohesive, yet covering a wide range of sound and style. Richmond's Avers, on tour in support of their gorgeous psyc-rock debut album Empty Light, headlines the night. They'll be joined by Pree's lo-fi alt-folk, and Wanted Man's guitars-on-fire rock and roll (check out Wanted Man's new single, "I'm Gonna Go Out With the Planet," released on DC Music Download yesterday). It's a sure-fire non-stop excellent time for anyone who's a fan of indie-rock and local music. Doors at 8:00pm. $12.

Watch a live version of Avers' "The Only One" recorded for Overcoast Sessions (Overcoast Music) below. --Natan Press

Some sad news today: The Dunes might be closing. I'm pretty frustrated about it, but I think it's best to celebrate all the things the folks at The Dunes have done for music in this town and help them continue their effort in future endeavors. DC music has seen a resurgence lately; the community has grown and become more of a scene in no small part due to places like The Dunes and the people who work there, and that won’t end with a small setback like this. I strongly encourage everyone to go to what may be the final show at The Dunes tomorrow, April 23rd, when DC bands Pree and The Sea Life, join Native America (from New Orleans), and give a great space a great send-off. --Natan Press
Edit: Please read Alex Tebeleff's piece about The Dunes and the need for more space for music in DC, over at Brightest Young Things.