Middle Distance Runner at Iota

One of my favorite live bands to watch, Middle Distance Runner, is playing at Iota this Saturday, Sept 13. The band has been around since 2005, and I've been attending their shows in Clarendon for the past five years. The pop/rock band has great musical creativity and songs that are very catchy like "The Unbeliever". Music starts at 9:30 with Sun Parade, and then Middle Distance Runner goes on after them with a $12 cover for the night.

Iota is also hosting an early music event on Saturday starting at 5:30pm. Four performances start night with:

Lily and the Parlor Tricks

Simone and the Spectrum

Honor Finnegan

Fortuna

Derek Evry and Middle Distance Runner at Iota

Local musician and Iota favorite Derek Evry will be performing in Clarendon with His Band Of Misantropes on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate their new album. The EP release show at Iota celebrates their album "Down to the Wire"and their alternative rock songs inspired by Alkaline Rio, Jimmy Eat World and Green Day (which Derek Evry did an excellent job channeling Billie Joe Armstrong at the Classic Albums of 1994 party).

Starting at 8pm two other bands will start off the night, including one of my favorites Middle Distance Runner. I loved their rendition of The Unbeliever when I saw them live at Iota in 2010. Afterwards Dr Robinson's Fiasco will keep the crowd moving until Derek Evry takes the stage. Cover is only $12 for all three bands.

Middle Distance Runner at Iota tonight

Middle Distance Runner is headlining tonight at Iota for what I'm sure will be a live performance not to be missed. I was really impressed with their show last year, as they are a highly talented band that won't even let illness stop their energetic beats. Opening for them tonight will be Death By Sexy as well as Cobra Collective.

Must See Bands at Iota in July

July is a good month to check out Clarendon's indie music heart - Iota on Wilson Blvd. The low key venue hosts live music every night of the week, as well as a free open mic night on Wednesdays.

Bobbie Allen is a Pop-Folk-Fusion singer/songwriter (think of Neko Case mixed with some Jenny Lewis), playing Thursday July 22 with The Morrison Brothers Band.

Middle Distance Runner is sure to put on an awesome show on Saturday July 24. Their live performance of The Unbeliever was just as memorable as the stop motion claymation video for the song.

I'm looking forward to seeing Katie Herzig on stage again Tuesday, July 27. I first saw her perform with the amazing Ten Out of Tenn supergroup two years ago, and her enchanting song Hologram is pleasantly still stuck in my head.

The stunning red head Reni Lane is returning to Iota again Thursday July 29 and is opening for Horse Feathers. Check out 10 Random Things About Her and her other entertaining music videos.

March Must-see Bands in Clarendon

Jenny Owen Youngs
Monday March 8 at Iota
Jenny's beats were honest and contagious last time I saw her grace Iota.

Middle Distance Runner
Thursday March 11 at Iota
Fastly becoming one of my favorite bands, I often find The Unbeliever song stuck in my head.

St. Patty's Party and Parade with OTasty
Tuesday March 16 at Iota
Clarendon has a lot to offer on the Irish holiday, and lets hope Mister Day's doesn't run out of green beer early like last year.

Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous
Saturday March 27 at Clarendon Grill
Laura Lea has a excellent voice that grace's the Grill's stage pretty frequently

Reni Lane
Monday March 29 at Iota
The bright red hair matches her spunky personality. And she's currently organizing a slumber party?

Matthew Good
Tuesday March 30 at Iota
Two years ago the famous Matthew Good played to a somber crowd, so I'm hoping Clarendon will be more lively for him this time around.

Middle Distance Runner at Iota tonight

Middle Distance Runner is making another appearance at Iota tonight! They put on an awesome live show at their last trip to Clarendon.

Brightest Young Things just put out an extensive review of their new album The Sun & Earth featuring sound clips of every track!

Its great that such a talented band is getting more publicity, and look forward to seeing them tonight for their record release.

Upcoming Can't Miss Bands

I'm upset at not being able to make it to the Ten Out of Tenn show at Iota last Saturday. Here are some other must see bands playing soon:

• Middle Distance Runner
  Iota
  Saturday October 3 9pm
  
  
• The Bravery
  9:30 Club
  Sunday October 11 7pm
  
  
• True Womanhood
  Black Cat
  Monday October 19 8pm
  
  
• Juniper Lane
  Iota
  Saturday October 24 9pm
  
  
• Breast Cancer Benefit Concert with Memphis 29
  Clarendon Ballroom
  Wednesday November 18 7pm
  

Middle Distance Runner reviews

Beautiful Sunday afternoon in Arlington today! Should have gone to see the cherry blossoms, since the wet weather earlier in the day drove off most of the tourists.

I'm impressed that the unsigned Middle Distance Runner who played in Clarendon last night have been featured on altsounds, indieblips, and finefinemusic! Washington Post also reviewed previously.

Middle Distance Runner @ Iota

Middle Distance Runner headlined at Iota tonight and performed an awesome show. The band played a great set of new songs, the best being my favorite "The Unbeliever".

Lead singer Stephen Kilroy's vocals were invigorating. Guitarist extraordinaire Allan Chappelear's energy level was so high it was almost dangerous, with him jumping around with the guitar cable snaked around his leg. Contrasting to him, bassist Tony Acampora looked cool and collected in his suit and tie.

I was very impressed with the band's musical creativity. Allan Chappelear at one point was rubbing his guitar against the wall to create distortions. Keyboardist Jay Smith joined in the guitar play by strumming his Fender with a bow like a violin.

Erik Dean kept the beat strong on drums despite his fatigue. He was obviously ill but still managed to stick it out for the duration. This is one tough band, as two years almost the entire troop came down with food poisoning and that did not stop them from touring!

Middle Distance Runner and Eulogies tonight!

Looks like a fun lineup at Iota tonight with indie tunes by Middle Distance Runner and rock melodies via Eulogies.

I really like the bass riffs in MDR's "The Unbeliever". There is a great claymation music video for this song too!