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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Every band’s gotta start somewhere. Last month, we took a look at local acts at local venues. The homegrown groups got some sweet, sweet lovin’ via your attendance at their shows. April, the first full month of spring, calls for a savory new way to titillate your aesthetic sense. Here are five concerts to catch at the hometown venues you’ve learned to love with up-and-coming east coast (and Canadian!) musicians, air guitar pros, and a personal favorite of mine (aka live jazz).

‘Stage Microphone’
courtesy of ‘BitchBuzz’

April 2

Midnight Spin w/ Nunchucks, Downtown Harvest, & Blackbells

Rock & Roll Hotel, Doors 8 p.m. | Show 11:00 p.m., $10

Deli Magazine: Best of NYC Reader’s Poll – Best Emerging Artist 2009 , Band of the Week on “Rock it Out!” the blog, Sonicbid’s March 2010 “Artist2Watch” — do you need more? Midnight Spin runs deep with D.C.-metro area blood and loves playing this town (they’ve played more gigs in D.C. than I can count on two hands). They love D.C. You love D.C. Go love D.C. together Friday night at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

April 10

The US Air Guitar Championships – D.C. Regional

9:30 Club, Doors at 8 p.m., $20

For those heartbroken souls who want nothing more than the ability to create music, your sanctuary awaits The top Air Guitarists have been chosen and are ready to compete live on stage for your amusement and entertainment. Prepare to be wow’d by those of the musical persuasion who can imitate the likes of Jimmy Page and Slash. For those about to rock, We Love DC salutes you.

April 23

Think About Life w/ Dragonette

DC9, Doors 9 p.m. | Show 11:00 p.m., $18

“Think About Life may or may not make you think about life, but they will make you forget your troubles while they’re playing” – Brooklyn Vegan

That sentiment is quite the hook. I don’t think I could say it any better. TAL is a Montreal based group who form in 2005 as a friendly collaboration. It took less than five years, but TAL are now known as one of the best dance tickets in all of Canada. Let’s see if they can re-ignite those dancin’ flames across the boarder.

April 26

US Naval Academy Band: Military Big Band

Blues Alley, Shows 8 p.m. | 10:00 p.m.,  free admission with ticket

Big Band Jazz is as American as American music can get. Despite popular belief, its popularity might have died after the Golden Age of the Big Band circa World War I and World War II, but the music itself continues to be composed, played, and danced to on a regular basis. Grab a fedora, throw on your classiest threads, or show up in jeans — all I am saying is give Big Band a chance. The genre’s been around this long for a reason. That — and … it’s a history lesson of sorts. See! You’re getting cultured already and you haven’t even seen the show yet!

April 28

Pictures of Then, Alexis George, George Karos, David Zaidain

Asylum, Doors 9 p.m. | Show 9:30 p.m., $5

Acoustic music is a  pure, unadulterated craft produced by countless individuals each day. Whether it’s by the campfire, at the coffee shop, or on a street corner, I can’t help but feel these modern minstrels get overlooked due to their lack of attachment to a major recording label. Support the effort, support the craft, support music at it’s most basic just by showing up at Asylum.