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Tayari's Blog: We Like The Boys In The Band....

Posted by TayariJones on February 24, 2007 11:34 PM
Filed under D.C. Diaries

Usually, I make it a point not be be charmed by musicians. Let's just say that experience is the best teacher. But when I was thinking of ways to entertain Nokuthula Mazibuko, the World Literature Fellow at GWU. I immediately thought of my favorite D.C. spot: Busboys and Poets. When I looked at the website and saw that PS 24 was playing, I knew I had hit the jackpot.

The show was scheduled to start at 8pm, so I picked Nokuthula up at 7:15. You can see already, that I was tuning out the voice of experience. The show didn't kick off until 9pm.

We were glad we had come early because we got a chance to talk with the band members When I told the percussionist, Jali-D, that Nox had come all the way from South Africa, he invited us to meet the rest of the band. We met Psalm, the lead singer, who hails from NYC and also Waldo, a military kid who has lived all over the world.

I am a big fan of PS 24. I once heard them described as "folk hop"-- which sort of captures their hip hop roots and their conversational tone. I sort of endorse this description although it has the weird vibe of a movie pitch. The real truth is that their music is hard to classify. Yes, I can see the hip hop influence, but I can also see something that is unique to this trio of musicians. I think the secret to their sound is in the drumming-- which screams Dee-Cee without becoming go-go. And let us not forget the lyrics. Some are a little bit confessional--"She was like a carrot in front of a jackass..." Some are political--"George Bush is crazy!" And whimsically profound, like the anthem to childlessness.

Today was a long day. Nokuthula and I went shopping and also did hair, but I am so delighted that we stopped into Busboys and Poets to see PS 24. I asked Jali-D the origin of their name. He gave me a few explanations--- there is a school in NY called PS24. The initials could stand for Powerful Secret. At the end of the day-- or the night-- I decided it didn't matter so much. They are brilliant musicians. I don't mind a little mystery when it comes to great music.

And yes, yes, yes... I did take pictures.

February 26, 2007 09:54 AM