Shortstack’s new LP, “The History of Cut Nails in America,” is one of the first offered by Gypsy Eyes Records.
The life of a record executive in LA or New York can be glamorous, but not for one of Washington’s new labels.
The “office” for Gypsy Eyes Records is a former family home turned creative co-op by Rob Kalani Tifford, who grew up in Northern Virginia and attended the Potomac School; Joshua Read, who stirred things up at St. Albans during his youth; and Baltimore native Nick Pimentel; and Craig Harrison of Georgia.
Their development meetings take place on the patio as they work with groups that are committed to gaining national recognition and making a decent living but aren’t looking to escape to New York to make millions.
Read’s own rock band, Revival, was one of the first two acts to sign with Gypsy Eyes. The other, Shortstack, has a bluesy-country-rock LP, The History of Cut Nails in America, that came out in November.
The label’s live shows get people buzzing: Its late-summer First Forever Festival in downtown DC rocked crowds with performances by Revival and Shortstack as well as newly signed Brandon Butler, Vandaveer, and Mikal Evans. Other acts included Let’s French, John Bustine, and Kitty Hawk, all talking with Gypsy Eyes about working together.
The first sold-out performance of the festival was at a new Northeast DC venue, the Rock and Roll Hotel, a club on H Street featuring suites that may be reserved for partying but not lodging. The second sold-out show took place at another new H Street venue, the Red and the Black, opened by Bryan Deily and Bill Spieler of the nightclub DC9.
Kalani, who worked for Thievery Corporation for ten years, is trying to make DC’s indie music more accessible.
Gypsy Eyes’ Creative Co-op Highlights Local Indie Scene
One of DC's hottest new record companies works from home.
The life of a record executive in LA or New York can be glamorous, but not for one of Washington’s new labels.
The “office” for Gypsy Eyes Records is a former family home turned creative co-op by Rob Kalani Tifford, who grew up in Northern Virginia and attended the Potomac School; Joshua Read, who stirred things up at St. Albans during his youth; and Baltimore native Nick Pimentel; and Craig Harrison of Georgia.
Their development meetings take place on the patio as they work with groups that are committed to gaining national recognition and making a decent living but aren’t looking to escape to New York to make millions.
Read’s own rock band, Revival, was one of the first two acts to sign with Gypsy Eyes. The other, Shortstack, has a bluesy-country-rock LP, The History of Cut Nails in America, that came out in November.
The label’s live shows get people buzzing: Its late-summer First Forever Festival in downtown DC rocked crowds with performances by Revival and Shortstack as well as newly signed Brandon Butler, Vandaveer, and Mikal Evans. Other acts included Let’s French, John Bustine, and Kitty Hawk, all talking with Gypsy Eyes about working together.
The first sold-out performance of the festival was at a new Northeast DC venue, the Rock and Roll Hotel, a club on H Street featuring suites that may be reserved for partying but not lodging. The second sold-out show took place at another new H Street venue, the Red and the Black, opened by Bryan Deily and Bill Spieler of the nightclub DC9.
Kalani, who worked for Thievery Corporation for ten years, is trying to make DC’s indie music more accessible.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
AC Problem Closes Four Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
Epstein Files Fiasco Continues to Be Weird and Entertaining, GOP Congressman Sued Over Unpaid Rent, and Lotuses Hit Peak Bloom
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work