Tom McBride at Iota Club & Cafe, Saturday McBride, who performs at Iota on Saturday, is one of those artists doing what he loves, and doing it as a profession. He’s a full-time musician, the typical day job long behind him.
Making ends meet as a singer-songwriter isn’t easy, but McBride works to make it happen.
“It’s a slow growth model, but that’s the way to do it,” McBride said of touring and putting out albums. In recent months, he’s hit cities up and down the East Coast, as well as out West. However, this will mark his first Iota show since July.
McBride’s latest album, “A Brief Head Spin,” was released last year, and he’s since been busy composing some new tunes.
“I’m constantly writing,” said McBride, a Boston native who has called D.C. home the last 10 years. “I have a lot of stuff I’ve been working on.”
In recent months, McBride has done something very old-school and something very new-school with his music. Back in the fall, he released “A Brief Head Spin” on vinyl, accentuating the work’s sonic qualities while hearkening back to another way of consuming music. He also has his stuff up on Spotify. While Spotify garners folks like McBride needed exposure, he doesn’t make much money from the venture.
The coming year promises to be another big one for McBride. He plans to work on a new album, and tour plenty. This means frequent of nights on friends’ couches in different cities, and hustling to get folks out to his shows.
“It’s the only way to survive,” McBride said. “You’re only as good as the people who believe in you.”
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $12; with Kingsley Flood; iotaclubandcafe.com
Restaurant Week, through Sunday
The biannual Restaurant Week here in the nation’s capital is scheduled to end its winter run this Sunday. But as we all know, some places take the liberty to extend the deals. Make reservations ASAP for an affordable, multicourse, fixed-price meal at your favorite restaurant.
When: Lunch and dinner through Sunday
Info: $20.12 for lunch, $35.12 for dinner; restaurantweekmetrodc.org
1K Wine Walk in Crystal City, Saturday and Sunday
This is the second year of this event, organized by the Washington Wine Academy. There will be wine stations spread across one kilometer, but don’t worry, this isn’t really a race, just a wine tasting.
When: A new heat begins every 30 minutes, with the first at 2 p.m. and the final starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Info: $40; washingtonwineacademy.org
George Lopez at DAR Constitution Hall, Saturday
It’s a shame that George Lopez’s talk show Lopez Tonight got canceled last summer, but now he has time to hit the road. Catch this comedian at DAR on Saturday, one night only.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $58; dar.org
The Love Show: Sex Magic at Red Palace, Saturday
Dancing, music, burlesque and magic. Not bad for an affordable evening out.
When: Doors 9:30 p.m. Saturday, show 10 p.m.
Info: $10 in advance, $15 day of; redpalacedc.com
