Oh He Dead @ Pearl Street Warehouse [DC] - 11/22/2019
Oh He Dead is feeling all the love right now, and it's well-deserved. The DC-based group (and arguably one of the area's best) began as a two-piece acoustic duo and eventually landed on and expanded band and a soul-infused sound that is best exemplified in their NPR Tiny Desk Contest submission, "Lonely Sometimes." Though they didn't win an appearance on the venerable Tiny Desk, NPR Music gave them a shout-out in a post highlighting some of the best submissions. Though the publicity would be great, they've found a more than supportive group here in the DMV, and nothing highlights that more than selling out the 300-capacity Pearl Street Warehouse in celebration of their debut self-titled album.
Oh He Dead at Pearl Street Warehouse (Photo by Mauricio Castro)
Guitarist Andy Valenti and lead singer C.J. Johnson were undeniably in high spirits all night. Not just because they've finally released their album into the world and sold out Pearl Street Warehouse, but also because their families were in attendance to hear fans and friends singing along to the aforementioned "Lonely Sometimes" and fan favorite "This Time Around" (a cut from their 2018 EP Blood in the Water that was re-recorded for the album). Their performance lasted two full sets, which included a cover of Seals and Crofts "Summer Breeze" and a soulful cover of The Zutons' "Valerie" (popularized by Amy Winehouse). Fun times are ahead for Oh He Dead, and everyone in attendance at Pearl Street Warehouse knows that those residing outside the DMV — they announced near the end of their performance that a national booking agency had booked the group for their first nationwide tour, opening for an as-yet-unannounced band in April — are in for a real treat very soon.
Oh He Dead's self-titled debut album is out now.
