Pennsylvania indie transplants, Raise Up Roofbeams join Ryan Bingham and the established Luke Brindley at 9^th St.’s DC9 this Thursday.

Drawing heavy inspiration from literary and philosophical references (Lead singer Nathan Robinson admittedly delves into Hardy, Lawrence, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Wharton and Faulkner), mixed with personal experience, the banjo-toting alt-folkists have started their DC careers off on the right foot.

As far as the learning experience goes, Robinson claims, “[Being in a band,] I’ve learned a lot about business management, flexibility, relationships, mental health, driving, car insurance, art, and American cities. The east coast feels like home to me, since I’ve driven up and down it so many times. I sometimes feel like I-95 is my second mother, and she taught me how to be a man by birthing me in New York City so I could play terrible shows with people I love. Being an independent artist is one of the most humbling experiences I can think of. There is really no glory to speak of, so people who do it as long as we have aren’t in it for that. It’s almost all dirt and work and success tempered with far more frequent rejection. The affirmation comes in short spurts of applause at live shows, which is a really small percentage of your work as a musician. We do this because we love making music and we love each other. It’s something we’re going to be doing for a long time.”

Truth. Humor. Twang.

Catch Raise Up Roofbeams with Ryan Bingham and the Brindley Brothers, 9 pm at DC9, 1940 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, on Thursday, February 14^th. $10. Or, check out www.raiseuproofbeams.com for upcoming shows.

The next four days hold a few fantastic ways to spend an evening in the DC area.

Thursday the 24^th, 9 pm - Juniper Lane, Jupiter One and Celeste Starchild at IOTA Club & Café. - A rootsy-pop filled evening at the (aforementioned) best small venue in the area.

Friday the 25^th, 9 pm – Liberation Dance Party at DC9. - Every Friday - Djs spin a mix of rock, electronic, hip-hop and music videos.

Saturday the 26^th, 9 pm - Jukebox the Ghost (CD Release), Pash, and Bellman Barker at The Black Cat.- Deservingly trendy bands play deservingly trendy venue. CD release included. Possible stage antics. Review of this next week.

Sunday the 27th, 9 pm – Mike Maloney and Justin Trawick at Galaxy Hut. - Arguably, two to the area’s best singer/songwriters play at Wilson’s Blvd’s tiniest bar/club, with the very, very best artwork.

Monday the 28^th, 9:30 pm - The Shackeltons and Raise Up Roofbeams at The Red & The Black Bar.- Pennsylvania based and about to release a brand new cd, on their way to SXSW, The Shackeltons, a rumored mix of volatility and poetry, partner with  like-minded Raise Up Roofbeams.   H Street rejoices. I have a problem with fixing long, comma-ridden sentences.