If I were ever to make a list of the DC artists I 've seen at shows over the years the top spot would be a close race between Ian Svenonius (of Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, and Weird War) and Allison Wolfe (of Bratmobile). Both are impossible to miss, with individual styles all their own. Seeing Ian at shows at the Black Cat or even around DC, I was always struck by three things. 1). He is a misleadingly small man (as is Guy Picciotto, for that matter), 2.) His hair is fucking amazing and 3.) He is the definition of sartorial. In many respects, his offstage persona was in direct opposition to his onstage persona. While onstage he is the white James Brown from PG County, offstage he appeared (to me) to be quiet and almost unapproachable.
Now Ian has his own talkshow called Soft Focus on VBS TV. Filmed live before a studio audience at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, Ian interviews such titans of music as Chan Marshall of Cat Power, Ian Mackaye and Henry Rollins. What comes across is that Svenonius is a hilarious person asking probing questions while keeping it light. In my judgement, any person who can get Ian Mackaye to laugh on camera has got serious talent.
Check out Soft Focus on VBS TV.
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