Eight Gigs: Chuck Ragan & the Camaraderie

Chuck Ragan has been playing music for almost 30 years, as varied as his post-punk band Hot Water Music in the ’90s to his current formation as the traveling singer-songwriter known for wearing his heart on his sleeve. His signature raspy voice and traditional American song compositions make for some feel good rock ’n’ roll. There are no tricks here—no sarcasm or morbid existentialism masquerading as droll dance music. Ragan is about earnest love songs and unabashedly uplifting lyrics coupled with rootsy, working-man’s rock. 2708 J Street, http://chuckraganmusic.com.