"Enforced & All Out War. Two giants are coming to DC!! RIchmond's crossover thrash metal monsters are coming up to DC for a stacked bill with the mighty All Out War from New York! Hardcore and Thrash unite! Local homies Junkhead and Mortal Ground will get the thing started. Spread the word!"

This is an all ages event

Songbyrd LLC dba Songbyrd Music House

Songbyrd

Enforced & All Out War

Enforced

All Out War

Gigs

Washington D.C.

DJs Vampyre Noire and Vlad are back at it once again, bringing the bats to Songbyrd. You will hear a dark macabre variety of traditional goth, dark-wave, post-punk, as well as occasional synthpop, EBM and industrial hits from 10PM to close. Joining DJs Vampyre Noire and Vlad will be a returning guest performance with the Slings and Arrows family-- the haunting, beautifully electric JaneSaw of DC's newest quarterly drag goth night, The Hellfire Club. Dress your deadliest for an intimate evening, and also for our resident photographer Artist MDC.

This is an 21+ event

Slings and Arrows Present: Bats At The Byrd

Once Halloween passes, Christmas is thrown in our faces by almost every major corporation looking to cash in before the year ends. When the clock strikes midnight on November 1, Mariah Carey takes over as the unofficial "Queen of Christmas"—a title she's claimed thanks to "All I Want for Christmas" printing money for the past 30 years. But Christmas music isn't just an easy money grab: a lot of great R&B music was made in honor of the holiday and everything around it.

If you want pure joy, there's the Jackson 5's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas." Add "My Gift to You" to the list of brilliant collaborations between Alexander O'Neal, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis. Want to hear the Temptations rework one of the best-known Christmas carols? There's their version of "Silent Night," guided by Dennis Edwards. Any discussion of Christmas-themed R&B music would be incomplete without acknowledging the melancholy. As far as sad love songs go, the Emotions' "What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?" is as good as they come. And when's the last time you paid attention to the lyrics of Stevie's "Someday at Christmas"?

Tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Get them ASAP, so we can close out the year together by celebrating the best holiday R&B songs and the range of emotions that come with them. See everyone on Sunday, December 8.

\*\*\*

The R&B Club is a cultural gathering founded in 2018 that discusses the influence of R&B music. In other words, think of it as a musical book club-style meetup. Follow us on social media at @therandbclubdc for more information.

All ages

The R&B Club Discusses Holiday Music

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You

party

Party

Catch some of the DMV and NYC’s best high-energy and genre-bending rock talent at the iconic Songbyrd Music Hall. Music discovery and community are at the forefront of DMV media group SoundFynd’s online presence, and together with George Washington University’s radio station WRGW, they’ve put together a lineup of some of the best young alternative rock bands around from DC universities and beyond.

\--Berra: American University’s funky alt-rock band, Berra is the project of Roba Djalleta, originally started in Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Washington DC.

Dundrum: High-energy performances and roaring electric guitars have made this Washington DC band stand out, including in past performances at Songbyrd.

Baltimore Avenue: This hardcore band has recently been attracting attention, and they’ve never performed at a DC venue until know. The University Of Maryland’s best mosh-pit causers won the recent DMV college Battle of the Bands.

Dino Expedition: The Brooklyn-based alt-folk project of Tahlia Amanson and co. are gearing up to release their debut album in November, and they’ve never performed in Washington DC until now.

SoundFynd & WRGW presents Berra & more

Berra

Dino Expedition

Abby Sage has a voice that demands attention. A tender soul with an observational eye, this pop artist seems able to tap into her innermost feelings, all while helping to express the lives of those around her. An empathetic spirit, she recalls the flamboyant theatre of Florence + The Machine, as well as the hushed intimacy of Clairo. Someone who is rapidly making waves on both sides of the Atlantic, she remains humble and softly spoken, burning with a subtle intensity.

Abby Sage 

Ruqqiyah

ave.noelle

Parlour Magic

Ville Rose

All proceeds will from the show willl go to the DC Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network 

Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network (MSMA) is made up of community organizations and hundreds of individual volunteers who are committed to supporting migrants arriving in DC.

Anchored by Peace House DC, Beloved Community Incubator, East of the River Mutual Aid, and Sanctuary DMV, the network has been showing up, since the first Texas bus arrived in April 2022, to welcome our new neighbors through solidarity, not charity.

\--There was that time he was detained by the Egyptian military, accused of being an American spy. Or the time he repelled off a massive highway bridge protesting big oil. Or the time he chained himself to the Oakland police department headquarters after yet another unarmed Black man was murdered by cops. Harrowing true story after story, LA indie folk/pop troubadour and activist Ethan Buckner has seen it all. Through trauma and triumph, anxiety and hope, Ethan has always turned to songwriting to try and find calm in the chaos. His debut LP Treading Water, produced by grammy-nominee Justin Glasco (Paris Paloma, Lone Bellow), weaves between moments both intimate and anthemic, exploring struggles that are both deeply personal and unavoidably collective.

**Ethan** is fresh off a whirlwind year of touring and releases that culminated in his debut headline performance at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles in September and at San Francisco’s Brick & Mortar Music Hall in October. Outside of music, Ethan works full-time with Indigenous, working class, and communities of color on campaigns to protect public health and the climate. His work for social change, currently for the non-profit Earthworks, seeps into his music, as his anthemic songwriting encapsulates his belief that even in these tumultuous times, a just world is still possible.

**Molly Fisher** is a singer-songwriter from Santa Cruz, California, where she draws inspiration from the ocean and redwood-covered mountains surrounding the town. She’s been playing and writing music for most of her life as a means of expression and storytelling. Outside of music, she works as a climate organizer and activist.

Ethan Buckner - Treading Water Release Tour

Never Elected, one of Washington D.C.’s most captivating and electrifying acts, has been rocking the airwaves with their new album “Turbulent”. The album is also a finalist in this year’s 2024 WAMMIES (Washington, D.C.’s version of the Grammy’s) for Best Hard Rock / Metal Album along with their other nominations for Best Hard Rock / Metal Band, and Best Hard Rock / Metal Single (All My Life).

Known for their thought-provoking material centered around socio-political themes, Never Elected continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.. From rocking out to evoking tears, the audience’s reactions to their songs have been diverse and intense, showcasing the emotional depth of Never Elected’s music.

Formed by the dynamic duo, Sujit Kumar and Altan Aydin, who share a common love for all things grunge and rock ‘n’ roll, the band also features Dr. T on melodic bass riffs and Wesley Meyer, the driving force behind the drums. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the band persevered, recording and releasing two singles and music videos that kept their fans engaged during a period of uncertainty.

Never Elected 

Unring the Bell

Shumaun

Spilly Cave is a composer/guitarist from Central Pennsylvania. In his music he creates a fusion of jazz and 90's indie rock with inspirations ranging from Masayoshi Takanaka to Nirvana. He tours with a four piece band (Phill Cave, Michael Kleine and Logan Bedard) and has played shows all over the country. Since releasing his self-titled record in 2022 that has received over two million streams, he is now prepping his next record 'Super' for release.

Spilly Cave

minutia

Roscoe Tripp

Ring in the holiday season with a face-melting Merry Metal Flashband! On Dec. 14th, jingle your chain metal all the way with headbanging performances by eight all-new Flashbands, PLUS a super special surprise headliner!! Flashbands will be covering your favorite metal bands, with some original metal arrangements of classic holiday tunes to get us in the mood. Get your tickets now to thrash 2024 out in style with Iron Maiden, Dio, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Slayer, System of a Down, Ozzy Osbourne, and so many more! Presented by 7DrumCity.

Merry Metal Flashband Showcase

Join Us for Laughter and Giving at the 3rd Annual Give n' Giggle Toy Drive!

Get ready for a night of big laughs and even bigger hearts! We’re bringing together some of the funniest comedians around for a special comedy show with a purpose—collecting toys for kids in need this holiday season.

This isn’t just any comedy show. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and help spread joy to children who could use a little extra cheer. Your generosity will directly benefit local children, ensuring kids in our community have something to smile about this year. Examples of toys include board games, puzzles, toy cars, books for all ages, building sets (Lego), sports equipment, etc. All the toys collected will be donated at the Watha T. Daniel Public Library on 12/22/2024. The redistribution is open to the public and will feature activities and light refreshments.

Not only will you enjoy an unforgettable night of stand-up comedy, but you’ll also make a meaningful difference. Let’s fill the room with laughter and gifts, and show how our community comes together during the season of giving.

Some of the performers include:

Yannick

Dave Balagizi

Joey Friedman

London Duran

Zakary Haines

Mike Kurtz

Stacey Axler

Rebecka Green

Jack Hummel

and many more! Last year's show featured a drop-in from comedy legend Tony Woods so you never know who may show up!

Yannick Presents: 3rd Annual Give n' Giggle

comedy

Comedy

Night Hawk is a D.C.-based outfit led by Colter Adams and Peyton Semjen, whose music often blurs the line between indie rock and performance art. Featuring a rotating cast of talented players from the Mid-Atlantic underground, the project revolves around the question: what do Edward Hopper's paintings sound like? Against a backdrop of rip-roaring guitars, crashing drums, and enchanting harmonies, the band’s live performances paint scenes inspired by both Edward Hopper paintings and personal experience.

Night Hawk 

Montgomery County’s very own Chad Frick has the DMV to thank for the stories told in his debut album, Momentum. The 23-year-old songwriter’s lyric-centered acoustic-heavy blend of folk, country, rock, and pop combines with his on-stage charisma to put on a hell of a performance. Quitting his budding career to embark on his “own Alaska,” Chad is all-in, dedicating himself to expressing his passion for life through song. Listing influences as Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen - Chad’s greatest strength is as a storyteller. This, his first true ticketed show, will be something you brag about attending decades from now.

\--**Tom Starr Band**: With a diverse repertoire spanning rock, funk, soul, blues, Motown, jazz, reggae, folk, and pop, this band can do it all. Tom Starr Band is the DMV Area’s Premier Party Band, with this versatile 9-man ensemble delivering high-energy performance for the Momentum Album Release Party. Drawing from extensive musical backgrounds - the musicians have performed in nationally touring and professional bands at major festivals, venues, and events - The Tom Starr Band is comprised of some of the most promising musicians in the DMV area.

Chad Frick (Album Release Party)

Chay Vicious is a 5 piece hard rock band from Washington D.C. Based out of Washington.

D.C., acclaimed Riot Grrrl band Cherub Tree paves a new road in the punk and indie scene with their eclectic musical style. Shortly after releasing their DIY EP "where are your manners" , Cherub Tree released their long-awaited single "not yours, never was - Anthem Edition"; a Riot-Grrrl anthem inspired by the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022. Delving deep into their Punk Rock, 90’s Grunge, and Riot-Grrrl influences, Cherub Tree’s new sound has received heavy accolades and praise, leading them to two separate 2024 Washington DC Music Awards for ‘Best Punk Song’ and ‘Best Punk Artist’. Continuing to address the issues of womanhood, patriarchy, and sexuality, Cherub Tree plans to release their newest song “MADONNA” on November 15th 2024, which digs even deeper on the heavier tones, colors, and emotions that makes Cherub Tree so unique in their landscape.

Lena Traynham has long been a standout for her electrifying stage presence, wild flying hair and extraordinary vocal range, but as she prepares to debut her original music, she’s proving herself as a force to be reckoned with. With blending genres comparing her to artists like Stevie Nicks, Rachael Price and Rett Madison, her long awaited debut project has officially arrived with her first single, “Brick by Brick” - AVAILABLE NOW on all platforms! Single number two is officially out as well - STREAM “Stuck Inside” NOW!

Chay Vicious

If the B52s were raised on dive bar Miller Light and 90s coming-of-age movies, they might sound something like The House You Grew Up In’s dancey, tongue-in-cheek rock n roll. **The House You Grew Up In**, abbreviated **THYGUI,** is a 5 piece psychedelic pop-rock band from Washington DC. THYGUI blends the sound and feel of late-60s-era psychedelic rock with the abstract lyricism and flippancy of indie bands of the 90s and 2000s like Pavement and The Unicorns. THYGUI’s first full album, Spooky Times Call for Spooky Measures, was released in October 2022 and their second album, Unlikely Shades Of, is slated for release December 20, 2024.

If you could blend the essence of The Black Keys and the intensity of Nirvana, you'd land squarely in the sonic realm of **Red Medicine**. This gritty blues rock outfit combines hypnotic guitar riffs and soul-stirring vocals to create cathartic live shows. Red Medicine has become a familiar presence in both the Northern Virginia and DC music scenes, thanks to their extensive performances and contributions to the local musical landscape.

**KINDA EVIL** brews 70s-hard rock and 90s-stoner metal with an inky dash of ‘riot grrrl’ punk for searing songcraft and spellbinding shows. Appealing to listeners of The Dead Weather, Black Sabbath, Hole, and Queens of the Stone Age, KINDA EVIL severs the polarity of good and evil in a cauldron of high octane energy. Psychedelic vocals electrify tempo shifts while menacing riffs vaporize into foggy far-out ballads. Dark, potent, and bittersweet; we’re all a little evil.

THYGUI's "Unlikely Shades Of" Album Release Show

KINDA EVIL

GXB is a brand new band from the DMV, fusing 70s rock, proto-punk and classic country influences. Built around the compelling songwriting of Guy Bouchie, the trio is rounded out by Ben Tufts on bass guitar and Ben Melrod on drums.

\-NAYAN - A DC Band. taking inspiration from punk, classic rock n roll and 80s New Wave.

\-Several years ago, Tommy Elms was visited by three spirits--the ghost of rock and roll past, the ghost of rock and roll present, and finally, the ghost of rock and roll yet to come. The third visit shook him to his core--the apparition foretold of a dark future, UNLESS Tommy would start another band, and make a solo album. Before Tommy had a chance to ask any questions, he disappeared into the black mist. So Tommy found time in between starting a family, working a full time job and fronting NoVA post-punk trio Fix Your Hearts to fulfill his new destiny. Teaming up with Ivakota studio wizard Ben Green and session musician Ben Tufts, Tommy painstakingly put together an EP of gorgeous songs, due out in 2025. Turns out the ghosts were just his friends pranking him after he got ahold of some shellfish. Some friends, eh? If you're a fan or Death Cab for Cutie, The Wallflowers, and Goo Goo Dolls, this is your kinda stuff.

\-The Mantis is a multimedia group comprising of Dempsey Hamilton on drums and percussion, David Barker on treble string instruments, Doug Kallmeyer on bass string instruments, and Monica Stroik on visual projections. With an improvisational approach to musical arrangements and real time video manipulations, the group has drawn comparisons to Mogwai, Tycho, Explosions in the Sky and Maserati. Buy direct from the artist: themantisdc.bandcamp.com

This is an all ages event 

Nayan

The Mantis

DJ has made a name for himself as the leader of VA based band DJ Williams Projekt and as the lead guitarist for San Diego’s critically acclaimed band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. He has toured the globe from from small rock venues to large prestigious music festivals in the US, Canada, & Europe. A seasoned veteran of the stage, Williams has shared the stage with artists like John Legend, Dave Matthews, John Oates, Warren Haynes, Hannibal Burress, Soulive, Slightly Stoopid, Robert Randolph, Sharon Jones, and many more.

\-Born in the depths of subterranean groove gatherings, Backbeat Underground is a Washington, DC based instrumental funk group with soul jazz influences. Bringing their years of collective experience in the DC and NYC music scenes, the band delivers tight, energetic sets steeped in fresh improvisation and head-bopping, booty-shaking pockets. Backbeat Underground was proud to serve as stewards of the funk in DC’s first, second, and third annual Funk Parade, and the band has gained notoriety for their organic and smoldering blend of soulful funk and jazz.

DJ Williams Band

DC native **Evan Gross** grew up knowing he was always meant to be on stage with a guitar in his hands, but lightening struck in 2015 when he found his voice to sing the songs he’d been writing all his life. Having been raised on a healthy musical diet of all things loud and unapologetic, Evan’s newest project; The Derelict Casino brings raw and honest songwriting together with the Alt Rock sounds of the 90’s and early 2000’s, which are evident in his 2023 debut single “Pathetic”. Evan now calls Nashville, TN home, where his music can be heard blasting through downtown dives and into the hearts of hopeless romantics and underdogs that believe in the pipe dream we call Rock & Roll.

\-**Melo Relo** is a Maryland-born songwriter and producer making waves with a fresh take on 2000s alternative rock. Fans of Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and The Smashing Pumpkins will find a new favorite to add to their nostalgic pop-rock playlists. Catch Melo Relo on stages in D.C. this winter and throughout 2025.

\-Patrick Budd is an indie folk singer/songwriter from Poolesville, Maryland and based out of DC, writing about what it means to romanticize nostalgia and come from a humble, small town upbringing. Patrick and his first band, The Starwood Flyers, released their debut alternative folk rock EP “Out Into the Light” in 2022 and he continues to make new music as a solo artist.

Evan Gross & The Derelict Casino

**Ty Adams** is a versatile singer-songwriter hailing from Northern Virginia, blending the sounds of pop, soul, country, and blues to create a fresh, captivating musical experience. With his powerful vocals and beautiful compositions, Ty Adams delivers a unique and engaging performance that resonates with audiences.

**Khalil:** Hailing from Northern Virginia, Urban Acoustic Vocalist Khalil Nazar energizes the crowd with original music and covers.

As a singer/songwriter, Khalil crosses the boundary between Rnb, Folk, and Country.

Ty Adams

Celebrate the New Year with a night inspired by the gritty glamour and raw energy of the indie sleaze era. With Sounds by Melina and Dag, this event is your chance to dive into an unforgettable mix of indie hits, timeless vibes, and the creative chaos that defined a generation.

\-Debuting in 2015 at Marvin on 14th Street, Melina has been igniting dance floors and stages ever since. From The Fillmore to Rock & Roll Hotel, and collaborations with The National Museum of Women in the Arts and The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Melina showcases an incredible musical range in every set.

**Melina** seamlessly infuses Latin music into R&B, deep house, and hip-hop. With Soul music shaping her early years, a growing vinyl collection and the guidance of inspiring mentors helped Melina master the art of DJing and create a unique, unforgettable vibe. Proud to be part of DC’s vibrant music scene, Melina is constantly inspired by the community that nurtures and uplifts the city's rhythm and creativity.

\-**dagher** has been setting the tone for unforgettable nights since his start at Songbyrd’s open vinyl nights in 2016. Known for his eclectic sound that spans indie/electronic, disco, house, and R&B remixes, he’s become a versatile force in the music scene. From gallery nights to residencies at The Dew Drop Inn, The Wonderland Ballroom, and Kiki by 2021, his journey reached new heights in 2023, opening for major acts like Flight Facilities and The Blaze. In 2024, dagher continues to bring his dynamic sound to new spaces and events throughout DC, currently DJing high-energy spin classes at VIDA Fitness and running a monthly live show on Eaton Radio curating mixes from up and coming DJs around the city.

With two sold-out New Year's Eve events—Jackie in 2022 and Vagabond in 2023—under his belt, dagher brings his signature energy back to his roots for NYE 2024 at Songbyrd!

Indie Sleaze New Years Eve

The Early Days is an Alternative Rock band with roots in Virginia. Their thick instrumentation and harmonic vocals add depth and soul to their music. Playing across the DMV, The Early Days perform their take on everything from rock classics to new indie and pop songs. The band is working on their first studio EP to debut their own energetic and groovy vibe in the new year!

Take a ride back to The Early Days as the band guides you through nostalgic sounds that draw inspiration from groups like The Backseat Lovers and Lake Street Dive. Whether they’re playing in the DC bar scene or on your back porch, The Early Days continue to draw in a fanbase of music lovers that you’ll want to be a part of.

The Early Days

“Girls Rock! DC” fosters a supportive, inclusive, and equitable space that centers girls and non-binary youth, especially Black and Brown youth. Their unique approach to music education — through a social justice and equity lens — allows DC’s young folks to build community and explore their passion for social change through after-school programs, workshops, and camps.

\--East Coast Offense (or ‘ECO’ for short) is a 4-piece grunge-gaze / alt-rock band that formed in VA in late 2019.

Pulling inspiration from the likes of Wolf Alice, Nirvana, Radiohead, and Slowdive, the band creates catchy, hard-hitting songs about love, loss, and the frustrations of life today. With a massive sound and vulnerable lyrics, ECO puts on a show that will leave you wondering what will come next.

ECO has rocked the stages of various venues, such as Pearl St. Warehouse (DC), Songbyrd (DC), Jammin Java (VA), and Rockwood Music Hall (NYC).

The band released their debut EP “Everything is Nothing” on March 22nd, 2024.

\--Modest Goddess is a genre-bending rock band from Washington, D.C. that blends elements of folk, funk, and alternative rock to yield songs that are emotionally resonant and eminently groove-able. Taking an intuitive and spontaneous approach to songwriting, the band’s catalog flows effortlessly from dreamy, melancholic ballads to high-energy head-bangers to quippy indie rock tunes.

\--Petrichor is a DC youth band studying punk, alt, indie rock, and grunge by covering the greats, and drawing from those styles to write their growing catalogue of original songs.

\--Natalie E. Illum is a poet, disability activist and singer living in Washington DC. She is the recipient of 6 Poetry Fellowship Grants from the DC Arts Commission and a founding board member of mothertongue, an LGBTQA+ open mic that lasted 15 years. She competed on the National Poetry Slam circuit and was the 2013 Beltway Grand Slam Champion. Natalie has performed at the Nuyorican, the Paramount and The Kennedy Center, and other physical and virtual venues across the US. Her work has appeared in over 40 publications, and on NPR’s Snap Judgement. Natalie is also a singer-songwriter of the band All Her Muses, whose first album, Not speaking in metaphor, was released in May 2022. She loves whiskey, giraffes and house plants too much.

Girls Rock DC! benefit w/ East Coast Offense Band & more

ADAMARE (ad- toward , amare - love) is a group of multi-instrumentalist musicians who happen to all be teachers at the same DC public school. Often described as soul-jazz-rock fusion, the band combines punchy rhythms, sultry singing, evocative lyrics, and stirring soul. The band will release its first full album in 2024. With Giavanti Greenaugh on bass, Nate Harris on keys, Ben Byrd and Joe Robinson on guitar, Alex Baron on drums, and the incredible Claire Tucker on vocals, this soul-jazz-rock fusion group is ready to take the music to the next level.

ADAMARE & Friends

The Moran -Tripp Band from Edgewater, Maryland blends swaggering soul songs, with intoxicating rock music, and traditional blues. Led by singer and guitarist Ryan Moran and guitarist Shane Tripp, this up and coming five piece takes their inspiration from greats like the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Little Feat and The Band. This twin guitar powerhouse is not to be missed.

Moran Tripp Band

Moran Tripp

The Rally Caps are a Washington, DC based rock band with a whimsical twist. Whether you're feeling wistful, heartbroken, triumphant or curious about dinosaurs, The Rally Caps got you covered. Ever the crowd pleaser, they were described as having "Trogdor energy" by an open mic host and dubbed "surprisingly heavy" by a DC punk.

The Rally Caps

Scream from New York, NY, the first album by Been Stellar, is a remarkably brutal debut – bruised and volatile, it captures an image of ‘20s New York that’s unrelenting and harsh, where tenderness is a finite resource burned up by the machinery of the city and human connection is a luxury product. Leaving behind the driving shoegaze of their early recordings, the NYC-based five-piece tap into the disaffected sound and spirit of New York luminaries like Sonic Youth and Interpol, as well as the nihilistic, yearning cool of Iceage and Bends-era Radiohead, striking upon a sound that’s fearsome, buffeting and beautiful at the same time – a tidal wave as viewed from underneath.

As its wry title implies, Scream from New York, NY, is a record about what happens when language fails – between friends, partners, a city and its citizens – and the primal scream you might let out when words just don’t work anymore. Guitarist Skyler Knapp, vocalist Sam Slocum, Brazilian-born guitarist Nando Dale, bass player Nico Brunstein and drummer Laila Wayans met as undergrads at NYU, bonding over a shared sense of humor and forming a motley crew based more on emotional compatibility than any rigid ideas of shared artistic sensibility. Finding that last vestiges of the city’s famed 2000s and 2010s DIY underground had been ground down to nothing, the band put on their own shows, renting spaces and collaborating with friends to build the world they wanted to inhabit.

Determined to break new sonic ground, the band embarked on a relentless practice schedule, even renting scrappy studios on days off during tour. After befriending him at SXSW, the band tapped producer Dan Carey (black midi, Wet Leg) to help coalesce the disparate elements of their sound that had been percolating: forceful, driving physicality; pop classicism; gnarled beauty; and a rich emotional core. The resulting 10-song album announces Been Stellar as gimlet-eyed chroniclers of contemporary youth, staring through noise and confusion into the dark heart of modern life. These songs embody the spirit of a city that makes and breaks its inhabitants on a daily basis - an irony befitting the album’s tone: Been Stellar’s preternatural ability to capture the disconnection that haunts New York with photorealist detail might just be the thing that vaults them into its pantheon.

Been Stellar "Scream from New York, NY" Tour

Been Stellar

Malice K

In the deep Upstate New York winter of 2022, trees bare and taunting, Nandi Rose found herself searching for an apricitic clarity. She has always found the season difficult; its ruthless theft of birdsong and flora, heavy clouds low and smothering what little light remains. But the cacophonous silence of that winter was particularly brutal. It should have been stirred by the growth of life, a promise of a new chapter, a bright dawn, as Rose learned she was pregnant with her first child. That promise was broken in early December, when stillness took over the ultrasound screen; slow-motion mouths told her the life inside her had ended. Like a snapped branch weighed down by leaden frost, Rose lost a part of her future she thought would blossom.

Baldwin tells us we must say yes to life, to “embrace it wherever it is found – and it is found in terrible places – nevertheless, there it is.” This is the guiding force of See You At The Maypole, the sixth full-length album in Half Waif’s prolific catalog. If we look for color in the midst of our own personal winters, the brightness will soon begin to bounce off the snow. This gathering of resilience and clutching of chiaroscuro––celebrating both light and dark––guides us on a journey towards acceptance and surrender. Rose had to figure out how to love her life, even if it didn’t look like what she wanted it to.

See You At The Maypole was originally intended as a departure from the darker works of Half Waif. Whereas 2021’s Mythopoetics dealt with familial traumas and the patterns we carry with us, Rose––armed with the anticipation of planning her own family––envisioned a new collection of soft and joyous odes to motherhood, and to new beginnings. That writing sparked in the summer of 2021 at a solo retreat in the Catskills, as melodies formed in a small cabin overlooking a luscious and rain-rippled pond. A month later, Rose found out she was pregnant and anticipated nine months of writing through a new, maternal lens, speckled with the verdure of certainty. But when that soundless morning arrived in December, See You At The Maypole took on a new life. One that would seize the uncomfortable reigns of uncertainty.

Half Waif - See You At The Maypole Tour

Orange Blossoms

Half Waif - Tactilian

Half Waif

Noia

DC-Native Guitarist and Towson University Professor Jack Waugh presents Americanaland, his Jazz-Americana-Fusion quartet. Americanaland has recently been featured in Washingtonian Magazine, WPFW 89.3, and gained an impressive following of over 30,000 followers and fans via social media (@jackwaughmusic). The group's distinct sound encompasses Jazz, Rock, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Pop, and more, fusing together catchy melodies with the deep spiritual experience jazz listeners seek. Leading up to their The EP "Americanaland", Waugh's group has performed at venues including: Nublu, The 8x10, Pie Shop, and Rhizome.

Jack Waugh

The Business of Rock and Roll

Austin Loman

**The Noah Pierre Band** is a collective of musicians from all over the DMV. Embracing the traditions of jazz, soul, rock and other styles, the group recently released their EP, “You Live Here.” They had their EP release show at Keystone Korner on 9/26/24. Other notable venues include: City Winery Philly, The 8x10 and The Pocket. They have toured the east coast as the backing band for MLLN, opening for the band Lawrence. Noah Pierre Band is compromised of Noah Pierre on guitar and vocals, Ricky Jefferson on keys, Oliver Unger on bass, Mike Paxton on saxophone and Jordon Stanley on drums.  

What was once a literal attic where friends sought solace through the pandemic, Attic Sessions is now a metaphor for the creative space where the influences of jazz, neo soul and rock coalesce into a fresh collective. Initially drawn in by infectious energy and high-caliber musicianship, audiences stay engaged due to the group’s subtle sophistication that never eclipses their listenability. The band’s sound is characterized by soulful vocals, groove, ethereal harmonies and improvisation.

**Coby Siegel** is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer in Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area. He released a single, “Jupiter,” and an EP, “In The Meantime” in 2022. Coby has spent the past two years cultivating a strong identity as a performer and local fanbase. Coby takes inspiration from jazz and classic rock and infuses today’s indie pop with a timeless, creative sound.

Check out Coby on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube where you can stay up to date on all his shows and upcoming music

Noah Pierre Band

Burden’s Landing is an alternative rock band from Washington, DC. Forming around songs written by guitarist/vocalist Noah Mullinax, Burden’s Landing began in October of 2023, with Mullinax linking up with drummer Robin Zeng, bassist Chris Louis-Jorge, and keyboardist Sly Samudre.

In April of 2024, the quartet spent a week in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Front Royal, Virginia, self-recording their debut EP entitled Could This Be a Portal? With a 30 minute runtime, Could This Be a Portal? is an ambitious DIY release featuring familiar alternative rock sounds with influences from grunge to shoegaze to free jazz.

Could This Be a Portal? was released August 2nd, 2024 via Rat Hill Records. On August 31st, Burden’s Landing played a sold out EP release show at The Pocket benefitting the Palestinian Youth Movement.

credits

released August 2, 2024

Burden's Landing

Hunter's Moon

Zipa

Burden’s Landing

Czonka

Upcoming events

Songbyrd Music House (aka “Songbyrd”) is a 250-capacity live music venue, bar and restaurant in Washington, DC’s Union Market neighborhood and member of the National Independent Venue Association (“NIVA”). Songbyrd was named Washington D.C.’s Best New Venue in 2016 and Best Place for Dinner and Live Music by the Washington City Paper in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and is rapidly growing market share and building interest from music-forward Washingtonians and beyond.

Songbyrd

Venue in Washington D.C.

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