Rapper-singer-songwriter Dayon Greene is ready for the next level.
Greene found his love for performing very early on his life, while singing in the choir at his Grandmother’s church on Sunday in the DMV area. Fast forward a few years and a young Dayon could often be found at his father’s side while he gigged in go-gos around the city. Next he learned drums, and soon enough he began his rap career.
The Infinite Daisy Chains are made up of two members both local to the Washington D.C. metro area. Ian Dandridge and Kristina Westernik-Dandridge met in a dimly lit garage to meet for rehearsal, and are now married five years later. Kristina specializes in the violin, vocals, and Ableton push, whilst Ian is the guitarist of the duo. As well as the pair boasting years of experience in playing synthesizers and drum machines, Kristina was featured on the violin on Oceanids’ track ‘Tapestry’.
Much of their music was inspired by their honeymoon experience in the Californian desert, as they say, “The marriage secured their commitment to each other, and the emotion that spills over into the duo’s creative process.”
Formed in Champaign, Illinois all the way back in 1967 REO Speedwagon are the epitome of American Rock and Roll. In a few short years, the band quickly went from playing bars and tiny clubs to larger venues thanks to an impressive live show and the rock radio cuts, “Roll with the Changes” and “Time for Me to Fly”.
The band hit mainstream crossover success in 1980 when they released their ninth studio album, “High Infidelity” which featured a string of hits including “Keep On Lovin’ You,” “Take It On The Run” and “Don’t let Him Go.” That album went on to sell ten million records worldwide. Several solid albums and songs followed including the number one single, “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”
Ay Wing is a berlin based producer and songwriter. She is very committed to making sure that her “beat-driven fluorescent Neosoulpop is exactly as she wants.” Primarily she wants so that her audience dance and her listeners are entranced in her music. She uses retro synths, rhythmic guitars, and booming drums to draw in the listener to exactly what they want.
Alexia Christian, from Rockville, MD is our own Rocker chick in residence. The 25-year-old grew up in Rockville and has played on the local circuit up until all venue performances came to a screeching halt due to COVID-19. Like many other local musicians, Alexia has also taken to social media to stream her tunes and continue to build an audience. To date, Alexia has released two albums, “Shadows Turn To Reality” and “Nothing 2 Lose”. She also just released a new single titled ‘100’ on April 30. Check it out
From the words she selects to the notes and chords she plays, the NewYork-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has dedicated the greater part of her life to mastering the art form of songwriting.
Sofia St Jean grew up in the suburbs of Clarksburg, Maryland, where she would begin producing music in her early teens. As an individual with eclectic taste and an open mind, she immersed herself in music from all over the world. She attributes this to her Haitian heritage, and has always felt at ‘home’ in a variety of genres.
With her latest EP, Grace Weber releases a deep existential question: “How Did We Get Here”?? Weber paints a bold and brilliant sonic palette on this new EP. The trumpets on the intro song add flavor and immediately liberate her from just a single genre. And then the smooth jazz trumpet solos on “Crazy to Hope” show off an investment in real musical prowess, removing her from the context of too-simple mainstream pop.
Cherie Jones, known by her stage name JONES, has a new music video out for her song It is as eclectic and striking as she is.
JONES is an expert in the acoustic R&B track. She released her debut album New Skin in 2016 and many acoustic EPs since then. This new single is one of her first full-production releases in a while, although there’s an acoustic version of “Giving it Up” on 2018’s London EP. On she strips down the song, especially on the bridge, and the stripped-down quality matches the vulnerability in the lyrics.
Eric Leon is bringing the beat back to Miami music. This Vero Beach native offers a diverse range of sound, from the delivery of powerfully cut lyrics to melodic rhythms, leaving very little to be left out of reach. A visit to Texas helped define his music taste, as Eric was introduced to a new wave of hip-hop. By 13, Eric was writing rhymes with a sharp sound that stems from influences such as Z-Ro, Future, and Lil Wayne.
Based out of Frederick, Maryland and Seattle, Washington, Blisshouse is the sound of two people making music that is driven by the natural emotions and experiences of life. When asked how they create music they responded, “Whatever we’re feeling when we write a song, we hope to translate that feeling to you in the deepest way possible.”
As part of the legendary all girl group The Go-Go’s Kathy Valentine helped make music history and break down barriers for women who followed. That group went on to sell 7 million albums worldwide and their faces were a staple of 1980s MTV. Their list of hits are now staples of any eighties flashback lunch. “We Got The Beat.” “Our Lips Are Sealed.” “Vacation” and “Head Over Heels.” The latter two songs were penned by Valentine at the height of the band’s fame.
For Grace Weber, the most powerful moments in music have come from abandoning all expectation. The Milwaukee-born talent, now based in Los Angeles after a 10 year stint in NYC, has taken inspiration from numerous aspects of her life in crafting and creating her signature sound. Weber first developed her soul-igniting presence when she began singing in a gospel choir throughout her childhood.
“As an only child, for me, imagination was everything. Standing apart, just listening, taking everything in. Making my world.”
The voice comes from London’s Whitechapel, near the dusty edges of the city. It comes from a young woman with who has a quiet, noble presence, but an undeniable strength , a strength that pours out of her melancholic but optimistic songs.
It’s hard to open up to people in real life. I use music as an outlet to show who I truly am to the entire world.”
Reese is an artist from Woodbridge, VA that is a true rising star. After releasing his first singles Ghost and Don’t Go in 2015, Reece garnered love from all across the world. Reece was finding his sound and beginning an incredible creative journey, which would lead to meetings with early fans like Benny Blanco, collaborations with producers like Clams Casino, Robotaki, Heavy Mellow, stints living in NYC and LA, and the release of his debut EP ‘I’m Not Sure Yet’ in 2019. That project was supported by opening slots for FINNEAS in NYC and LA, for NomBe at the legendary Fonda, and a 5 show run with Maverick Sabre.
Jasmine Gillison’s day job, as an event planner at George Washington University, has been rather quiet of late. This has afforded her more time to spend on her passion for writing music.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
