Music News & Interviews for the Baltimore, DC & Richmond Music Scenes

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Translating Message into Action: Marc 2ray Talks Music and Activism

The history of hip hop was paved primarily by a mix of innovative approaches to technology and politics that sprang from the experiences of Black urban communities. In a sense, it has always been a form of activism that calls out systemic inequities while also building upon elements of funk and R&B that came before it. And that’s what DMV-based rapper, Marc 2ray finds himself building upon as he pushes the boundaries of music’s ability to affect social change in his local community. “I really got into hip hop when I was kid” he says surrounded by a wall with an impressive array of LP’s, many of which belonged to his father.

Charlie Maybee December 7, 2022

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Leah Jean: ‘I Have a Tendency Towards Negativity, and I Don’t Think That’s Necessarily a Bad Thing’

On Dec. 2, Nashville-based indie folk artist Leah Jean released her debut full-length album, Creatures In The Room, which spans a transformative journey of highs and lows, ultimately affirming the power of embracing your authentic self. Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross, as she connects with Jean to discuss the story behind the album, including the original title; how Jean learned to overcome crippling stage fright and become the confident performer that she is today; and why she believes her “tendency towards negativity” serves to strengthen her art.

Cynthia Gross December 2, 2022

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Meet “The People’s Band:” The Experience Band and Show

The DMV Music Alliance’s upcoming DMV Music Benefits All Showcase & Fundraiser is featuring one of DC’s most explosive and exciting new bands: The Experience Band & Show. The funk, pop, R&B, Go-go, and rock band will be performing, bringing their positivity and joy to the DMV. Despite being made up of seven members, The Experience Band and Show really made up of two things: incredible performance quality and a mission to bring joy. Contributing writer, Margaret Adams, spoke with the band’s leader, Travisty TromboneKing, about the band’s origins, mission, and music.

Margaret Adams December 2, 2022

Karla Bonoff - Press Photo by Chris Orwig

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California’s Karla Bonhoff Will Spread Some of that Holiday Cheer at the Birchmere Dec. 11

A songwriter by the age of 15, Karla Bonhoff has been entertaining audiences for decades. Native to Southern California, she came up in the L.A. circuit of the hippie era, where artists such as Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and so many others were continuously floating in and out of one another’s orbits. Bonoff and singer/songwriter Livingston Taylor will jointly perform at the Birchmere in Alexandria Dec. 11. Together, they will tackle new and established variations on Christmas favorites, as well as toss in their original tunes.

Eric Althoff December 1, 2022

Perro Sombra walking toward us in black & white

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Perro Sombra: “We want to… strengthen the local scene” with the DMV Music Alliance

Among the performers at the DMV Music Alliance’s upcoming benefit concert is Perro Sombra, or “Shadow Dog” in Spanish, a Latin rock band.

Daniel Gomez covers lead vocals and guitar, and Francisco Foschi and Lula Neira are bass. Gomez and Foschi are both multi-instrumentalists, even sometimes swapping bass and guitar on stage.

According to the band, “Francisco’s first instrument was the drums, and he was “forced” to change instruments because his neighbors kept calling the police on him.”

Jaci Jedrych November 29, 2022

map of the world from The Global Jukebox depicting areas with a high concentration of data through different-sized dots

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Uncover Your Musical DNA by Exploring “The Global Jukebox”

On Nov. 2, the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE published the scientific paper, “The Global Jukebox: A Public Database of Performing Arts and Culture,” spearheaded by Dr. Anna L. Wood (the Association for Cultural Equity at Hunter College, NY), and co-written/edited by Patrick E. Savage (Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan) and 17 colleagues. It is the first time this kind of data is available publicly online for all – “a deep dive into the massive study of expressive traditions undertaken in the 1960s-1980s by Alan Lomax, Victor Grauer, and Conrad Arensberg via statistical analyses of folk song styles across the globe.”

Emma Page November 29, 2022

Daw Williams - "How to Write a Song That Matters" Book Cover

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Dar Williams: A songwriter’s wisdom—in book form

Early in pandemic times, Dar Williams faced the uncomfortable truth that her career as a world-touring musician had stalled. While locked down—along with the rest of us—the singer-songwriter opened up virtual photo albums to recall trips to domestic cities and foreign lands to which she brought her unique music-set poetry.

“I was going through my photos online and I got this case of FOMO—envy for this person who has traveled all over the world,” Williams said recently, “and I was like ‘oh, my god, it’s me!’
Now I’m telling myself [to] take the day to appreciate whatever city you’re in.

Eric Althoff November 28, 2022

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BRASSIE Performing at DMV Music Alliance’s “DMV Music Benefits All” Inaugural Benefit Concert

“DMV Music Benefits All,” on Dec. 8 at Songbyrd Music House in Washington D.C. will include performances by local artists, including BRASSIE.

It is no secret to those within its scope that the DMV’s music scene is one of the most uplifting communities to be a part of. One organization that is striving to highlight this value of connection is the DMV Music Alliance, “a Washington D.C.-based grassroots non-profit committed to uniting and serving the needs of the thousands of artists and industry professionals across Suburban Maryland,

Emma Page November 18, 2022

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Getting to Know DC’s Queen of Blues: Carly Harvey

It is always a pleasure to sit down and chat with artists who understand how to contextualize themselves, which was my experience with D.C.’s proclaimed Queen of the Blues, Carly Harvey. When I heard her talk about her musical upbringing, there was a clear, deep love and reverence for the cultural roots of all the genres that she has employed over the course of her career to date. As a representative of D.C.’s blues scene (and music scene in general), she recognizes that her music is not just about her as an artist in an isolated moment of time, but that she contributes to, and stands upon, a historical foundation that is rich with potential.

Charlie Maybee November 17, 2022

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Transitions Abound: Lauren Calve Hinges on the Edge of Something New

When it comes to singer-songwriter, Lauren Calve, there is a calm, yet electric essence that feels ready for every and anything that comes her way. She has been singing throughout her life, but it wasn’t until her late 20’s that she found her niche within the sounds of Americana blues. Since finding her home base, her late-bloomer energy has spun a nice flow of momentum that has taken her far in a short amount of time.

While her early inspirations ran the gambit of singing women with raw, acrobatic voices like Mariah Carrey and Sheryl Crow, it was a CD of voice instructor Brett Manning (who famously coached Hayley Williams of Paramore)

Charlie Maybee November 16, 2022

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DJ O Show: ‘The Story I Am Telling… Rarely Gets Told’

DJ O Show, also known as Orene Askew, has been in the music game for over 15 years. Her professional musical roots are in DJ-ing, but she recently entered the hip-hop game with the release of her first single. Askew’s passion and driving force in music comes from her being an Afro-Indigenous, Two-Spirit female, and former member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, learn more about Askew’s story with contributing writer Jaci Jedrych, including her influences, why she believes it’s important to acknowledge intersections, and the tragic event early in her career that gave her a renewed perspective on life.

Jaci Jedrych November 10, 2022

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RIVALS: Blurring the Line Between Dark Pop and Rock

RIVALS is an alternative band from Los Angeles that is not afraid to merge scintillating dark pop-rock with post-hardcore, resulting in their unique sound that is sure to hook you in at first listen. The band, formed in 2014, consists of vocals by Kalie Wolfe, guitar by Micket Woodle, bass by Sebastian Clarke, and drums by Josh Alves. Vocalist Wolfe started out in the pop world while “the guys” started in the metal realm, and the band continues to experiment in their style. Learn more about RIVALS with contributing writer Emma Page, including the band’s influences, songwriting process, dream gig, and what’s on the horizon for the rising talent.

Emma Page November 9, 2022

Rachel Burns - Press Photo by Libby Danforth

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Rachel Burns: ‘Live for the Day and Be in the Now Because That’s Really the Only Way We Can Expand Time’

A conversation with D.C.-based pop/soul artist Rachel Burns oscillates between joy, laughter (lots of it), and shedding of tears similar to the continuum of life and living. Burns is a classically trained musician, wife and mother, and breast cancer survivor. Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross, as she sits down with Rachel Burns to discuss her debut solo EP, “Living My Breast Life,” why she is proud to be a DMV artist, the turning point from despair to hope in her breast cancer journey, and why she believes humor is still the best medicine.

Cynthia Gross November 2, 2022

Photo Courtesy of Duke Ellington School of the Arts

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Reflecting on the 5th Annual DC Music Summit

The 5th Annual DC Music Summit wrapped up on October 16, with a flurry of fantastic panels, a keynote speech by Anwan “Big G” Glover, performances, art installations, and more. Held at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, the Summit’s core values of diversity, community, mastery, and service were all on full display, as music workers gathered to share their experiences and insight from the ever-growing music industry. Join contributing writer Charlie Maybee, as he reflects on the Summit with two key participants, major label mix engineer Chris Carter and hip-hop artist and educator, Marc 2 Ray.

Charlie Maybee November 2, 2022

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David Libert Speaks Candidly about His Rock-and-Roll Life in New Memoir

David Libert has seen—and done—it all. From humble beginnings, Libert has become a music industry expert, shepherding the careers of artists such as Alice Cooper and George Clinton, and working with everyone from Prince to Guns N’ Roses. Join contributing writer Eric Althoff, as he sits down with David Libert to discuss the star’s immensely entertaining memoir of his life, “Rock and Roll Warrior,” in which he recounts the lessons he picked up from his parents as a young man, running with so many angels and devils in the music biz, and, of course, his ongoing friendship with Cooper.

Eric Althoff October 27, 2022

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Get all the latest music news and reviews in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA areas.Visit us daily and stay up-to-date on your favorite local and national acts.

Leah Jean: ‘I Have a Tendency Towards Negativity, and I Don’t Think That’s Necessarily a Bad Thing’

Meet “The People’s Band:” The Experience Band and Show

California’s Karla Bonhoff Will Spread Some of that Holiday Cheer at the Birchmere Dec. 11

Perro Sombra: “We want to… strengthen the local scene” with the DMV Music Alliance

Uncover Your Musical DNA by Exploring “The Global Jukebox”

Dar Williams: A songwriter’s wisdom—in book form

BRASSIE Performing at DMV Music Alliance’s “DMV Music Benefits All” Inaugural Benefit Concert

Getting to Know DC’s Queen of Blues: Carly Harvey

Transitions Abound: Lauren Calve Hinges on the Edge of Something New

DJ O Show: ‘The Story I Am Telling… Rarely Gets Told’

RIVALS: Blurring the Line Between Dark Pop and Rock

Rachel Burns: ‘Live for the Day and Be in the Now Because That’s Really the Only Way We Can Expand Time’

Reflecting on the 5th Annual DC Music Summit

David Libert Speaks Candidly about His Rock-and-Roll Life in New Memoir

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