They’re big and they’re brash. The Flavor Project, a funk and R&B outfit from Richmond, features nine members and a seductive sound that fits perfectly in a smoky music hall packed with dancing listeners. Drums and brass unite to form a transcendental rhythm while the guitar-playing creates a funky beat that creeps into your body and makes you move and the vocals blast right to your head and heart. They’re playing The Camel on 10/16 with Philly-based Ill Doots. Doors at 8, tickets for $7.-Jonathan Goodwin

For those times when your heart and soul need some musical rejuvenation, you’ll find solace and tranquility in Richmond-based folk band Luray. Their music is soft, yet invigorating, rife with plucky banjoing and deeply resonant vocals. Give Luray a listen and let the worries of the world melt away with their homey vibe and optimistic beats. You can enjoy their sweet, lurid sounds at the Baltimore Folk Fest on 10/24. -Jonathan Goodwin

There’s no deception with Richmond’s Hoax Hunters: they just rock. The trio makes enough noise to pass as a bigger band, couching 80s and 90s influences into a modern sound. Heavy, brash, loud – quintessential garage rock with just the right amount of lo-fi crunch. Blast your sense with Hoax Hunters and avoid disappointment. They’re putting out a new LP on 10/16 entitled Clickbait, available through Cherub Records, so justify the album’s name and click here to get yourself a copy. -Jonathan Goodwin

If their name gives any indication, The Great Heights Band clearly have set their sights for the skies, playing sweet rock music that hearkens back to the the early 2000s, the era of skate parks and boomboxes. The bass lines are classic, but the key are contemporary, mixing for a radio-ready ensemble. Their new album, Songs in Eastern Standard Timing, is dropping 10/16 and the band is celebrating with a show at Ottobar to boot. You’ll be jumping and dancing from start to finish, so don’t miss it. -Jonathan Goodwin

At the risk of making a cliched pun based on the name, DC’s post rock trio The Very Small has a big sound, one that conveys swagger and depth. Listening to their anthemic tracks lulls the newly converted fan into instant headbanging. The Very Small expertly capture the multi-instrumental essentials of post rock and the three-part vocals and unforgettable riffs slide the energetic melodies right along from start to finish. Since 2007, these guys have been honing maturing their sound, creating a tasty blend of alt, indie, funk, and post, evidenced by their new single The Worst Form of Violence. Catch their next show at DC9, 10/4, for some Sunday night thrills. -Jonathan Goodwin

Sitting on a porch with a cold glass of lemonade at sunset, one could hardly imagine it getting any better. However, with the classic bluegrass twang of Baltimore-based The Manly Deeds, perfect somehow manages to get better. Capturing the old-timey vibes of backwater jug bands, The Manly Deeds is polished yet authentic and invokes woodsy feelings of being at home. They have mandolins, banjos, kazoos, harmonicas, and sheer talent at keeping their music fresh. You’ll find this fantastic folk foursome at Baltimore Folk Fest, 10/24, at Ottobar. The festival is driven by community support and needs your help! Check out their Indiegogo for some awesome sponsorship opportunities. -Jonathan Goodwin

One crisp Sunday evening in September found a crowded music hall moving to the same mystifying jams of two great bands. Dozens of concert-goers crowded into Baltimore Soundstage to hear the dulcet tones of Good Old War and the Irish-inflected rock of Kodaline. The show was an experience to behold, from the lights to the guitar changes. Originally from the City of Brotherly Love, Good Old War’s act heavily featured just that: brotherly love, or, more accurately, bro love. Keith Goodwin, one of the two guitarist-vocalists, and drummer Tim Arnold shared a precious moment of friendship onstage, evoking warm and fuzzy from the audience. Throughout the set, Goodwin displayed dazzling showmanship via his lanky, unconventional dance moves and commitment to interacting with the audience, not to mention his voice, which rang like a better, cleaner version of Bob Dylan. Guitarist-vocalist Dan Schwartz pumped up the audience with his endless energy and dynamic playing, while Arnold’s good vibes were infectious and his drumming premium. It’s a shame their set was only half an hour long. Headlining and hailing from Dublin, Kodaline brought own brand of mind-blowing rock to the stage. Changing guitars with every song and engaging with the audience’s cravings for a good show, this indie quartet played with great versatility within and between songs, rocking hard and fast alternately with slow, romantic melodies. Frontman Steve Garrigan is the epitome of his role, commanding wide range of instrumental skill and a set of pipes that can replace half a church choir. From start to finish, Kodaline grips the audience’s attention and doesn’t disappoint, sharing intimate moments of emotion and musicality.

This autumn was kicked off perfectly as the incredibly popular, early-morning sensation Daybreaker made a triumphant return to DC on Wednesday, 9/16, bringing DC nu disco DJ Eau Claire to the turntable to treat the early risers to some great jams while they got their yoga and dance on. This sunrise shindig was full of happy people looking to have a party before work and it couldn’t have been better. Eau Claire’s mixes are fresh and make you wanna dance until you drop. Hosting at the Flash nightclub, this DJ of DC brought great energy to Daybreaker and you can catch her next performance at the H Street Festival in the Rock & Roll Hotel, 9/19. Keep your eyes peeled for the next Daybreaker event, as it’s sure to create more fun than you can imagine having at 7 in the morning. -Jonathan Goodwin

Seven siblings with names that all start with J and radio-ready musical talent is what you’ll find when you listen to The Hunts. Hailing from Chesapeake, VA, this septet masterfully dots their Americana-folk sound with elements of pop, indie, and alt, creating a textured and harmonic mosaic for your ears. Overlapping vocals and cheerfully plucked strings give way to drumbeats and quick violining. Catch an old hit of theirs below and check out their new LP Those Younger Days. They’ll be sharing their heartwarming set on 9/26 at the Landmark Music Festival in DC. -Jonathan Goodwin

When looking for a new jam with high energy and trippy vocals, apply California Death directly to the eardrums. This quartet out of Richmond makes a great addition to a road trip playlist or a good beach party jam with their masterful use of vamping, pedal switches, and using the vocals as an instrument. Give them a listen and get lost in the hypnotic flow of their music; their self-titled EP out last March is over before you know it. They’re playing the underground haven known as Strange Matter on 9/26, so don’t miss it! -Jonathan Goodwin

Long established in the Washington music scene, Celtic-Gypsy-folk rockers Scythian have turned a vision into a reality, organizing, hosting, and playing a festival of their own design. For many families in the Shenandoah Valley area and for many from across the country, this Labor Day weekend was made much sweeter by attending Appaloosa, a roots music festival that met its mission statement with great success: "Music Among Friends." Featured on NPR and The Washington Post, the experience was nothing to simply drive past. It was small in scale, but the energy and enthusiasm of the audience, the performers, the volunteers and vendors was one of welcoming and family. A family-friendly festival set in a scenic ranch resort just outside of Front Royal, VA, Appaloosa was something to behold.

Dan Fedoryka, Scythian’s own rhythm guitarist-vocalist-accordionist, related his experiences organizing the festival and playing full-time in the band for a decade. As has been the focus of their Kickstarter-fueled albums, the band’s focus is on their fans, giving them memorable experiences through their shows, music, and now Appaloosa. When planning a concert, Fedoryka’s priority is to spare no expense and give people the party of a lifetime, a philosophy that has inspired several weddings between Scythian fans and developed a widespread, dedicated following. A tenth of Appaloosa’s profits are being given to charities, mostly local to Front Royal, the hometown of the Fedoryka brothers and gracious hosts to the festival. The whole affair was lively and exciting, featuring local, small business vendors and acts from all over the country and musical spectrum, which were purposefully chosen to reflect Scythian’s breadth of sound. While the festival may be over, the spirit it brought will surely last the listeners until next year, which all are urged to attend. With a year to plan, Fedoryka is excited and optimistic about growing the festival and expanding its role in the community.

To top off the work behind Appaloosa, Scythian is also touring to support their new album, Old Tin Can, and will play some unannounced shows later this fall in DC at the Howard Theatre and the 9:30. Check out their music and mark Labor Day weekend 2016 as booked for Appaloosa! -Jonathan Goodwin

Broke Royals are a bold duo hailing from Virginia, bringing with them an inspired sound and fun energy. Having played together for barely a year, members Philip Basnight and Colin Cross have recorded and released two stellar EPs, The Luxury of Time Pts. I & II, fusing their different creative spirits into a wondrous collaboration. Broke Royals are fresh and they’re similar to the best parts of Bastille, but with an acoustic bent and heartstring-tugging lyrics. They’re on the rise in the region: they opened for UK band Life in Film last week. You can catch this dynamic pairing live at the Tropicalia, 9/18, playing second between Skyline Hotel and Bencoolen. Doors at 7, $10, and a great time is assured. -Jonathan Goodwin