Anthony Pirog may be the best electric guitarist on the East Coast, and his new album, Palo Colorado Dream, is his best work yet. The album covers as much ground as the electric guitar allows, and is impossible to describe in just a few words. One could call it "avant" something, like "jazz" or "indie," but what it really is is Anthony Pirog incarnate. The guitar has become an extension of the man, his technical brilliance limited only by his fantastic imagination. How Anthony found time to craft such a gem is a mystery, as he’s the most in demand guitarist in the area, part of countless other projects. Yet craft this he did, and it’s gorgeous, and he made a video to go along with it too. Check out the video below, and follow the link to the album above for more. Take some time with it; you wont be disappointed. –Natan Press

 It’s finally here! Last night, Baby Bry Bry & The Apologists played the release show for their new "single," a four song digital/casette release titled I Learned to Drown Myself Out, Part I (Part II is coming "soon"–I want it NOW!). Baby Bry Bry’s live shows are action packed and exhilarating. The Apologists, some of the most accomplished musicians in DC, provide the rocket fuel that launches Bry Bry’s stage presence into the stratosphere. Every show wins an entire new room full of fans, and as the rooms get bigger, they stay just as crowded with crazy kids rocking their faces off. It’s been a year since Bry Bry’s last release, Is It Anything Or Is It Everything, but it feels longer. 

Bry Bry’s style is all over the place, ranging from blue-eyed soul to wild and crazy punk, and the first two songs off I Learned to Drown Myself Out, Part I are a perfect example of his range. "Lately"  starts similarly to Nirvana’s "Territorial Pissings," and for about a minute it’s a straight up old-school punk-rocker. But then there’s a little bridge with a sweet vocal melody and background harmonies. And then a vicious guitar solo. And then more sweetness.

"Just Because It’s Art (Doesn’t Mean It’s Good)" could be on a late Ween album, or The Pretenders. It’s a dancey island kind of thing. Yacht-rocky, but with punk-rock sounds. Humorous and hummable and head-bobbing good, with some fun changes throughout.

If you get the cassette you also get a cover of Big Black’s "Bad Penny" and a song called "Slumzzz." There are only 50 copies of the cassette, and a lot of them got scooped up at the show, so ACT NOW! –Natan Press

Music Bones‘ recently released EP The Scratch Tape ranges from DIY Punk to AniDifrancoesque (that’s a phrase now, I promise). "Tell Me Sweetly" opens the album with disonant guitar riffs that transform from rock to an almost twinkley sound and back. The song "Quarter Afternoon," my personal favorite, begins mid-album. It’s a simple song with bright guitar arpeggios, beautiful, full vocals, and a pleasantly sedating effect. You can catch Music Bones live, Sunday October 19th at Club K in Baltimore, Oct. 21 at The Black Squirrel in DC, and Oct. 25 at The Green Island in DC. –Hannah Brady

 DC’s Paperhaus are ramping up for their first full length release early next year. Shortly after returning from a tour of the east coast, they dropped their first single, "Cairo," and have just released it’s companion video. Directed by Nigel Lyons (who’s been doing some amazing work for the best bands in the local scene), the video channels booth the energy and excitement of Paperhaus’ live show, and the vivid colors and vibrant tones of the band’s recordings. These masters of DC’s current DIY scene are set to dominate the national stage. Catch them locally while you still can at The Black Cat on October 13th, and DC9 on October 23rd. –Natan Press

 DC’s hottest band Wanted Man have released a video for their garage-rock blitz "Slow and Steady." Ahahaha! It’s funny ’cause the title is misleading. I know you have less than two minutes to check out the video below, recorded at DC’s house of houses The Paperhaus. When does this album drop? I need it. –Natan Press

The Funk Ark are releasing their new album, Man Is A Monster, on October 14th via Ropeadope Records. Recorded at Richmond’s Montrose Recording (an amazing space that has quickly become a premier studio in the DMV, recording many previous DC Deli Artists of the Month including Avers, and People’s Blues of Richmond), the album is like going on a Caribbean cruise through space on acid with an afrobeat orchestra following you around deck while you sail past galaxies and supernovas. The songs are all instrumental jams, but the changes are so tight and inventive that the energy never ever wanes (not for one second), and each track is over much too quickly (which is the opposite reaction I usually have to this sort of thing). Six action packed minutes on the mothership feel like three. It’s a trip. Don’t miss Funk Ark‘s amazing live show, supported by the equally incredible Black Masala, this Friday, October 10th at Black Cat. Check out the title track below. –Natan Press   

The soulful vocals of Ally Khoury bring a fullness to the already layered sound of guitar riffs, creating a modern indie rock sound to The Northerners’ new EP Virginia. The five-song EP is reminiscent of a modern adaptation of the traditional folk, blues, and swing eras. Their album is available on iTunes. You can see The Northerners live on their October Tour through Virginia. –Hannah Brady

 The Cowards Choir, the celebrated project fronted by DC’s Andy Zipf since 2009, is set to release their new EP, Cool Currency, on October 4th at Iota. Cool Currency is Andy’s first release since 2013’s Reunion EP. Fans of The Cowards Choir will rejoice to hear yet another set of catchy, delicate, romantic guitar-pop. The production is immaculate, every evocative guitar tone seemlessly layered with other instruments, accentuating every idea and feeling in this gorgeous and emotional set. Four songs, each with sweet flavors baked delicately into a fulfilling whole, like a dessert-cart of perfect pastries, and each more tantalizing than the last. The Cowards Choir will be joined at Iota by Justin Jones, and you can get your tickets here. Check out The Cowards Choir performing "Soul Got Weight" for The Circus Life podcast last week below. –Natan Press