This Friday, DC Music Download presents a night of synths and pop rock at Rock & Roll Hotel (celebrating their 7th anniversary this month!) Taking to the stage are some of DC’s finest including 80’s tinged lush tones from the electronic-pop Brett, future house awesomeness from Ra Ra Rasputin (check out their latest track "Living Room" below,) MTV pop-rock soundtrack gurus The Silver Liners (pictured above,) and the dark and nostalgic driven duo Honest Haloway.

It all happens Friday Aug 2 @ Rock & Roll Hotel. 8 PM $12 DOS

This Saturday, get your rock on with DC’s America Hearts and The Mean Season taking to the mainstage at the Black Cat. The Mean Season (pictured above) are about to head into the studio by August’s end to record a new album, second to their S/T debut EP released last April. America Hearts also unveiled a new track to the indie world a couple months ago about an experience we all may have gone through at some point, "I Like Bad Music." Joining the DC kin are two bands from NY: Jackpot Tiger and Teen Girl Scientist Monthly. The four groups collaborated in a cute promo for the show, check it out below.

It all goes down at the Black Cat on 8/3, $12, Doors @ 9PM.

This Saturday, 3 DC bands ranging from psychedelic to indie rock are taking to the Velvet Lounge stage. Get there early to check out the latest from Hurlebaus alums Wailing Smithers. Dangerosa will be unveiling their latest EP release. And New Canada will be dishing out their dose of experimental psych rock anthems.

Speaking of which, New Canada recently did a cover of a track that I’d rather shoot myself in the ear then endure the actual version of- Miley Cyrus’ "We Can’t Stop." The track was featured on the Mabson Enterprises remix album, a compilation of artists covering the pop nugget, and New Canada reinvented it to fit more on a college radio playlist (= better), the best radio there will ever be. Next to pirate radio. Check it out below.

This saturday marks the 5th Anniversary of the Clifton Film Fest, an incredible festival showcasing talented youths cinematic visions, animations, as well as local filmmakers. The fest started 5 years ago essentially as a hometown block party in the heart of downtown Clifton VA, and has increased exponentially in film submissions and crowds. So much so, that for the past few years the fest has been a staple at the Lorton based prison grounds turned art community Workhouse Arts Center.

This year, the party starts at 4 pm with a Day showing indoors, before the 7:30 showing (or when dusk sets in) on the quad- so bring a blanket to relax on. It wouldn’t be a complete fest without food, drink, and music, so on site will be a shaved ice/ice cream truck, BBQ from Uncle Freds BBQ Smoke Shack, a cash bar, and music from former locals indie Americana Pearl and the Beard (check them out below.)

Saturday 7/20 $5-$10 at 9601 Ox Road Lorton, VA starts at 4 PM. More info here.

Alexanadria based reggae band FeelFree infuse a touch of rock and blues into their sound they have unleashed onto the DMV since 2010 as a collective. Releasing tracks on the regular from their home based studio, the 5-some have developed an ever increasing following who’ve catapulted them to the top of our recent charts, crowning them Band of the Month. We wanted to find out more about these guys; Evan Hulehan (Guitar/Vocals/Keyboard,) Andrew Pfeiffer (Guitar/Vocals/Trombone,) Bryan Frank (Drums,) Garrett Clausen (Bass/keys,) and Colin Canfil (Trumpet/Keyboard.) Here they tell us about upcoming summer tour, playing the 9:30 stage, and communication. Now onto the interview...

See FeelFree live at VA’s Jammin’ Java on Friday August 2nd.

The DC Party Action Committee Council is busting out the hugest line-up of the summer to hit the 9:30 stage Saturday 7/27 featuring some of DC’s finest. Instrumental giants of loud ambient indie-rock Black Clouds will headline with their and bring forth the sounds from their LP Everything Is Not Going To Be Ok (check it out below,) available now on vinyl! DC Deli’s Band of the Year Shark Week joins them to celebrate their upcoming release Santurce that will be available on vinyl and iTunes on 7/30! Thrash-metal Warchild has laid out that this will be their last show ever, so don’t miss their set or you’ll regret it forever. Rock & rollers Typefighter just graced the Fort Reno stage, so now see them with some air conditioning rolling through as they belt out tracks from their EP discography. True Head will rep the night with classic head bobbing DC 90s vibes, while NoVa’s Highway Cross kicks the set off with hardcore punk from their latest release Run Dry. If that’s not enough, Blackout DJs will be there too!

The 9:30 Club wants to make sure that you are there, so we’ve teamed up with them to give one lucky Deli reader 2 spots on the guestlist! All you have to do is email us by 3 PM on 7/18 and tell us your favorite local band. Please include your first and last name for guest list requirements. The winner will be emailed back. Tickets are still for sale here.

Have you seen the latest visual installment from DC’s own avant-orchestral artist M.H. & His Orchestra yet? The video for "Washington DC" premiered July 2, and needs to be seen & heard. Here M.H takes to the streets all the while singing "there will be no more dancing in the street," though it totally inspires me to just jaywalk my ass off around McPherson Square. Awesome stuff, check it out below. –Dawn

Birthed in the basements of Mt. Pleasant is the rising DC indie rock foursome Brenda who are heavily making the rounds at local venues. After their recent Black Cat show with the Sea Life, there was a big wave of fans that rolled in and pushed them to be our Band of the Month. We wanted to find out more about Brenda, and got a hold of the bunch otherwise known as Otis Quincy (vocals/guitar,) Alex Kozen (vocals/lead guitar,) Dan Spagiare (vocals/bass,) and Leah Gage (vocals/drums.) Here they tell us about "The Song", Ethiopian restaurants, and performing in front of the Russian Embassy. Now onto the interview…

Catch Brenda live next at the Wonderland Ballroom on 7/10.