What began originally as an offer to provide music for a documentary about an influence from childhood (Calvin & Hobbes) eventually turned into We Were Pirates‘ full length score for Dear Mr. Watterson. Mike Boggs of WWP originally contacted the film’s director, Joel Schroeder, about allowing the documentary to use some of his music. Over two years later, Schroeder reached out to Boggs about making the score for the entire film.

To be completely honest, I absolutely love this score. It is a vivid tapestry of piano riffs, jazzy percussion, and delightful melodies that remind me of the first time I heard Vince Guaraldi’s score for Charlie Brown.

The soundtrack is available for purchase from iTunes now, and is also available for streaming from SoundCloud (But seriously, you should really buy it). –Karl Dobias

Harrisonburg, Virginia based band SURFING has just released a single from their upcoming 7 inch (coming this summer.) "Hollow Sparrow" is a treat for fans of shoegaze, indie, pop, or whatever else suits your fancy. Combined with Jordan Stern’s complex lyrics and haunting vocals, this song is a perfect addition to any playlist for ushering in the summer. –Karl Dobias

DC based indie rock project The Strangest Places ran a succesful Kickstarter campaign, so now we can expect the debut LP Premature Awakenings this July via Old Squid Records. Chris Howard (aka The Strangest Places) is pretty stoked on the artwork for the album created by PJ Smithey (as seen above) and and has said of it, "Jaws is my favorite movie, and it also terrifies me. But I love it. And sometimes I have some intense Jawsian dreams. Track one on the album is actually going to be called ‘Amity’ and is going to be a Jaws tribute of sorts."

As a thanks to all who helped with the campaign, Chris recorded an acoustic version of "Could Someone" mixed by Mat Leffler-Schulman of Mobtown Studios that you can check out below.

Last month we unleashed DC’s indie pop artist Young Summer‘s single "Fever Dream." Since then, she (Bobbie Allen) has been featured on the soundtrack for Vampire Diaries, and has premiered this video for said single on Teen Vogue. The Fever Dream EP is due out 6/11.

Baltimore-based Rapper eMeX and Philadelphia-based producer Paris Artelli recently released a new single called “The Message”. Drawing from inspirations such as A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamaer, eMeX’s flow darts in and out of Artelli’s beat in a masterful fashion that could be compared to many of the other greats of hip-hop. eMeX turned to hip-hop after an automobile accident ruined his professional sports aspirations and, if “The Message” is any indicator, he isn’t turning back any time soon. –Karl Dobias

DC’s electronic hip-hop Beyond Modern have just put out a new music video for the track "Tonight" from the S/T project you can check in full here. Beyond Modern is just awesome. This track is awesome. I mean, you’ll see…

On Saturday 4/27 Kingman Island will be host to the 4th annual bluegrass and folk music festival put together by Events DC featuring 7 local acts and a bunch of other goodies. Such as tons of the city’s best food trucks, bike giveaways from BicycleSPACE(!), beer (get one free with ticket purchase here), and games for the kiddies.

Bands on the bill include: King Street Bluegrass, Hollertown (hear them below), By and By, Split String Soup, Dead Men’s Hollow, Bob Perilla & Big Hillbilly Bluegrass, and Hackensaw Boys (picture above.)

It all starts at 1 PM on 4/27 on Kingman Island (575 Oakland Avenue NE Washington, DC (at the entrance to RFK Stadium)) with a $10 suggested donation that will go towards Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region.

"Biking and metro are encouraged. A free shuttle will run from Stadium/Armory Metro Station. Free parking is available in RFK Lot 6."

Westover Beer Garden & Haus is hands down the best craft brew joint in Northern VA, with a patio that’s ready to host local bands on a weekly basis now that winter is officially behind us! This Saturday 4/13, come check out VA legends of rockabilly Jumpin’ Jupiter, who’ve been shakin’ it for over 20 years locally and nationally. DC101’s Roche will be there handing out tickets to the annual Chili Cook-Off starting at 6 PM.

€œ"I’ve got nothing to hide behind,"€ goes the opening line of one of Dead Professional‘€™s wry, Nick Lowe-esque alt-pop songs. And indeed what you hear is what you get throughout all of this VA-based one-man band’€™s work. The soulful vocals and old-school simplicity of the songwriting are boldly underlined by brutally stark arrangements (usually just vocals, guitar and a simple drum machine). But while the songs may be short and the arrangements lean, they can pack a surprising emotional punch.

Dead Professional will be at Iota in Arlington on Thursday April 25th.

(as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Dead Professional – "Don’t Be Cruel"

The Baltimore based alt rock/hip-hop quintet Fiction 20 Down have come a long way since the inception of the band in 2010. Boasting a repertoire of 2 EPs and several music videos, the band shows no signs of slowing down with the announcement of a new full length album, Where€’s The Levity? and an East Coast tour. Set for release on April 30th, 2013, the album will be made available as a free download to fans via the Fiction 20 Down website.

(as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Fiction 20 Down – "Down Like Hip Hop"