Dance for the Dying describe their sound as "songs you could roller skate to on laser night." The DC based quartet combine the pop sensibility of 80’s and 90’s into heavy synths ending with a dance-rock outcome, as heard on their 2 EP’s (S/T and Puzzles for the Traveler,) and their track "Echo" that was one of the Top 10 Songs of 2011 via DC 101’s "Local Lix" program.

From Ellicott City, Masked Superstar is repping lo-fi experimental rock across a discography of 3 EPs, Celebrity Induced Buzz, Hideout Half, Turn To Sound, and the LP Beautified for Sound.

Fronted by the vocal stylings of Max Holiday, DC’s own orchestral pop M.H. & His Orchestra is made up of over 40 musicians covering a plethora of genres ranging from Big Band to Latin. Check out their LP The Throes and you’ll hear why they previously were crowned DC Deli’s Band of the Month.

Baltimore soul man Brooks Long and his backing band known as The Mad Dog No Good, followed up his 2011 acoustic release The Songster with a two releases in 2012 including the Mad Dog No Good EP, and Let’s Make Out to Otis Redding.

Alexandria VA’s The WeatherVanes have captured Americana influenced folk-rock and are displaying it in full on their Dec. ’11 EP Morning Light. Birthed out of craigslist ads, the foursome have been building a fanbase for over two years now and are regulars on the east coast live circuit.

Armed with an acoustic guitar, harmonica, and lyrics spit like hot fire, Baltimore based Matt Pless has brought his own brand of folk punk across the nation. His homebase of fans expressed their love and pushed him to the top of our last poll, crowning him Artist of the Month. We wanted to find out more about this fellow with a background in punk, who put out an LP of acoustic pieces a couple months ago (check it out below,) and also pens for the project Kotterpin. Here he talks about Plan It X Records, the family biz, and Guts references. Now onto the interview…

They came together through the open mic scene of Northern Virginia and in no time whipped together a style to call their own- rockfolk. They are Norman Rockwell, winner of one of our recent polls, and the fans came out in numbers to push them to the top. With their debut album Fare Thee Well just released and the spirit of Sean Meyers living on with them, Joshua Johnston (Guitar/Harmonica/Vox,) Ben Hirsch (Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin/Violin/Vox,) and Nathan Read (Drums/Percussion/Vox) have 2013 in the bag. Here, they tell us about an upcoming DVD, lunch break inspiration, and more. Now onto the interview…

(by Natan Press) I saw two things I had never seen before at Wednesday night’s soft open for 9th and Beats, in the Old Dominion Brewhouse at 1219 9th St. NW. I had never seen a sushi bar in a sports bar. I was pretty excited about it, but not as excited as I was when I walked into yet another, much larger room, beyond the sushi bar, and witnessed the miracle of a music venue being born.

It was, apparently, a long labor (as those things go). For the previous 48 hours, Dave Mann and partners Rachel Eisley and Greg Roth, along with a cadre of volunteers, worked non-stop to get the room ready for those of us too impatient to wait until January (when their plans will truly come to fruition). A stage was built, PA’s were procured, and the room was (sort of) made ready for show-time; all for a grand total of $2500. This might not strike some as very promising, and, at this point there’s not much to write regarding the décor. That will soon change. The stage will be extended, the floor renovated, two projectors added, and the space will likely look fantastically unique. –Check out the rest of the review here…

(Pic above of The Sea Life performing at 9th and Beats.)

Patterns is the first LP (released Oct.’12) from the VA based indietronica artist So Spirited. It reminds me a little of M83’s earliest works before he went all hippy-dippy-sleepytime-lullaby-shit. Not to stray from the point, Patterns is 10 well crafted tracks of ambient glitchtasticness.

This is one of those rare albums where an entire listen through can be successfully achieved without hitting the next button. I was lost in a sea of synths, and loved every second of it. Tracks that highlighted that journey include "Myths", "SmokeSignal", and "WildLives."

I expect to hear a lot more from this artist in the coming year, and hope to see a residency for ’em at U Hall perhaps? –Dawn

Looks like another electro gem has been birthed in Baltimore, and it’s name is Dungeonesse. Comprised of local hitmakers Jon Ehrens (White Life, Art Department) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes,) the two friends joined up over the love of Top 40 and R&B to create dance floor anthems that could also be instant hit songs. Such as the track "Drive You Crazy," available digitally and on vinyl Dec. 4. Check it out in video form below, directed by Matthew Yake and shot at the Nudashank Gallery.

Harrisonburg, VA seems to be the hub of what’s up when it comes to killer synth post-punk music. Making their mark on that wave is Pleasure Curses, by way of DC, who not surprisingly are our featured Band of the Month. With consecutive single releases on a monthly basis, and the recent release of their stellar EP Stripes just a few weeks ago (check it out below), we wanted to find out more about the dudes behind the sound. Those being Jahn Alexander (vocals, visuals, bass, guitar, synths) and Evan Maxwell (synth, beats, programming, bass, guitar, percussion.) Here, they tell us about summer camp, an upcoming tour, and the internet music scene. Now onto the interview…

Virginia lost a talented bass player this month, Sean Meyers of the folk rock band Norman Rockwell. In memoriam, we would like to share NR’s message with you. "We are deeply, deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of our dear friend and bassist Sean Meyers. He brought so many of us together and truly loved each and everyone of us with all his heart. His jovial charm and unabashed humor will be forever missed. We are thankful to have had such a timeless and caring soul as a bandmate, but more importantly, as a friend. He was a good man to ride the river with."