Washington Post Readers' Choice

The Washington Post is doing its yearly Readers' Choice Best Bets, so go vote on your favorite D.C. Metro Area music venues, bands, bars, restaurants, shops, etc. here!

A Case of the Fridays

We open with “The Way Life Is Supposed To Be.” Bob Schneider lends the rasp in his voice to this catchy little pop song that’s really a love song at heart. And I must admit, the backing and harmony vocals over the choruses had me at hello. If you like what you hear, Bob Schneider will be here in D.C. this summer, opening up for the Dixie Chicks.

MP3: The Way Life Is Supposed To Be – Bob Schneider

And we close with East Hundred’s hypnotic “Leave It.” Dreamy vocals hover above the atmospheric guitars, electronic beats and sounds, and then eventually wash right over you. Give it a listen.

MP3: Leave It – East Hundred

A Case of the Fridays

We kick off this Friday with “Fell,” by Dan Wallace. It’s unique sounding, yet strangely catchy indie-pop that slowly builds layers of sound and voice. Its ska-tinged verses suddenly kick into choruses fueled by interesting harmonies and propellant rhythms. Check it out.

MP3: Fell – Dan Wallace

And we close things with a selection by The Samples. They’ve been around awhile, but I think the stripped-down acoustic guitar/keyboard arrangement of “Who Am I” perfectly captures the mournful beauty of Sean Kelly’s voice. Take a listen.

MP3: Who Am I - The Samples

Old Dominion Beer Festival

The summer festival season continues this Friday in Ashburn, VA with the three-day Old Dominion Beer Festival. There will be live music all weekend from bands such as Last Train Home, The Brindley Brothers, Emmet Swimming, The Waco Brothers, and more. And Old Dominion will be featuring more than fifty of the finest craft breweries from the United States and Europe.

Want to Blog About Music?

We're looking for more people to write about music here on the MetroMusicScene.com blog. If you're interested, please email Jeff at [blog at metromusicscene.com].

A Case of the Fridays

We start things off this Friday with Birdmonster’s “All the Holes In the Wall.” This eventual rocker builds from its acoustic, folky intro into screaming rave-ups, ratcheting up the intensity level. It’s got some kick. Give it a listen.

MP3: All The Holes In The Wall - Birdmonster

And we close out this week with “Careful Hands,” by Sleeping At Last. The song’s delicate vocals stand out in this richly textured song that’s gradually built up with string arrangements and keys. A bit melancholy, yes, but it’s definitely worth a listen.

MP3: Careful Hands – Sleeping At Last

Fort Reno Concert Series

The Fort Reno Free Summer Concert Series kicks off this Thursday, June 15th, with Gist, Jinxed at Twelve, and Diacritical. Concerts will continue through the summer, occurring every Monday and Thursday night, from 7:15 until 9:30pm . Check out the schedule here.

Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival

The summer festival season continues with this weekend's (June 17 & 18) Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival. There will be various arts and crafts exhibits, tasty food, and boat tours throughout beautiful Old Town Alexandria. And of course, there will be entertainment, with music acts such as the Pat McGee Band, Josh Kelley, and Shane Hines.

A Case of the Fridays

Is it Friday already? Nice. First up we have some Rhett Miller (the lead singer of the alt-country Old 97’s). “Our Love” is a rollicking tune with a drumbeat that gallops along and takes the listener for a ride. And by the end, you’ll be singing along, whether you like it or not.

MP3: Our Love – Rhett Miller

I’m really liking Shane Gamble’s alt-country-tinged “The Story of Mary.” The haunting atmosphere created by the pedal steel and strings erupts into beautiful, anthemic choruses. If you like what you hear, Shane Gamble will be at IOTA Thusday, June 15th.

MP3: The Story of Mary – Shane Gamble

Mountain Stage NewSong Contest

The Metro DC Regional Round finals of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest will be happening tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 7th, at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA. The winner will advance to the national finals.

The performers/finalists are:
Leah Morgan - Wedding Song
Jon Braman - Tip Top
Miché Fombro - Hope
Eric Weinberg - Sun's Gonna Shine
Charli - Groupie
Susan Greenbaum - Funeral
David Kitchen - Find Our Way
disappear fear/SONiA - Rio's Home
Marc Kuchner - I'm In Love With Her Mind
Carolan Deacon - Faith

Celebrate Fairfax!

The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival will be going on this weekend from Friday, June 9th to Sunday, June 11th at the Fairfax County Government Center, and there will be plenty to listen to...

Headliners include Collective Soul, Sister Hazel, Sugar Ray, and .38 Special. And there will also be quite a few local acts on the bill, such as Welbilt, Viki Nova, JunkFood, Honor By August, and Catfish Honeymoon.

A Case of the Fridays

It’s Friday again, kids, and Schuyler Fisk’s “Songs That Say Goodbye” leads things off. She’s got a beautiful voice (sort of Jewel-esque), just perfect for this sad acoustic ballad, so take a listen.

MP3: Songs That Say Goodbye – Schuyler Fisk

And we close with a cover of Joseph Arthur’s “In The Sun” by Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) and Chris Martin (Coldplay). Stipe handles the verses and the low harmonies, while Chris Martin soars in for the choruses and the high harmonies. It’s a beautiful arrangement, with swirling atmospheric instrumentals. Take a listen.

MP3: In The Sun – Michael Stipe & Chris Martin