Born in the depths of subterranean groove gatherings, Backbeat Underground is a Washington, DC based instrumental funk group with soul jazz influences. Bringing their years of collective experience in the DC and NYC music scenes, the band delivers tight, energetic sets steeped in fresh improvisation and head-bopping, booty-shaking pockets. Backbeat Underground was proud to serve as stewards of the funk in DC’s first and second annual Funk Parade, and the band is quickly gaining notoriety for their organic and smoldering blend of soulful funk and jazz.

Music blog and biweekly podcast showing the world how DC rocks.

The Beirds are an atmospheric rock band from Washington, DC, blending elements of rock, funk, electronica, techno, and dub into an original sound.

Play guitar/bass/drums.  Live in Baltimore, MD.  Like all things jazz/funk/soul/blues/hip-hop.

Americana rock band from Washington DC, fronted by Greg Roth. New album 8 years in the making, 6 of which involved excess leisure. Due out January 2017. 

Album features members of The Mean Ideas, NRIs, We Were Pirates, The Mind Set, Short Lives, Gaslight Society, and Bonjour Ganesh. Roth is a former member of The Mean Ideas, Fall Catalogue, and Haywood Trout.

Since 1998, v:shal kanwar has been a fixture in the Global Electronica scene, first as a live installationist and for the past many years as a DJ and tabla player who has delighted audiences across the US, Europe and India. With an ever-growing list of collaborations to his credit, v:k has held residencies and featured appearance at global electronica events, including Kollektiv (NY & DC), Avaaz (NYC), electroganic (DC), SubCulture (DC & New Delhi), Mischief (DC), Freakeasy / Resonate (Chicago) and Sutra (DC). He is a co-founder and resident DJ with Meso Creso, a global electronica music camp that tours US festivals every summer, and he has produced numerous world music performances through Global Groove, which he founded in 1999.

His performances alongside acclaimed artist-producers Karsh Kale, Janaka Selekta, Radiohiro, Cheb i Sabbah, MIDIval Punditz, DK a.k.a. Bollygirl, dimmsummer, Zakhm, Dhakfu, and Thievery Corporation have made an indelible impression in the world of global electronica.  He has also shared the stage with globetrotting artists like ?uestLove, DJ Goldie, Freq Nasty, Nickodemus and many more.  Last summer's main stage appearance at Beglika (one of the largest music festivals in the Balkans) was met with massive support in the media.

v:k’s DJ sets have garnered countless accolades for their diversity, lush soundscapes and undeniable danceability. Listening to one of his sets is a sonic journey across continents and cultures — tribal African rhythms slide under Indian sufi vocals and rich organic drums, then crash into magnificent selections from Planet Bass. He is equally adept at effortlessly blending bhangra with gnawa, and rich dubstep with floor-shaking drum & bass, breaks and organic world beats.  Many of his DJ sets also incorporate live classical Indian tabla, Latin & African percussion, and collaborations with a host of MCs, spoken word artists and bellydancers.

As a traveling DJ, v:k has brought his brand of electronica infused with classical south asian elements to dance floors in nearly every major city in the US and South Asia, from Mumbai to San Francisco.  This summer marks his return to the US festival scene after nearly two years in India and the Balkans, during which time he has collected loads of underground beats rarely heard in the US. 

v:k's work is equally influenced by the serenity of the Himalayas, the desert dwellers of Black Rock City, the bustle of New Delhi and the hustle of NYC.  His sunrise sets at Burning Man's famed Hookahdome and with Meso Creso at PEXSF are lush and beautiful — his selection of crushing basslines at Chicago's Freakeasy and Resonate are equally satisfying to the soul.

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