Urban folk singer/songwriter Damien Jurado quietly built up one of the strongest catalogs on the indie scene, earning high critical praise yet somehow never quite getting his proper due. Nick Drake had a definite impact on much of his work, but Jurado modeled his career on more idiosyncratic, unpredictable figures like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, or Randy Newman -- songwriters who followed their own muse wherever it took them, whether fans and critics agreed or not. His independent-mindedness was born at least in part from the influence of punk, and one of the results was a concern for emotional authenticity that led him to delve into other people's lives instead of his own. Many of Jurado's best songs spun concise, literate tales of quiet everyday despair, which often earned him comparisons to short story writer Raymond Carver. But his storytelling bent -- not to mention his ambivalence toward confessional material -- arose from a stronger grounding in traditional folk than spiritual compatriots like Elliott Smith or Cat Power. And with detours into pop, roots rock, full-fledged electric indie rock, and even found-sound experiments, Jurado ensured that his body of work was impossible to completely pin down. - All Music Guide

The Common Threat is a four-piece band from the Washington DC area. Their eclectic style stems from a variety of influences including Saul Williams, Rage Against The Machine, Chevelle and the Gym Class Heroes. Their mix of hip-hop, rock and punk is inspired by a political agenda, which is captured through the aggressive nature of their music and propelled further by vocalist Mark Longhelt. The innovative Lenny Pinnix brings a combination of hard-hitting riffs and intricate melodies. Bassist Greg Shoenig’s funk style along with drummer Nate Hoffman’s precision pushes the dangerously infectious drive at the core of the band’s sound. With their range of talent and hard work, The Common Threat has come to be a major player in the DC metro area music scene. They play weekly shows and are currently planning for a summer tour that will stretch the East Coast. They are also planning the release of their full length album in Fall 2008. 

WD Miller, a home-grown Virginia boy, was weaned on the jangle guitars and harmonies of 60s pop and 70s California pop. Influences include Beatles, Beach Boys, Zombies, Tommy James, America, Bread, Eagles. WD started writing songs over 20 years ago, and has over 250 compositions to his credit. He has recorded two solo CDs, Sugarland Run (2000) and Whirly Town (2006).

Honor By August plays rock music that is both classic and modern, focused on personal, powerful songs and dynamic live performances. Award-winning songwriting, a distinct voice and strong musicianship are a few reasons why HBA is a world-class band in the making.

Honor By August has shared the stage (*in non-festival format*) with Bon Jovi, Peter Frampton, Hootie & the Blowfish, Howie Day, Hanson, Ingram Hill, Pat McGee Band , Emerson Hart (Tonic), Keith Kane (Vertical Horizon), Graham Colton, Virginia Coalition, Teddy Geiger, Emmet Swimming, Aslyn, Michael Tolcher, State Radio, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, the Alternate Routes, Joey DeGraw and many other national artists.

Ringleader is an independent, unsigned rock band located in the Washington DC area. Using multi-layered guitars and synth textures, Ringleader combines a sharp focus on songwriting and vocal melody. Since it's formation in 2003, the band has enjoyed many positive reviews of it's recorded material. From Download.com: Ringleader is the one to watch in this modern pop circus. From Smother.net: Ringleader has a firm grasp on everything that is pop and all that's in between.

The love child of a Japanese Nihilist and Stephan Hawking, Surprise! Arizona have arrived from the planet Trafalmadore to achieve world domination, making the humans pay by sonically inseminating their women thus acheiving a new race of half human half robots, unaffected by TV commercials and the internet. With their slick mishmash of smooth melodies and stimulating instrumentation, the children will no longer suffer, and the world will steadily become a better place. So get ready to either a) be soncially inseminated b) get you face melted off by the vibes or c) cry for joy because you've finally found a band worth your unrelenting religious worship.

The twelve tunes on Soap and Water run the gamut from lavishly arranged tunes featuring a string section and Nashville's Methodist Church Children's Choir to minimal late night meditations caught on the fly in one take.

By the time the group folded in 1978 Peter had already recorded seven solo albums, covering numerous lyrical and musical bases in the process. If one did not know otherwise the proto-punk of "Nadir's Big Chance", the full-blown emotion of "Over" and the scatter-gun arrangements of "The Silent Corner" could well have been the work of three entirely different artists.

Peter's work has always been independent and uncompromising and it is perhaps because of this that he has been cited as a major influence by so many other artists. In their respective contexts he is as happy working with pure sonics as he is with fully orchestral songs, with three-chord electric guitar "tricks" as with piano ballads.

He began playing and recording in his mid-teens, co-founding ARROGANCE, a band that helped forge the North Carolina scene which brought the world Let's Active and The dBs, along with dozens of other bands that followed in their wake. Dixon went solo in 1983 and has released nine cds. He is currently at work on a new recording with his long-time touring band, Jamie Hoover and Jim Brock. After twenty years, Jamie has named the group "Don Dixon & the Jump Rabbits". The new platter is called "The Nu-Look" and is due in May 2008.

Parthenon Huxley, aka P. Hux, has been dubbed a "pop visionary", "rock's most underrated pop genius", a songwriting "master" as well as the guy with the "monumental name." Call him whatever, the singer/guitarist just wants to make memorable music. P. Hux has recorded eight full-length albums: Parthenon Huxley Sunny Nights; P. Hux Deluxe; P. Hux Live In Your Living Room; P. Hux Purgatory Falls; P. Hux in Your Parlour; Homemade Spaceship The Music of ELO Performed by P. Hux"; P. Hux Mile High Fan; and the just released P. Hux Kiss The Monster.

Luke Brindley is arguably the most promising singer/songwriter to emerge from the Washington, DC area in recent years. The Washington Post calls his latest record "one of the best roots-rock records of the year" and Paste magazine says it "digs deep and mines for the soul."  Equally at home on the stage, The Washington Times says "No song goes untouched by the energy and pure infectious joy of Luke's performance...a mastery of pop songcraft and stagecraft."

The EP features five new songs recorded as a follow up to Luke’s acclaimed solo debut record released last year. The concert will feature special guests including Todd Wright (Pat McGee Band, The Getaway Car), Jared Bartlett (Last Train Home), Daniel Brindley (Brindley Brothers), and more. XM Radio will be recording the concert for broadcast.

Preview some of the new songs at myspace.com/lukebrindley.

The War Within is comprised of the three remaining members of the band Cobbler and their new singer Alli and rhythm guitarist Chris Lucente. The band is working hard creating new music and preparing to hit the stage hard in the coming months. Be on the look out for new music, photos and shows in the near future!!!

“I'm excited to announce the 'Where We Started' tour!!! I'm doing the tour as an acoustic duo with my friend Justin Rosolino. The idea behind it is to throw things back a couple years to when we were playing smaller rooms with fewer people on stage. Needless to say I'm SO EXCITED about this. I love the interaction that takes place in these rooms and I can't wait to see y’all out! Spread the word because the rooms are smaller and there are fewer tickets available in each place, so you'll want to get on it quick!

Thanks for everything, y’ all - can't wait to see ya out!”

-Matt

Now at the ripe age of 17, Adam has been mentored by Daniel Brindley and Mary Ann Redmond, and has a rich repertoire of original songs. He released his first EP in November 2006. In Dec. 2007, he won 1st place in the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest (young artist) and his second EP, "Seasonal Delivery," will be released at this show.

Sophia Bass is a gifted composer, singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist. She is highly regarded by music industry experts as one of the most talented young musicians to appear on the music scene in a long time. If you want to hear music that moves your soul, then listen to Sophia's first CD, "Step Into My Dream," and her passionate music will captivate your heart. Dave Matthews Band fiddle player, Boyd Tinsley, has invited Sophia Bass into his studio this March 2008 to jam and make music!!

Pierce Pettis, adored by both critics and public alike, is one of this generation's most masterful songwriters. His music is distinguished by his uncanny ability to capture universals in human experience by drawing on the humor and trials in daily life. Pettis' music can simultaneously pull on our hearts and keep us laughing. The beautiful harmonies, inventive yet subtle percussion, strong guitar, and Pierce's rich vocals are a constant throughout his body of work.

There are currently two 5 song albums available to the public. The newest EP titled “Raised on Main Street” shows a progression and refinement in technique and style that continues to develop as the band pushes forward.

An ongoing partnership with Bud Light True Music, 180 Energy Drink and Real Clothing Company is furthering the expansion of bob’s influence and buzz. With a focus on outstanding live performance and outright entertainment, bob continues to grow rapidly in multiple Mid-Atlantic markets. Based in Fairfax Virginia, bob has quickly become one of the biggest names in the Washington DC Metro Area.

Come ready to see the guys a little out of their comfort-zone - without their band, without noisy electric guitars. Come ready for a good time.