All the DC Dance Rock You’ve Ever Wanted.
Mystery Friends
Mystery Friends is a band rooted in the Washington, DC-music tradition while forging its own path forward. Since forming in 2016, the band finds its sound from a variety of influences, but they all fit together like a weird, wonderful puzzle. The band has been likened to Chvrches and Talking Heads, among others, but never looks to copy someone else’s sound. Combining powerful vocals, angular guitars, woozy synths, and a funky rhythm section, Mystery Friends makes moderately danceable rock music for a time when people need a reason to dance.
EXNATIONS
It sounds exaggerated to say that our love of creating music knows no bounds, but that is quite literally case. Sal Mastrocola (vocals/guitar) lives in Brooklyn, just a few state boundaries away from Dan Ciarrocchi (guitar) and Taylor Hughes (drums, percussion) in Baltimore. Through the miracles of file sharing, home-recording software and caffeine, we’ve been able to work diligently on our craft in between our meetings across state lines.
Queue
Queue is grounded in four friends’ shared love of moody, guitar-driven rock. Since forming in March 2016, the band has released three songs, all of which have been featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists. Writers often liken their sound to that of The Smiths, Wolf Alice, and Daughter — highlighting the use of lush vocals and 80s-inspired, chiming guitars. Recent performances have included Youtube’s Music Monday, Musik Fest, and opening slots for Middle Kids, Tall Heights, Zealyn, and Eighty Ninety.
My French Roommate
Named by The Croquet Gazette: ONLINE as “DC’s Best Dance Outfit” for three years running, My French Roommate is a 4-piece band that probably lives near you, hailing from the Brightwood Park, Petworth, Mt. Pleasant, and H Street neighborhoods in D.C. They play dance music that sounds like if Depeche Mode did the score for the 1987 sci-fi action film, Predator.
