The Escape Artist 945pm
Body Thief 9
Knuckleberry Finn 815
Dullard 730pm

The Escape Artist has gone through several changes over the years, both in personnel and in sound. Formed in the DC/MD area in 2008 by drummer Chad Richman and guitarist Fred Ashworth; they started off as a loud, edgy, post-punk quartet with Fred on vocals. Shortly after that, long time friend Sam Ridder-Beardsley amazed them with his bass skills and joined the band. As time went on, the music under went a sort of metamorphosis; gradually becoming more dynamic, and slower paced. Fred had a clear vision of the direction he wanted the band to go in, but it took a few years of trial and error to find the right people. Three guitarists, several shows, and almost four years later, the addition of Ross Kerr (formerly of True Womanhood) in 2012 on guitar really took TEA’s sound to a whole new level. Always trying to discover new tones and textures, Ross fit in perfectly with their new sound. His wizard like mastery of guitar effects added a whole new layer of alien landscapes to explore. Marshall amps got swapped out for vintage Fenders, everything became saturated in reverb and delay, and The Escape Artist became a new band altogether. Fred eventually decided that they would need a new vocalist. He felt he wasn’t able to accurately recreate the music he was hearing in his head, and had always liked the idea of having a fifth member front the band enabling him to focus fully on the guitar. In late 2013, the wonderfully talented Wanda Perkins (of The Wind Divine) stepped up to the plate and the rest was history. Her soothing, angelic voice was the perfect match to the bands dense, cerebral, dreamscape.

Based out of Maryland, Body Thief came to be from former members of Tooth & Claw, Greg and Sebastian, when they decided to start a new project with a different feel and sound than any other post rock bands in the area. Body Thief started up in 2011 with only 2 solid members and has developed into a 5 piece band with a lead singer that was very difficult to find. We are now an Ambient Post Rock band with inspirations and ideas from all types of artists and bands. We want to spread our music to those looking for a new sound.

Knuckleberry Finn consists of two brothers (Ben and Abram Shaw) and one of their best childhood friends (Devin Taylor). The band was hastily formed in February of 2013 because Devin Taylor’s previous band Poprocks and Coke desperately needed an opening act in order to book a gig at Jammin’ Java. They wrote a bunch of songs, learned some covers, and were billed against their will as The Catdoors. Devin left Poprocks and Coke at the end of that May, and The Catdoors decided to change their name and become a (relatively) serious band. After trying out a variety of names including Sleeping Beauto, they settled on Knuckleberry Finn because it seemed to get people’s attention. That June they played their first gig under the new name. On December 26th 2013 they completed their first release, the aptly titled “Boxing Day” at Pretty Good Studios in Takoma DC. It was released on January 1st and exceeded the expectations of the people who heard it.

Arablouei’s eclectic catalog of new tunes possesses an entrancing, cinematic aesthetic that is a truthful reflection of his love for hip hop and EDM culture. “I love using synths, my own vocal samples, and live drums to create unique sounds. I’m constantly writing music. It is at the core of who I am.” says Arablouei.