DC's Own - Deleted Scenes - Album Release/Homecoming May 22nd at R & R Hotel

Cities like LA and New York are famed for their bustling music scene. Both are known for housing established talent and launching a mass of rising talent. One local website, D.C. Music Download is on a mission help D.C. gain similar notoriety.

Right now, D.C. Music Download is gearing up for their next local showcase on May 22 at Rock & Roll Hotel . They will be celebrating 'Lithium Burn', the new album from local favorites and NPR darlings, Deleted Scenes. The group will be completing their summer tour in their hometown of DC, with the help of up and coming local act, Laughing Man, as well as New York indie-group, Celestial Shore.
Events Manager at DCMD llana Ostrin told me that

"Deleted Scenes is representative of what hard work and continual effort can account for. They've become successful while remaining within DC, without having to leave for NY or LA to reach critical mass."

For those who don't know Deleted Scenes, they were formed about a decade ago in Montgomery County, and have since been based in DC. There debut album Birdseed Shirt came out in 2009 on What Delicate Recordings leading Pitchfork to award the album with an 8.0.  'Lithium Burn' was released in April of this year, on Vinyl, CD, and Digital and is their second album release.

The band has been on tour across the country this spring, supported by indie rockers Celestial Shore, and are wrapping up their tour in their hometown, DC. Deleted Scenes will again be supported by Celestial Shore at the album release/homecoming show, this Thursday at R&R Hotel. They will also be supported, at the show, by another up and coming local band, Laughing Man, who released their first EP this spring

DC Music Download is not new to these events, they had a sold out "2 Year Anniversary Show" at the 9:30 Club, and was reviewed in the Washington Post as "a cheerleader for the Washington’s music scene” and is considered by many "as the online music magazine that highlights the best and brightest acts located in the Washington, D.C. area".
I talked to llana Ostrin about DCMD's philosophy in supporting local DC artists

"We (at DCMD) really enjoy putting together these local showcases. We know it's often the first interaction with local music many attendees have, so we want to bring an eclectic mix that is telling of the range of talent within district lines."

D.C. Music Download is intent on getting local residents involved in the local community via homegrown music. Even though the city is full of transplants, seeing local music is a way to feel engaged and connected with a side of the city that is often ignored (the artistic side), if only for a night. D.C. is growing, as is it's arts scene, and support is needed for this community of artists who work hard to make their dreams a reality - in a city where such dreams are often laughed off as foolish and implausible. D.C. Music Download is working to change that notion, slowly, but surely.

Photo: Erica Bruce/WCP  Deleted Scenes Live

Deleted Scenes'  at the Rock & Roll Hotel, Thursday 22nd May.
Limited tickets are still available: http://t.co/ploVCURhLz

Rock & Roll Hotel is located at 1353 H Street, NE, • (202) 388-ROCK