Wrapping up the past year of music in D.C. in a bow is damn near impossible. A lot changed. House music was in, our cumbia scene continued to grow, and local YouTube music series Noochie’s rivalled NPR’s Tiny Desk for the biggest live concert series in town. And the more I learn about D.C.’s music scene, the more there is to discover.
In fact, keeping up with all the music in the DMV is like that diamond miner meme: Just when you think you’re hip, a couple of 20-something zine-makers put you on to the most amazing local band you’ve never heard of. (This synth-pop band singing in Italian, for starters.)
So what did we miss? A lot, according to Jordan and Audrey from Haus Magazine, the DMV’s wackiest zine with their finger on the pulse of D.C. 's flourishing DIY music scene. I called Haus up to chat about their favorite music from 2025 and who we should be listening to.
While Transmission rightfully grabbed a lot of headlines for reviving the Rock and Roll Hotel, Haus also had their eye on venue The Garage, which held some of the year’s biggest shows on a geriatric horse farm in Boyds, Maryland.
Unorthodox venues were a fixture this year, and local artists trekked to the sticks to push the geographical boundaries of the scene. For this, look no further than Mosh Madness, January’s music festival/fundraiser/basketball tournament held in a church gym, of course. “Mosh Madness was a great way to start the year,” says Jordan. Similarly, indie venue Fine Tuned brought some of D.C.’s best all the way to skateparks and garages in Carroll County.
Scoria keeping the rock and roll spirit alive. (Courtesy of @andydredmv)
Here are some of Haus Magazine's favorite local songs and projects from 2025:
Songs
A Scoria is a dark volcanic rock filled with bubbles, and “In My Skin” somehow delivers on both darkness and bubbliness with its ominously catchy hook.
Riot grrrl punk is alive with Cherub Tree. This single is the only song they released this year but it’s enough to keep us hooked until their debut album drops in the near future.
WormWagon have coined their sound “wormcore.” And you know what? There is a grimey-wriggliness to their distorted rock sound.
Italian synth-pop out of D.C.? C’mon. This one earns its spot on the list for ingenuity alone, but the infinitely danceable, 80’s synth vibes certainly help.
ViRG. (Courtesy of Joe Carabeo)
Projects
FOAM put together five versions of the beautifully-ethereal track “Porcelain,” plus ender “Suffocated.” My fave is ‘Porcelain - zu fast’.
There’s a familiar yet fresh grunginess on this EP from the cutting intro “Tiny Beanie” to the melodic closer “Perfect View,”
Mancala’s debut album scratches a lot of Indie-Rock itches. Try out “Strip Tease.”
Alaska’s Angels came together as a band all the way out in Boyds, Maryland, but this nostalgic indie record shows why they made a splash in the DMV in 2025.
Flowers For The Dead. (@trace_feed)
🎟️ Upcoming Local Shows To See
- Benefit for Free DC - Birthday Girl, Mabel June (Indie) | Jan. 2 | $15+ | Rhizome
- WTCHCRFT, Tromac, flotussin, dj unt.il (House) | Jan. 9 | $10 | Transmission
- Glitterer, Aunt Katrina, B. Reichhardt/Tan White, Guttered (Punk) | Jan. 17 | $20 | St. Stephen’s Church
- PSYOP, Ousted, Pilau, Mass Ego (Hardcore) | Jan. 25 | $20 | Pie Shop
🎵 New Local Music Mentions
Big Xan is back with “Only Way Out,” a new 18-track album full of undeniable melodies over his trademark out-of-pocket lyrics. “Never Missing” is the peak of both.
🎧 Your January Local Music Playlist
Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Haus Magazine’s picks for 2025.
