Washington, DC Music Guide For July 2025

Welcome back to our monthly local music guide, where we highlight local artists and upcoming shows to check out! This month we’re spotlighting local indie-pop artist Berra, an up and coming performer in D.C.’s queer-led DIY scene.

Berra is a reverse-engineered indie star. Her writing has the popular appeal of something you might’ve heard on Mix 107.3 back in the day — if you were blasting it through busted speakers and someone ripped a guitar solo over it. She’s recording with the producers that worked with Solange, using a rig you might find in Ian McKaye’s basement. “I don't have a pedal board. I only have a chorus and an overdrive, and that's all I need,” she said. The result is indicative of D.C. music; all the artistry without the New York or LA-style industry influence.

Berra moved to D.C. at 19 as a student at American University — but she took some roughing up before finding her way into D.C.’s scene. "Because we’re in D.C. I feel like we have to be grittier and rockier," said Berra. Four years later, she carved out her own space in the city’s DIY music scene, capping her rise with an appearance at June’s smash trans punk music festival Liberation Weekend.

🎵 Get To Know the Artist:

What do you love about being part of the D.C. music scene?

I've been able to really grow Berra in D.C. I think being in a city like D.C. is really special because it's the capital, so anything you do means a lot, especially being a queer, trans artist. To be able to do what I do and be Black and queer in this city feels important and special.

You were a part of Liberation Weekend. Because we’re in the belly of the beast, do you feel a sense of responsibility to participate? Do you think being in the political thick of it spurs art?

I think because I make music I already feel obligated. But especially because I'm Black, I'm trans, I'm Ethiopian, I go to American University, I'm on scholarship — I feel even more of an obligation because I do have privilege in that sense. I'm really glad that I was a part of Liberation Weekend because it was really the first time that there's been a trans-led festival focusing on queer music. It's empowered everyone involved and everyone that was there.

Is there somewhere in the DMV or an activity that you do that inspires you?

Comet Ping Pong. It's just the hangout. I love doing shows there because it's so close to home and school. That was the beginning for me. I opened for Purr there, they're a Brooklyn-based band and got connected with Jake Aron, who produced a bunch of projects like Lush by Snail Mail and Solange. I was able to like work on ‘For Not You’ with him in Brooklyn.

What’s coming for the D.C. scene? Are we about to blow up?

I know obviously in the nineties, D.C. had a huge scene. But I don't know. I like that it's queer centered — it should be, music is gay.

Ok what’s a local song that you genuinely can't stop listening to?

Prude. Their latest album was crazy. And then Ekko Astral, obviously, I would say ‘baethoven’ or ‘on brand’ by them are so good.

What’s next for Berra?

I am currently working on my new project called “Bull Rider.” It has very pop-y songs. I've been working on some songs with Andres Rodriguez, a big producer from New York. He's really taken the songs to another level. And there's also some of that grittier or emo-alternative vibe in there too. The first song should come out in the next couple months.

Concertgoers watch in awe. (Courtesy of Berra)

🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See

NappyNappa (Opening for Domani) (Hip Hop) | July 6 | $28 | Songbyrd

Corvo / Pray To Be Saved / Early Grave /Phantom (Punk) | July 6 | $15 | Rhizome

AV Sessions Open Mic | July 16 | $18 | Pie Shop

Bluem w/ Fantazma (Rock) | July 17 | $18 | The Pocket

Dosser, Flowers for the Dead, Spring Silver, Massie (Rock) | July 19 | $15 | The Garage

🎵 New Local Music Mentions

Sparkheem x Nino Paid: Came A Long Way

Nino Paid and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” producer Sparkheem are proving lil’-old DMV artists can make national waves. Nino’s poignant PG County philosophizing weighs on Sparkheem’s atmospheric instrumental like D.C. humidity clinging to July air.