Many Washingtonian music lovers know Marvin Gaye, Bad Brains, Fugazi, and Ginuwine all got their start in DC, but how up-to-date are you on today’s current scene? Welcome to a new music monthly newsletter feature where we will highlight a local band or artist followed by upcoming shows from local acts – and an occasional new song recommendation or two. “How Sweet It Is” to live in a city with a vibrant music landscape. So stop “Sailin’ On” with the same old tunes and don’t be a playlist “Repeater.” It’s time to “Pony” up and listen to our city’s current sound.
Spotlight: Pretty Bitter
Members:
Zack Be, multi-instrumentalist
Em Bleker, vocalist
Jason Hayes, drummer
Miri Tyler, bassist
Self-Described Sound:
Cinematic indie rock/pop
Background:
Since their debut album in 2022, “Hinges,” Pretty Bitter has become a local fan and critic favorite. At the 2023 Wammie Music Awards, they won Best Pop Album for “Hinges” and Best Pop Song for “The Damn Thing Is Cursed.” Their music flirts with the darker side of pop and as I have noted in prior review, Pretty Bitter’s music “is experimental, but polished and has an addictive quality that will make you reach for it the next time you want to brood.”
Pretty Bitter in concert. (Photo by Meredith Wohl)
Get To Know the Band:
What artists influence you the most?
TYLER: Elliot Smith for songwriting, Flea from Red Hot Chili Pepper for bass playing. He played the bass on Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” Pink Floyd is also in there.
BLEKER: I always get a little turned around with this question, but my top four would be Frightened Rabbit, CHVRCHES, Rilo Kiley and Tracy Bonham.
HAYES: Pool Kids, The Clash, Hiatus Kaiyote. I also like a lot of funk and hip hop.
BE: I thought the cool punk thing to do in high school was listening to modern prog rock like Sigur Rós, The Mars Voltas, but also the Yes, Genesis and King Crimson. I now listen to ’80s pop music, like Tears for Fears. My hottest take is that the really weird late ’80s albums by artists who are deep into, “I'm no longer relevant and on a coke binge era” like David Bowie, Joni Mitchell are incredible.
Local artist shoutout?
TYLER: Fugazi. They laid the groundwork for D.C.’s scene.
BE: Spring Silver and Outerloop for music. For non-band stuff, Flying V Theatre
What’s your favorite D.C. restaurant?
BLEKER: I love Boqueria in Dupont. Their paella is fantastic. Also, all the food at Pie Shop. They single-handedly fed Miri and I during the pandemic.
TYLER: I work at 7DrumCity and that’s right around the corner from DCity Smokehouse, which has really good barbecue.
BE: Biryani City in North Bethesda.
Where do you find inspiration in D.C.?
BLEKER: Any time I go to Comet Ping Pong. The booking there is immaculate. Comet makes me feel hopeful and excited for all music.
BE: I like the Hirshhorn Museum and the National Gallery of Art. Stuff is always changing in there.
HAYES: I travel a lot, so I like to be outside when here. The National Mall is cool.
TYLER: Working at The Pocket and 7DrumCity and watching all my peers practice is really inspiring.
Last song you listened to on Spotify or a streaming service?
BE: Orville Peck, “Lafayette”
BLEKER: The Japanese House, “Touching Yourself”
HAYES: Pool Kids, “That’s Physics, Baby”
TYLER: Waxahatchee (feat. MJ Lenderman), “Right Back to It”
Where can people find you and your music?
BLEKER: Every streaming service that exists. Follow us on Instagram @prettybitter.mp3.
Next show:
Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | $15 | Union Stage
Song to check out:
Pretty Bitter in concert. (Photo by Meredith Wohl)
Other Upcoming Local Shows To See
- Glosser (opening for Work Wife) (Dream Pop) | Feb. 1 | 8 p.m. | $15 | Pie Shop
- Cumbia Heights, Bottled Up
- Kinda Evil (Rock) | Feb. 8 | 7 p.m. | $15 | Pearl Street Warehouse
- Birthday Girl (opening for Snail Mail) (Indie Rock) | Feb. 13 | 8 p.m. | $40* Waitlist Only | DC9
- Spring Silver (opening for Bobby Woody) (Experimental Rock) | Feb. 18 |8 p.m. | $12+ |The Pocket
New Local Music Mentions
Still deep in the post-holiday, dark days of winter blues? This new song from the beloved local power pop band Bad Moves might just be the antidote. Paired with an upbeat melody and a hook similar to your favorite Christmas rock song, “New Year’s Reprieve” poses the questions, “Do you believe that there's some reprieve? Do you believe it will get easier?” While no answer is given, having someone sing your internal SAD monologue is cathartic.
Reminiscent of a Dua Lipa hit, this alt-pop song is a shimmery disco dance track that hit #5 on iTunes Worldwide charts last week. Janice is currently on hospice after battling sarcoma cancer for the last two years. All proceeds from this song will go to her 7-year-old son.
🎵 Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Pretty Bitter’s songs and inspirations, plus music by the other local bands above.
