Noise-pop band The Sea Life is releasing a self-titled full-length album on May 26th, on Babe City Records. Blending the angsty vocal stylings of Win Butler and Conor Oberst with up-tempo, minor-key distortion, the D.C.-based band paint a swirling picture of depressive sentiments and full-throated screams of longing. On "Red Eyes," the lyrics suggest aversion toward success: "It's a shame /That you’re trading your passion for a paycheck." The raw power in the band's sonic approach and their energetic musicianship, however, indicate that their passion is very much a driving force on this promising release. The Sea Life is playing a record release show at Smith Public Trust in D.C. on May 26th. Check out single "Red Eyes" below! - Ethan Ames

BRNDA is releasing a new single, called "Apple King," this Saturday, 9/13 at Comet Ping Pong. The lineup for the night is a superb collection of local favorites. Paperhaus will be headlining the show, fresh from tour, including a stop at the Hopscotch Music Festival, in advance of the release of their new album. Before the tour, Paperhaus released the lead single "Cairo" to much acclaim, and the locals are restless to see them tight off of tour with new material. 
Also on the bill are DC favorites, and perpetual performers, The Sea Life who also recently released a new single, "Prozac & Merlot." Between sets, DJ Outputmessage will be spinning his magical sound-webs. Earlier this ear, Outputmessage released the ambitious and fantastic album The Infinite Void.
This show is a superb collection of local powerhouses, all with new material. It is not to be missed. --Natan Press

Some sad news today: The Dunes might be closing. I'm pretty frustrated about it, but I think it's best to celebrate all the things the folks at The Dunes have done for music in this town and help them continue their effort in future endeavors. DC music has seen a resurgence lately; the community has grown and become more of a scene in no small part due to places like The Dunes and the people who work there, and that won’t end with a small setback like this. I strongly encourage everyone to go to what may be the final show at The Dunes tomorrow, April 23rd, when DC bands Pree and The Sea Life, join Native America (from New Orleans), and give a great space a great send-off. --Natan Press
Edit: Please read Alex Tebeleff's piece about The Dunes and the need for more space for music in DC, over at Brightest Young Things.

We had an incredible pool of talent submit this year! Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word and give bands a chance to have their music heard by critics all over the country. After tallying the votes for the Open Submissions stage of our DC Year End Poll, it's time to release the results.

Please note that no editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene. The editors that voted on the DC scene were: Charise (Deli Austin) and Paolo De Gregorio (Deli NYC, Editor-In-Chief). In the coming weeks we will release the list of nominees chosen by our local "scene expert" jurors and it will be up to you to pick your favorite Emerging DC Area Artist of 2013.

Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll with a ranking above 8:

1. Kindlewood - 9
2. Margot MacDonald - 8.75
3. The Sea Life - 8.5
4. Pleasure Curses - 8.25
5. The Raised By Wolves - 8.25
6. Me and Karen - 8
7. The Mellish - 8

Total submissions from the DC Area: 36

WHAT'S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. In the next few days we'll unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors (mostly venue promoters and other industry people who know the DC/MD/VA scene inside out), and we'll let our readers and writers influence the poll with their vote.

Thanks to all the acts who submitted to us. Our open submissions pool was truly a celebration of the diversity and richness of the DMVs talent. Keep creating, keep supporting and stay tuned for your chance to vote!

-Dawn

We are really not shocked that DC’s dream pop group The Sea Life were highly voted in our recent round of Open Submissions. Merely a 3 second listen to their EP Transitions and you know you’ve got a stellar band that needs to be heard. Check out the EP below and then see them live at the 9:30 Club on Jan 25.