Live Music Society’s video series, American Road Trip, heads to Washington D.C. Episode #2 features Songbyrd Music House and rising star De’Wayne
Songbyrd Music House (Washington D.C.)
August 24, 2022 - Today, nonprofit philanthropic organization Live Music Society (LMS) releases the second episode in their video series American Road Trip, featuring Washington D.C. venue Songbyrd Music House and rising star rocker, De’Wayne. The monthly episodes take viewers along for a night of live music in a small venue, featuring the bands, music fans, owners, and staff who make these places so special.
Watch American Road Trip - Episode #2: Songbyrd Music House HERE.
“Songbyrd really grew out of our collective passion for music in many different forms,” says Joe Lapan, who, with partner Alisha Edmonson, co-owns the venue that launched to acclaim in 2015. Named ‘Best New Venue’ by Washington City Paper, Songbyrd quickly made a name for itself presenting artists including Moonchild, Earthgang, and Tyler Childers early in their careers. When the opportunity to relocate presented itself during the pandemic, Alisha and Joe moved to the Union Market area, along with their vinyl record store, Byrdland, and re-launched in a converted warehouse with improved sightlines and great sound. Their stylish new space was named a Live Music Society grantee in February 2022, supporting Songbyrd’s role as incubator and launchpad for emerging local and national bands. Joe says, ““Everybody knows the economics of a small venue are challenging. Live Music Society has featured and promoted the idea of small venues. It's the support; to know that somebody is out there thinking about small independent venues and how we continue to thrive.”
In this episode, LMS captures an electric performance by De’Wayne, a charismatic singer on the rise who this month headlines his first U.K. concerts. Hailing from Houston, Texas, De'Wayne’s genre-blend of rock is inspired by influences as wide-ranging as Jimi Hendrix, Beck, and Nirvana. “When you step into a venue you can just feel whether it's gonna be a vibe. Like the one today, I feel really good about this” he says.
Stay tuned for American Road Trip episodes on Live Music Society’s YouTube channel and Instagram, celebrating the listening rooms, community spaces, and small clubs that are the bedrock of the American music industry.
Since 2020, Live Music Society has supported small, independently run music venues throughout America, seeking to create a community that can share best practices, innovate to thrive and survive, and cultivate the conditions for the next generation to experience the magic of live music. To date, the organization has provided funding to 126 venues in 34 states totaling more than $2.3 million.
Songbyrd Music House: 540 Penn St. NE, DC; songbyrddc.com // @songbyrddc
Live Music Society
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For more information, please contact:
Sarah McCauley (sarah@livemusicsociety.org)