By Grace Ann Brew
Tonight Jammin’ Java continues to let the good times roll with their biannual Battle of the Bands. Throughout July and August local bands will compete in front of judges such as music producer Jim Ebert and Stephanie Williams, managing editor of DC Music Download. Prizes include $2,500 cash, the opportunity to record a single with Jim Ebert and a spot headlining Jammin’ Java.
While the competitors hail from all over D.C., Maryland and Virginia, we spoke with NoVA band Moon-Scene about their beginnings in music, their sound and the upcoming competition. Cheer on your local artists this summer by purchasing tickets here.
Members: Sarah Keyser (lead vocals, guitar), Marina Pharis (drums)
Hometown: Alexandria
Who we spoke with: Sarah Keyser and Marina Pharis
Their sound: We’re kind of alternative rock with elements of jazz in certain songs. – SK
We’re pretty diverse in the genres we touch on. – MP
Their start: We’ve known each other since sixth grade. It wasn’t really until the summer between our junior and senior year of high school that we got together and just started playing music. It really just happened naturally. Sarah had been playing the guitar for a few years, and I had been playing the drums for a few years. The first song we wrote together was actually “Kangaroo” off our first record, “To Dance With The Sun.” – MP
Their singularity: I think something that’s kind of special about us is that we’re a duo with a drummer and a vocalist. I think having that simplicity is something kind of unique. We’re definitely combining lots of genres, and I think that’s also something special. – MP
Their shot: We’re a pretty humble band. Honestly, we enjoy our own music a lot, and we feel that other people do too. We’ve been listening to some of the other bands we’ll be playing with on our night, and they’re all good bands, but I do think that we have something special to bring to the table. If we give them a good show, we have the potential to be right up there. – MP
The Battle at Jammin’ Java
227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
Moon-Scene performs July 8 at 7:30 p.m.
$10
