Brightest Young Things

The words "buy local" get tossed around a lot. You hear them when you talk with friends about where to get groceries. You hear them when big-box retailers announce they're coming to town. You hear them in online gift guides (sorry, we had to). But something we're rarely told is to not only buy but listen local--and in D.C. that might be easier than you ever imagined.

Sockets Records, only one of many fine independent D.C. record labels, is home to some of the district's biggest musical exports and experimental pop releases. For the last few years, Sockets and Black Cat have been teaming up for a label showcase, giving locals an annual chance to check out some incredible live talent you may have been missing--and if you've been missing the local music scene, you've been missing out on the D.C. experience.

Sockets recently threw a private listening party and showcase preview at gallery/performance space Montserrat House and we were thrilled to stop by and give some of the label's best recordings/performers a listen. (And how could we not?) If you missed it, don't fret; this year's showcase is just around the corner with a bang-up showing coming to Black Cat's mainstage this Saturday night, featuring not only four acts but two record releases. Those partial to electronic should check out duo Protect-U, while others more drawn to post-punk thrash can be thrilled by Imperial China, a D.C. trio releasing their new album How We Connect.

The instrumental rockers of Buildings are just as entertaining onstage as they are off (and believe us, they started a mean conga line at the listening party). Their new album, Everything in Parallel, also gets released this Saturday, marking their first proper full-length recording effort. Cigarette, one of the label's newest bands, will be bringing its "flower punk" sound to the mainstage on Saturday and a forthcoming record this spring.

Be sure to catch all four and hear some of D.C.'s best live acts; if you're feeling generous, please do buy local. Since 2004, Sockets has been releasing music on vinyl, digital formats, CD and tape--a little something for everyone, no matter the listener.