The live music scene in Loudoun County is flourishing, and raw, young talent thrives right under your nose. Young musicians begin in your local breweries, wineries, and neighborhood coffee shops, then too frequently leave town in search of larger venues. With all the talent that fills the area, some of these musicians are bound to have slipped below your radar. Listen when you have the chance, and imagine what they could become here with a more permanent performing arts venue.
CATIE LAUSTEN
Indie Pop
Originally from Ashburn, now based in Richmond
Catie Lausten, originally from Ashburn, Virginia, is currently based in the exploding musical city of Richmond, VA, where she’s releasing music that calls out to the hopeless romantic. She was influenced by artists like Faye Webster, Norah Jones, and Andy Shauf, but between her light, dreamy sound, and personal, humorous lyrics, Catie is creating her own unique, gripping, and complex sound within the Indie Pop genre.
She’s been a performer and musician for as long as she can remember, but pursuing music professionally is a recent undertaking. As a child, Catie sang through dinners (despite her family’s protests), participated in musicals and chorus classes, and tried to put the guitar her parents bought her to good use, but the lessons never stuck. When she didn’t get the lead in her 8th grade musical, she quit music altogether. “I was a little full of myself I guess.”
That is, until she found inspiration in the musicians at house shows and local venues around Richmond. She has since picked the guitar back up, taught herself, and made music the center of her life’s goals. “I just knew I would never be happy working at a desk job, at least not before trying to pursue music.”
Catie recently released a 2-song project, What a Life I Love Living, with her collaborator John Traium. Up next, an EP entitled Love to Love to Love dropping this month and an East Coast tour later this summer.
Instagram: @UncleCatie; Streaming Platforms: Catie Lausten
SARAH KATHERINE LAWLESS
Indie Rock
Originally from Lansdowne, Virginia, now based in Boston
From writing and directing a full-length musical, to performing on the Kennedy Center stage after being awarded Best Lead Actress, to photography, graphic design, and more, Sarah Katherine Lawless’ accomplishments brand her a true renaissance woman.
Growing up in Lansdowne, Virginia, Sarah Katherine was almost constantly performing in musicals, but whenever she wasn’t, she was writing songs in her bedroom. Over the years, her music has evolved from “angsty, sad ballads,” into a mature indie rock sound with contemporary jazz and folk influences.
Now, Sarah Katherine attends Boston Conservatory at Berklee, which she credits for turning her into the artist she is today. “I am around such incredible musicians and artists in multiple different veins and mediums.” But she allows that she was impacted by the Loudoun County music scene, and particularly by the Battle of the Bands which helped her to meet music mentors, play venues like Tally Ho, and open for the bands MayDay Parade and Cruisr.
She believes her biggest accomplishment is next up. Through her start-up company, On The Fringe, she and her collaborators will be turning her original song cycle into a collaborative, experiential performance. It will be filmed at a secret location in Boston and available to view as a short film on YouTube as “Hurry Home: A Collaborative Performative Experience.”
At the end of the day, Sarah Katherine wants to make music people can relate to. Support her by following her on Instagram, streaming her four singles, and stay tuned for the EP she’s working towards releasing.
Instagram: @sarahkatherinelawless, @acinematichoe; YouTube: Sarah Katherine Lawless; Streaming Platforms: Sarah Katherine Lawless
TEDDY CHIPOURAS of Palmyra
Americana/ Folk/ Singer-Songwriter
Originally from Lovettsville, now based in Floyd, Virginia
For Teddy Chipouras of Lovettsville, Virginia, songwriting was an obsession born out of inspiration. After he found music that spoke to him, from artists like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons, he knew he had to figure out how to make similar music. At age 16, he began performing at open mics and breweries around the area, mainly playing covers and a few of the originals he had written. By age 20, he was headlining an album release show for his first full length album at Tally Ho in Leesburg.
Now Teddy is a member of Palmyra, an Americana/ Folk trio with bandmates, and fellow JMU alumni, Manoa and Sasha. The three tour the country, capturing audiences with their blend of traditional folk string instruments, intimate and contemplative lyrics, and tight three-part harmonies.
Teddy’s goal is to build upon what Palmyra has begun, playing more clubs, and growing a larger, country-wide fanbase. As a solo artist, Teddy dreamed of traveling for music, making it his full-time job, and being a part of a band; Palmyra has brought those dreams to fruition. “I’ve found it so fulfilling to be able to write and perform in a band. In our trio, our songs develop through three brains instead of one and lead to something I could never do on my own.”
Their album Shenandoah will be released on June 17th on all streaming services (including Bandcamp - a platform to directly support musicians). Loudoun locals can catch them at Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery in Waterford on July 22nd, right before they make their FloydFest debut. Palmyra is touring indefinitely, so be sure to watch their website for announcements and upcoming tour dates.
Instagram: @teddychipouras, @palmyratheband; Facebook: Teddy Chipoura Palmyra the Band; Website: palmyratheband.com; Streaming Platforms: Palmyra