Washington D.C.’s culture is shaped by its position at the intersection of the South and the Northeast, as well as its dual identity as a seat of federal power and a center of Black cultural life. This unique blend can be seen in its musicians, from the marches of John Philip Sousa to the percussion of Chuck Brown’s go-go, from Duke Ellington’s jazz and “Black Broadway” to the hardcore and grunge of Bad Brains and Fugazi, and from John Fahey's fingerpicking to the EDM duos of Deep Dish and Thievery Corporation.

“Out of the District” is a personal passion project five years in the making, acting as a visual record of both my hometown's music and my process of discovering it. It features portraits of nearly 60 musical acts from across genres and decades, all tied to D.C., arranged in the shape of the city. It was born from a desire to understand the sonic history of my hometown and an interest in expanding my primarily analog practice through digital tools. I hope that it will inspire other curious Washingtonians to explore the city's underrated sonic history and find a new connection to their home, just as I have.