Beneath the political headlines and government buzz, the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) has been a quiet but constant force in electronic music for decades. While cities like Detroit, Chicago, and New York often steal the spotlight, the DMV has nurtured a deep, genre-spanning underground culture, one that’s been pulsing just under the radar, holding its own with authenticity and innovation.
One of the most legendary names to emerge from this area is Deep Dish. Comprised of Sharam and Dubfire, the duo helped define a generation of progressive and tribal house with a distinctly DC-rooted sound. Their Grammy-winning remix of Dido’s “Thank You” and official remixes for icons like Madonna, Stevie Nicks, and Janet Jackson catapulted them into international acclaim, but their beginnings were unmistakably local.
In the late ’90s at Sizdeh Bedar (a Persian New Year family picnic at Black Hills Regional Park in Maryland) a group of young men wearing bold white T-shirts printed with “Deep Dish” climbed on top of a shelter and caused such a scene that it attracted the attention of nearby families and eventually the authorities. Many thought they were advertising pizza. But that name would later become legendary worldwide. Their 2001 mix album Yoshiesque remains a milestone in progressive house history. Their record store Yoshitoshi, which was located in Georgetown, served as a cornerstone of DC’s vinyl and DJ culture. Though it closed in 2003, its influence on the scene lives on through the label’s ongoing releases and the sense of community it built.
Deep Dish didn’t just make history on the global stage. For those growing up in the DMV, their presence felt local and personal. Every Thanksgiving, it became something of a tradition to catch Deep Dish or Dubfire playing in town. Whether it was a packed club or a smaller, more intimate room, the experience of seeing world-class artists in tight spaces with impeccable sound systems was unforgettable. It was a reminder that the DMV wasn’t just watching the global scene unfold, it was part of it. In recent years, Deep Dish has reunited for select performances, a welcome return that fans in the DMV and beyond have embraced.
Saeed Younan is another foundational name in the local scene. Known for his energetic, percussive tech house, he had a residency at the former Lima Nightclub that made Saturday nights feel like a secret treasure for those who knew where to go. Lima was a three-level venue in downtown DC with an eclectic identity. The main floor offered deep house and techno on a solid sound system. Upstairs was reserved for salsa and merengue, and the intimate Vetro lounge hosted Persian nights. The crowd was as diverse as the music, reflecting the city’s cultural fabric. Younan’s sets on the main floor delivered dark, chugging energy that stayed with you long after the night ended.
Thievery Corporation brought a distinct and enduring sound to the heart of the DMV. The duo, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, formed in Washington, DC in the mid-1990s and developed a signature style that fused downtempo, dub, bossa nova, acid jazz, and global rhythms. Their music traveled far beyond the city, earning them international acclaim, but their roots remained firmly planted in DC’s cultural fabric. At the center of that impact was Eighteenth Street Lounge, the legendary venue co-owned by Hilton. Hidden behind a discreet facade near Dupont Circle, ESL was one of the most influential clubs in the city’s history. For over two decades, it served as a haven for crate diggers, dancers, and DJs alike, with multiple rooms offering everything from deep house and funk to live jazz and soul. Wednesday nights at ESL were something special. Thievery Corporation’s weekly residency created an atmosphere that was both intimate and transportive. These weren’t conventional club nights with peak-time drops. Instead, they cultivated a mood through warm textures, thoughtful selections, and subtle grooves. It was the kind of night where the music made time slow down, drawing in a loyal crowd of music lovers who came for the vibe, not the spectacle.
From this legacy emerges a vibrant new generation of DMV creatives.
Enamour has become a standout figure in the global electronic music scene. His dynamic blend of melodic techno, progressive house, and deep house has earned him support from industry heavyweights like Solomun, Black Coffee, and Damian Lazarus. Enamour’s music has been featured on esteemed labels such as Anjunadeep, Last Night On Earth, and Get Physical. His tracks have been streamed millions of times, with his 2021 Say Hello EP amassing over 14.5 million streams. Beyond his studio success, Enamour has captivated audiences worldwide with performances at renowned venues and festivals, including The Brooklyn Mirage, Sound Nightclub in Los Angeles, and Burning Man. His ability to seamlessly blend emotive melodies with driving rhythms has solidified his reputation as a versatile and compelling artist.
Enamour is joined by other artists to watch including Misha, a Washington DC-based producer and DJ originally from Niš, Serbia. Misha’s sound ranges from underground grooves to thumping techno. He has released music on respected labels such as Rawthentic, Tamango, Viva Music, Happy Techno, and his own High Class Nasty imprint, which he co-founded with Late London. Recently, Misha’s tracks have climbed to the top of the Beatport tech house charts and he has performed alongside legends like Carl Cox, Dubfire, and Maceo Plex, establishing himself as a key player in DC’s underground scene.
Late London is both a talented producer and DJ who continues to make waves in the DMV. His latest track, “Pause Repeat,” has drawn attention across the electronic music community. Previous releases have earned significant support from industry heavyweights such as Cristina Lazic, Jamie Jones, Paco Osuna, Nii Tei, and Dennis Ferrer. As the co-founder (alongside Misha) of the High Class Nasty imprint, Late London continues to showcase his distinctive sound and push creative boundaries. His growing catalog highlights the diversity and innovation thriving in the region.
Mettabbana stands out as a producer and DJ with an expansive sonic range. His sets blend global rhythms with electronic textures, drawing heavily from his extensive vintage vinyl collection, especially cumbia records. A resident at Flash Nightclub, Mettabbana’s music journeys through global psychedelia and trippy influences, bringing hypnotic percussion and rich melodies to every performance. His releases on labels like YNFND, Cosmic Awakenings, Downtempo Rituals and Tepeme Música reflect his commitment to merging traditional roots with electronic innovation. He has played festivals such as Nomade and Fusion, captivating audiences worldwide.
Sabda is a producer and DJ known for his stripped-back, psychedelic minimal sound. A resident at Flash Nightclub, he has released music on Micronica Records and Armen Miran’s Hoomidas label. Sabda’s productions invite listeners into intricate sonic worlds, marked by subtle emotion and hypnotic rhythm. He is an exceptionally prolific artist, known for crafting fully formed tracks in just a matter of hours. With a vault of unreleased music waiting in the wings, his depth of creativity and technical skill continue to set him apart as one of the DMV’s most compelling and forward-thinking electronic musicians.
Jus Nowhere, also a resident at Flash Nightclub, is known for blending vinyl and digital formats. His DJ sets create dynamic, textured performances supported by an eclectic record collection. He has recently played a prominent Detroit venue connected to Movement Festival, as well as shows in Berlin and Istanbul. Jus Nowhere is one half of the techno duo Rush Plus, pushing creative boundaries with productions and performances that resonate with underground music fans globally.
Brunello, formerly known as New Stereo, hails from Maryland and has recently seen major success with the track Clowns Corridor. The track blew up this year, receiving support from artists like Madota, Camel Phat, Chris Stussy and Sama Abdullahi, among others. In addition to strong club and label backing, Brunello brings his productions to life with rich live sets. His trajectory has taken him from regional underground parties to festival-quality stages, marking a bold step forward and signaling a breakout moment for DMV producers.
The scene also features Mexico-born DMV-based Fátima, who brings a groovy, percussive energy to her productions and DJ sets. A founding member of the collective Sisters in Sound, she infuses her work with the vibrant influences of her Latin heritage, making her a vital voice in the local and global electronic music landscape.
This new generation of artists is rising and reshaping what it means to be part of the DMV’s electronic music scene. The city and its surroundings have long been a melting pot of sounds and cultures. With talents like these continuing to push boundaries, the future looks bright.
If anyone else deserves mention or is making waves, send in a name, a SoundCloud link, or invite us to your next hangout. Let us keep growing this story together.
Cheers,
T&P
Techno & Pizza 