The DC musical community was just a little bit heartbroken when the Dismemberment Plan broke up back in 2003. A predecessor to the dance-rock movement, the Plan played together for 10 years and had an extremely loyal fan base in DC and throughout the country. Though they reunited briefly for two reunion shows at the Black Cat back in 2007, they've kept their separate ways—and Travis Morrison, former frontman of the band, continues his solo work with his group, Travis Morrison and the Hellfighters.

Though Morrison has since moved to Brooklyn, he's very much a Washingtonian at heart, having grown up in the area and lived here most of his life. He'll be back in the city this Saturday, May 3 at the Black Cat for a show, and the day before the show, he was kind enough to do an online chat with Washingtonian.com (today at 11 AM). So ask him anything you want—about that Pitchfork review, about his new album, and why the heck he'd leave DC for NYC. Submit a question in advance here.

Members of These United States and Le Loup sing together on stage.

Remember when we were blown away by a few DC bands who played down at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas? We’ll, we’ve snagged those very same bands to come into Washingtonian.com and do a live chat with us (and you!). Jukebox the Ghost, These United States, and Le Loup (or members thereof) will take your questions today at 2 PM.

Want to know their secrets to musical success? Their thoughts on the flourishing DC music scene? What life on the road is really like for an up-and-coming band? Ask them anything. If these groups’ lively music and charismatic stage presences count for anything, their answers are going to be pretty great.

Like we said, the bands will chat today at 2 PM, but you can submit your questions in advance right here.

We have been fans of the French Kicks since our days in college, but until this afternoon’s chat with him, we had no idea the band’s vocalist, Nick Stumpf, was such an interesting and funny guy . . . er, giant—he’s freakin’ six-foot-six!  Now we want to be best friends with him. Badly.

When not deadpanning “Jeans, no bra” to a question about his choice of wardrobe for the chat, Stumpf revealed some juicy information for fans: The band has just finished recording a series of cover songs, some of which it may or may not perform tomorrow at the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street, NE; 202-388-7625). “You’ll have to come to the show to find out,” he teased. Stumpf also talked about recording the band’s latest album, Swimming, and mentioned film projects he’d like to work on soon.

To read more of what Stumpf had to say, read the chat transcript, and don’t forget to check out the band at the Rock and Roll Hotel tomorrow night.

On Monday, April 28, we'll be hosting a music roundtable with local bands Le Loup, These United States and Jukebox the Ghost. Click here to submit a question.  

On Wednesday, April 23, Nick Stumpf of the band French Kicks will join us for an online chat. The band plays at the Rock and Roll Hotel April 24, and the show is a homecoming of sorts for Stumpf and his brother and bassist Lawrence, who are originally from the area. Responsible for vocals, keyboards and drums, Stumpf is somewhat of a de facto spokesman for the French Kicks, and he’ll answer any questions you have about the band, its unique experimental pop sound, its latest album, and more.

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See our map and guide to area record stores | Get a video tour of a DC record store 

Jesse Kristin of Jukebox The Ghost
• My favorite store in the area is definitely Orpheus Records in Clarendon, although it was closing down last time I visited and may actually be gone now. It had everything: Stacks upon stacks of used and new vinyl (including unending piles of vinyl on the floor that had yet to be mixed into the stacks), an old, emaciated, bearded, always barefooted owner, and a constant rotation of great background music for browsing records.
• Dookie by Green Day is the first record I got, in third grade.
• Record stores are indeed still relevant, particularly for those who are meticulous/dorky about the quality of sound in music. If you are buying CDs just to upload them into MP3 format, then, yes, you are in a sense wasting your money. However, for those who are frugal and buy everything used, for the audiophiles who love the clarity and fullness of vinyl, and for those who, like me, are always nostalgic for the days when buying a record in a store felt like buying a new Mercedes, the independent record store is as magical and timeless as an amusement park.

Local Bands and Bloggers Talk About Independent Record Stores | Our Map and Guide to Washington's Record Stores

Josh Harkavey, owner of independent record store Red Onion, chatted with us about his thoughts on the state of independent record stores, and gave us a video tour of his shop. Click below to see the videos.