Bitter Stems w/ The Mermaids + HSK Theory

About this event

Doors 7:30 PM | Show 8:00 PM (All ages)

—

Bitter Stems

For Fans of: The Raconteurs, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, and The Shins

Bitter Stems is a Washington DC alt-rock band with a sound that’s equal parts grit and polish, with songs featuring sweet melodies, sharp hooks, and tasteful arrangements. Four musicians found their sound in the push and pull of collaboration, where experimentation became the fuel. Their self-titled debut EP was released in May 2026.

The Mermaids

FFO: The Velvet Underground, Neil Young, Love, Bedouin Soundclash

The Mermaids play underground rock and roll that borrows freely from folk, old-school country, and punk rock. Their music explores outcasts and underdogs (both historical and present), traveling and returning home, hidden energies and secret moments of grace, freedom and dissent, the cross-pollination of cultures and the movement of ideas, and our efforts to come to grips with the past and imagine the future. Their latest record, Faith, is available September 24, 2026.

HSK Theory

FFO: Iron & Wine, David Grey, John Mayer, Gary Jules

HSK Theory is a music project by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Patteson, also a member of Bitter Stems. The project's Fifth Street EP captures three solo acoustic performances from the upcoming full-band album, Northeast Corridor, with each song telling introspective stories that celebrate connection and shared human experience.