The best rock 'n' roll requires commitment. Not the kind that buys a VIP pass. The kind that walks down a sketchy flight of stairs into a windowless, neon-lit bunker, trusting the muffled thump of a soundcheck as your only assurance that you haven't wandered into a trap.
I have been in rooms like this before. For years, I ran a rehearsal spot on Tenbrook Road—over 20 years ago now. I was there when Borracho started rocking, before they ever cut a record. Just a band finding its sound in a cramped room with cheap carpet and make-do sound proofing. That same energy lives on at Quarry House. The names change. The gear gets better. But the hunger is the same. That is why I know this room will deliver.
On Saturday, August 22, that descent leads to the Quarry House Tavern, a basement-level dive at 8401 Georgia Ave in downtown Silver Spring. The entrance is easy to miss—just a small sign above the stairs. It looks a little spooky. That is how you know it is going to be a good night.
This is Storytelly in practice: hyper-local love, art obsession, and narrative curiosity colliding to document a perfect Saturday night. Consider this your mission briefing. Dream-pop fanatics and psych-rock purists, take note.
A Kid Named Rhi (The Local Spark)
Rhiannon Rueda performs as "kid named rhi," an indie pop singer-songwriter based in DC signed to Second District Records. Her sound is a playful, genre-bending blend of indiepop, alternative, and jazz influences—think Remi Wolf. She will be joined by a full band, delivering bedroom-pop-meets-hazy-indie-rock that fills a room far better than any bedroom could.
Soft Palms (The California Dreamers)
Soft Palms is the immersive dream-pop project of wife-and-husband duo Julia Kugel (of The Coathangers) and Scott Montoya (formerly of The Growlers). Based in Long Beach, they craft expansive, hypnotic soundscapes from their home studio, Centre of Mental Arts (COMA). Their sound is lush, psych-fueled, and retro-tinged—a perfect contrast of West Coast sunshine-noir meeting a dark Maryland basement. Their new album, In Echo, has been in the works for over five years. This is their most extensive work to date.
You need to eat. Do not attempt this descent on an empty stomach.
Off-Site Dining Operations:
On-Site Pre-Game at Quarry House:
Arrive early to secure a booth. The place is famous for its beer selection (200+ bottles and drafts) and whiskey selection (200+ bottles). But the real draw is the food. This is the best dive bar in Silver Spring. You cannot watch a show here on an empty stomach.
The Burger & Tot Ritual: The menu features organic burgers and legendary tater tots—the kind that have earned their own reputation in local reviews. You can upgrade to tots with any burger. If you are feeling adventurous, order the "Tachos," the tater tot nachos that have become a cult favorite. Other crowd-pleasers include Buffalo Cauliflower, fried pickles, and wings. Do not skip the tots. That is not a suggestion. As one local food guide put it, "The burger and tater tots might be the best thing on the menu." The Quarry House has built its reputation on these staples, and they deliver every time.
The Descent: The physical transition from the humdrum of Georgia Avenue to the humid, electric atmosphere of the basement stage. You walk down those stairs and the world above disappears. The low ceilings and wood-paneled walls compress the sound into something you can feel in your chest.
Sonic Architecture: The tight quarters will make Kid Named Rhi's bedroom anthems feel massive and Soft Palms' expansive psych-rock feel immersive. The sound does not escape. It wraps around you.
Crowd Dynamics: Navigate the tight floor space, the vintage jukebox backdrop, and the unwritten rules of basement show etiquette. It is intimate, unscripted, and deeply memorable.
The Post-Show Quarry House Pivot: Move from the stage floor back to the main bar for late-night tater tots and midnight debriefs. The bar stays open late, so you can keep the conversation going.
Nearby Nightcaps:
The Temporal Map: Doors open early. Music starts at 9:30 PM. Be on time. This is a small room.
The Transit Blueprint:
The Weather Contingency: Embrace the mid-August humidity. The basement remains a temperature-controlled sanctuary regardless of outside rainstorms.
#SoftPalms #AKidNamedRhi #QuarryHouseTavern #SilverSpringMusic #DMVConcerts
Sunny, with a high of 91 and low of 63 degrees. Sunny in the morning, overcast during the afternoon, clear overnight.
67° and Clear