Singer-Songwriter Solia Bickersteth Shares Her Tips For Discovering the "Real" DC

Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series

Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share ow they're staying busy during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift. ​

DC-native Solia Bickersteth is a rising pop phenom who released her debut EP Fast Cars & Midnight earlier this year.  She embodies DC's long-standing DIY music tradition, writing, playing all the instruments and producing her own music. As a singer-songwriter, Solia finds inspiration from personal experiences. 

Check out a sample of her music on our "DC Sounds Like This" Spotify playlist.

She says, "My goal as a songwriter is to tell stories and so through the voices of these women I’m speaking through in the show, I”m telling stories." Through her journey producing two other releases and writing her first play for the Capital Fringe Festival a couple of years ago, she has found the value in letting go and being open to new experiences.

Naturally, being able to enjoy live music again at 9:30 Club tops her wish list for post-COVID activities, but she encourages people to explore DC beyond the popular hotspots:
​

• Social media is actually a great way to dive into the local DC culture.
• Once lockdown is over, I encourage people to go out to more events that their friends invite them to. A lot of what I’ve learned about DC has been from just showing up to places that I’ve been invited to around the city. Go to concerts, theatre performances, hangouts, etc. ​​

Follow Solia @iamsolia for updates about releases, videos and events.

---

Curious? There's more!

• Awesome People in DC You Should Know (Series): Elle VanDyne, Founder of CollabCreate DC, On Staying Connected to The City While WFH
• Awesome People in DC You Should Know (Series): Chris Naoum, DC Funk Parade Co-founder + Music Advocate, Sounds Off on Exploring DC Like a Local
• Awesome People in DC You Should Know (Series): Discover DC's Fascinating Local History + Heritage With Cultural Tourism DC's Cheryl Crowell
• Awesome People in DC You Should Know (Series): Carolyn Crouch, Washington Walks Founder In Real Time
• Awesome People in DC You Should Know (Series): DMV Director Dominic Green Turns His Lens on His Favorite Things in DC
• Level Up Your DC Armchair Travels