Justin Trawick isn't just another guy with a guitar. This local singer/songwriter has a knack for incorporating a variety of styles including R&B and folk into his music. His lyrics are well thought out and no matter what direction his songs take, there are solid and powerful vocals anchoring them down. Trawick has been performing in and around D.C. for the past few years, including a recurring songwriter showcase at Solly's Tavern on U Street.

We stopped by Vermillion in Old Town Alexandria last week to check out him out. He was accompanied by an electric mandolin and a stand up bass. There was a sizable late-night crowd, and the trio energized the laid back atmosphere with a mixed set of both original songs and covers, including Radiohead's "High and Dry". We spoke with Justin to find out what it takes for a local artist to rise up into the national scene, the importance of good lyrics, and his upcoming live album.

Buy his album at: CD Baby

See him next at: 8:30 p.m. @ Ned Divines in Sterling, Va.

Visit him at: JustinTrawick.com

Questions for Justin:

Describe your musical style.

My musical style is all over the place, to say the least. About a year ago I started calling it "urban folk rock" because I thought that mostly encompassed what I was doing, which is pretty much everything from bluegrass to hip hop. Last night I played a show with my upright bassist at the Galaxy Hut in Arlington where it was just a duo acoustic show and all the songs were soft, slow, and thoughtful…think Ryan Adams. The night before we were at the 930 Club in D.C. with my full six piece band which, in addition to Jean and I, included electric guitar, congas, drums, and even my friend rapping on a few songs. I guess my goal is to play a little bit of everything, to incorporate as many styles as possible, and to make each show different.

How much of your day is devoted to your music? How do you spend the rest of your time?

Oh man, well during the day I work in the music industry for a company that collects royalties for musicians and bands that get their music played on satellite and Internet radio. Then I go home at night and write, book shows, do band business, go play gigs, or go see concerts. So…other than eating and sleeping, pretty much 100 percent of what I do is music related. Maybe I need a hobby…I'm trying to get back in photography…

What do you think is the best way for a musician to get his or her name out beyond the D.C. area?

Well, it's hard on a local band's budget to do marketing and promotion out of town so it's all very "grassroots". Of course there are some great tools online: MySpace, Facebook, Pandora, etc. I always talk to my friends and find out if they know anyone in the cities that I'm touring to. Calling or emailing local press in the area that you're touring always helps, especially the smaller towns that you're playing where "touring musicians" aren't as common as say, New York City.

Do you think there is enough focus on lyrics in the industry today?

I guess it depends on what type of music you're listening to or what kind of crowd you're trying to appease. Your standard top 40 pop music on the radio doesn't seem very lyric based anymore…just basic combinations of hooks and melodies that appeal to the masses. The people who aren't on mainstream radio are usually the ones who have the most to say. One of my favorite artists is Ani Difranco…she's got incredible lyrics. So does Joe Purdy and Brett Dennen.

What do you prefer more, playing solo or with the band?

I love doing both for different reasons. It's great to play with the full band when we're in an upbeat environment where people wanna move around and dance. One thing I'm always proud of is the fact that even when people don't know my music, they still dance…which means a lot. However, when the mood is more downbeat…like a listening room where people wanna actually hear what you have to say, then it's great to play solo. When you play solo there are so much different types of dynamics you can use in your playing and voice that you can't when you're rocking out with the full band.

You had a mini contest to come up with a longer name: Justin Trawick and the _____. Did you come up with anything that will stick?

This whole endeavor is being unofficially spearheaded by my friend John, who keeps coming up with more and more ideas about every two or three days. I had originally thought it would be cool to come up with a "Justin Trawick and the ????????" after becoming a fan of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I'm conflicted though because my band as it's named now, the Justin Trawick Group, really is a group. I have over ten or fifteen people that play with me and it changes every night so I feel that "group" is kinda what it actually is. So for now until I come up with something better, it's just "Justin Trawick" or "The Justin Trawick Group". But it's still fun to hear all of John's suggestions. Haha.

How was your showcase at Solly's Tavern?

The Solly's Songwriter Showcase was my attempt at helping D.C. have an actual listening room for local and touring singer/songwriters. D.C. has a lot of rock clubs but not many "listening rooms" like other cities like Austin, Nashville, or New York. Solly's has a beautiful upstairs venue and the owners were more than willing to work with me and my partner Elli to help have a monthly showcase where we could help show off D.C.'s talented performers. We've had some of the biggest area and touring musicians come through including Luke Brindley, Chris Patterson, Eric Brace, Jimi Haha, and Doug Derryberry. Unfortunately, my own music has caught up with me and we've had to put the showcase on hold for a bit but we're looking to have it going again soon.

When is the live album from your Jan. 4 Iota show being released? Any other projects in the works?

That was a really great show. I think the venue was sold out by 10 p.m., which was right before "the group" took the stage. The recording turned out awesome and I'm hoping for an April release date. I'm also starting a new recording project this week which will be an acoustic EP containing stripped down versions of previously released material and a few unreleased ones as well. My idea in my head is a very "mello" and "rootsy" sound…of course this could all change tomorrow…haha.

What are some of your favorite local bands?

I think the D.C. area is very lucky to have some amazing bands. Last Train Home is one of my favorite area bands, even though they have now relocated to Nashville. Eric Brace, the leader of LTH, is possibly the nicest guy on the planet. Vandaveer is another amazing one…with lyrics and musicianship that is just plain haunting sometimes. These United States is an indie-folk-rock-thing that is super infectious and I try to see them as much as possible. Then of course there is Georgie James which just got signed to Saddle Creek. I'm friends with Laura and very happy for their success.

What is your opinion of the D.C. music scene?

The D.C. area has a good, growing scene. It's different from other scenes…venues aren't right around the corner from each other like in other cities. D.C. is also a political city first and then everything else comes second, but more and more every day there seems to be a rising amount of music listeners who want to go out and actually hear original music. With the increase of venues like the Red and the Black and the Rock and Roll Hotel there seems to be an increase in bands as well which has really made for some good local music. I consider myself lucky to be living in the area and call D.C. my home base.

Photo from Myspace.com/JustinTrawick courtesy Brian Finstad, ShellShock Studios