Everybody knows that D.C.’s got a not-so-favorable-image in the world out there; you think of the District, and you might think of a stuffy politician or buttoned-down businessman talking wonky policy or about the latest showing of “Meet The Press.” Those inside the Beltway, it’s generally thought, could use some loosening up.

But if you’ve lived in D.C. for a while, you’re likely to know a different city — one where there’s a vibrant culture, great local bars, tons of interesting bloggers (yes, we think that’s cool) and a burgeoning, talented indie rock scene. This is the D.C. we know, and the D.C. we want to encourage. With that in mind, we here at DCist present Unbuckled on Thursday, June 30th at the Black Cat backstage, the first in a regular series of concerts featuring great local bands.

Unbuckled will showcase two of our favorite up-and-coming acts: Cartel and Bicycle Thieves. Cartel (interviewed by DCist here) play atmospheric, swaggering pop rock reminiscent of the Smiths and Doves, and they’ve developed a large and loyal following – just ask anybody at their packed Black Cat concert we attended last month. Bicycle Thieves play intelligent, fun and incredibly catchy tunes; the Post says of Jon Kaplan, their lead singer: “[He] knows how to pin a phrase to a shiny hook and sling it skyward…Kaplan’s songcraft is no small attraction.” High praise indeed!

We’re super excited about this concert, and we hope you are too. Tickets will be $7; stay tuned for prizes and giveaways you can win at the concert, including concert tickets, DCist t-shirts (in the same style as our Gothamist brethren) and plenty of other fun stuff.

If you’ve been to our previous DCist Happy Hours, you already know what to expect: fun conversation, interesting interactions, and a whole lotta booze. With Unbuckled, we’re adding great live music to that mix, and we think it’ll be fantastic. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email; otherwise, we’ll see you there!