The District boasts a rich music scene, but it can be hard to know to find new artists or figure out what your favorites are up to. Luckily, there are a bevy of locally made podcasts out there to help you navigate the scene, providing intriguing background on the artists and their music and introducing listeners to new sounds. We’ve created a roundup of some of the most interesting, geeky, and useful local music podcasts covering the District and its environs. For our other favorite local podcast picks, see here.

Thievery Corporation. (Photo by Cesar Perdomo)

DC HOUSE GROOVES: MEET THE LOCALS: This is the podcast to listen to if you want to know what’s happening in D.C.’s underground electronic and house scene. Established in 2004 for DJ Andy Grant, it has since expanded to promote other Washington DJs, who come on regularly to play and discuss the music they mix. While primarily focused on deep underground house, the podcast showcases a variety of local sounds. It’s a great place for information and opinion on what’s happening and a guide to what’s going on each weekend.

WHERE’S MY FORTY ACRES: The podcasters behind Where’s My Forty Acres are based outside of Columbia, Maryland, and their wit and endearingly heated debates earned them a place in our hearts (and on this list). The idea for this production was sparked back in 2010 through the geeky hip-hop and pop culture musings between childhood friends Brandon, Twan, and Xmike. As their banter permuted into a weekly “barbershop-esque” podcast, co-host Deirdre was brought on to add fresh perspective and withering roasts. The show, infused with guest appearances from artists, comedians, twitter celebrities, and others will make you feel like you’re among friends.

HOMETOWN SOUNDS: If you want to get to know local musicians better, this podcast is a great way to get introduced to a variety of District artists. The hosts spin only locally made songs. First begun as a monthly DJ night at the Argonaut on H Street, DJ P.Vo (a.k.a. Paul Vodra) spun for a year before a kitchen fire temporarily shut down the now permanently shuttered bar. Undeterred, P.Vo turned Hometown Sounds into a 24/7 internet music station, and now, a podcast.

DC MUSIC ROCKS: Hosted by Brian Nelson-Palmer, the drummer for the D.C.-based rock & roll band Fellowcraft, DC Music Rocks is all about boosting local talent. The podcast ensures that if you like it, you can get it, as all featured tracks are available immediately, and most can be “Shazam-ed.” The producers also have an on-going project to catalog all of the District’s musicians. You can find profiles for every artist featured on the show, nearly 300 in all, that can be browsed by genre or keyword on their website. DC Music Rocks also puts out calendars and playlists to help you find the local music that you love.

THE CIRCUS LIFE: D.C. area songwriter and host Justin Trawick, along with multi-platinum award-winning recording engineer Sean Russell, record their podcast live every week from Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church. Episodes feature interviews, stories, and live performances by local, regional, and national acts.

FUSEBOX RADIO: This weekly broadcast by D.C. locals DJ Fusion and Jon Judah is now available in podcast form. The pair animatedly feature and discuss black music of all kinds, ranging from local to international artists. The music also spans genres from around the world.

KNOW YOUR SCENE: The District’s premier indie music news source, DC Music Download, had a short-lived podcast focusing on news and current events from the area’s scene. Although the podcast has not produced any recent episodes, its back catalog is still available. Subjects include sexism in D.C.’s music industry and fostering collaboration between D.C. and Northern Virginia’s music scenes.

BETWEEN THE LINER NOTES Part of the local Goat Rodeo network, this award-winning documentary podcast takes an existential look at music: what it is, why it is, and how it got to be that way. Host Matthew Billy delves into the fascinating, little-known histories of bands, musicians, sounds, and more that shaped the world as we know it today.

CHUNKYGLASSES With the tagline “music and nothing but,” this D.C.-based venture reports on everything from house shows to major festivals, while featuring bands of all types. Producer Kevin Hill and his crew are prolific podcasters and the series is nearing its 300th episode.

Want more? Here are our 11 favorite podcasts made by and for locals.