Indie pop musician Cat Janice is no stranger to DC music halls — the hard-charging singer-songwriter after all won the WAMMY Award for Best Rock Artist in 2019! But she’s taking her career to the next level and recently released her official debut album.

Cat headlined a record release party for that album, Modern Medicine, at Songbyrd Music House not long ago, and Ari Strauss was there to photograph Cat and her openers, Cathy DiToro and Massie.

In July, Cat Janice released Modern Medicine, a collection of nine songs that explore moods, feelings, outlooks, and living. All in all, it’s dance record but a dance record with an edge. In an interview with Parklife DC, Cat Janice explained she began writing the songs prior to receiving a cancer diagnosis. She has continued to fight cancer, and the experience has added layers to her songwriting process.

At Songbyrd Music House on August 18, Cat presented the songs of the record live, and then teamed with Cathy DiToro for a sold-out dance party after the show.

Stream Modern Medicine by Cat Janice on Spotify:

And during the show, Cat Janice’s significant other — DC electronic musician Footwork (aka Kyle Higginbotham) — proposed to her on stage! She accepted.

Before Cat took the stage, Cathy DiToro performed a set of songs. Cathy is well-known locally for her namesake band DiToro, but also as the frontwoman of cover bands So Fetch and The Legwarmers. Also opening were indie rockers Massie, who until recently were called Grady. Ari photographed all three bands during the show, so check out the action for yourself below!

Here are photos of Cat Janice headlining Songbyrd Music House on August 18, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ari Strauss.

Here are photos of Cathy DiToro performing at Songbyrd Music House on August 18, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ari Strauss.

Here are photos of Massie performing at Songbyrd Music House on August 18, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ari Strauss.