Pete Hayes & The Contradictions

Pete Hayes & The Contradictions w/ Color Palette & Jem Wilde!

Pete Hayes is the third version of his name. Some say the third and final form. As a founding member of The Crystal Casino Band, he now steps into his own light, carrying the flame of the “2014 tumblr indie rock” from his zillennial coming of age into something now deeper, darker, and more cinematic. Rooted in Washington, DC, his solo work channels the deadpan swagger of Lou Reed with the introspection of The National paired with the grandeur of Phil Spector’s wall of sound. Pete Hayes is both a continuation and a rebirth, finishing what he started, and starting it all over again.

Color Palette, led by principal songwriter/vocalist Jay Nemeyer, is an indie dream pop band from Washington, DC. Color Palette creates lush auditory landscapes that feature shimmering, pop-sensible vocal and guitar melodies, and the band has shared the stage with world-renowned acts such as Charli XCX. Color Palette’s music has garnered placements with NBC Universal, ESPN, MTV, Vimeo, Volvo, Aeropostale, and Monster Energy. In July 2020, they received a Wammie Award (Washington Area Music Award) for Best Pop Song ("Marrakech to Bombay"). Color Palette released a new EP in November 2025 (Zombie EP), and will continue releasing new music throughout 2026.

Jem Wilde is a Washington, D.C.–based singer-songwriter whose music blends indie folk and folk-rock with intimate, emotionally candid songwriting. His songs pair tender, vibrant melodies with deeply personal lyrics that explore themes such as queer identity, healing, trauma, and catharsis. A multidisciplinary artist with a background in poetry and classical dance, Wilde brings a lyrical, expressive sensibility to his performances and storytelling. Often described as ethereal and warm, his music has drawn comparisons to artists like Lucy Dacus, Soccer Mommy, and Phoebe Bridgers, earning him a growing following within the D.C. and Baltimore indie music communities.