A Washington DC based eclectic, boutique record label, event curator, and book publisher presenting the best in acoustic, world, folk, soul, and jazz music.
It’s a heady mix of world, jazz, blues, folk and more. We aim to bring you inspiration and joy!
Antidote is a Washington DC area music platform. Originating as weekly radio show, Antidote broadcast from 2016-2024 on WERA FM, presenting a multi-genre mix of music and interviews with international and DC area musicians, presented by hosts Lynn Veronneau and Ken Avis of award-winning band Veronneau.
Antidote developed and continues to thrive as a boutique record label, and concert presenting entity. In addition to providing musicians to multiple venues in the area, Antidote have curated the twice per year Passport Music Festival - month long concert series presenting the most diverse, high quality, line up of artists in the wonderful Creative Cauldron listening-room theater, in Falls Church.
Antidote is also the home Antidote Books, and of “Music City DC” a fascinating series of entertaining and informative audio visual presentations about the history of Popular Music in the DC area over the last 200 years. “Music City DC” talks have been presented at Smithsonian, American University, George Mason University, DC History Conference, Falls Church History Society, Arts Fairfax, and many private events for community and music groups around the DMV.
Ken is a musician, music writer, documentary film maker and music educator. Lynn is an in-demand session singer. Lynn and Ken were host and co-founders of WERA's DC focused music show Music Alley
New Release 2026-27
A History of Popular Music in Northern Virginia
Superstars, Guitars, & Roadhouse Bars
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This new book represents a lot of “firsts”. The first book published by Antidote, the first by author Ken Avis, and the first book written about the music history of Northern Virginia, and it’s the first in the series of Music City DC books.
Packed with rare, striking photographs, The History of Popular Music in Northern Virginia brings a century of forgotten sounds back into the spotlight, and uncovers the vibrant, forgotten stories of local innovators, and legends who played their way out of NoVA and into music history.
From the smoke-filled roadhouses where bluegrass icons revolutionized traditional sounds, to the hidden basement venues that birthed the explosive DC punk movement. While the world was busy analysing the political metropolis of DC, a rich tapestry of jazz, country, rock, and soul was quietly being woven right across the Potomac.
Through a collection of historical snapshots, you will meet the artists who defined genres, and the iconic stages that put NoVA on the map. Step into a rich cultural heritage hidden in plain sight.
It’s time to listen to the suburbs.
Pre-release copies available directly from Antidote Books for $19.99 plus postage. Contact us directly using the “contact” link on the website.
You can also find the book at local bookstores including Font’s Books (Mclean VA), Trade Roots (Arlington, VA), and at the Ken’s Music City talks and live performances by VERONNEAU (www.VeronneauMusic.com).
New Release 6/1/2026 - The Guitar Renegades
“How Many Guitars Does It Take”
Get ready to hear guitar like you’ve never heard before. Intricate arrangements and virtuoso improvisation.
Five amazing guitarists…..all guitar, only guitar, all the time.
The Guitar Renegades is an all-guitar quintet consisting of guitarists Cristian Perez, Parker Speirs, Jan Knutson, Tommy Holladay, and Connor Holdridge. The repertoire on their upcoming release How Many Guitars Does It Take reflects Perez’s wide musical interests including jazz, classical music, and pop/rock. Original arrangements and brilliant playing by the guitarists, turns all of the songs into creative jazz, while retaining the essence of the original songs. The arrangements leave space for concise improvised solos. While the guitar can has been described as an orchestra by itself, the five musicians in The Guitar Renegades blend together so well that they speak as one voice.
Pre-release show at DC’s legendary Blues Alley May 12th.
