Arlington-based singer-songwriter Margot MacDonald may just be 18 years old, but she has more experience — and, arguably, talent — than a lot of her peers. So it really isn’t all that strange that someone who recently graduated from high school is organizing showcases for area emerging artists.
“It’s a little odd when I think about it,” MacDonald said over coffee at a Clarendon Starbucks. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and age has never really been a factor.”
Thursday, MacDonald is holding an Emerging Artists Showcase at the Hard Rock Cafe, presented by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington.
“Basically acoustic music that has a rock edge to it,” said MacDonald, who is on the board of SAW. “They all have that quality and are able to stand alone.”
On the bill for the Hard Rock show, in addition to MacDonald, are local musicians Flo Anito, Molly Hagen, Naseem Khuri, Rene Moffatt and Matt Waller.
If you go
Emerging Artists Showcase
Presented by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington and Margot MacDonald, featuring Flo Anito, Molly Hagen, Naseem Khuri, Rene Moffatt and Matt Waller
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: 202-737-7625; saw.org; hardrock.com/dc
MacDonald has been on the board of SAW for about a year now, organizing young artists and emerging artists showcases. The showcases enable local talent to play new venues and get exposure to new audiences. SAW is a nonprofit created in 1979 with the stated goal, according to its Web site, “to benefit aspiring and professional songwriters.”
“They supported me through giving me little playing opportunities here and there from a very young age,” MacDonald said. “It’s kind of my way of giving back.”
MacDonald — who is from and still lives in Clarendon — has been performing regularly since she was 12. The three albums she’s recorded demonstrate a young woman wise beyond her years, with soaring vocals and wicked guitar defining her original work. She also shows her range on covers, such as a butt-kicking “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin or an enchanting take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Now she’s writing songs for her next album and looking to do some more touring. In the meantime, she’s working with SAW to strengthen the local music scene.
“It’s kind of giving back to the community,” she said. “It’s definitely a work-in-progress kind of organization and a lot of do-it-yourself work. They gave a lot to me at a young age.”
And what does this young trailblazer think of the D.C.-area music scene she’s been a part of her entire life?
“I would say the scene is up-and-coming,” MacDonald said. ” It’s not quite there, but it’s getting there.”
