Peter Kerlin (Animal, Surrender!) / Janel Leppin

About

Peter Kerlin is a post-rock style bassist who draws on influences across genres. His Animal, Surrender! duo, with drummer Rob Smith, released their self-titled debut album in 2025, incorporating folk and blues elements. Janel Leppin is one of the District’s finest bandleaders, harnessing a nuanced sensibility in both her compositions and improvisations that produces restless, complex sonic textures, which range from lush and beautiful to sharp and arresting. She’s widely respected in the DMV area for her work leading her Ensemble Volcanic Ash, and as half of the power duo Janel and Anthony (with guitarist Anthony Pirog).