Smallmouth Sound Company is a bespoke live-events production and artist services company based out of northern Virginia. We exist to create community spaces where artists can feel heard, enjoy their craft, and deeply feel that the music industry is better for their presence. We aren’t building a bigger table - we’re setting up a picnic blanket.

Founded by local musician, educator, and mother Annie Stokes in 2024, SMSC was created during a fishing trip with her partner (bass-player and bass-fisherman Will Berger). After hooking a smallmouth bass, Annie asked why he was so much more excited than when he caught largemouths. Will responded: “pound for pound, they’re better fighters.” A working mom, touring DIY musician, and woman in a male-dominated industry, this immediately resonated with Annie. Smallmouth Sound Company is a space where folks’ perceived weaknesses or liabilities - whether they are gender-based, ability-based, race-based, age-based, or other - are viewed as their strengths and specialties.