RVA Magazine Articles

DAILY RECORD: Sun Araw & M. Geddes Gengras Meet The Congos

Necci — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:46:11 -0400

Sun Araw & M. Geddes Gengras Meet The Congos – FRKWYS Vol. 9: Icon Give Thank (RVNG Intl. Records)

The pairing of younger musicians with more seasoned counterparts can be a tricky proposition. Though these may be well-intentioned attempts to bridge generational and cultural divides, they often come off as an older artist's attempt to leech credibility off of a younger musician or a younger musician's attempt to gain timelessness by proxy – or worse yet, both. The FRKWYS series curated by RVNG Intl. Records (who apparently hate vowels as much as they love collaborations) has been a notable exception, in previous volumes pairing up recent experimental artists like Julianna Barwick and Excepter with seasoned veterans like Ikue Mori and Jim Thirwell. At first glance, the series' most recent volume might seem the least likely to work, teaming the abstract exotica of Sun Araw, the electronic psychedelia of M. Geddas Gengras, and the roots reggae of the Congos (whose 1977 album Heart Of The Congos is one of the best records ever to come out of Jamaica). But what could easily turn into a forced superimposition of vastly disparate styles actually works, with none of the artists taking a hard line in their aesthetic approach and all of them meeting at a point that's almost surprising in its centrality between their respective sensibilities.

Opener “New Binghi,” a brief bit of shimmering abstract synth patterns and spoken vocals expounding upon Rasta spirituality, might not provide the clearest picture of the album as a totality. But the following songs attain a consistency that underscores the creative focus of all involved. “Happy Song” sets the template, gliding by on juxtapositions of the familiar and the alien, with traditional nyabinghi drums dancing around rough electronic percussion, sharp guitar flourishes that accent ethereal synth patterns, and a mantra-like repeated vocal melody atop it all. Subtle variations from its repetition provide a steady, if slowly unfolding, direction to the song's interlocking sonic web. Several subsequent pieces follow this lead, each one an aggregate of minute elements that become a whole larger than their respective parts. They turn tiny sonic fragments into immersive soundworlds, their dense tonal clusters engaged in an elaborate dance with serpentine polyrhythms that are minimalist in their direction, but not in their scope.

The final two songs present the most striking variations from the already unconventional pattern. It's as if the collaborative process took the album's course to become fully established, with each song slightly more assured than its predecessor, and the contributors able to conclude the album with some of its more sharply divergent material. “Invocation,” a piece of Rasta gospel featuring harmonized vocals underpinned by subtle hand drums, begins with a sparseness not seen elsewhere on the album, which gradually becomes more immured in electronic treatments as the song progresses. This slow build in turn gives way to the closer “Thanks and Praise,” easily the strongest piece present. In it, everything that characterized the album is scaled back into something more subtle and textural than its more rhythmically assertive predecessors – the percussion and keyboards are more sparse, the vocal harmonies more subdued and pensive, the guitar a meandering acoustic strum – without seeming reductive.

While the music itself is impressive, what the album represents is equally worthy of consideration. The number of attempts made to utilize art as a means to bridge different cultures and to bring together the traditional and the progressive have rendered either idea almost cliched at this point. Therefore, an album such as this that achieves both is doubly important. Unlike so many such experiments, it doesn't come across as forced. It neither comes off like some sort of musical colonialism, where the hip American musicians use Jamaican elements as a means to show off their worldliness, nor does it seem like any contributing party is concerned with using the other to attain credibility. The album rewards no cynicism and recognizes none of the artificial boundaries that preoccupy so many artists. It comes across as a self-contained artistic entity, beholden to such disparate influences that it lays outside their respective purviews and, without seeming contrived, serves as a testament to music's ability to act as a common demoninator between people.

DAILY FIX: The Fire Tapes, "Attack Of The Clones"

Necci — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:51 -0400

The Fire Tapes are a Charlottesville indie-rock band that's been getting a bit of attention lately through high-profile gigs like Charlottesville's Tom Tom Founders Festival, as well as opening for Dirty Ghosts when they played DC's Black Cat. Their debut album, Dream Travel, was released last fall, and they've just released a video for "Attack Of The Clones," a track from that album. The song itself is an uptempo indie-rock tune driven by jangly guitars. It fits in well with the recent revival in the local indie scene of more 90s-identified sounds--which, to my mind, is always an improvement over the recent mellow pop/electronica direction that a lot of indie rock has taken. The music The Fire Tapes are making would be a surefire hit for fans of local bands like The Diamond Center, Heavy Midgets, and Young Adult Fiction, and should connect with anyone who enjoys bands like Yo La Tengo, Television, and The Dream Syndicate. The video for "Attack Of The Clones" is pretty interesting in its own right. In keeping with the song's title, the video appears to document an intrusion into singer/guitarist Betsy Wright's life of a clone with disruptive intentions. The use of a body double is pretty obvious at certain points, but it's still an entertaining visual fable, especially at the end of the video, when Wright and her "clone" face off in a duel with pistols. Check it out.

The Fire Tapes will be performing in Richmond next week, on Thursday May 24 at The Republic (2053 W. Broad St.), along with Wild Moccasins, from Austin, TX. The show is presented by Ontology Promotions, and it is FREE! For more info, click HERE.

Five Film Favorites: Johnny Depp Films

Necci — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:05:25 -0400

Upon viewing a still image of Johnny Depp as Tonto for the upcoming Lone Ranger flick (2013), I came to the conclusion that Johnny Depp looks tremendous in makeup. He probably looks good all the time, but he shines in makeup. While the choice to have Depp represent Tonto may be politically and culturally dubious (as if the character of Tonto is not always already fraught with political and cultural dubiousness), Depp nonetheless looked terrific in makeup that may or may not be a culturally and historically accurate representation of Native Americans. Maybe it is the slight and angular nature of Depp’s face and jawbone, or maybe his constant work with director Tim Burton has made me accustomed to seeing him made up with eyeliner, rouge, and base.

Whatever the reason, Depp almost always wears some sort of painted mask, yet this mask has not hidden his gaze. Indeed, Depp, at his core, seems to always be clown, a jester, a joker. He is always playing at playing someone or something else. Instead of hiding behind the makeup, the makeup illuminates his true cinematic self.

The image of Depp as Tonto along with the release of Dark Shadows (2012), another Burton film in which Depp dons a heavy dose of makeup, provided the genesis of this five film favorites list. Depp’s career is surprisingly long and agile; he has artfully and successfully meandered through a multitude of genres and styles.

Depp also has the distinction of being cited as a hottie by some of the coolest and most intelligent women I have known. He is the anti-Matthew McConaughey in the same way that Cate Blanchett is the anti-Angelina Jolie. Without further ado, my five favorite Depp films.

Ed Wood (1994) – Directed by Tim Burton

A terrific examination of the cult B-movie director, Ed Wood indulges in Depp’s ability to simultaneously be both goofy and sincere. This is also one of Burton’s more sincere films. Burton often deals in fantasy, but Ed Wood depicts an actual artist’s striving and longing. While often played for laughs, neither Depp nor Burton ridicule Wood’s desire and devotion. The film also has terrific support from Martin Landau, Bill Murray, and George “The Animal” Steele.

Dead Man (1995) – Directed by Jim Jarmusch

I can say, without hesitation or qualms, that this is my favorite Depp film. Similar to Ed Wood, Depp is beautifully rendered by black and white film. Indeed, the entire cinematography of Dead Man is stunningly gorgeous. Aside from being my favorite Depp film, this is also my favorite Jarmusch piece. Both Depp and Jarmusch should make more Westerns. There is so much to love about Dead Man: natural black and white cinematography, references to William Blake’s poetry, Robert Mitchum (Robert Mitchum!), and Crispin Glover. I once took a date to see Dead Man at the University of Chicago. She thought that the film was dull and tedious. We did not go on another date.

Donnie Brasco (1997) – Directed by Mike Newell

Depp plays a tough guy, a FBI informant deeply embedded within the mob, and he exhibits a range and skill set that had not been afforded to him in previous films. Depp is still most frequently cast as the artsy or quirky loner or trickster, but here he pulls off the FBI/mob tough guy schtick well. He easily holds his own alongside more traditional tough guy actors such as Al Pacino, Michael Madsen, and Bruno Kirby.

Finding Neverland (2004) – Directed by Marc Foster

Depp’s turn as author J.M. Barrie is both similar to and different from many of his earlier roles. He is an odd and artsy loner, but his performance is reserved and understated. While the accent is nothing special, he does pull off a particularly British mode of masculine self-restraint and emotional repression: a necessity in any British period piece that, like Finding Neverland, seeks to mimic a Merchant/Ivory production. This film deservedly earned an Oscar nod, as did Depp, and is filled with terrific performances all around: Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, and Kelly Macdonald.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) – Directed by Tim Burton

I suppose that this might be classified as a British period piece, but it certainly contains no restraint or repression. Gore and guts abound. Probably my favorite Burton film, Sweeney Todd succeeds as a lavish and horrific fantasy and a musical. Moreover, it succeeds as a musical even though Depp and Helena Bonham Carter cannot sing. In other words, it avoids the fate of Paint Your Wagon (1969). Depp is able to get through the musical numbers by relying on his rockstar-like persona rather than his voice. The more I reflect back upon Sweeney Todd, the more I like it. And rather than list all the reasons that recommend this film, I will list only one: Alan Rickman. If you need more explanation, you are beyond help.

By Todd Hunter Starkweather/originally appeared at James River Film Journal

TONIGHT: Downbeat Switch w/ The Dream Machine At The Republic

Dan — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:35:09 -0400

It was a rock smorgasbord at The Republic last Thursday, where The Dream Machine warmed the crowd for Sam Robinson and the Groove-Elators and closing act Beef Lizard. As the opening act, The Dream Machine set was toned down just a touch. This was certainly not a bad thing; it was refreshing to see them play with a greater degree of control. I heard several different renditions of familiar songs - they took "I Want It" and funked it out, leaving more room for J. Shear to belt guitar solos. I also heard a new blues number, to which Luke Wilson went wild on harmonica.

Sam Robinson and The Groove-Elators; now, I must choose my words carefully here. These guys are immensely talented, polished, and they do indeed rock. However, if I go too long without hearing a minor chord, I start to feel like seeking out a fight club. To great effect, these blues rockers use an array of sounds and styles - they're jazzy, funky, and both guitarists shred like no one's business. But you cannot escape the overtly cheery DMB, Spin Doctors, OAR feeling that oozes out. Without the rise and fall of minor sound in songs, I don't think there's much internal evocation from the music. Although that's not to say that the Groove-Elators left me emotionally unstirred. Sometimes, you really just want to punch music in the face. Ahem.

Beef Lizard closed out the night with some instrumental hard alt rock. I'm reluctant to call them metal, perhaps due to the absence of lyrics. I must say, it was an absolute relief to hear some minor chords after the Groove-Elators. Beef Lizard's set escalated on many levels from start to finish. It sounded as if they played a chronology of the music they'd written, from elementary to super-advanced. So as the set progressed, so did the level of musicianship. In a three-piece, the guitar's role is doubly critical. Beef Lizard's frontman did a superb job jumping from stompy chords to flailing solos, with microseconds in between.

This Wednesday, May 16 at The Republic, Radio Rubber Room presents Downbeat Switch, a band that needs little introduction. They've been rocking Richmond since 2002 with an upbeat, quick-witted style. I've never heard a lulling moment in any of their songs; all transitions are poignant and flowing, aided especially by the presence of keyboards that bind the band cohesively. A constant intermingling of vocal harmony between lead singer Jenna Be and guitarist Meredith Brooks is a large part of DBS's inimitable sound. And of course, The Dream Machine will be there to get us all hot and bothered. In fact, just thinking about it makes me want to... oooh yeah. Hearken to the call of The Republic, 10pm.

Hit up the EVENT PAGE for more information!

Seussical The Musical At Theatre IV

April — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:16:36 -0400

Seussical The Musical, a theatrical adaptation of multiple characters, books, and aspects from the world of Dr. Suess (Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, and more), is in town at Theatre IV. I was able to chat with one of the lead actresses in the musical, Aly Wepplo--whose previous credits include Theatre IV’s The Ugly Duckling and Harriet Tubman, Barksdale’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Is He Dead? and Lend Me a Tenor--to get the lowdown on what we can expect from the play.

What can you tell us about the musical? Do you think it will be good for all age groups?

Seussical is a musical of Dr Seuss stories and its about imagination, family and love, taking care of one another. and yeah it is for people of all ages. I've seen it myself, as an adult and gotten a lot of out it. It's a really sweet story, you don't have to be a kid to like it.

It will be good for "our" crowd?

Yes, it's a lot of humor that adults will appreciate even more than kids.

What can you tell us about your character?

I play Gertrude McFuzz. Gertrude is a bird with a one feathered tail. Her neighbor, Mayzie has a big tail with lots of feathers, and Gertrude is jealous. She tries to get more feathers for herself, and she has to learn a lesson about appreciating what she already has.

What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Is it in the play?

As a child I really enjoyed Hop On Pop. I guess its not in the play, [but] there's a lot of rhyming [and] a lot of hopping.

So as far as sets and costumes, will this be the trippy experience that I'm hoping for?

Yes. That and more. There [are] a lot of colors and light, explosions of sound, and fur. There's fur all over everything. Some people are Whos--you know, from How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Did you have children play the Whos?

There are five kids in the play. They are all amazing, serious actors and they all have this [elaborate] walk they do. They play animals too.

Is there anything specific that you are happy to be doing this play compare to other plays you've been in as far as musicals?

This one is just fun. It's joy from start to finish, and we're there to have a good time.

After conducting this interview, I went to see Seussical at an incredibly early showing, and felt like I was the only adult in the house who wasn't accompanying a child. Once the show started, though, I couldn't even tell there were kids in the theatre. All of them were enthralled by what was presented to us--as was I. The set design was amazing, with pops of color and Seuss-style illustration distributed amongst the quirky tilted faux-landscapes--plus, tons of fur! Certain moments felt like a shroom-induced trip, and the direction was incredibly interactive. I know non-stop singing is not for everyone, but the harmonies from the entire ensemble gave me goosebumps. This was absolutely worth checking out.

Seussical The Musical is currently showing at Theatre IV's Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre (formerly the Empire Theatre), located at 114 W. Broad St (Directions HERE). The remaining performances will take place at 7 PM on Friday May 18, at 10 AM and again at 2 PM on Saturday, May 19, and at 2 PM on Sunday, May 20. Advance tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.

Words and Illustration by April Kelly
Aly Wepplo Photo by Robyn O'Neill

An Oath of Service Betrayed–-By One-Third of the Virginia House of Delegates

Necci — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:18:58 -0400

During the recent debate on the judicial nomination of Tracy Thorne-Begland for appointment to the General District Court bench, social conservative members of the House of Delegates repeatedly claimed that Mr. Thorne-Begland was unfit to serve as a judge because he had violated his duty to his country when he chose to declare his sexual orientation while in active military service. They likewise claimed that he betrayed his oath as a commissioned officer, thus calling into question his integrity and faithfulness to his mission. These Delegates sought to vote down Mr. Thorne-Begland’s nomination, extolling the sanctity of an oath and a duty that he allegedly broke.

For the moment, put aside the fact that the Virginia General Assembly chose to let ignorance prevail in its consideration of a learned individual for judicial appointment. Put aside the fact that the nomination of a decorated former Navy pilot, career prosecutor, loving father, and highly respected member of the community was derailed due to the fear-mongering of a coalition seduced by the McCarthyistic power of the bully pulpit. Put all of that aside and contemplate how our representatives in the House of Delegates regarded their own oath of office, their own duty of service, when it came time to vote on Mr. Thorne-Begland’s nomination.

Out of 100 members of the House of Delegates, only sixty-four members cast a vote on this critical, judicial nomination. Ten members abstained, and twenty-six members simply did not vote. More than one-third of our elected representatives in the House of Delegates chose not to cast a vote on a judicial nomination.

Prior to assuming office, each member of the House of Delegates must swear an oath of service, which states, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me … according to the best of my ability, (so help me God).” Va. Code §49-1. Furthermore, Rule 30 of the House of Delegates, passed in January 2012, dictates that “No member shall absent himself from the service of the House unless he has leave granted by the Speaker or is sick or otherwise unable to attend and such leave shall be entered upon the Journal.”

These Delegates swore faithful and impartial discharge of all the duties incumbent upon them, which presumably includes voting upon judicial nominations. They took an oath as officers of the Commonwealth, as elected representatives of the people of Virginia. There is no exception clause for when the vote may be controversial. There is no exclusion footnote for when the debate makes a representative uncomfortable. There is no expiration time for when the debate lasts past the midnight hour.

Faithful and impartial discharge of duties is unequivocally clear – steadfast, unbiased representation. Nevertheless, more than one-third of the House of Delegates equivocated when called upon to exercise their basic duty – to vote.

Edmund Burke is credited as once saying, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Through its treatment of Mr. Thorne-Begland’s nomination, the Virginia House of Delegates twice failed all Virginians. First, it failed to appoint to the Virginia bench a bi-partisan nominee of unquestionable character and legal acumen. Second, it failed to fulfill the oath it swore to Virginians--by not even showing up to vote.

Tara Casey is a Richmond lawyer who lives in Hanover County with her husband and two small children; prior to her current position at the University of Richmond School of Law, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

SATURDAY: League Of Space Pirates At Gallery 5!

Necci — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:47:58 -0400

Anytime Noah Scalin's mysterious group of intergalactic rangers, The League Of Space Pirates, perform live, it's a full-on multimedia extravaganza, and their upcoming appearance this Saturday at Gallery 5, an evening known as the Cabinet Of Cosmic Curiosities, won't be an exception. Their futuristic digital rock n' roll is the star of the show, but as far as what you'll see if you come out to Gallery 5 this Saturday night, it's just the tip of the iceberg.

The Lady Aye, NYC's Sweetheart Of The Sideshow, will also be performing, and with talents ranging from fire eating to sword swallowing and a host of other death-defying freakshow tricks, you can be sure you'll see something unforgettable during her set. You can also expect to enjoy a musical performance from The Madness Of Two, Jebidiah Stone's levitation skills, the amazing dance sensation Khalima, and a great DJ mix from Mikemetic! And there's even more than that to look forward to--specifically, body painting by Sheila Gray, and an Intergalactic Photo Booth set up to document your experience. Best of all, if you come dressed as a pirate, you'll save $5 off the cover charge! This event should be an out-of-this-world good time, so we expect to see you there!

WHAT: League Of Space Pirates Present The Cabinet Of Cosmic Curiosities
WHO: League Of Space Pirates, The Lady Aye, The Madness Of Two, Jebidiah Stone, Khalima, Mikemetic, and more!
WHERE: Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St.
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 7 PM
ADMISSION: $15, or $10 in costume! Advance tickets available HERE

Here are a couple of videos to get you hyped. First, we have League Of Space Pirates' video for their song "Constant Reminder," from their 2010 EP, Hypertrophy. Then we have a clip from Lady Aye's 2010 appearance on Discovery Channel TV show Oddities, in which she performs a sword-swallowing in front of the fascinated and appalled store owner. And if that doesn't make you want to come see this show on Saturday, I don't know what will.

DAILY RECORD: Prong

Necci — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:28:28 -0400

Prong - Carved Into Stone (Long Branch)

Prong are a New York-based metal band who've existed intermittently since the mid-80s. Singer/guitarist Tommy Victor founded the band with powerhouse drummer Ted Parsons, who had previously played with Swans. The two were joined by several different bass players, keyboardists, and second guitarists over the next decade or so, during which they released half a dozen albums. The most popular of those albums, 1994's Cleansing, gave the world "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck," the single Prong are most widely known for. That album featured Killing Joke members Paul Raven and John Bechdel on bass and keyboards, respectively, and displayed an industrial tinge. However, my personal preference where Prong's work is concerned was always for the albums they released a few years before Cleansing. The mix of crossover-tinged thrash metal and chunky midtempo mosh riffs that they presented on Beg To Differ (1990) and Prove You Wrong (1991) was what originally made me a Prong fan. Songs like "Lost And Found" and "Unconditional" are still personal favorites over two decades later. Carved Into Stone is, if anything, a mix of the different styles explored on Beg To Differ and Cleansing, and the combination works well... most of the time.

The original Prong lineup disbanded in 1996, and Victor went on to play in Danzig and Ministry, occasionally reforming Prong with a revolving cast of supporting members. Carved Into Stone is the third studio album they've released since their initial reformation in 2000, and the first with bassist Tony Campos (Ministry, Static-X) and drummer Alexei Rodriguez (Catharsis, Trial, 3 Inches Of Blood) in the band. The album is produced by Steve Evetts, who has previously worked with Poison The Well and The Dillinger Escape Plan, among others. He was clearly the right man for the job, as the entire album has a thick, solid production that fits perfectly with Prong's sound. The album's first few songs will make any listener who has come to Carved Into Stone seeking heavy thrash power very happy. Opener "Eternal Heat" is particularly pounding, with chunky, galloping rhythm guitar riffs and quick, powerful drumming from Rodriguez, who even throws in a couple of brief blast beats. "Keep On Living In Pain" is slower, but just as heavy, using more rhythm guitar gallops to create the perfect soundtrack for some serious headbanging. There are several other notably heavy tracks on this album--"List Of Grievances" is the fastest, letting Rodriguez loose on the type of fast hardcore beats that were a regular part of his repertoire in 90s hardcore bands Trial and Catharsis. Meanwhile, the album's title track is slow and sludgy in a manner that recalls classic Sabbath riffage; Victor's vocals on the chorus even sound kind of like Ozzy.

If there's anything that keeps Carved Into Stone from being an all-around hit, it's the detours into melody that occur on several of the tracks herein. The album's leadoff single, "Revenge... Best Served Cold," was the first song I heard from it, and in spite of the fact that I went into my first listen really wanting to like it, I was put off by the chorus. The problem isn't Victor's melodic singing--he's better at the transition from heavier, harsher vocals into more overt melodies than a lot of thrash/metal vocalists are, and he does it well on several other tracks on this album. The issue is that the chorus riff doesn't really even sound heavy. Evetts' production and Rodriguez's pounding drums can only disguise so much, and underneath all that thick crunchy sound, the chorus riff on "Revenge... Best Served Cold" is straight up radio rock. That's not what I come to a Prong album to hear, and whether Tommy Victor wrote this riff because he's honestly into it or because he had to deal with record company pressure to write a single is not really even relevant. What matters is that riffs like this dilute the power of an album that could have been quite heavy, and keep it from being a solid listening experience from beginning to end. Sadly, "Revenge... Best Served Cold" is not the only offender--other than a chunky pre-chorus, "Put Myself To Sleep" is loaded down with multiple radio-rockin' melodic riffs, and "Path Of Least Resistance" is reminiscent of Pantera's "Cemetery Gates," in that it sounds like a fundamentally heavy band attempting to jump on the power-ballad bandwagon. At least when Pantera released that song 22 years ago, at the height of power-ballad chart dominance, it made sense as a career move. What's Prong's excuse?

Getting the chance to review this album led me to do some deep excavation of my record collection. Over the past week or so, in addition to several plays through Carved Into Stone, I've also replayed Beg To Differ, Prove You Wrong, Cleansing, and even their 1988 debut, Force Fed, a few times, remembering the Prong records I loved as a teenager. Doing so reminded me of something I'd completely forgotten--in addition to containing classic tunes like "Lost And Found," "Unconditional," and "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck," all of those albums contained at least one or two duds. It seems that back in the day, Prong's albums were no more of a consistent pleasure for me than Carved Into Stone is. However, the good songs on those old albums were both good enough and plentiful enough to remain much more strongly in my mind than any of their down moments did. Will I think of Carved Into Stone the same way in 20 years that I think of Prove You Wrong right now? Only time will tell, but it seems likely. I always enjoy its highlights, and unless I'm paying close attention while listening, the lesser tracks don't bother me enough to make me reach for the skip button. On the whole, I think if any mistake was made where this album was concerned, it was the choice to release a song with potential mainstream appeal as the first single, rather than a straight down the middle thrash track (my suggestion would have been "Keep On Living In Pain"). It's been a long time since Prong was in the spotlight; right now, instead of trying to win over new potential listeners, they need to shore up their base.

Radio Rubber Room EP 62, Featuring The Rift

Dan — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:40:42 -0400

In this episode, Jenna Be of Downbeat Switch was guest hosting, and The Rift was in the building. The guys busted out some tunes and it was shenaniginsanity.

This episode includes RVA music from NO BS! Brass Band, Spotted Dead Nettle, Vexine, Big Enough, Relacksachian and The Good Birds.

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Sounds Of RVA Presents: On The Horizon #9

Necci — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:37:50 -0400

Recently, theatlanticcities.com named Richmond as one of the top music trendsetters in the country AND the world. Not only are there bands of great caliber popping up left and right, but we have so many long term bands that have and will continue to shape the scene. Way to go, RVA! Here's what's happening around town this week:

First up, Lorem Ipsum has released a couple kick-ass new tracks. "Luck Has It" has a rough edge with gritty guitars that seem extra polished due to the crisp recording. The song channels 90s "alternative" acts like STP or Queens of the Stone Age. "Food Warmed Over" juxtaposes NIN edge and falsetto woos with Jack White-style guitar licks. Let's just say these guys know what's they're doing, and they're doing it.

The band has new t-shirts (and stickers) with a pretty sweet design, so pick one up while you can. Lorem Ipsum plays @ Cellar Door next Saturday (5/26) with Navi and Heavy Midgets. Also catch them on "Richmond City Limits" on WRIR June 9.

Richmond native D.ue J.ustice has just released The OtH3r Side of the Universe, produced by James Dangle. The album has sweet beats, boss samples, and relentless flow. Check out "Prez Hustle" for real swag and "Seasons Change Dad" for the sweetest father voicemail sound byte.

The 0tH3r Side of the Universe by Due Justice

Caleb Flood (Coald Toast, Vinegar) is a singer-songwriter that brings to mind Devendra Banhart. Sorry, the only link for him I could find was myspace, so it's a tad outdated. He has just released an EP called El Duende. Flood recorded the album in Puerto Natales, Chile, so it has a little exoticism in its drugged-out folk. Standout track "River of Rolling Light" is the most listenable and approachable.

El Duende EP by Caleb Flood

J. Static may be young, be he certainly has a handle on speedy, fresh flow. The title of his latest release, The CHRONICles, is the first sign that this music is pro-weed. The reference to sour diesel in the song "Tha Dopeness" remind us he's down. He might overuse "swag" a bit, but who doesn't these days? #YOLO The jury is still out on the "Eleanor Rigby" sample in "Rigby," though.

The CHRONICles by J.Static

Singer/songwriter Megan Parochka has just released a beautiful EP of six acoustic songs. It is just her voice and her guitar, and her songs are catchy. Her vocals are fairly intoxicating, with a slight Southern yodel and vast range. Keep an eye out for this girl.

I'm Alive by Megan Parochka

photo by Sounds of RVA

Finally, I had the opportunity to see Spindrift from Los Angeles at Strange Matter on May 7th. Opening bands included Peace Beast (whom I missed, unfortunately) and Strangers Family Band (also from LA). I was able to film about four minutes of Spindrift playing, and it sounds alright. Their set included a slew of instrumentation (synths, double neck bass/baritone, pedal steel, etc.) and brought the venue to psychedelic Western territory. By the end of the night, everyone in the audience wanted to take a little peyote and wander in the desert for a while.

By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.tumblr.com)

DAILY FIX: RVAlution Summer 2012 PhotoAnimation

Necci — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:55 -0400

The summer 2012 season of RVAlution started last Tuesday, and Todd Raviotta was on the scene, documenting the wild and crazy times that went on. In addition to great tunes being spun all night from DJ Doddie of Audio Ammo and PLF DJs Reinhold and MTK, the Party Liberation Front crew was on-hand, engaging in all sorts of antics to get the crowd hyped up! Bellydancing, acrobatics, hooping, and even fire-eating were all happening onstage that night, and Todd caught it all, as you can see in the video below!

The second episode of RVAlution's Summer 2012 season is happening TONIGHT at the Epic Theatre (formerly The Hat Factory), featuring DC's LJ MTX and Bobby LaBeat of the Audio Ammo crew! Pick up tickets HERE, and for more info, check out the event page HERE! Don't miss it!

Video by Todd Raviotta
Still Image by Mike Hostetler
Words by Andrew Necci

Doctor Astronaut's Star Slam #6

Necci — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:37:45 -0400

Venus, our seductive planet of love and money and all of the pleasures and downfalls that go with it, moves retrograde at Gemini beginning today and ends the 27th of June. Venus appears to be moving backwards or standing still in the sky because of the way the Sun casts a shadow on it in relation to Earth. This period is going to be a time to reflect on your personal life and your relationships. This is not a time to take serious action or make rash judgments and decisions. Assess and reassess. You may feel like giving someone the boot, but instead, just take a step back.

Ex-lovers will be popping up all over the place. New information and insight into the past will become available and for some, and it may even be a time to consider second chances. I said CONSIDER. Any relationships or partnerships begun during this cycle won’t survive easily. I suggest you wait till July to sign on the metaphorical dotted line… this goes for business as well. I wouldn’t suggest making any drastic changes to your appearance during this time either. You’ll probably hate it.

In other news, there is going to be a solar eclipse in Gemini on May 20th. As the sun enters Gemini, activity in our mental processes and our daily lives will gain some momentum. This eclipse will assist in Venus’s efforts to shed light on patterns of interaction. With Neptune squaring the moon, our addictions and personal ruts are going to be more clear to us than we are comfortable with. If you’re thinking of comforting yourself with material things… don’t. Not now.

Aries/Aries Rising
You’ve been hearing so many promising things lately, haven’t you, Aries? There is no question that these promises were made in the sincerest of moments, but do question whether or not these things are realistic. The eager ram needs to take stock of things that are within reach. Long-term goals and far-fetched ideas are grand indeed. You always have genius ideas. But remember that the more tiny details are involved, the more time you need to consider what it is you are committing to. You will benefit greatly from communication, whether it be written or spoken. I’m willing to bet that you’re about to come across some new information that is going to open an entirely new path to you. Carpe diem!

Taurus/Taurus Rising
One second it seems your wallet is stuffed and you’re living large, and the next you’re fighting the urge to whip out the plastic. It’s about time that you bulls dig a little deeper into your own values. What is it that you really want? Does it match what it is that you really need? Your financial and emotional security is coming into focus in a big way. You love to own things, and understand the value of steady work in order to keep the things that you accumulate. But still, you might be feeling that something is missing. Despite all that steady trudging, circumstances seem to be holding you back. Your challenge is to figure out what it is that you truly value, and do what you will to earn it. It’s possible that many bulls will be putting some goals on the backburner, or changing directions entirely. It’s your right.

Gemini/Gemini Rising
Geminians all over are looking at themselves in the mirror and mentally warping themselves into what they want to be, or at least how they want to be seen. Keep in mind however that the way that the world sees you is only partially up to you. You can’t control the thoughts of others but there is no shame in working on your style, and your personality. You’re in a unique place now and you might be paying more attention than usual to detail. This may seem tedious to some, but you have your reasons. Keep a tight watch for ill-fated attractions, especially if they closely resemble something that you have already experienced. It’s entirely possible that you are setting yourself up for this, as you feel there may be some unfinished business. It may be a good time to put excessive fun on the back burner. You need to keep your head right now. There will always be another party.

Cancer/Cancer Rising
Cancerians are going through a cleansing of the subconscious. Dreams are more vivid now, and escapism is likely. You’re probably suffering in silence with old secrets, personal demons, and disappointments. You’re naturally insecure, and you’ve been experiencing plenty of ups and downs lately. It’s beginning to make you a little sea-sick. Actually, many Cancerians manifest this stress as a literal tummy-ache. Keep in mind that you feel things rather strongly, and sometimes full emotional disclosure is not really necessary for successful communication--nor is it always appreciated. You live your life by feeling things out and with home and family issues looming over your head constantly, you’ve had the urge to dive into… something. In fact, you’ve been nearly craving more work to do. If paid work isn’t available, throw yourself into a craft. A creative outlet is key for you right now. So is taking care of your body. You’ll find your center again.

Leo/Leo Rising
Leoneans have been socializing and networking and working to keep up a reputation--at least I hope so. You’re in a situation not unlike our Gemini friends, where you are trying to revamp yourself. But unlike our airy twin friends, you are doing it more for the sake of higher aspirations and social goals, and less for learning about your collective “self.” As I told Gemini, however, the way that people see you is not entirely up to you. But it would be wise to be sincere in your actions as you continue to meet and greet. Be savvy and prepared for every connection. Stand out, but be careful about self-righteous attitudes. It’s the best kind of PR. You’ll be doing some cleansing of your social contacts, but I urge you to take your time in making such decisions. You’ll be etching your place in your social circles.

Virgo/Virgo Rising
Female or male, there is always going to be a figure of authority. They’ll always be lingering over your shoulder telling you how to do your job. They’ll always annoy you with their unsolicited advice. IF you allow people in your life, someone will always be holding you back just a little bit. This is just the way of the human animal. Your reputation precedes you, make no mistake. But perhaps it is time to find a balance between your personal achievements, and making room for people. You are, after all, a human animal. Career. Fame. Honor. All wonderful things. You must decide for yourself whether or not there is room in your life for someone to annoy you, in a good way. Lucky for you, now is a time for consideration, not a time to make new commitments. Mull it over for a month or so. For those of you already committed, you may need to reprioritize.

Libra/Libra Rising
The time has come for the scales to do a bit of weighing and measuring and brainstorming. What is it that you’ve always wanted? How does it fit into your life as it stands today? What do you believe in? I’m not saying that you should be where you envisioned being, or even know the answers to these questions, but now is a time for you to think. Don’t rush. Your day-to-day life is shifting drastically and you’re revisiting matters involving education, travel, publishing, legal matters, and hopes for the future. You've been through a lot lately, and it’s beginning to reveal a stronger you, but it’s your own responsibility to develop in your new skin. In many ways, you’ve experienced a death of your old self. You’re just now getting your feet wet. Use this Venus retrograde period wisely Libra. You need this time to heal and to grow.

Scorpio/Scorpio Rising
Scorpions, you need to hide your credit cards. You sense a change coming, but you’re not in the clear yet, financially speaking. It’s a good time to be low-profile, because most of you owe money. Many Scorpios that aren’t already paired up are currently stalking prey, in a sense. The difficult part about this is that as intensely mysterious as you are often accused of being, monogamy actually works best for a (dare I say) jealous type like yourself. You’re passionate, and whether you admit it or not, it’s all or nothing in relationships. At least, you’re ultimately happiest with this arrangement. And yes, that means that you have to offer your partner the same courtesies that you expect from them--monogamy and otherwise. You’re going to relive some repressed fears concerning intimacy choices and control issues. Hopefully you’ll be putting it behind you. Keep things light for now, and don’t start anything new relationship-wise until late next month if you want it to last.

Sagittarius/Sagittarius Rising
I urge archers to take a wide step backwards and have yourself a long hard think. Somebody is being a complete pain in the ass. That seems to be the theme with relationships, doesn’t it? Archers are often quick to take the fast-relief approach to medicating such a predicament, but circumstances are pleading that you slow down. Matters relating to commitment, contracts, lawsuits, and giving and receiving are coming into focus. The time is coming for you to make some crucial choices, even during the retrograde period, so hold off if you can. New information that is important to you is going to be revealed, and may help you in any major decision-making. Don’t sign any contracts now. Don’t start any new relationships now. Just try and wait until after the retrograde period to make any final decisions.

Capricorn/Capricorn Rising
Sometimes, Capricorn, it’s ok to say no. Yes, even you. In fact, making yourself too available can be pitfall in the long run. People start to see you as a pushover--someone who doesn’t know how to stand his or her ground. You've worked very hard, and now perhaps it is time to allow some of the groundwork you’ve laid work for you. Some sort of compromise is likely, and as long as you both play fair, it can be a happy one. You need personal time though, Capricorn. Your health and your daily life is in focus for you now. Your normal interactions with bosses, coworkers, and relatives are under review. Most of the changes you should make are small, but important nonetheless. Focus on you, and what you can do for others. Little refinements make a big difference.

Aquarius/Aquarius Rising
Water-bearers have been busy little bodies lately. The projects you’ve been working on are keeping you up at night, as is that bridge you’ve been thinking about burning, but haven’t quite mustered the will to do so. Your creativity is in focus now, and it may do you a world of good to allow your mind to let the focus off that project of yours long enough to daydream a little. You should pay attention to where your mind wanders, and maybe follow it down the rabbit hole for a little while. Don’t forget where it leads you. This is going to be a time full of inspiration and a sense of real potential, so it isn’t a time to waste your energies, creatively or romantically. Although again, no major decision-making until after Venus goes direct again. Pay attention to your dreams. Write things down. And try not to shut people out. You've metaphorically drawn an Ace of Wands, marking new beginnings, adventures, creative form, and confidence. Use it well.

Pisces/Pisces Rising
The time has come to put some of those wild dreams of yours into motion. Although you aren’t the most cocksure of the zodiac, creatively, you are formidable. Usually you just need to be pushed a little bit. Now is the time to seek this out. At this time, your home and living situation is under scrutiny. Where you live, and who you share your home with, comes into consideration. How were you raised? What did your upbringing and home life look like? What was your mother like? What do you want your lifestyle to look like later in life? You’re starting to review these things and reflect on potential changes. Try not to worry too much about it. The fact that you are thinking about these things will shape what you do about it in the future. For now, you have big ideas that need implementing. Take baby steps. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

RVALUTION! - Summer Run Pics

john — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:09:16 -0400

Last week marked the first RVALUTION summer party, and we brought many amazing performers!! The party continues this week: Tuesday, May 15th with LJ MTX, Bobby LaBeat (Audio Ammo) and RudeeBeatz!!

Check out last week's pics after the jump!

Photographers:
Dope on Plastic
Ben Muri
Berry West
Mike Hostetler

Next RVALUTION: Tuesday, May 15--that's tomorrow! Come out!

Order advance tickets HERE, and check out the Facebook Event Page for more info!
Ticket Link:

Psychedelic Dreamscape: An Interview With DJ 2Rip

john — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:26:32 -0400

I have heard quite a few things about DJ 2Rip over the years from several big EDM parties up north. Recently I caught wind of a huge party he was playing up in the DMV area that was being thrown by B.A.D.ASS Raves, called Psychedelic Dreamscape 2. I have been wanting to check out 2Rip for quite some time and decided to get in touch. I have to say this: I have talked to quite a few people in the electronic music scene over the years, and I was very happy to find someone so down to earth. Seriously, he loves the music, and appreciates all those around him that help make it happen. So I'm totally stoked on this interview, and hope to pull him down to RVA some time. Check it out below...

Why did you pick 2Rip as your DJ name?

I used to perform under my full name but in January of 2000 I had made the cut to play on a really big lineup. I felt like having a DJ name would be beneficial to me for that show. The name was chosen as my sister's boyfriend and I were watching Boiler Room. Vin Diesel & Giovanni Ribisi had a boss in that movie who had "2RIP" on his license plate in the movie. My sister's boyfriend pointed at the screen and said "Why don't you use that?" I arbitrarily decided to use it, under the assumption that I could later change my DJ name if I wanted.

My time slot for the show was a closing set at 6 AM, and I didn't anticipate many people sticking around to hear me on that lineup. But surprisingly enough, a good 400 people were still on the dancefloor, and I got encored twice with people chanting my new DJ name. So I decided to keep the name after all.

What made you want to start DJing / Producing?

I've always felt musically inclined. When growing up I taught myself to play guitar and piano, but was never very successful with it. I always wanted to be a performer, and my skills were too underdeveloped to ever be in a band. I also grew up on electronic music, having started listening to it in 1991. Learning how Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails produced his beats from his basement really inspired me to produce, and becoming involved in the rave scene skyrocketed my interest in DJing.

What artists have influenced you the most?

There has been a progression over the years. Recently my musical taste has been influenced by bassline music and producers like Jay Robinson, AC Slater, Figure, and Delta Heavy.

What was Buzz like for you "back in the day"? How has the scene changed over the years?

Buzz was where you went on Friday night to party with thousands of people who loved rave music. It had become a gathering place for all of my friends and was essentially a ritual. I can't think of a Friday night when I lived in DC that I didn't spend at Buzz at Nation Nightclub. The scene back then was very focused on nightclub events, and most of the parties outside of Buzz were 21+. The regional scene nowadays is a large spread, from age 16 the whole way past the age of 40, depending on the event. It's really cool to see such a big demographic. However, the age gaps can be unsettling for some of the people who sit at opposing ends of the spectrum.

Where are your favorite places to spin?

Anywhere that people are fully engaged in the musical element and prepared to eat up whatever I give them!

Other than electronic music, what types of music are you into?

I grew up with punk rock and metal, so I am inclined to still listen to my old CD collection. If I ever get married I would use "Some Kinda Hate" by The Misfits as my wedding song.

OK, so I have to ask: all time favorite track to drop to surprise people?

I have a few hip hop tracks that I like to surprise people with. The last time I played in Richmond I played "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg, and enjoyed the reactions I got from it. Some people thought it was a remix and I could see them getting ready for the drop that never came. And other people were giving me the look of "Oh, you went there, didn't you?" Probably my favorite tune that I play almost everywhere is a heavy drum and conga based track called "Congo Drums" by Rene Kuppens. It's aggressive and heavy, and it's such an energy booster when you've already got people hyped. It just takes things to the next level. To this date, I've never heard another DJ play it.

You just completed over 30 gigs on the Annihilating Rhythm 4 Tour. Can you tell me what you learned from doing this tour?

This was my second tour of this size, and it was the first time where I went months at a time without ever seeing my house. The best thing about touring was that I got to play for so many new people, and I got to see areas of the country that I would have never gotten to experience. The downside to touring is that it actually gets pretty lonely when you don't have anyone to travel with. So I was really thankful for all the ragers who invited me to dinner or to afterparties. A lot of new friendships were made in the process.

I have heard some talk about your new CD. When is it expected to drop?

It's hard to say! I am very dedicated to making every "Annihilating Rhythm" mix into a masterpiece. Each of the first three discs has told a story, and I've been dedicated to providing the same level of quality with Volume 4 of the series. We've already started to promote the mix to raise awareness that it will be dropping soon. However, it looks like the release date will be sometime in June and it can be downloaded through my Facebook fan page for free at facebook.com/thedj2rip.

You're playing the closing slot at Psychedelic Dreamscape next week in DC. You always seem to close out these shows. What can you tell me about the significance behind playing the closing slot at these parties?

The first Dreamscape party back in 2010 was a ground-breaking event for DC rave promoters. At the time, most parties were lucky to have 200 people show up, unless you were Steez Promo or Club Glow. Dreamscape sold out at the warehouse it was hosted at, with over 500 people, which was phenomenal considering it was a lineup of only local artists. Now it's looking like we'll have close to 4,000 people come out to this one. So I offered to play the closing set at that party, because I wanted to give all the other artists on the bill a chance to be in the limelight, and figured that people would start to leave the party during the closing set. What we found was the opposite: everyone was hyped and ready for me to play. The crowd was full of energy and no one wanted to stop dancing. It was like a 90's rave! So it's just become a tradition to play a very emotional closing set at all of the B.A.D.ASS Raves Psychedelic parties. It's a ritual!

---

dj2rip.com
soundcloud.com/dj2rip
facebook.com/thedj2rip
twitter.com/dj2rip

WANNA PARTY?!?!

WHAT: Psychedelic Dreamscape 2
WHEN: May 19th
WHERE: Washington DC

SHOW REVIEW: Lucero

Necci — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:12:00 -0400

Lucero, J Roddy Walston & The Business
Thursday, April 26 at Epic Theater

There is a distinct allure to Lucero that really set them apart from other acts of their kind. On their first couple of releases, the lyrical musings of Ben Nichols, which reveled in heartbreak and alcoholism, felt right at home in Richmond. When That Much Further West was released in 2003, everything changed. They went from a group with word of mouth buzz to the sort of group whose boisterous audiences would drink every drop of alcohol on the premises when they performed. In the years that have since passed, many of their diehard fans began to grow restless with records like Rebels, Rogues, & Sworn Brothers, as well as 1372 Overton Park. They felt that it just wasn’t the same band anymore. Their latest album, Women And Work, released earlier this year, may not have changed this stigma, but if you were one of the many fans that packed Epic for their long overdue return to the city, you wouldn’t be able to tell.

J Roddy Walston and The Business kicked things off. From my previous experiences seeing this group, I knew we were all in store for something fantastic. Settling into a nice groove of material from their self-titled Vagrant debut, as well as songs that will be featured on an upcoming new record, they won over the audience immediately. It was a strong forty-five minute showing for the group, showing that they have only gotten better with age. J Roddy Walston and The Business is certainly a band that wears its Southern revivalist tendencies proudly, while executing resplendent energetic soulful strides along the way. This timeless sound still connects with audiences both here in Richmond and elsewhere, and the continued success of a group like J Roddy Walston and The Business is a sign of the fact that some things never change.

I enjoyed the fact that both of the bands performing this evening were capable of filling a venue like Epic on a Thursday night. I found the sound to be really on point and left with very satisfied thoughts regarding both sets. However, I felt that the vibe of the venue was a little peculiar in relation to the type of show they were hosting. I understand that Epic acts mainly as a host for dance nights and similar functions. This is completely fine, but it’s intriguing to say the least to see security in suits and bathroom attendants handing out full sleeves of bathroom supplies. It just seemed a bit ridiculous at points. Despite any minor criticism, Epic certainly should get credit for pulling a show like this off.

At this point, I think it’s safe to say that Lucero have taken on a timeless quality. By expanding their band to include horns, keys and lap steel, they've given new life to material from their earlier heyday. Tunes like “All Sewn Up,” “That Much Further West,” and “Chain Link Fence” sound like they never have before, and exceed all expectations. In other situations, I might find myself criticizing a band for expanding their line-up, but the difference for Lucero clearly lies with the legendary Nichols voice. Even with the added layers on the songs, the grit and earnest nature of Nichols feels right at home in this new dynamic. It helps to compliment material found on the last two full-lengths, but also fits well with songs that are practically a decade old at this point. The addition to their set of a cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love,” along with their always-remarkable rendition of Jawbreaker’s “Kiss The Bottle,” was another nice touch.

In fact, I found myself quite satisfied with their set. Having discovered the group around the release of their third album, 2002's Tennessee, it was great to hear “Slow Dancing” and “Nights Like These,” both from that album. They were fitting remembrances to the days when Lucero would perform at 929 West Grace Street when they came through town; they'd later go on to record Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers here in Richmond. Although that record had a hard time finding a following, the inclusion of “She’s Just That Kind of a Girl” from that album, which is one of my favorites from the latter day catalog, was a great choice. Finally, if there was one song that I knew Richmond was craving to hear, it was “Bikeriders,” from their 2005 album Nobody's Darlings. The band was happy to oblige.

Towards the tail end of the night, the band reduced their onstage number, effectively showcasing Nichols’ songwriting prowess through a lighter accompaniment. “The War” has always been a powerful number, perhaps one of his best lyrical entries, and it could have easily been played as a solo number with the crowd drunkenly screaming along. Yet the accordion accompaniment felt fitting, and helped to enunciate the tragedy that unfolds throughout the song. After a short break, the rest of the band came back out and went through another round of songs before calling it a night.

Before arriving at Epic, I almost wished for the days of the past; it was a real treat to see Lucero play in smaller rooms, and I'd like to see them in a more intimate environment like that again someday. However, for what they have evolved into as a group, Lucero belongs on a stage that can capture the restless energy and intensity they have built up over their years of endless touring. This is where they deserve to be seen, and more power to them for not forgetting their past along the way.

Words by Shannon Cleary
Images by Patrick Moran

Former Richmond Resident Attempts 24-Hour Guitar Solo

Necci — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:53:50 -0400

Back in the 90s, David DiDonato played guitar for several underground Richmond bands--Ipecac, Ultimate Dragons, Jolly Mortals and HRM among them. He later moved to Austin, TX, where he spent some time in J Church and The Sword. Now, today, he's attempting to make history by playing the longest continuous guitar solo ever documented [UPDATE: He broke the record and went for a 25th hour, finally stopping around 9 PM EDT]. And you can watch it live on the streaming video player below!

DiDonato is currently onstage at Austin's Red 7 club; he's been at it since 7 PM (Central time--that's 8 PM here) last night, and as of right now, he's still going. Can he make it? Can he set the world record? Can he keep from collapsing from sheer exhaustion? Tune in and find out!

[Note: DiDonato is allowed 5 minute breaks once per hour. As of 4 PM EDT, he has just retaken the stage.]

Live video from your iPhone using Ustream

THE CHEATS MOVEMENT: Who's Ham? (A Cheats Movement Vibe Short Video)

Necci — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:31:17 -0400

The very talented Hamilton Glass (AKA HAM?) is the featured artist at the next Last Friday Art Show at West Coast Kix. The show is May 25th starting at 6:30 PM. HAM? has been making major moves in RVA with his work in both the G40 Art Summit and the RVA Street Art Festival. He recently finished up his latest mural at S@mple Restaurant (1 North Morris Street). It has been a pleasure getting to know HAM? over the last few months. He's got many more things to come in 2012. Check out the video, and come out to the show on the 25th.

The next Last Friday Art Show will take place at 6:30 PM on Friday, May 25 at West Coast Kix, located at 3016 W. Cary St. in Carytown. For more details, click HERE.

By Marc Cheatham/originally appeared at thecheatsmovement.com.

One Way Richmond's Show Picks 5/14-5/16

April — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:11:40 -0400

Monday, 5/14 Cardinal (pictured above), Kuschty Rye Ergot, Palindrone @ Strange Matter 8pm.

Monday, 5/14 The RVA Big Band @ Balliceaux 9pm.

Monday, 5/14 Honey Watts, Jonathan Vassar, Nick Coward & the Last Battle (pictured above) @ The Camel 8pm.

Monday, 5/14 Reckless Kelly (pictured above), The Vacant Stairs, Gabrielle Kelly @ Canal Club 7:30pm.

Tuesday, 5/15 The Listening Room Series featuring ScottClark4tet, Near Earth Objects @ Firehouse Theatre 7:30pm. 

Tuesday, 5/15 Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (photo by T.M. Dellinger), Steelshot @ Canal Club 8pm.

Tuesday, 5/15 Butch Hancock @ Ashland Coffee & Tea 7:30pm.

Tuesday, 5/15 Snarky Puppy (pictured above), Brunswick @ The Camel 8pm.

Tuesday, 5/15 Jason Adamo Band @ Capital Ale House Downtown Music Hall 8pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Cindy Bullens @ Ashland Coffee & Tea 8pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Glows In the Dark (photo by Lauren Serpa) @ Balliceaux 9pm. 21+

Wednesday, 5/16 Hot Dolphin, Nervous Ticks (pictured above), Boney Loner, Guitar as Spacecar @ The Nile 10pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Lost Tribe, Orgasm, Napalm Raid, Six Brew Bantha (pictured above) @ Strange Matter9pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Nomadic Roots Festival Showcase featuring Trees on Fire (pictured above), J3 Project, Dharma Initiative @ The Camel 8pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Sirsy (photo by Zulia Zave) @ Poe's Pub 9pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Grease Trigger (photo by Ashly Covington) @ Cary St. Café 10pm.

Wednesday, 5/16 Enfold Darkness, Abiotic, Vale of Pnath, After the Spire @ Kingdom 5pm. All Ages.

Written by John Lewis Morgan/originally appeared at onewayrichmond.com

Marrying Music To Poetry: An Interview With Sir Joe Quarterman

Necci — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:19:29 -0400

The Soulpower parties are all about rare Soul and Funk records that never became hits. “We focus on the lesser known, even obscure artists that never got their big break back in the day and are mostly forgotten today,” DJ Pari says. One of those artists is Washington D.C. native Sir Joe Quarterman – who enjoys the status of a legend in the scene of rare Funk collectors, but is little known in music mainstream.

Quarterman, who earned the title “Sir” in high school, formed his group The Free Soul in the late 1960s and played in the same local music circles as Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers. In 1973, he released his biggest hit to date, the incredibly funky “(I Got) So much Trouble In My Mind,” which reached the R&B Top 30 in 1973, and is a must-have record for every serious Funk DJ. Sampled numerous times over the decades, “Trouble” was also released on the soundtrack for the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. After this hit, Sir Joe Quarterman released a number of follow-ups and retired from the music business in the late 1970s to pursue a career as an architect.

In 2009, he teamed up with DJ Pari's Soulpower booking agency, and has toured Europe several times since – he'll return to play some more dates in England, Germany, and Italy next month. He has also enjoyed recent success as a songwriter, penning “No Time For Dreaming,” released by Charles Bradley on Daptone Records.

All this makes him the logical choice to perform at Soulpower's anniversary party in RVA. Guests at Balliceaux have danced to his hit “(I got) So much Trouble on my Mind” - on May 19th, they can dance to the real deal!

In time for the Soulpower Anniversary Celebration Weekend, Sir Joe Quarterman chats with RVA Mag.

It's safe to say that every Funk DJ in the world has played your hit record "So Much Trouble In My Mind" at least once, but probably many more times after that. How do you feel about that?

It makes me feel good to know that my “son,” "(I Got) So Much Trouble In My Mind" is still appreciated after all these years (40 years). I have been to clubs and parties and the DJ would break out my song. I was in Philly last year at a club where the DJ (Fat Joe, I believe) heard I was in the house. He then asked me to sing along with the recording, live on air, and we briefly spoke on the air afterwards. It was really thrilling.

You're considered a Funk legend, but most mainstream music listeners probably don't know who you are. What is Sir Joe Quarterman all about?

I have fun with music. I love it when the musical parts come together in sync and when the words get married to the music. I'm a music minister; I marry music to poetry. I consider myself a writer first, a producer second, and a singer third.

After your hit records in the early 1970s, you took a long break from the music business... but now you're back in the game. Have people re-discovered the Funk?

I took a break from the music business to be with my family. I'm back now to finish what I started. I only gave the world a taste of my music. There is so much more to come. I do not believe people have "re-discovered" the Funk; I believe it is something they never got enough of. For the new generation, it is something like they never had before, they can't understand it, but still they want some more.

You're from Washington D.C., which is almost in the neighborhood. Have you ever performed in Richmond before, and if yes, what was it like?

In the mid 1960's I attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA, [now Virginia State University] and I had the opportunity to play in Richmond. I was a trumpet player. I played with a band called the Magnificent Seven and we played concerts with other acts in Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and [at] small dance halls and clubs in the vicinity. It was, of course, a different crowd then.

On May 19th, you will perform with the Funk Ark at Balliceaux to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Soulpower in Richmond. What is your association with Soulpower?

Soulpower has revitalized my soul by having faith in me and booking me internationally; I'm thankful. It is a delight that they have invited me and The Funk Ark to perform at their fifth anniversary celebration.

To those who haven't yet decided to come to Balliceaux, what would you tell them what they can expect at your show?

For those who need a reason to come out and have a good time, this is it. You can expect to be entertained with genuine, real, funky music, that will make you want to dance and hang loose.

---

Sir Joe Quarterman will perform on Saturday, May 19 at Balliceaux (203 N. Lombardy St.) as part of the Soulpower Five Years In RVA Celebration Weekend. Also performing will be The Funk Ark, Grits N' Gravy DJ Team, DJ Lord Thomas, and Mike Murphy. Show starts at 10:30 PM; tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information on this event and Soulpower's entire Celebration Weekend, click HERE, or visit Soulpower's website HERE.

SUNDAY: Tungs/Heavy Midgets Split LP Release Party At The Nile!

Necci — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:21:51 -0400

Tungs and Heavy Midgets are two RVA-based indie groups who've been on the rise in the RVA music scene over the last little while. Along with a few others in the local scene, they've been leading the charge away from the softer, more accessible sounds that dominated indie rock, both locally and internationally, during the previous decade. In contrast to the Death Cab For Cuties and Animal Collectives of the world, both of these groups know how to crank up the guitars and rock out, and both of them do so without losing touch with the melodic sense that's always differentiated the indie-rock scene from straight-up noise. Now these two groups have combined forces to release a split vinyl LP, entitled Sisters, and this LP will receive a formal release at The Nile this Sunday night!

Tungs

The 13 songs on Sisters are excellent, regardless of which side of the LP you're listening to. The Tungs side does a good job of capturing the artistic growth that's occurred as the band has continually refined both their sound and their lineup over the past two years. Spending most of their time together as a trio, Tungs were forced in the past to have members Alex Criqui and Paul Himmelman alternate between drums and guitar, depending on who was singing a particular song. Now, with Matthew Thiem onboard as a full-time drummer, they've been able to put both Criqui and Himmelman on guitar, and in so doing, thicken their sound considerably. This new, fuller sound can be heard to great effect on the album's opening one-two punch: "Yossarian's Blues" and "Tapestry." Both tracks are rather primitively recorded, which makes the guitars seem noisier but does nothing to dampen the power of the melodically sung choruses. In a time when bands seem less and less willing to experiment with lower-fidelity recording, Tungs clearly recognizes that a modicum of rawness can be a good thing, and they utilize it accordingly here. Later, on "Bosses," Tungs's longest track on Sisters, they engage in a drawn-out psychedelic jam that features quite a bit of feedback, and closes out Tungs's side of the LP in fine fashion. On the whole, their sound here is a mixture of several styles, some of which are unusual at this point in music history, and all of which sound fresh and welcome when Tungs delivers them.

Heavy Midgets, photo by Ben Harsel

Heavy Midgets are a newer band than Tungs, having released their first EP only a few months ago, but they've got a pretty well-developed sound for such a recently formed band. Their songs are assembled more conventionally than those of Tungs, with the standard pop template of verse-chorus-verse dominating. Nonetheless, Heavy Midgets distinguish themselves from plenty of other bands that play in this style with well-constructed melodic hooks played through some slightly off-kilter guitar tunings. Under other circumstances, their guitar riffs might be said to jangle, but instead, it seems that Heavy Midgets guitarists Charlanne McCarthy and Ian McQuary tune their instruments unusually enough to give their riffs a strange resonance that I can't quite describe. It's not unpleasant in the least, and actually works quite well during heavier, more distorted moments, but when they strum their guitars cleanly, it's impossible not to notice. Ultimately, though, the distorted melodies that shape the choruses of Heavy Midgets' songs are what really make them stand out. Side-ender "Safe On Your Mountaintop" is particularly noteworthy in this respect, as McCarthy's vocals and McQuary's guitar leads start out pleasant and build over the course of the song's three-and-a-half minute length (like Tungs, Heavy Midgets choose to end their side with their longest song) to a dramatic climax that's equally driven by loud, feedback-laced guitar and high, clear vocal melodies. The contrast captured at this moment demonstrates exactly what separates Heavy Midgets from the guitar-pop masses.

In an age of download-only releases and highly overpriced commodities, it's nice to see two small local bands coming together to create a quality physical release like this one. What's even nicer is that it's affordable--the vinyl LP can be ordered through the Bandcamp pages of Tungs and/or Heavy Midgets for $10, while the cassette version is an unbelievable $4! Of course, if you order them through Bandcamp, you'll have to pay postage, so why not make it easier on yourself and come out to The Nile on Sunday? You'll be able to purchase the LP in person, as well as catching live sets by both groups, plus openers The Diamond Center and Tideland. It promises to be an evening of great music--one that you really shouldn't miss.

WHAT: Tungs/Heavy Midgets Split LP Release/Tour Kickoff Show!
WHO: Tungs, Heavy Midgets, The Diamond Center, Tideland
WHERE: The Nile (309 N. Laurel St.)
WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 10 PM
ADMISSION: $5 suggested donation

Both Tungs and Heavy Midgets have recently released prmotional videos for the album, which we've got for you to check out below. Tungs's video is for their song "Tapestry," and was directed by guitarist Alex Criqui. It's a foreboding black and white clip, filmed in Hollywood Cemetery, which retains the kaleidoscopic psychedelia vibe of their earlier videos, while integrating a stronger narrative approach that is reminiscent of B-movie horror films from the 50s and early 60s. The film stars Heavy Midgets singer/guitarist Charlanne McCarthy, who is also prominently featured in the no-frills live clip of "Safe On Your Mountaintop" that Heavy Midgets recently released. Filmed by Ben Harsel at a basement show in mid-April, the clip has surprisingly clear audio, and documents a solid performance of one of their best songs. Enjoy!