It’s hard not to be proud of RVA’s music scene, even if you don’t think you’re “in it.” So many people are working their asses off, getting things done, and hustling that sometimes it’s hard to absorb everything. Literally, there is more local music out there than I can physically write about.
It’s hard not to be proud of RVA’s music scene, even if you don’t think you’re “in it.” So many people are working their asses off, getting things done, and hustling that sometimes it’s hard to absorb everything. Literally, there is more local music out there than I can physically write about. Some would say that’s a glut of music, but I see it as a thriving entity, even if it’s a challenge to keep up with it all. Here is my attempt at keeping up with RVA music in June:
June marks the second Sounds of RVA Showcase @ Bogart’s, and this week we will feature Basmati, Freaky J and the Bears, and Lars Von Trier and the Masters of Industry. Both Freaky J and the Bears and Basmati are on the Subterranea Collective label.
Basmati were recently profiled on RVA Mag’s website, and the band has been playing some key shows around the area. As RVA Mag’s Chris Suarez noted, Basmati’s presence in the live music scene has helped morph their sound into something that’s theirs. Electro-pop mixes with ethereal vocals that shift in and out of harmonies and dissonance. Songwriter Brandon Graig composes most of the tracks with his experience from solo project Elders. Rounding out the three-piece are Louis Henniger and Seaton Kerby. Ethan Gensurowsky (Midair) engineered their album. Sample “Death in Reverse,” an epic psychedelic track composed of short “movements” of differing rhythms, moods, and urgency levels.
Here is their latest EP (one of three this year alone), Nectar:
Freaky J & the Bears get down to business on stage, so come prepared to rock out. Rumor has it that the band has a “horrifying” set planned. This can only mean good things. The band is currently working on recording, and plans to release something this summer. Here is a video of a couple of live songs, “Honey Bunches” and “Now, Then:”
[Subterranea Collective presents Freaky J and the Bears performing “Honey Bunches” and “Now, Then”. Audio recorded/mixed by Ethan Gensurowsky, video shot by Tommy Terrell and Brian Dove, edited by Brian Dove]
Lars Von Trier and the Masters of Industry will open the show, and we could not be more stoked. Lars von Trier is a Danish film writer/director/producer whose work includes Dancer in the Dark, starring Bjork. These RVA punks seem to enjoy a unique fashion sense while they get down. What’s another word for stoked? We are pumped for this!
Remember: Basmati, Freaky J & the Bears, and Lars Von Trier and the Masters of Industry this Saturday (6/22) @ Sounds of RVA Showcase @ Bogart’s! 9 pm doors, 10 pm music. $5.
Photo by Justin Black
Noise rock duo Navi has just dropped a rough teaser track from what we may assume is a part of a larger work (perhaps an album)? “Rainbow Pox” is electric, heavy, and LOUD. Get down.
Catch Navi on 6/27 @ Gallery 5 for Huff Fest AND 7/20 @ Gallery 5 for Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Vol. 3!
Photo by Ryan Da Lion
DigiPossum (who calls his sound “electro marsupial hip hop”) has dropped a new mixtape including a bonus track featuring The Honorable Sleaze on vocals. Zone out or get down to the electro-loops and DJ techniques.
artwork by Sheri Oyan
Double bassist Brian Cruse (Marionette–which is now Glass Twin/Luray) has a new jazz album out with the J. Smith Trio called Con Lego. The band has made two tracks available for preview, and you can get the album this Friday (6/21) @ Brian Cruse and The J. Smith Trio’s album release show @ Globehopper. 6:30 pm, all ages, FREE! Paul Willson and Kevin Johnson will begin the evening with a set of compositions using the tabla and sarod. Brian Cruse and The J. Smith Trio will be joined by guest tenor saxophonist Brendan Schnabel at the show. These two tracks are refreshing yet dark, and they serve up a tasty groove in every track. Make sure you listen to the title track for a funky low end jam that borders on spooky.
“Stir Fry”:
“Con Lego”:
art by E. Lambson
ThaLSD (The Living Sickness Design”) collective is poised to take RVA’s hip hop scene by storm. Check out the following few acts that are about to or already taking off, including Trance Da Chancelor, Jae “Dilly” Dallas, A. Day, and Cool Cliff (LAZERTRIGGER). ThaLSD will be one of three acts opening for Action Bronson tonight (6/19) @ Kingdom. Check out Allan Day, aka PJ Murda, and his new mixtape A Day in the Life. Get it? Allan Day = A. Day. “Do It for the Kill” has a heady beat and a gorgeous female vocal hook in between Day’s spittin. The song is followed by a spacey, dreamy sample of Lana del Rey ‘s”Video Games” in Day’s song of the same name.
Trance da Chancellor is one of the busiest dudes out there. He will release a 5-song EP called The Launch and the Landing today (6/19), and he has leaked a track from the project produced by Cadillac Cat and Leahm Brodie. If you couldn’t ascertain from the song title, “ThatLaybackFunkyMuzicCoolinFryinFishonthePorch,” the track is a chill summertime joint. The brass section sample jumps in at all the right times, and electrifies the stoned atmosphere.
Make sure you check out the following new albums from this crew:
CoolCliffLazerTrigger: CoolCliffLazerTrigger Presents… Leahm Brodie
Jae “Dilly” Dallas: Bare with Me
Vultron: Do or Die
Switching gears just a bit, Sturgeon City is a newish bluegrass band who has just released an EP called Stories to Tell. With a mix of traditional bluegrass, Americana, and newgrass, Sturgeon City is a great addition to our roots community. The EP was recorded at Minimum Wage Studios with Lance Koehler, and it includes a Gillian Welch cover (“The Way it Goes”) and a traditional old-time tune (“Cold Frosty Morn'”). Make sure you sample “Ain’t a Damn Thing” for a frustrated narrative with swift and fluid grass pickin.
[FYI: The sturgeon, one of the James River’s largest inhabitants, historically visits the James in September to breed (which those in the know call “sturgeon watching season”). Mayo Bridge is a good spot to watch.]
photo courtesy of Balliceaux
Singer/songwriter Matt Conner (RPG) has been releasing songs every once in a while, and “Your Thing” is his latest effort. The soft folk ballad has an easy, carefree mood and is slightly reminiscent of troubadour Tim Barry.
Just Plain Ant, aka Anthony Gillison, has been performing under the moniker Just Plain Ant since 2005, and he’s ready to let go. He has just released a goodbye album called Just Plain Ant Is Gone, and he retires the name on a high note. The trill beats and glitch hop of the first track, “Somewhere,” all happen while a souful grand piano explores a jazz-like track. Make sure you soak in all the Dilla-esque beats and soul samples to their fullest extent. We can’t wait to hear his next project.
By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.org)
