Few things can cheer me up when beloved Richmond mascot Francine is missing. Pull the covers up to your chin, turn on something nice, you deserve it. If you’re really feeling bold, the shows will always be out your front door.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.
Get Tight Lounge
Thursday, October 2nd
Tennishu Record Release
Tennishu is one of the most versatile artists to come out of Richmond’s rich history. He has no shortage of amazing features on other artists’ work, most recently a dreamy part on Doomscroll by Bedrooms, but few things compare to his last full-length, More To The Story.
As the lead artist, Tennishu shows off his talent with vocals and more than enough instruments. I particularly love his horn playing. It’s so tasteful and balanced, sometimes taking a powerful, jazzy lead, and other times dripping away, leaving the listener craving the next note.
He really holds such an extraordinary balance of pure hip hop and pure jazz. I cannot wait to see what this new album entails, but if it carries the same weight as his previous releases, we should all be in very good shape.
The Broadberry
Saturday, october 4th
Slow Crush, Faetooth, NVM
Slow Crush is not your average shoegaze band. Through that haze of guitars, you find abrasive, hard-hitting drums riding like deranged motorcyclists blazing through heavy fog. They are a month away from releasing their newest full-length, Thirst, an emotional haze of dreamy vocals.
“Dreamy” is an interesting word for this record, as it is both perfect and imperfect. While there is something surreal about it all, there’s also a level of brutality that you only find in the real world. Slow Crush balances those two realities in an effortless way, and I have to imagine it will be a beautiful mix at The Broadberry.
Faetooth is self-described as “fairy-doom,” which feels quite apt. This trio exists at the convergence of sludge, shoegaze, and doom metal, all viewed through a snarling, heavy medieval lens. They really hit their stride in the slower songs, letting the breakdowns land harder, like stones knocking together, before returning to a reserved verse where the watery vocals can truly shine.
NVM is a much lighter group compared to the others. Their effects lean post-punk, but their drumming and guitars play in a more straight-ahead rock style, creating some really unique combinations. The band is just emo enough, if that makes sense. Nothing is overdone, and they maintain a great equilibrium, which makes for a peaceful and rewarding listening experience.
The National
Sunday October 5th
Bladee, Ripsquad
Stockholm rapper Bladee is stepping onto Richmond’s big stage with a show at The National. He may be a bit of an acquired taste, but he has undeniably become a trailblazer in the emotional rap scene that’s grown so prominent over the past decade.
His beats are easy to get behind, often blending lo-fi textures with pop-leaning melodies and bouncy percussion. Bladee also uses autotune in a smart way, subtle enough to avoid feeling overdone, but still achieving the desired effect. His slight Swedish accent adds something playful and light to his delivery. I’ll admit I was skeptical about covering this, but now I think this could be one hell of a show.
Ripsquad, a collective of producers who have collaborated with Bladee in the past, will also be part of the night. They’re heavy hitters in the hip hop production world, known for making beats that go big. With years of experience under their belts, they know exactly how to deliver.
New Tunes
“Backslide” by Sprawl
This is a group I’ve had my eye on for a while. Sprawl just released their debut single, “Backslide”, and it’s a fantastic piece of power pop/rock. Dancing over a series of catchy riffs is an airy, almost indifferent voice untethered from the weight of reality. The vocals dream on and on, grounded only by energetic, bright drums that fight for every breath. The band has been grinding out live shows lately, so make sure to catch them live.
“If I Was A Letter“ by Hercules Mulligan featuring Kenneka Cook
It’s a shame this is a YouTube-only release, because I want to listen to this one on the go. This stunning R&B number features hypnotic, repeated lyrics that pull you deeper into the sound. Everything about the song feels perfectly balanced and paced. Each moment transitions seamlessly into the next—not insignificantly, but like walking through an art museum and suddenly realizing you’re standing in front of a Van Gogh. This track dropped my heart rate and added 20 years to my lifespan.
“El Dorado” by Artschool
This one’s a bit of a self-plug, but my band just released our newest single, “El Dorado“. It’s a bass-driven post-punk track about the disposable nature of the world, plastic and concrete. It was certainly a fun one to make, and I hope you enjoy it too.
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