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Metro Sound Is Still Here. Richmond Just Keeps Making It Harder.

When Mark Szafranski bought the building at 117 West Broad Street in 1991, the property was in disrepair. Water seeped from the upper floors, the windows were falling in, and downtown Richmond was, at the time, more forgotten than revitalized. But Szafranski, a...

Sound Check | LA LOM! Aimee Mann! Gnawing! & More!

This week we have artists that were born here, artists clawing their way up in the scene, and artists making their last stands. No matter what stage you’re at—give ‘em hell. No relent. Push, drive, make yourself better, and keep Richmond the haven it is. Got a show...

‘Turnstile Summer’ Started With 10,000 Fans at A Free Show in BMORE

“Finally I can see it, these birds not meant to fly alone.” These lyrics from Turnstile’s new song “Birds” would define their set at Wyman Dell Park. Last month, Turnstile made their triumphant return to their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. The band organized a free...

The Vinyl Crypt of Scott’s Addition: Wax Moon’s Strange Magic

Off of Broad Street, deep in Scott’s Addition between warehouses and alleyways, is a black hole in the wall filled with music, vintage VHS, and (perhaps most importantly) Richmond’s preeminent collection of horror-themed pinball machines. I came to Wax Moon on a cool...

False Nectar Is What Happens When Everything Somehow Goes Right

As any modern miracle story starts, the pandemic had hit and a project was birthed in a Richmond apartment. Bassist and vocalist Harrison was held up crafting something he did not yet know, False Nectar. As the world turned, and the songs became tangible, he reached out to a drummer he had shared a number of previous bills with, his friend...

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False-Nectar-interview-by-Griffin-Smalley_RVA-Magazine-2025

How a Long Hiatus Made Hot Lava Even Hotter

After more than a decade away from the spotlight, Richmond’s beloved indie pop band Hot Lava is flowing back to the Richmond Music scene with a refreshed lineup and a new album titled Queen of Fools on the way. Front woman Allison Apperson leads the charge with the emotionally layered single “What Not to Wear,” a track that marks both a...

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Hot-Lava-interview-by-Todd-Raviotta_RVA-Magazine-2025

Sound Check! Bully! Human Worm! Boston Manor! & More!

I believe a bunch of bands from Richmond have it in ‘em to drive off into the future, and I see a few of that lot on these shows right here. I can’t wait to say, “I saw so-and-so at Bandito’s, and now they’re headlining Coachella!” Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. FRIDAY...

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Bully-photo by Bobbi-Rich_RVA Magazine 2025

Why Shera Shi’s Debut Refuses to Fit One Genre

The first time I saw Shera Shi was after stepping back into Richmond’s music scene, following a few years away during the quarantine-era shutdown. One of the best things about catching live music in RVA is stumbling onto “new to you” bands while showing up for the ones you already know. That’s exactly what happened at a spring 2023 show at Get...

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Shera-Shi-interview-photo by Kai_by-Todd-Raviotta_RVA-Magazine-2025

The Bloody Beetroots Bring the Revolution to RVA

The Bloody Beetroots were never meant to fit neatly into anyone’s playlist. Born out of punk rage, electronic chaos, and the restless energy of Italian musician Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo, the project has spent nearly two decades stomping over genre lines and expectations. Since first crashing onto the scene in 2006, Rifo has built a career that’s...

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The Bloody Beatroots_photo by Matt Akana_ interview by John Reinhold_RVA Magazine 2025

Photos | Remi Wolf Packs Out Richmond With a Wild, Joyful Riot

Last weekend in Richmond, Remi Wolf took Brown’s Island and didn’t give it back. Her sound doesn’t fit in a box — pop, funk, soul, indie — all smashed together and dragged through the dirt. Openly fluid, proudly weird, she’s built a world where you don’t ask permission to be yourself — you just are. The music hit like a punch and a field full of...

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Remi Wolf by Joey Wharton_RVA Magazine 2025