AMERICANA & BLUES




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Salon de Résistance | A Live Interview Series From RVA Mag

"The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth" - Albert Camus Dispatch NUmber One: Salon de Résistance | presented by RVA Mag, Black Iris, and Le Cachet Dulcet Not long ago, salons were a catalyst for intellectual expression. Spaces where creators,...

Confederate Nostalgia, Black Voices: The Paradox of Polk Miller

Over a century ago, engineers from the Edison Company hauled their bulky recording equipment from New Jersey to Richmond, Virginia. In 1909, they captured one of the first interracial recording sessions in American history: Polk Miller, a white Confederate veteran...

Weekend Frequency Vol. 23 | The Southern Gothic Fest Playlist

Richmond gets it. More than any other city in Virginia. That’s why we created Weekend Frequency, a reader-curated playlist built for the city, by the city. Each week, a different voice from Richmond’s creative community shares the sounds that move them, shaping...

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 13 GULL

"When Nate first got on my radar, it was via SNACK TRUCK. Thanks to @falseidolstoys for this wonderful discovery. There were so many Virginia-based bands absolutely knocking it out of the park, really helping me and my bandmates in our project at the time, The...

Fighting Cancer with Music | Richmond Musicians Rally for Justin Golden

Some musicians don’t just play—they shape a city’s sound, quietly stitching themselves into the cultural fabric with every note. Justin Golden has been doing that in Richmond for years, sliding his bluesy riffs into our collective consciousness. You might’ve caught him live, lost in a groove, or maybe you’ve just soaked in the atmosphere he...

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Sound Check! Wes Parker, Rubblebucket, Sweet Bahs

In a dancing mood this week. We got some bouncers, some swayers, some goth sporadic twitching. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.  Gallery5 Friday January 31st, 2025Wes Parker, Opin, Sun V Set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atD1wST7U6c Splinter is Wes Parker’s newest EP, a...

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Sound Check! Bone Machine, Benjamin Shepherd, Nicotine Dolls

Sometimes the world feels bleak. Right now, in my eyes, the world looks bleak. I went to think about it, take stock of what puts gas in my tank, and did my pondering at The Camel, at Gallery 5, at Bandito’s. After all that, I didn’t feel so bad. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at...

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Sound Check! J. Roddy Walston, Loose Roots, & Shane Kelley

The close of the year. Maybe this week your old buddies from high school will be back in town, maybe your coolest cousin is visiting for the holidays, whatever it is, go make some memories together. To quote the Specials, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your...

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SOUND CHECK! Miramar, Wayne Graham, MDC & Horsehead

Once more, bridge the gap, dear Richmonders, or close up the gap with our Monroe Park rats… But when the blasts of indie rock blow in our ears, then imitate the beaver and fill the river stage. - Griffin Shakespeare Smalley. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com....

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SOUND CHECK! M.D.C. , Miramar w Richmond symphony, Wayne Graham, Horsehead

Photos | Iron Blossom Festival 2024 by Aspen DeRosa

After its successful launch last year, the Iron Blossom Festival returned this year to The Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, VA, bringing together an impressive lineup of musical talent while being blessed with fantastic end of summer weather. Thousands packed the festival and spilled out into the streets to catch headliners CAAMP, Mt....

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