When Jeff Gorman of Illiterate Light steps on stage, it’s not hype you feel, it’s heat. Not the kind that grabs at you immediately, but the kind that builds steady, loud, and unflinching. Just two guys onstage with a sound that hits like a full band. Offstage is where...
Those around me continue to insist that it is Fall, with their pumpkin spices and their "spooky season" vibes, but I for one am not a person who rushes transitions. It is inevitable however that the leaves will soon change, and the outside shows start slinking back indoors for earlier cooler nights. There are plenty of weeknight shows, but if you...
The first Iron Blossom Music Festival kicked off this weekend with a roar and resounding success as some of the biggest acts in the world descended on Richmond to play alongside an incredible line up of "who-the-hell-are-these-guys?!" and any number of bands that could become listeners' new obsession. In case you missed it, it will most likely be...
In an irony rich enough to fuel a sequel to his chart-topping hit, Oliver Anthony, the artist behind "Rich Men North of Richmond," is pushing back against an unexpected and, in his own words, "aggravating" endorsement by Republican elites. The song, featured prominently in this week's GOP 2024 primary debate, was initially penned as a critique of...
The city of Richmond has been quietly fermenting a musical movement, a kinetic uprising of creativity and community, and no one represents this dynamism quite like Tyler Scheerschmidt and Dillon Douglasson of Hourglass Sessions. Founded during the chaos of the 2020 COVID pandemic, Hourglass Sessions has achieved a real milestone: 50 videos...
It’s the early '90s. If you could push your way through the flannel and step over the many Doc Martens in the way, you’d find another musical movement. The domain of floppy middle-parted haircuts, long sleeve button-downs buttoned ALL the way up, tucked into belted acid-wash jeans, begat the alternative indie folk pop of the day. Sincere snark,...
In embarking on any endeavor to decide who is the best, those engaged in the activity must recognize, and by extension acknowledge, that it is futile. Subjectivity holds sway over every aspect of any art form, and to dub someone the singular best of anything does a disservice to the area being dubbed. One person might possess an undeniable...
The singer, an off-the-grid farmer hailing from Farmville, Virginia, named Oliver Anthony, has erupted into the music universe with his politically potent song, “Rich Men North of Richmond.” Raw and unfiltered, this track has not only gone viral, amassing over 9.5 million views on YouTube, but it's also climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes Country...
There are lots of celebrations in the Richmond music world coming up, and what could be a more fitting way for musicians to commemorate milestones and successes then by having a day filled with music. If you’re overwhelmed by all the exciting things happening around town, then look no further because I will be giving you the full run down on all...
Hey, Richmond, ready for a shot in the arm? Well, next week, prepare for the maiden voyage of Richmond Music Week, a coordinated strike from some of the city's stalwart music institutions — HearRVA, Ignited, The Auricular, RVA Playlist, Shockoe Records, and Virginia is for Music Lovers. It's a bold move, attempting to bottle the lightning that is...
