John Martin, the lead singer of Mick’s Jaguar, may be one of the most influential individuals in 21st century lifestyle media. I’ve been lucky to know him for most of that time and even had a chance to work with him directly a while back. Today, for our purposes, he’s...
"A key figure in Richmond’s ongoing music renaissance, TRAPCRY is absolutely killing it. If you’re not already familiar, it’s time to change that. His music is captivating, fun, and truly unique. I first saw him perform while working security at one of his shows, and I was completely blindsided—at a loss for words because I couldn’t stop smiling....
This marks the third year of our annual poll, and for the first time it really feels like a passing of the torch. Richmond’s next wave of musicians is taking center stage. That shift likely has something to do with who showed up to vote. The majority of this year’s voters were under 25, and they’re actively shaping the city’s music scene with new...
It’s the kind of connection that would’ve been unthinkable in hip-hop’s pre-internet days, when geography was everything and a Virginia MC had to drive to New York just to get in the right room. But in today’s digital-first landscape, persistence is currency—and Chandler Matkins has been spending it wisely. For years, he’s kept himself in the...
The streets are buzzing with whispers of new releases from some of RVA’s favorites, and I’m stuck in the present, waiting for them to drop. The only thing keeping me grounded is the constant rotation of shows at The Camel, Banditos, Gallery5, and beyond. If you’ve got any tips, send them my way. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply...
Tiny Porch Neighborhood Concert Series, a grassroots music showcase in Richmond’s Woodland Heights, is looking for musicians to fill its 2025 season. Organizers recently reached out to us after seeing the range of artists featured in our Richmond Music of Right Now poll, using it as a guide to find emerging talent in the city. Their hope is...
Lately, I’ve been in a serious rap mood, and with that, I’m continuing my quest to dive deeper into the local scene. If you’ve got any tips, send them my way. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Basic City Beer Co. Thursday, February 13th, 2025 Tennishu, Eras, Crenshaw,...
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...
UPDATE! February 10th, 10am: Voting is now closed. We'll be reviewing the results over the next few days to ensure everything was fair and accurate. Thank you for participating and supporting the local music scene.Let’s be real. Thank you. Independent media doesn’t survive without people like you, people who want more than algorithm-fed content...
Been hitting the shows hard lately and the tinnitus gives me a solemn look, but the shows are good, so we pop in the earplugs and press onward towards the endless night. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Gallery 5 Sunday, February 9th, 2025 The Smirks, White Beast, Dials,...
