Was giving DJ Harrison’s new album a listen preparing the interview. I’m sitting with the tracks, getting a feel for the album’s pulse, when “Seek God” comes on. Fly Anakin steps into the beat with that effortless Richmond control that comes from years of sharpening...
On Time Is The Price, Blackliq's first release for Sage Francis's Strange Famous Records, the veteran Richmond MC lays out his dark history, his bright future, and his methods for hacking life -- all overtop of the best production he's received in his career thus far. I've always enjoyed the work Blackliq, aka Black Liquid, does as an MC. I've...
So here's what happened: we compiled our original list -- which ran to 175 bands, give or take -- from suggestions dropped into Reddit threads, group texts, and email lists. The original plan had been to create a list of 100 great Richmond bands, and at first no one thought we'd come up with that many. Hahahahahaha. Once it became clear that we...
FEATURED SHOWFriday, January 14, 6:30 PMDwight Yoakam, Reid Haughton @ The National - $45-$52.50 (order tickets HERE)Every week I start the column with it, and every week I say it's for the last time. Let's stop kidding ourselves. I'm gonna bring up COVID to start this one, and it's not the last time. If you're fully vaxxed AND boosted, you might...
My stepfather had been good at taking photos. As a kid, I often saw zippered leather bags with the names Nikon and Canon on his dresser. Sometimes, there were rolls of film in the refrigerator. Sometimes, a loose camera on the kitchen counter. I knew not to touch these loose cameras because they were heavy, which meant expensive. Coincidentally,...
I’ve heard urban legends of people throwing a bunch of pot seeds into the woods only to come back a year later to find a forest of weed. It’s easy to forget what’s in your backyard, especially when you’re busy. Weeks into months. Months into – you get it. Maybe you caught a ton of bands at AlleyKatz. Maybe it was the Flood Zone or Rockitz. Or...
For as long as I can recall, I have always felt a bit like an outsider. When I moved to Richmond in 2002 to attend VCU, I wasn’t entirely sold on the city. I was quickly impressed by the never-ending plethora of live music taking place on Grace Street at 929 or down in Shockoe at Alley Katz, but the connection never fully clicked. I even...
FEATURED SHOWSaturday, January 8, 8 PMCleophus James, Sono Lumini @ The Dark Room - $5 in advance, $7 at the door (order tickets HERE)Folks, I don't exactly want to start this week's column off on another bum note, but it feels like it has to be said off the top -- right now, a lot of people are coming down with COVID, due to the sheer...
I've been going to shows in Richmond for what I am frightened to realize is just shy of three decades now. I showed up as a fresh-faced college kid still too young to get into the 18+ shows, and these days I'm rapidly entering the back half of my 40s. My point? It's safe to say that I've seen a ton of music from this city come and go. And yet,...
I often get this question: what Richmond bands are worth a listen? After a decade of dishing out recommendations, I figured it's time to lay it all out. So, here’s a list of every great local band we could round up. It's got over 180+ bands, complete with links to their tunes or videos. Keep in mind, this list isn't exhaustive, and if you're a...
