Ten years ago, Richmond drummer, bandleader, and all-around musical utility player Kelli Strawbridge released Kings, a collaborative soul and funk record built alongside producer and keyboardist DJ Harrison of Butcher Brown. The album arrived at a moment when...
Every good music scene has a few rooms that become bigger than themselves. They rarely make headlines while they're open, but their importance becomes obvious when they disappear. For Harrisonburg, The Golden Pony was one of those places. After eleven years of hosting touring acts, local bands, and countless late nights, the much-loved venue...
Editor's Note: Writer's Block is a space for Virginia writers to share personal essays, fiction, memoir, and works that fall somewhere in between. In Stay Hungry, Richmond local Eric Kalata looks back on a cross-country tour and the restless optimism of being young, broke, and convinced the road might lead somewhere worth going. We were...
Starting the summer with some big shows. Kanawha Plaza is looking like the spot to be this season, but there is still plenty happening in the clubs around town this week. Lastly, Happy Pride! I'd love to feature as many LGBTQ+ artists as possible this month, so if there's someone you think deserves a spotlight, make sure to reach out. Got a show...
Editor's Note: For more on the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, read Christian Detres' companion essay HERE. This has been an inspirational season for Richmond’s homegrown theatre. We are following up the sold-out run of Witchduck with the mid-project musical exhibition of Truth, a musical enshrining the story of the inimitable Sojourner...
Richmond got a triple shot of modern alternative rock over the weekend as Young the Giant rolled into Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront with Cold War Kids and Almost Monday in tow, turning the banks of the James into a singalong soundtrack for the unofficial start of summer. Under clear skies and warm evening air, fans streamed into the...
Nothing but crowd pleasers here. Got some big names in the scene and city all over the city this weekend, surely you’ll be at one? Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHlX92AfbM4 Bucko, Motocrossed, DodomekiSaturday, May 30The Camel Everyone’s...
Editor’s Note: This piece was developed from an extended conversation between Reppa Ton and Chauncey “Chance Fischer” Jenkins. The new album drops tonight at midnight HERE. Sitting outside at Common House talking through Memento Vivere when the conversation drifts toward birds. Not music, not rap, just birds. “There’s mad birds out here,” Fischer...
Trying to put together a list of shows in Richmond these days is becoming a pretty hard thing to do. The city has gotten really busy, but at least it’s not boring. There are more shows, festivals, DJ nights, and random Tuesday concerts happening in the River City than at any point we can remember. So think of this less as a definitive guide and...
Out of towners from far and wide this week. Got some reggae in town this week which is always exciting. Not too much reggae in RVA if you know sumthin I don’t, tap me in. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-WIgW6a7nY Teen Suicide, Cloud...
