There’s no genre more American than Americana, and there’s no holiday more American than July, 4th. So if you’re looking for a healthy dose of ‘MURICA this Thursday then head to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s Brewdependence 2.0 celebration, where alt-country/Americana bands Andrew Leahey & the Homestead, My Old Ways, and Long Arms will be performing, along with indie-poppers Goldrush and local Led Zeppelin tribute band Zep Replica.
There’s no genre more American than Americana, and there’s no holiday more American than July, 4th. So if you’re looking for a healthy dose of ‘MURICA this Thursday then head to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s Brewdependence 2.0 celebration, where alt-country/Americana bands Andrew Leahey & the Homestead, My Old Ways, and Long Arms will be performing, along with indie-poppers Goldrush and local Led Zeppelin tribute band Zep Replica.
Andrew Leahey is a native of Richmond and a current Nashville resident. Leahey and his band are presently touring behind their latest EP, Summer Sleeves. The EP was mixed by David Bard (Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter, R.E.M.) and Leahey says he drew inspiration from other songwriters to the likes of Tom Petty, Ryan Adams, and Steve Earle. Leahey is a young artist, and that can come through at times on Summer Sleeves. When you see them live, you will also be watching them grow as artists, and if they’re able to deliver on the promise of the EP’s better moments, then theirs should be an enjoyable set.
Also on the bill are My Old Ways, a group with local history who rarely get an opportunity to perform live due to the members currently living in different cities across the South. With bandleader Trey Cutrell, who previously distinguished himself in RVA alt-country group Palominos, back in town for a series of shows, the band will be coming together to perform and celebrate the holiday at Hardywood. This is a rare opportunity to see a bunch of great musicians–including members of David Shultz And The Skyline, Positive No, Goldrush, and other great local groups past and present–come together to make excellent, unique music infused with heart and soul. Don’t miss it.
James Menefee’s been putting a good bit of time into his recently-revived pop-punk band, Fun Size, but his alt-country group, Long Arms, is still a going concern, and they’ll be playing this show as well. You’ll be able to hear the Westerbergian influence that has been creeping into recent Fun Size material come to full flower through Long Arms’ infusion of Americana into their heartland rock sound, complete with slide guitar and fiddle. It’s been a while since their first LP, Long Arms To Hold You, hit the streets, so with any luck, there may be some new material to be heard from these guys.
You’ll also hear a set from Goldrush, the indie-pop crew created by combining the talents of Prabir Mehta (formerly of the Substitutes) and Matt & Treesa Gold (of the Richmond Symphony)–and don’t forget Greg Butler holding it down on drums. They’ve been riding high on the success of their “Settle Down” single, released last year as part of a singles series curated by Motion City Soundtrack on MAD Dragon Records. And of course, closing out the evening with a set of blazing metal bombast will be Richmond’s premiere Led Zeppelin tribute act, the one and only Zep Replica! Featuring members of The Trillions and Animal Beat, among others, these guys really know how to bring the rock, and since they’re wrapping up the show, it’ll be exactly what you want to hear at that point in the evening.
Photo by Nick Palumbo
Especially since by then you should have had plenty to drink! Hardywood is celebrating the anniversary of their first Session beer, SB 604, 3.8% ABV, American-style special bitter [whatever that means…-ed.], and they’ll have it on draft, along with a bunch of other special brews from their brewery. Plus there’ll be a ton of local eats from the RVA Street Foodies food trucks, and it’ll all be capped off with a fireworks display, courtesy of The Diamond!
The show begins at 3pm at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, located at 2408 Ownby Ln, this Thursday. Dig out your American flag laden garb and come celebrate America’s birthday with some great music, plenty of beer, and your fellow Richmonders. For more info, check out the facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/400427270073704/
