I’m keeping it local this week, because once again the local talent here is just so powerful and concentrated in Richmond that I can’t help but talk about every artist at length. On this week’s SOUND CHECK, you might actually be able to get tickets to an Illiterate Light show, Chandler is having a themed show this Saturday, and so many artists are dropping new tunes. Got a lot of things, and a lot to say, and I’ve got it all for you and more on this week’s SOUND CHECK.
Are you a listener with suggestions, a band with new music, or just want to say hi? Send an email to Bones@rvamag.com
local & regional acts to see
ILLITERATE LIGHT & CELLER DWELLERS
Friday, April 19th @ The Broadberry
Doors: 7:00 pm
You know them, you love them, and if you don’t, then you will. These Harrisonburg lovelies have been making waves and taking names. While constantly releasing music, and always on tour, it appears that this power duo can’t be stopped. One of the last times they were in town they sold out Get Tight Lounge, so it only seems fitting that this time around they’ve moved into a bigger room with a larger cap at The Broadberry. The groups influence ebbs and flows, going from hard rock to dream pop to melancholy acoustic ballads, but their Virginia influence can be felt almost everywhere in their choice of instrumentation and their undeniable Virginia voices.
Joining them are hotshots Celler Dwellers who have been playing everywhere with everyone they can. After a series of singles in 2022 and 2023 Celler Dwellers have garnered a respectable following and have played just about every venue in this town. Their digestible brand of indie rock is imbued with so much personality so as to not fall victim to the banality that can often be associated with the genre, and beyond that they put on excellent live shows.
CHANDLER, LOGOS THE POETIC, SHAMOTHY & EMPRESS RAV
Saturday, April 20th @ The Camel
Doors: 7:00 pm
Yes it is. Themed down to the damn ticket price, Chandler’s April 20th show at The Camel is the place to be this Saturday evening. After of day of what I’m sure are a variety of activities, what else would you want to do besides head on down to The Camel for a varied and energetic hip hop concert? Headlined by Chandler of course, he will be joined by local Logos The Poetic, whose 2023 record Death, The Fool garnered much acclaim.
Also on the bill is Shamothy out of Memphis, Tennessee. Defined by rapid flow juxtaposed against typically laid back beats make the music of Shamothy an interesting dichotomy. The show will be opened by Empress Rav who’s music varies from R&B to trap inspired beats with high affected vocals somewhere deep in the mix in a way that is difficult for me to put into easy categories for you. I’d sooner just say to go check her out and you won’t be disappointed. Of course in between sets tunes will be spun by longtime Chandler collaborator DJ Tuff Luck.
Check out our Sound Check video with Chandler if you haven’t yet already!
local & regional releases
4LA7LA – DREAM (single)
Am I pronouncing that correctly? Though confusingly named do not let that stop you from enjoying the music of 4la7la. “dream” is aptly named as the piano led track starts of lo-fi and soft before the vocal quality rises, turning into a dream pop wonderland. This doesn’t last forever as for a brief bit near the end a trap like beat drops out of nowhere, just for the breakdown though, as that quickly falls away, and we are left once again with just a piano and a voice. Interesting for sure, but with only three tracks out by this group so far it is hard to tell if this intriguing use of genre blending and transitions is here to stay.
CHRIS GUZMAN AND THE SIDE HUSTLE – NONSENSE AND TOMFOOLERY (A-side B side)
Over a year since their last release, fans I’m sure have been clamoring for new tunes from this Richmond ensemble. Rising and falling like the waves of ocean, the two tracks on Nonsense and Tomfoolery embody much of the jam band ethos that they claim to uphold. However, they avoid many of the pitfalls, such as extreme excess, often associated with the genre (probably due to their self-proclaimed pop influences as well). Well rounded tunes that feel alive and can change at any moment make this two song collection an excellent addition to any burgeoning summer playlists you might be developing, so drop them on in there.
PGBRENEGADE & TÉY RENAE – NO FRIENDS ALLOWED: A CANCER AND VIRGO STORY (EP)
It has been a long time since I have been so surprised by a piece of music. This collaboration between hip-hop artists Pgbrenegade and singer-songwriter Téy Renae is one of the most unique collections of songs to come out of this city in recent memory. What appears at first to be an almost concept album level of thought in just five songs, turns out to actually be just that. This EP starts out as a pop punk record with “Addiction” that has just a bit of hip hop influence in the highly delayed and quasi-autotune vocals (before falling into the very straight toned singing for the chorus often associated with the genre), but No Friends Allowed surprises every which way it turns. It keeps this formula on the next track “Br8K Up Song,” before verging on post-hardcore with double kick pedals and harder guitar tones in “The Come Down”. All of a sudden, and without warning, Pgbrenegade drops a chilled out hip hop number in “Impromptu” before finishing up with “Casual,” where the two collide to sing and rap over a well produced beat defined by a picked acoustic guitar. Despite the drastic shift, in retrospect after multiple listens, the turn feels choreographed, not with out precedent and No Friends Allowed manages to maintain a level of coherence one might not thing possible with the colliding of such contrasting genres. Seeming almost like an argument between friends with two drastic points of view, No Friends Allowed serves as a brilliant example of collaboration. Never do the two sonic schools of thought combine in a way to produce a novel sound that will change the world, but like Neapolitan ice cream, some flavors just turn out to work well together.
Top photo courtesy of Illiterate Light
