Just because it’s the slow season for live music doesn’t mean YOU need to slow down. Sure most of the outside venues are calling it quits until the spring, but there are still plenty of places around town to catch some music every single night of the week if you so desire to find it. I’ve got you covered here on this week’s SOUND CHECK, with Los Malcriados taking on The Camel this first First Friday of the year, Orbweaver and friends go up at Gallery 5 Saturday night followed up by Abby Hoston and company on Sunday. We’ve got all that for you and more on this week’s edition of Sound Check.
Are you an artist with new tunes, a listener with suggestions, or just want to say hi? Send an email to bones@rvamag.com
local & regional acts to see
LOS MALCRIADOS
Friday, January 5th @ The Camel
Doors: 9:00 pm
It’s time you got hip to the baddest horn band in town. Richmond is no stranger to a brass band, but few have the attitude and bravado of the latin-funk ensemble that is Los Malcriados. The group has been active on the scene for almost four years, but only just started releasing tunes in the summer of 2023. With only two singles to their name Los Malcriados have managed to cultivate a spectacular image and following in the time they’ve been around. Frequent players at The Camel, as well as hot on the house show circuit, and full up the brim with funky soul (as well as one of the strangest Instagram accounts in the game) Los Malcriados are a band to catch before they blow up and take off.
ORBWEAVER
Saturday, January 6th @ Gallery 5
Doors: 7:00 pm
Heavy, original and vaguely reminiscent of the darkest carnival ever, Orbweaver are killing it. Their grungy sound does no disservice to their catchy and melodic vocal hooks that rise and fall from howled bellows to whispered anguish. The music itself possesses a dynamic nature, if not within each individual track, but from track to track; one being a slow yet powerful rock anthem like “Fabricator” only to have the next track drop to nothing but an acoustic guitar and harmonies on “Grin Miles Wide.” With only one record to their name Orbweaver could go anywhere or do anything, so you might want to catch them this Saturday at Gallery 5 to see what they’ve been up to. Give the band a follow on Instagram.
FOLLOWSHIP
Saturday, January 6th @ The Canal Club
Doors: 7:00 pm
Followship is playing; need I say more? A staple of the Richmond scene, Followship has every from virtuosic guitar playing by none other than one of Richmond’s top guitar players Dylan Edwards, not to mention their fully realized sound and incredible vocalist that is Devin Hatcher capable of achieving harsh screams and beautiful melodies swapping back and forth at will. I was unfamiliar with the headliner Sun Against Artemis, but was pleasantly surprised to find pure and delicate vocals over technical guitars and hypnotic melodies that sucked me in and kept me engaged. It really comes down to which night of heavy tunes you want to be a part of (or which side of town you’re on).
ABBY HUSTON
Sunday, January 7th @ Gallery 5
Doors: 7:00 pm
Not up for the grungy antics at Gallery 5 on Saturday? Well then just wait a day and head there on Sunday for a night of delightful indie musicians pouring their heart out for all to hear. There’s too many great musicians playing this night to talk about them all, but I’ve got to tell you about Richmond’s own Abby Huston. A veteran of the Richmond scene, they came barreling forward in 2018 before dropping a record in 2019, and they haven’t stopped since. Their 2021 record AH HA is a triumph of minimalism and features Richmond up and coming hotshot Benét. It’s sure to be great evening of chilled out grooves, so make your way down for a lazy Sunday. Follow Abby Huston on Instagram here.
local & regional releases
KAILEY CONNER
“Absentminded” (single)
Soft, sweet and to the point, this track by Kailey Conner‘s music does what her Spotify bio claims she desires: gets stuck in your head. Only her second track, featuring laid back guitar playing and slightly twangy voice drippy with sentimentality and earnestness, Kailey Conner shows an immense amount of promise if she keeps dropping tracks this year.
Top photo of Orweaver by Lauren Tribble
