It truly is the slow season; few shows, fewer releases and snow falling all around. Now of course you can hit up your regular spots with music every night of the week, but many of the venues are taking it easy for a while, and I don’t blame them. But, for those that simply cannot sit inside, I’ve got you covered. On this week’s SOUND CHECK Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in true jam band fashion are playing a multi-night run at The National, T.R.I.G. is at RVA Boombox for a unique performance, and I’ve got music suggestions for you in the in-between.
Are you a band with new music, a listener with suggestions, or just want to say hi? Send an email to Bones@rvamag.com
out of town acts to see
PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG
Friday, January 19th & Saturday January 20th @ The National
Doors: 7:00 pm
In case you haven’t heard, no they are not actually “pigeons playing ping pong,” but this creatively named ensemble just happens to be one of the most prolific jam groups in modern times. Leaning into the old school jam culture of days of yore, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are going to be rocking The National for two days in a row Friday and Saturday night in what is certainly going to be a weekend filled with endless solos and one of a kind music. Pigeon Playing Ping Pong are everything from psychedelic, to humous, funk to hard rock and everything in between. They’ve got something for everybody and I promise you a show that will not disappoint, even if you dead-head it and go two nights in a row. Following Pigeons Playing Ping Pong on Instagram.
local & regional acts to see
T.R.I.G.
Saturday, January 20th @ RVA Boombox
Doors: 8:00 pm
Perhaps among the greatest hip hop records to come out of Richmond last year, Arthur Ashe Blvd by T.R.I.G. with production by local legend Ant the Symbol is a triumph of music. With T.R.I.G.’s specific tone and unique flow and the high production gospel influences permeating the entire record, Arthur Ashe Blvd is an engaging listen from start to finish. If you’re a fan of the music, then perhaps you should head on down to RVA Boombox Saturday night for an unplugged performance of the iconic album. I can’t say exactly what that’s going to look like, but while a stripped down performance of any album usually presents challenges, it also highlights the parts of the music the artist considers important and cultivates an intimate concert-going experience. Follow T.R.I.G. on Instagram.
local & regional releases
NUCLEUS TRIO
Nucleus Trio (album)
Coming out of nowhere dropped one of the greatest straight jazz records I have ever heard from the city of Richmond. The debut release of the enigmatic Nucleus Trio who have been picking up small sitting room gigs for what seems like less than a year, out of the gate this trio of self-actualized musicians hit a home run and a slam dunk all at once. Starting out with a cover of “Wave” by one of my favorite pianists Antônio Carlos Jobim, the group pays tribute and expands on this iconic tune. After that they transition perfectly into an almost unrecognizable cover of “Killing Them Softly,” the 1973 tune first recorded by another top notch pianist Roberta Fleck. This is then followed by a virtuosic blues tune entitled “Jigsaw Blues” and an absolutely monstrous 9 and a half minute composition called “Solstice” to finish the four track record that comes in at just over 28 minutes. If you enjoy music that takes it time, and allows space for the tasteful yet highly proficient players to show off their prowess, I can’t recommend this enough. Even if that doesn’t sound like your bag I can not recommend this enough. Follow Nucleus Trio on Instagram.
what I’ve been listening to
LAUFEY
Bewitched (album)
I had never heard of this 24 year old singer before the last week, and I suppose that’s fair as he first EP didn’t come out until 2021 with this being her second album, but Bewitched by Laufey is the perfect example of how one can draw from the past while bringing fresh ideas to tried and true artforms. It’s hard to label Bewitched as a pop record or a jazz album, because it is simultaneously both while at points being neither. With a voice that sounds like Billie Holiday with a lower register, Laufey clearly has eclectic tastes, but also has control over her sound rather than the other way around. The opening track “Dreamer” is reminiscent of the harmonies of vocal jazz ensembles like Lambert Hendricks & Ross and stays straight jazz for it’s entire run. While the next few tracks obviously draw from that jazz influence, by the time “While You Were Sleeping” rolls around the album is in pure indie pop territory. Luafey isn’t done throwing curveballs either as “Nocturne (Interlude)” delves into the realms of a Chopin composition for two and a half minutes of instrumental brilliance drawing on musical themes developed earlier in the album. There’s a Bossa Nova number, an expertly executed timeless jazz standard and a grandiose title track that wraps the whole piece up in a nice little bow. The old and the new, drawing from both while being neither; a wonderful idea executed to perfection.
Top photo courtesy of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
