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Another cold week in RVA, luckily we have some warm shows coming up. Got some big names and familiar faces that we have not seen in quite a while, I was more than stoked to see some of these names on some of these bills.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
The Wombats, The Mitras
Saturday, February 7th
The National
The Wombats have been a staple in the world indie rock scene for 20 years at this point. This was England’s response to the New York indie scene that exploded at the start of the millennium, and since that initial boom, the band has released 7 albums, toured the world, gained a steadfast fanbase, and now comes to RVA. Their sound is light and joyful, scrappy with the feeling it could take on anything. It has ambition and spring that gets you moving and gets you laughing and gets you crying and all those other great feelings. It is very cinematic and youthful music that reignites an often dulled and sullen spark in your chest. I am personally very drawn to the bounce and bop of “Let’s Dance to Joy Division”; it is an absolutely infectious tune.
This is an extra special night in Richmond, Virginia, as we are seeing one more show from The Mitras. This garage rock band spent a few hard hitting and impactful years in the scene before their singer moved away, but it seems as if he has been called back into action one more time. Their shows are always loud and chaotic, and you lose yourself in that rush. Their last show at the Broadberry some months ago was one of the best nights of music I have seen in Richmond. They are a pure force of rock’n’roll, and you are not going to want to miss this special treat of one more show.
A Mighty Marley Celebration featuring Mighty Joshua, Signal Fire, Double Tiger
Saturday, February 7th
The Broadberry
I fall to my knees in gratitude when I find reggae in Richmond. Mighty Joshua is a particularly talented artist. He has a real classic feel to his music. It has heavy, heavy grooves that make you feel like you are dissolving into something bigger. He has a mature and rich voice and a talent for toasting, all with insightful and wise lyrics. You can really get lost in it all. The instrumentation is smooth and flows like some sweet river. The lyrics paint vivid and vast pictures of a world that was, a world that is, and a world that will be. This is as good as it gets. It’s easy and strong, and gets you feeling better than no other.
Coming up for the celebration is North Carolina’s Signal Fire. This group is getting their influence all over the spectrum. You hear bits of rocksteady, bits of dub, bits of that buttery Alton Ellis sound. Their horns will cradle you into the sweet and warm darkness of night. Their guitars will make you sway effortlessly. Their rhythm section will fuse to your bones and make you feel warm inside.
Last up, we are looking at a veteran player, Double Tiger. His music definitely leans more on the dub and dancehall of it all. It has that great and strange haze that dancehall often strives to capture. Double Tiger will blend the lines of reality and a smoky musical world.
The Knee Hi’s, Ione, Roughshod, SKIPS
Monday, February 9th
The Camel
Someone created a portal from 1960 and transported a couple mods and rockers out to make The Knee Hi’s. They have this lovely retro sound that is drenched in the low fidelity of garage rock. They just released the song “Kissing Quiz,” and it is nothing but fun and fling. The use of multiple vocals adds to the wild and whimsical sound that they create. It’s just pure fun, plain and simple. If you feel like you missed out on Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and the Ronnettes, go see The Knee Hi’s.
Joining them is another Chicago based artist, Ione. She is blending indie rock with a healthy dose of Americana. I think there is a slight sense of danger in her music that you don’t always find in the genre. There is an edge that really makes her stand out.
Moving on to the first of the locals, we have the triumphant return of Roughshod. The group ended up canceling their January show due to the singer receiving a pretty hefty surgery, but luckily he is back in action and the show is on. Roughshod is one of my favorite local groups. Their last single, entitled “I Can’t Be Your Girl,” is one of the best alternative numbers to come out of the city in recent memory. Singer Cel’s voice is absolutely untouchable, so do yourself the favor and go hear it.
Last up, we have locals SKIPS. The group has two singles out in the world, and they rip. The thick guitars hit like trucks and just as quickly dissipate to highlight some really gentle and misty vocals. They seem to have a good balance between shoegaze and indie, some sweet moments, some heavy ones.
New Tunes
‘Keep It Down’ by Steven Snider & Last Call
Steven Snider & Last Call have released their new EP, and it is full of roots and rock. The band definitely comes from a bluesy roots background but makes excellent use of saxophone to bring the energy up, up, up. This was my favorite track and has some good storytelling and lyricism. I really can’t get over that saxophone blaring far away into the night, stellar playing. The track overall is full of life and energy and gets your shoes stomping along to the beat.
Main image: House and Home
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