I feel a gravitational pull towards heavier music now that the days are darker. It feels right to match the heavy sky. In the same breath I feel like no matter what season it is, you have to listen to a little bit of Spring music, stuff to remind you what the sun feels like.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.
The Camel
Friday, November 22nd
Tim Barry Fest
One of Richmond’s proudest sons, Tim Barry, is setting up camp at the camel this weekend and you should too. The Avail frontman will be doing 3 nights at The Camel with some other powerful forces. His punk approach to folk music really grabs you by the hand or heart and leads you towards a better tomorrow, no matter how hard today is. As part of this 3 day experience, they will be rebuilding a part of the James River trail before the show on Saturday, and collecting baby food and diapers at all shows to be donated.
Canal Club
Friday, November 22nd
Blood Incantation, Midwife
This one is definitely a bit out of my usual rotation. Blood Incantation is one of the biggest names in modern death metal. I am sure you or your friend with the long hair has listened to “Hidden History of the Human Race” at least once. These guys are beating a double kick like it owes them money. As quick as they reach one of the lower levels of hell, they are up skyrocketing past the stars with a sci-fi sound, a rage filled Major Tom.
Midwife is an ethereal journey, a shoegaze idea told through the lens of a singer-songwriter. The songs are full of longing and leaning, packed with grief and in turn holding on.
Cobra Cabana
Friday, November 22nd
Hotspit, Dry Talker, Kitty Corner, Ask Yourself
Hotspit has been the rage this year. They are a calming ride through Cary St, a frolic through the fan. The vocals and slightly jangly guitars are just so inherently Richmond. Their music catches a really specific moment in your twenties, when you know everything and couldn’t know more at the same time. I think their songs guide you in that haze.
Dry Talker are an absurdly unique group out of the local college rock scene. They are definitely post something and if I had to throw a dart at it I would say post punk. Their EP from June was so fascinating, it feels like a rabbit hole leading to some other place, like a local and alternative Alice in Wonderland. Kitty Corner is a band I have only ever seen acoustically, which was a prime opportunity to see some really great songwriting. They have a really smooth and sort of southern-midwest emo vibe that is really relaxing. I have not been able to find anything on Ask Yourself but hopefully after this show I’ll have some words about them.
Cobra Cabana
Tuesday, November 26th
Angel Du$t, RMBLR, Jailbird, Copperhead
If you are into heavy music, you have probably heard of Angeldu$t, and if not, I am sure you have seen a band with overlapping members, Turnstile, Trapped Under Ice, Diamond Youth. I think this is THE modern hardcore sound. This is it. This is what is going to be in the documentaries in 30 years, this sound. The vocals are intimidating and the guitars driving with the pedal through the floor, alternating breakneck speeds and just as fast stopping and delving into an earth shaking breakdown.
RMBLR is some straightforward blues inspired punk rock. There is an appreciation for the early rockers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry here, but just as readily Rancid and contemporaries like Mean Jeans. Jailbird is a local outfit with a demo out from March of this year. It really has the feel of some late 80’s hardcore, when the breakdown was really refined. I really dig how strong the vocals are, there is so much power with each bite. Copperhead is the most metal leaning group on this bill, I think they will be a whole lot of fun to mosh and bang around to.
Buy your tickets HERE!
Canal Club
Wednesday, November 27th
Four Years Strong, Free Throw, One Step Closer, Death Lens
Four Years Strong categorizes the late stage iconic Warped Tour in my eyes. Their almost post-pop-punk sound seems so important for the era that stretches from the late 2000’s, but they are not stuck in that sound. Their newest album is alive and fresh with some tracks not being too far off from Turnstile. Their upbeat choruses and snappy breakdowns offer a dancing opportunity for everyone, the pogo-ers and the moshers alike.
Free Throw is a Nashville band, not quite a midwest city, giving them a not quite midwest emo sound. Their vocal style, a passionate straining scream, seems to be so popular nowadays, and this is nothing but a prime example. One Step Closer is a younger group that has some great 90’s inspiration. They can write a really sincere and compelling chord progression, with a tone that knows exactly how you have felt. Death Lens are very west coast, and with how many great west coast rock based bands there are these days, I mean that with high praise. They recently played with Militarie Gun and Together Pangea, and I think they fit directly between the two. They have the directness of the former and the catch of the latter.
New Tunes
“Skyline Drive” by Huntley
I love music that is locational, and this new track by national sensation Huntley is all Virginia. The new song, “Skyline Drive“, is a revival of that 70’s southern rock sound, think Bob Segar, that takes you into the passenger seat of a smooth car rolling through the mountains, ready to take on anything. He may be based out of Fredericksburg but hey – it’s close enough.
Main photo of Angel Du$t by Eliza Reinhart
