I am super excited for this week of shows, there are some shows that I will be singing along to every word and some where I will be carving new memories of unfamiliar groups. It is an ideal combo of pioneers who slashed their way through the music world, and the generation that followed, with the freedom and safety to expand the path. In the middle of it all is music that cuts right through to your core, this week it is straight to the heart. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com!
Brown’s Island | MONDAY, JULY 22nd
Faye Webster, Julie, Benét
What kind of an introduction does she need? With over 10 years of incredible songwriting, Faye Webster will be playing Brown’s Island on Monday. Such an influential artist. I believe she set the tone for so much of the music that has become staple in the societal playlist, with relatable but incredibly well written lyrics and gentle music that meets you right where you are. With the fresh album Undressed at the Symphony releasing just a few months ago, she is delivering a number of new heart wrenching and heart cleansing songs, needed like a runner needs an inhaler. I found the new album to offer some extremely interesting instrumentation without straying away from that comforting and familiar gentle guitar based sound, and of course the lyrics are still everything you needed to hear at that one point in your life, you know the one.
From chord one this is going to be a fantastic show. Benét is starting the night off, I was lucky enough to see him at the Black Cat two years ago where I was witness to an absolutely mesmerizing set of poetic lyrics and pure passionate deliverance. After the show when I went to express my admiration, I found Benét to be all the sincerity and genuine heart you hope to find in modern talent.
The support for this show is the dreamy yet awake, gentle yet direct, Julie. The young California trio has a new album only a few weeks away and I for one want to catch these songs live first. Their newest single “clairborne practice” is intense and driven, with the two vocalists propelling the song forward like a double driven rocket. Both these openers are edge of the seat entertainers.
Get Tight Lounge | Friday, JULY 19th
Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Miramar
Rare occasion and I cannot help but sell it. We have a traditional Colombian band in town on Friday night. The Latin-Grammy winners bring their local sound internationally, leading the charge with the uniquely expressive gaita flute. The Colombian instrument dances above sets of beats that are impossible not to move to. Putting on their 2023 EP I found my head had begun to bob, I have no idea when it started but I have no intention on ending my new mystery relationship with Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto. I cannot stress how excited I am for such a unique group to come through. Friday night will be a truly special night to experience raw culture.
They are being supported by Richmond’s own and acclaimed Miramar. The group is pure poetry in its delivery of the Cuban traditional Boleros, a style of music that will get you grooving like you are in a James Bond title card. Characterized by nothing but romantic voices, please bring a significant other to this one. The group has seen intense success lately, even taking them to Russia, so you will want to see them at a club like Get Tight as many times as they will play it.
Basic City Brewery | thursday, JULY 18th
Dogwood, Machi, This Man May Die
This one’s for the boys back home, we got 3 young local bands at Basic City this Thursday. With no Spotify releases between the 3 of them, the only way to follow up on the hype behind all these groups is to pop into this show. I caught Dogwood a while back at a house show and found them to be smart, tight, and jammy. I was able to get my hands on a recording from them and it is pure Richmond. Lyrically driven and Mid-Western Emo reminiscent, they have got something that takes ‘em a step up, maybe it is the clever guitars, maybe it is the dynamic drums, or the energetic bass. I have not had a chance to see Machi yet but luckily I found myself running their first demos on Bandcamp. Whether you have been bumping some indie rock like Together PANGEA or that classic Clay Pigeons Micheal Cera cover, you’ll wrap your head around this real easy. Newcomers on the scene already with a reputation, This Man May Die will be opening. I have heard nothing but exciting things about these guys and I will be pulling up ready to rock to ‘em.
NEW TUNES:
‘Fear By Design’ by Devolution:
My favorite song of the new album Deceiver, Believer, it is action packed and rolling. The group is made up of experienced rockers and it shows. It is professional sounding and has an extremity in a variety of guitar driven genres, metal, alternative, and more. Keep your eyes open for live shows, I am sure these songs are even more electric live. With experience like musical Green-Beret’s, Devolution don’t disappoint.
‘Butter’ by The Glares
Youthful and catchy, this song is a bop. It reminds me a lot of what is coming out of Australia right now, lofi bouncy punk, but at the same time it is inline with the essential indie that has become load-bearing in Richmond. I think it would hit for fans of the Chats and Mannequin Pussy. I would recommend checking out their Bandcamp for a few more good tunes not out on Spotify yet.
Main Photograph: Pooneh Ghana
