Day 3: No water, surviving purely off melting snow. I gear up like an Arctic Mad Max, fueled by Ratfight’s 2023 EP, preparing to brave the hellscape of Kroger for a chance at a Gatorade and a six-pack of Guinness to guide my journey into the evening. There, I spin Shagwuf’s Dog Days of Disco as I descend into Shakespearean madness.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.
The Camel
Friday, January 10th
Tennishu, Marshall Family Values, Dropheads, Caterpillar Trap
I first became hip to Tennishu through his feature on MFV’s 2024 record, Chateau de Marshall (more on that later). He wields an impressively captivating ambiance, blending the fluidity, expression, and freedom of jazz with the power, directness, and righteousness of hip hop. With each listen, I continue to uncover complex strengths born from such defined influences. The result is living and breathing—each song has a hip-hop heartbeat with fluid, jazzy blood bringing life to the ends of skilled fingertips.
Back to Chateau de Marshall. This was one of the most interesting records to come out of 2024. The second MFV album details a fascinating and intricate world condensed into a grand lodge, where relationships, time, and life are explored through heartbreakingly relatable characters. Sonically, the album is a promised land of milk and honey, with incredible diversity in genre and influence, wholeheartedly leaning into a bit of everything.
Dropheads are three releases deep and have earned a well-deserved, great response. Their most recent tune, “High Roller,” is a moody surf rocker that makes you feel like a sexy detective—and if that isn’t the sign of good music, I couldn’t tell you what is.
Caterpillar Trap is new to me, but after just a minute of listening, I was hooked. My initial thought while listening to Millennium SB was of a modernized Taxi Driver soundtrack, which I mean as high praise, as it’s one of my favorite scores of all time. “Conniption Fit” is another standout track, with an almost Vulfpeck-esque bounce.
Gallery5
Saturday, January 11th
Roughshod, Shagwuf, Rikki Rakki, Girlspit
From the mountaintops: new Roughshod. Immediately, the vocals are going to grab you on this one. I really like the line, “you cannot ignore,” as it perfectly sums up this new track. It’s all intensely unavoidable—you cannot look away from the mesmerizing roll of the bass or the hypnotizing effect of the vocals. Roughshod has become a significant part of the college rock scene, and I think Ocean Deep is going to solidify that reputation even further. This is easily my favorite track of theirs so far, and with the strong reputation they have live, this will be a show worth seeing.
Shagwüf was the first band I ever saw live in RVA, so they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve talked about them before, so I won’t harp, but they remain one of the most dynamic, exciting, and, above all, fun groups to play the area.
Rikki Rakki isn’t folk, but they almost maintain a folk-like identity in my mind. Sonically, they land somewhere between Courtney Barnett and Goat Girl, but so much of their presence is rooted in spirit, and you can’t deny that after even a quick listen to the life in their vocals.
As for Girlspit, I’ve got one word: sick. I have more than that, but this trio is just so sick. I love the subtle synth and the steady march of the rhythm section. I’ve heard great things about their live shows, and I’m excited to hopefully confirm all the good rumors.
The Broadberry
Saturday, January 11th
The Mitras, Twin Films, Dayfiction, Flora and the Fauna
New Mitras is always a good time. The Mitras at the Broadberry is always a good time. This is my favorite Mitras track yet—put simply, it rips. This one is truly anthemic, with a punchy, staccato chorus. They’ve nailed that early punk sound, almost reminiscent of the Buzzcocks, but without feeling dated. It’s clear they were raised on bands like Jimmy Eat World and similar influences. This is their fifth single in the past year, so I dare ask—when are we getting an album?!
Twin Films has also been on a roll with great releases, including Bleary-Eyed Township, which dropped at the start of December. Their last few songs have felt very down-to-earth and personal. This track takes an almost stripped-back, kick-focused turn around the two-minute mark, creating one of my favorite Twin Films moments.
We are still talking about releases as we turn to Blurry World by Dayfiction, the first LP by the young sticks of dynamite. They are off that post-Brexit core of post-punk groups like Shame, Just Mustard, and Idles. They have held a consistent place in my Spotify recently listened list.
Flora and the Fauna have hunkered down a nice selection on Bandcamp, where they have compiled some real bangers. I don’t think college radio is its own genre anymore, but I think they fit along the legends of R.E.M. and the tail eras of The Replacements.
Brand New MUSIC Videos FROM RICHMOND
‘Beauty & The Beast’ by milesisbae
Richmond-based artist milesisbae has released the video for Beauty & The Beast, a track that’s already racked up over 14,000 streams on SoundCloud. Produced by WegoneBeOk, known for collaborations with Nettspend and Glokk40spazz, recorded in a home studio on Clay Street.
The video, out now on YouTube and Instagram, mirrors the song’s unpolished intensity, capturing the restless, underground energy that defines Miles’s new updated sound. Catch the stream of Beauty & The Beast on SoundCloud and be on the look out for the new album later this year. — Anthony
‘NUMBER THREE’ by Fan Ran
Richmond producer and foundation cast member of Gritty City Records, Fan Ran has been quietly dropping dimes for a while now, and this week he hit us with another. Laced with his signature touch, this introspective throwback track dives into a relationship hitting the wall—hard, like NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. It’s raw, reflective, and exactly the kind of storytelling Fan Ran does best. — Anthony
Tracks We’re Spinning
‘Lucky Stars‘ by Doc Straw and the Scarecrows
I will always appreciate adding a nice little string section. This driving track meets indie and folk with one man’s perception on it all. The lyrics express all the hardship of the past and the gratefulness of making it to this point in life, and the driving chord progression matches that semi sweet feel.
RICHMOND SHOW LIST!
JANUARY 2025
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ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER
Saturday, 6/21 Dwight Yoakam BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 7/19 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 8/6 Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder BUY TICKETS
Friday, 8/29 Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas BUY TICKETS
Monday, 9/22 “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour BUY TICKETS
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RICHMOND FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB
Friday, 2/14 – Saturday, 2/15 Anthony Rodia BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/21 – Saturday, 2/22 Steven Ho BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 2/23 Geoffrey Asmus BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, 2/25 Steve Hofstetter BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 2/27 Brad Upton BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/28 – Saturday, 3/1 Funny Marco BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/5 Calimar White aka Agent Ratliff BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 3/6 Jermaine “Funnymane” Johnson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/7 – Saturday, 3/8 Nick Swardson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/14 – Sunday, 3/16 Godfrey BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/26 Peter Antoniou BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/28 – Saturday, 3/29 Dave Attell BUY TICKETS
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EMBER MUSIC HALL
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THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS
All shows are at The Broadberry unless otherwise noted.
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DOMINION ENERGY CENTER
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