RVA’s hardest-working, most fun-loving Southern rock n’ roll quartet, The Southern Belles, have returned to the river city with a brand new song dedicated to their hometown fans. While the band has plans to record a second album this spring, “Away We Go” showed up as a stand-alone track.
RVA’s hardest-working, most fun-loving Southern rock n’ roll quartet, The Southern Belles, have returned to the river city with a brand new song dedicated to their hometown fans. While the band has plans to record a second album this spring, “Away We Go” showed up as a stand-alone track. Let the boys tell you the story in their own words…
“Away We Go” was written in phases and happened in a very sneaky way, where we did not even entirely realize we were writing it until it was clear that we had a full piece we were working with. Scenes that come to mind are alone in my room, around the piano, New Haven, CT., and Virginia Moonwalker Studio.
Our good friend Russell Lacy, who owns and operates the Virginia Moonwalker Studio, expressed interest in having us come out to work with him for a day. We gladly accepted, and went in with the intention of working this new tune out. The entire process was very different from past recording experiences for us. First takes and an overall acceptance of the very human, rustic nature of the song led us to a final product that we are very pleased with. It is not perfect–like us–nor is it as polished–much like us. It does, however, perfectly exemplify the message and vibe that this song screams to convey. Basically an overall acceptance that this is our life. For better or worse this is us, and to whatever end, this is what we do.
Much credit and love goes to Russell Lacy and Moonwalker Studio. Also to Bob Rupe (Cracker), who did the final mix and mastering at his studio in southside Richmond. We hope everyone enjoys.
“Away We Go” is reminiscent of the more pensive, melancholy tunes The Band became famous for. The members of Southern Belles show off their vocal harmonies on the chorus, while the entire track serves as a showcase for Tommy Booker’s excellent organ playing. You can stream and download the track from Soundcloud below.
The Southern Belles will be performing tonight at The Camel (1621 W. Broad St) as part of their monthly First Friday residence at that venue. Tonight’s guest will be Major And The Monbacks, a 9-piece Norfolk crew who incorporate classic old-school soul and rock n’ roll sounds for a hyped-up hybrid rockin’-soul sound. Doors open at 9 PM for this one, but don’t worry–if you can’t make it tonight, you’ll have plenty of chances to see The Southern Belles around town over the next couple of months. They’ll be playing February 13 at The Canal Club with Toubab Krewe, February 19 at Cary St. Cafe, and on March 1 at The YERB Fest, just north of RVA on I-95 in Bowling Green, VA. They’ll also be doing a four-day tour around Virginia in March with Philadelphia’s The Lawsuits, and if you’re hitting the fests this summer, you can keep an eye out for The Southern Belles at Floyd Fest, Some Kind of Jam 9, Pasture Palooza, Front Porch Fest, The Get Down, and Pink Moon. All that, in addition to recording a second full-length this spring. These guys really do keep busy!
