It is that time of the year that we as a society collectively use Saint Patrick’s day as an excuse to drink Guinness and wear paddy caps. I’m not much of a hat wearer myself, but I do love Guinness and city streets closed off to listen to music while perusing artisanal markets and stalls. If you also enjoy those things, well I have got news for you! The Church Hill Irish Festival is this weekend, and it’s two days filled with all those things I just mentioned, so get geared up and head on down. I’ve got stuff for you from tonight all through the weekend, starting with Tedeschi Trucks Band tonight at the Altria if you can still get tickets, Hourglass Sessions premieres a live video with Flight Club this Thursday at Gallery 5, and Celler Dwellers rock The Camel Friday night with a few well known friends. I’ve got it all for you and more on this week’s SOUND CHECK.
Are you a band with new tunes, a listener with suggestions, or just want to say hi? Send an email to Bones@rvamag.com
Out of town acts to see
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
Wednesday, March 13th @ The Alrtia
Doors: 7:00 PM
I’ve been listening to Tedeschi Trucks Band for years, and I can never get enough. A combination between Susan Tedeschi’s soulful vocals and Dereck Trucks’ guitar virtuosity (as well as the rest of the 12 piece ensemble behind them) make this conglomerate a powerhouse of a group that can, and will, play all night long. While I remain a fan of their first record from 2011, Revelator, I can’t help but love their epic and expansive quadruple record that is I Am The Moon. Jam band mentality and stamina meets soul and rock & roll. What else could listeners ask for?
This is the second night that they are playing the Altria, so hopefully you can snag yourself some good seats, and have a rare night of sitting and enjoying music in Richmond (a rarity that perhaps we could do with more of in this city).
local & Regional acts to see
CELLER DWELLERS, GOOD DEAL & RIKKI RAKKI
Friday, March 15th @ The Camel
Doors: 9:00 PM
If you want to bounce in you boots all night long to kick of your Saint Patrick’s day weekend, then by all means head on down to The Camel where you can catch Richmond hotshot Celler Dwellers rock the night away. After exploding onto the scene and then dropping multiple releases in 2020, the band has garnered and maintained a fairly large cult following that has stood the test of algorithmic time. Self-actualized indie rock with personality and energy make this group easy listening while not resigning themselves to splashing around in the shallow end.
Joining them are more local favorites including Rikki Rakki, whose debut album Breaking Skin is nominated for the Newlin Music Prize, and Good Deal whose January EP is full of fun tunes and laid back jams that will be all over your playlists this year to be sure. It’s gonna be an excellent night filled with great indie music that you are absolutely not going to want to miss. Follow Celler Dwellers on Instagram.
CHURCH HILL IRISH FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 16th & Sunday March 17th
Doors: Saturday – 8:00 AM || Sunday – 9:00 AM
If you’ve never been to the Church Hill Irish Festival then you are in for a treat. This lovely celebration of Irish culture is not just that, but also a serves as a showcase of everything that makes Richmond great. For starters, you’ve got music all day long from roughly 10 in the morning to late into the afternoon from independent local ensembles. Once you’ve had enough of the music you can head on down the multiple closed of streets to explore the vendors selling their ways or all the fun, quirky artisanal products you could ever possibly want. Hungry? Food trucks will be everywhere you turn, and you can grab yourself some of the best food this state has to offer. All the while drinking all the Guinness (and other beers I suppose) that you desire. It’s going to be a great weekend.
FLIGHT CLUB, ZACH BENSON & MARILYN
Thursday, March 14th @ Gallery 5
Doors: 7:00 pm
If you’re thirsty this Thursday and craving some high energy pop and punk music, then you should head on down to Gallery 5 to catch Hourglass Sessions‘ presentation of Flight Club. Releasing a new one shot live music video to accompany the show, Flight Club have been killing it with their addition to Shockoe Records Christmas Album last year, as well as a single just yesterday “See You Next Tuesday.”
Opening for them is Richmond’s very own rising pop star in Zach Benson, and mysterious young rock singer Marilyn, both of whom have done Hourglass Sessions with the company in recent years. There’s a whole host of brand new eateries around Jackson Ward now as various institutions like Saison and Max’s have closed their doors and made way for fun and exciting new eateries like The Hive and And Dim Sum to ply their trades. This Thursday night, Jackson Ward is the place to be, so you might as well go see some great music while you’re there.
local & regional releases
WKNDR – BRIGHTON GREEN (EP)
I might be a touch late to the party, but I didn’t want to miss talking about this stellar EP from Richmond veterans WKNDR. Though featuring less flute than I am used to from this versatile ensemble, their marriage of folk sentiments with rock sounds swing like a pendulum sometimes becoming more of the other while always harkening to both. The first track “Doing Okay” stands out and remains my favorite after multiple listens with a catchy hook that screams a relatable line backed up by beautiful harmonies. The verses are short and sweet (don’t bore us, get to the chorus!) with a tasteful and elegant guitar solo that spells out a nice melody and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Highly recommend you check out this quick listen by WKNDR to accompany you on this quick car rides across Richmond.
What I’ve been listening to
COUGAR BEATRICE – COLORS OF I (album) 2021
Although they have much newer music, I would much rather talk about this freshman endeavor by Fairfax County collective Cougar Beatrice. Sounding like the best band you’ve ever heard in some random dude’s basement, (and I mean that in the most respectful and honest way possible) Cougar Beatrice are a breath of fresh air to me. In a world full of highly polished and computer corrected tightness in music from pop down to folk, finding a band that is a little rough around the edges is a bit of a rarity. The harmonies aren’t exquisite; they’re a little out of tune sometimes and they don’t always cut off at the same time. Sometimes I wish I could hear more guitar, and sometimes I wish I could hear less, but what makes Cougar Beatrice so attractive to me is their utter humanity and originality. All the songs are either catchy, thoroughly well structured or posses beautiful lyrics sung through simple melodies. They feel like an honest to god band, not a computer generated amalgamation of ear candy meant to catch a ride to the top on the algorithm. Look past the errors, and I promise you a listening experience that will have you coming back for more.
My favorite tracks:
- “Hangfire”
- “Ash”
- “In Bold Print”
Top photo courtesy of Celler Dwellers
Gallery photos by Dylan Akers
PHOTOS OF TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND LAST NIGHT BY DYLAN AKERS
