We have loved watching them take the stage each month at The Camel, we’ve seen them grow and change as a band, and we’ve danced and sang along to all their tunes, but this Friday, RVA’s beloved psychedelic rock and roll band The Southern Belles will end their residency at The Camel.
We have loved watching them take the stage each month at The Camel, we’ve seen them grow and change as a band, and we’ve danced and sang along to all their tunes, but this Friday, RVA’s beloved psychedelic rock and roll band The Southern Belles will end their residency at The Camel.
For four years the four-piece has entertained RVA music lovers the first Friday of each month with their feel good psychedelic jams, but sadly all good things must come to an end so a band can expand, grow, and move on to pursue other venues.
But lead vocalist and guitarist Adrian Ciucci thinks of The Camel as the band’s home away from home and the First Fridays residency is not something the band will be able to easily move on from.
“We’ve been very lucky and we’ve traveled a lot, played a lot of places, the best memories that I have are still on that Camel stage,” he said. “Even though we’ve certainly been on bigger stages and we’ve been all over the country, there’s something warm and fuzzy about The Camel.”
Ciucci said playing on that stage was something he aspired to do from a young age.
“When I was a kid, I’d go to shows there and think how cool it must be to play a packed show at The Camel and when we got offered that spot it seemed like a dream come true,” he said.
The band’s First Friday residency at the West Broad Street music venue has seen them through band lineup changes, helped them meet and play with other regional acts, and encouraged them to churn out new tunes consistently for their fanbase. The Southern Belles were also involved in petitioning the City of Richmond in support of The Camel to extend its hours when it was operating under restrictions in 2014.
There was always a reason to keep coming back according to Ciucci.
“Originally when we stared the first year, it seemed like it was a great opportunity we were going to be able to bring out of town bands and make a deal with them where we could then go to their town and the second year, it went so well we did it again, and then the third year there were all those time restrictions we were worried we didn’t know what was going to happen at The Camel so we wanted to keep it going to ensure something that would draw a lot of folks would keep happening…,” he said. “After that went down, we wanted to stay to reap the rewards of our hard work.”
They continued their First Fridays residency at The Camel after their previous drummer, Raphael Katichoff, left the band to join fellow RVA band The Congress, to allow the newest member Aaron Zarrow to get the experience they had felt from fans and the venue for the last few years. Now, Ciucci said its time to pass the torch to another deserving Richmond band.
“Now is the first year where it just seems like the right thing to do to pass it on to somebody else that can grow with it the way we have and we can move into The Broadberry and bigger venues,” he said.
This four year residency has shown the true support of the fans and Ciucci hopes that will continue as they branch out to other venues.
“It’s a testament to the enthusiasm and patience and support of the Richmond music goers,” he said. “They have consistently come and supported it. The Belles wouldn’t have two nickels to rub together if it wasn’t for Richmond getting us going and we have never forgotten that.”
From here, The Southern Belles plan to take it on the road with a spring tour starting in March with a new album to follow.
“We will be at The Broadberry March 10,” he said. “The next record that comes out is going to be the best one we’ve done and I’m really excited about it.”
Don’t miss The Southern Belles perform their last First Fridays show at The Camel on Dec. 2. They will perform two sets including many of the original band members and a few members of other local RVA bands featured on their album. Tickets are $10 adv/ $12 at the door, you can grab yours here. Doors are at 9 pm.
