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How Will RVA Music Survive?

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Coronavirus has had a massive impact on Richmond’s live music scene. We spoke to several promoters and musicians about the future of local music in the wake of COVID-19.

With the coronavirus ending live music for the foreseeable future, the music community has been turned upside-down — not only in Richmond but all over the country and beyond. From artists and performers to promoters and venues, everyone is looking for the answer to the big question: once the threat of COVID-19 passes, what will be left of Richmond’s music scene?

With everything still so uncertain, no one can possibly know all the answers. However, we wanted to check in with the artists and venues of the river city to learn their strategies for survival, what they’ve done to adjust, and what they’re expecting for the future. Here’s what they had to say.

VENUE / PROMOTERS
What needs to happen before you can have a live show again?

Jessica Gordon (Broadberry Entertainment Group, The Broadberry, The Camel): Broadberry Entertainment Group is working to reschedule all our March, April, and May shows — as well as many in June. We are also preparing to reschedule shows in all our venues throughout the summer, if needed. Fortunately, the vast majority of events are being postponed rather than canceled. We have already announced a few new dates and will be announcing more in the near future.

In order have live shows again:
We need to feel confident that the artists, employees, and ticket buyers will be safe when they attend our events. That is and will always be our top priority.

We need people stay home and wash their hands. The more they do that, the sooner they will be going out to see live music again.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): First we need this virus to be not considered a public health threat. I imagine this will require hearing from our federal and state officials and consultation from medical experts before we can open doors to the public.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): After the virus passes, I believe people are going to be ready to come back out to the nightlife scene and will want to spend money and enjoy events again. One thing I feel that will have to happen is to have free shows for a little while. Hopefully bands are understanding about that and work with venues. [We] also have to take under consideration that some patrons won’t have money because they have been jobless, so as a venue we should run food and drink specials to build our patrons back up.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): We are waiting for the CDC and the governor to publicly allow large gatherings of people once again. Ultimately the decision will come from the government. Though there is still a discussion to be had about the ethics of being legally allowed to gather vs. being actually safe to gather, we will take necessary precautions to be as safe as possible once we re-open.

Photo via Gallery 5/Facebook

Do you see people heading out to live shows in the near future given the social anxiety surrounding COVID19?

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): No, there is a high likelihood of a second surge in COVID-19 cases, and opening up too early is not going to help the long term goal of a safer and medically better off global population. I’m sure some folks will want to head out right away, but we’ll need a gradient of events and capacities to be identified… leaving these decisions up to private businesses is a bad idea.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): Humans have been around for awhile. Social distancing isn’t really in our nature so I personally believe people will come out again; [it] just may take time.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): I think that people are longing to go out and enjoy the company of others, especially after being isolated for such a long period of time. However there definitely are COVID fears that will affect turnout. In addition, many people have tragically lost their income from layoffs related to the illness. Both of these factors will definitely affect turnouts for the foreseeable future. It might be until the fall, or even next year, that the general feeling about going to large events returns to normal.

Can you promote minimal public health standards in your venue according to CDC guidelines and still have live shows?

Jessica Gordon (Broadberry Entertainment Group, The Broadberry, The Camel): We book shows in many venues. We will not be producing live entertainment in any venues until the federal and local authorities say it is safe to do. At that time, we will of course abide by all public health standards and CDC recommendations.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): Once we are able to have people, once the staff is feeling ready to face crowds, and once the proper communications from national/state/international leadership is factored in, then and then only can we begin the process of opening doors. We’ll comply 100 percent to whatever the health guidelines are, but as of now there is no date set, and more work still needed to be done for tracking, testing, vaccination, and reducing the new cases.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): We can and we will, especially after this is over. This is something else a venue or a bar has to be ready for, and will be the norm after this virus is over. We as a public place need to use all our knowledge and what we are learning to continue to keep our staff and patrons safe after this COVID-19.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): It would depend on the guidelines themselves; I don’t believe any are in place yet. Currently – no we cannot host, as there is an events ban and a stay-at-home order. In the future, if we have to distance folks by six feet, then it would severely limit what kinds of shows we can do, if not make it impossible. If the guidelines refer to sanitizers and masks being available, then yes, we would be happy to take on that expense and comply in order to be back in business.

Other ideas being tossed around from other clubs we work with are: non-invasive thermometers at the door to screen for potentially contagious patrons, gloves / masks available, and reserved distanced seating for patrons who want to keep a distance. However I don’t want to get too caught up in hypothetical ideas before we see what these guidelines are.

People have gotten used to watching live streams on their devices; will this be a part of your business going forward?

Jessica Gordon (Broadberry Entertainment Group, The Broadberry, The Camel): We have discussed doing live streams many times prior to the pandemic, and we were actually recently in talks with a company about piloting some equipment in one of the rooms we book that would allow us, with the artist’s permission, to stream performances. It’s clear there is currently a market for live streams; however, It’s hard to say how much that demand will remain once people can safely go out to shows again. If people continue to express interest in live streams, we will certainly consider ways to produce and share them. We’d like nothing more than to find new ways to share music with the people who love it!

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): Yes, digital is not going anywhere and this global pandemic, while horrendously destructive and sad, has shown that we do have a few options and tools available to us that we could have used in the past and certainly can entertain in the future.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): I hope not, because you’re not getting the same experience watching it on facebook or other platforms. If we have to adjust our way of entertainment, we will, but I will wait until we cross that bridge. It’s nothing like a live show and people around you, feeling those vibes with a nice drink in your hand.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): Live streaming has definitely been a part of the music industry for years, but in the past I sort of saw it as competing with actually attending live shows. People might rather stay at home and watch a YouTube video of the show when it comes out. We also hadn’t navigated the legalities yet on broadcasting copyrighted music. Now though, with people either being afraid or legally unable to attend shows, we definitely need to figure it out. We’d love to sell “virtual tickets,” so fans who are staying home for whatever reasons [can see the show]. Hopefully fans are receptive and willing to pay for streaming concerts, and the expense of properly mixing, filming, and streaming the concert is offset by the demand of virtual audiences.

Photo via Poor Boys/Facebook

How long can your industry stay afloat without any bookings?

Jessica Gordon (Broadberry Entertainment Group, The Broadberry, The Camel): “Your industry” is a broad term. Booking agents, band managers, artists, labels, promoters, and venues all work together to produce live entertainment. We’ve already seen many of the major booking agencies laying off staff and reducing wages. Obviously, artists are unable to tour, and all venues for live entertainment are closed. In terms of promoters, I think the answer to how long we can stay afloat is different for everyone. It’s going to depend a lot on the extent of the government loans that many are applying for right now.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): Promoters come in all shapes and sizes… and time constraints. There are some bookings we have lost permanently, and others that we’ll get back. As of now the promoter industry is still somewhat on hold as medical experts continue to study the situation and give us information allowing us to begin booking again. Gallery5 has a board of directors that is trying as hard as possible to keep the organization open for as long as possible in hopes of getting on the other side of this virus. There are many others in the USA that will fail and close up doors permanently since the industry of performances/events for crowds is one that often is very cash flow sensitive.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): Realistically, not long. We are in the business of entertainment, socializing with one another, and enjoying food and drinks together. We believe in this city, but some laws need to change to make it better for this industry in the long run to help us survive. We at Poor Boys of RVA will keep it rolling until the wheels fall off.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): In the short term, a lot of venues and promoters have been taking advantage of small business loans, grants, crowdfunding, gift cards, merchandise, Door Dash, and other creative revenue streams. But all of these pale in comparison to well-attended events with solid concession sales. Every business is different; some have already folded while others could survive much longer. A lot of other parts of the music business rely heavily on venues and promoters, so it’s important that we don’t have to find out much longer. Hopefully by late summer/early fall we are able to host events safely once again and make up for lost time.

Do you have any other thoughts on how COVID-19 is going to change how Richmond goes to shows?

Jessica Gordon (Broadberry Entertainment Group, The Broadberry, The Camel): I know one thing for sure. If it is safe to resume live entertainment this fall, people are going to have far more events to choose from when they want to go out. Think about this: promoters are currently rescheduling for the fall all their shows that were originally scheduled for March-June, and in conjunction with normal fall tour for artists, there will likely be twice as many shows this fall as normal.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): I foresee a time period when we’ll “get back to normal,” but there will be some permanent changes. Some venues won’t make it and will close, closing any options of normalcy for those particular instances/experiences. I imagine there will be a smaller capacity on places. A 600-capacity venue may easily be shrunk to a 150-capacity venue; too early to tell, but I would imagine that could happen. Perhaps this will encourage more advanced ticket sales? Perhaps there will be a “stream-at-home” version of the show available for a lower price? I have yet to see proof, but I would not be surprised if new technologies are needed at front door/security to gauge temp checks or health codes for individuals to gain entry.

Clayton Navarre (Poor Boys): Not really, things will change but some things just can’t, and will hopefully be better for the Richmond venues when we do shows again.

Mark Bradley Fries (Aspire Presents, Canal Club, Wonderland): Hopefully everyone will be mindful going forward about their health and how they can affect others. Staying home if they feel sick; washing hands regularly; maybe even wearing masks in large groups. I do hope, however, that another takeaway is that everyone appreciates the ability to gather and go to live shows; we have a great local scene with tons of opportunities to participate. Hopefully this sheds more light on local businesses and independent venues, and how important they are to our city’s culture.

by The Head & The Heart

PERFORMERS
Do you think bands will be touring in 2020?

Tyler Williams (The Head & The Heart): I’m optimistic bands will be touring in 2020, at least nationally, if not internationally. Promoters and agents are looking to MLB, F1 and other sports to see how they decide to move forward this year so hopefully we’ll all know more in early May.

Majjin Boo (Egghunt Records): We’re hopeful that bands will be back on the road around August. I imagine it’ll be a slow trickle back with some big shows starting to get announced again in the fall.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): If the world cooperates, if the government prioritizes its citizens over optics, and if the virus is no longer a threat, then I can imagine some going on tour. But I presume it’ll be to a very different style of shows than before, with limited capacities, reduced venue options, and perhaps a more digital approach to some things that traditionally would be in person (meet and greets, radio performances, in stores, etc).

Michael York (Sleepwalkers): No, at least not successfully if you’re an independent artist, like ourselves, until spring 2021. Only the wealthy will be able to provide entertainment for the wealthiest in shipment containers or hyperbaric chambers. Maybe Drake, Jay/Bé/Ye, U2, and McCartney… but they’re chillin’ with fucking doctors by their sides at every moment if anything happens.

As a musician, what needs to happen take for you to feel comfortable performing live again?

Tyler Williams (The Head & The Heart): Besides a complete changeover of our federal government? (laughs) We need to get cases down as low as they can go through social distancing and then implement a widespread test, trace, quarantine scenario. There’s no reason we can’t all get back to living and enjoying live music this year if we reset and start to handle this situation the way it should have been from the start.

Majjin Boo (Egghunt Records): We think that not just for the musicians but for people to gather around at venues for shows we would need to see the infection and death rate drop dramatically (almost zero).

As long as there’s a chance that we can promote the promotion of the spreading of the virus it doesn’t feel ethical to promote shows and tell people to gather in large numbers.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): We need the virus to be officially not a global threat, we need venues to be able to have new sanitary standards in place, and more than anything else… [we] need fiscal recovery efforts to kick in to allow audiences to have the option of spending disposable income.

Michael York (Sleepwalkers): For careless people to stop spreading this virus. I don’t know actually. Just listen to scientists, and of course, Dr. Fauci. The CDC and community-centered prevention goes a long way.

Photo via Sleepwalkers/Facebook

Do you feel online performances could be a legit way to pay the bills?

Tyler Williams (The Head & The Heart): My hope is that the audience for live music gets turned on to these livestreams and unique online events and sees the value and effort put in and is willing to fund that creativity. It’s uncharted territory for artists as a real revenue source- separate from record sales, publishing and touring. It would be great to see livestream revenue as a fourth pillar that could help musicians live a more balanced life off the road.

Majjin Boo (Egghunt Records): We could see it being a great source of revenue for some types of musicians but personally we would rather just write and record if we’re going to be working from home.

Our heart isn’t in live streaming from our bedrooms or practice space and having our sound be perceived through shitty mics and regurgitated out of tiny speakers after being compressed a thousand times by instagram. 

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): It has been for many… for a long time. The ones with healthy YouTube accounts have monetized that for years. The rest of the world could perhaps entertain these thoughts too, but it will not be possible if the general audience (digital or in-person) does not have the funding to support performances. The next step is to go to full-on porn. I’m ready.

Michael York (Sleepwalkers): Streaming and subscriptions have crossed our minds, and it feels like a natural transition into the next generation of entertainment, regardless of what’s been happening. Netflix, HBO, and Disney + have new material readily available at a rate of $7-15 a month, and that is extremely difficult for independent musicians and artists to compete with. The other side: we’re talking about a complete grassroots movement where your friends and hardcore fanbase are paying your bills. To be honest, I don’t know if it’s possible or sustainable, but it will happen. We’ll see the decline of live music in general, and people will yearn for the real thing deeply. I think what we will also see is the merging of big businesses with people in their homes. Partitioned roles… Spotify and iTunes will take care of published works and remuneration as always (not much $), and live venues will take care of funeral arrangements. But for real – there’s no way to help the situation. It has to clear up… and that takes time.

Will your shows be a combination of online and live performances in the future?

Tyler Williams (The Head & The Heart): This is definitely the future of live music- a hybrid streamed/in-person experience. I don’t think anyone has cracked it yet the way something like Spotify opened up the streaming world but I see tiered pricing based on access to the live experience being the future. Can’t stop the future.

Majjin Boo (Egghunt Records): We will of course keep posting videos of us performing outside of venues but we hope to keep live streaming our performances to settings that are created for performing.

It’s a slippery slope to have your home space be your writing, rehearsing and also now your place of performance. What maybe is a place of creativity and reprieve from the outside world is now just a watered down venue. We’d much rather just wait to rehearse and perfect a set to play a show at G5 in 3-4 months and stream that. 

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): For the time being, that seems like a logical way to approach it, but who knows… things change quickly and it’ll [only] take a few small poorly-made decisions to have long ranging consequences.

Michael York (Sleepwalkers): Watching something on your phone will never equate to going out and seeing a live show, but yes… Absolutely. What excites me is the idea of new content weekly or monthly. It doesn’t necessarily have to be “live.” It’s kind of been a necessary evil, where the music industry has to catch up with the film industry. Everything in film is planned months or even years ahead. With a record – you can put everything out into the ether within a matter of days. People just want new content. I think artists need to step up and create new content unapologetically. The only thing that separates the bad from the good is the self-editing these days, but it’s a beautiful thing. You’re releasing your content directly — from the artist to the consumer.

Do you have any other thoughts on how COVID-19 is going to change the Richmond music scene?

Tyler Williams (The Head & The Heart): Local venues mostly run razor thin margins so hopefully, they can all survive and rebound after this long break. Obviously, Richmond is already in short supply on that front. What Richmond never lacks though is talent and creativity so I would suspect we’ll get some amazing music from local artists and really unique perspectives on their worlds, internally and externally, through this unfortunately tragic, clarifying moment.

Majjin Boo (Egghunt Records): We’re a bit worried about the venues. As long as the venues can weather this storm I think the scene is going to come back more galvanized than ever to create, perform and share their music with the people of Richmond. In return fans are going to be here again but in larger numbers. If there isn’t already, I think as people start going back to shows there’s gonna be a greater appreciation for how incredible our art and music community and also how fragile all this really is.

Prabir Mehta (Gallery 5 & Prabir Trio): I’m excited for musicians to wash their hands more often, perhaps it’ll spill over into other parts of their lives. I also imagine there will be more thought put into what goes up/online. Right now it’s the wild wild west and anyone is putting up anything they want/can because people are stuck at their homes. I don’t imagine that rate of creation/consumption will be sustainable long term when competing against Netflix/Hulu/etc. More planning and strategy may very well become a part of every musician’s to-do-lists moving forward… which takes away the magical spontaneity of the musician lifestyle, but adds a little bit more structure if those musicians are truly trying to make performance a part of their living/career.

Michael York (Sleepwalkers): Same as it ever was… I hope people will write better music coming out of this. Time is inconsequential right now, and that’s the coolest thing about art. Silence is your best friend. If anything, we’ve taken a step back and re-evaluated what we’re doing with our lives. It’s been a great moment of both confusion and clarity, [I’m] just bummed to see that these great impresarios and local businesses are hurting. This virus will be a part of our existence forever now, we’re just figuring out how to own it.

Hopefully we can bring some immunity to these essential workers in the music industry, and fire the non-essentials.

Poor Boys GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-poor-boys-staff-and-families

Gallery5 GoFundMe: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/gallery5-staff-covid19-support/gallery5

Broadberry GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/broadberry-staff-relief-fund

The Canal Club GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-canal-club-family-staff-fund

Intro by Marilyn Drew Necci. Top Photo via The Broadberry/Facebook

Ahead Of Their First Official Tour, Majjin Boo Get Criminal

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Coronavirus has led to the cancellation of their first official tour, but regardless, today, Richmond indie band Majjin Boo is releasing the first video from their Egghunt Records debut, Go Between.

UPDATE, 3/12/20, 3 PM: Due to concerns over coronavirus, Majjin Boo has announced that they will cancel their planned tour. Original article follows:

The melodic tangle of Majjin Boo’s interweaving melodies and complex guitar arrangements has been the most intriguing sound to come out of the Richmond indie scene in the last several years, and we’re not the only ones who’ve noticed — their excellent debut LP, Go Between, was released late last year by Richmond tastemakers Egghunt Records (who previously brought you Lucy Dacus, among others).

Now the talented sextet are preparing to head out on their first real tour — a weeklong jaunt that was previously intended to culminate with a performance at the legendary SXSW… that is, until coronavirus happened. But regardless of the high-profile festival’s cancellation, the group is still planning to regale several east coast and midwestern cities with their enchanting sounds — and before they do, they’re sharing the video for Go Between’s leadoff track, “Criminal,” with RVA Magazine. And we’re passing it along to you now!

Alternating between lovely images of pastoral forest and meadow scenes and some downright weird shots of masked figures that stalk those forests and meadows with unclear yet ominous intent, the video is both beautiful — as befits the accompaniment for such a lovely song — and creepy in an Eyes Wide Shut sort of way. What’s behind that mysterious bunny mask? What’s in that strange building deep in the forest? The ritual that brings the video to an end may shed some light on things… but you’re bound to be left with quite a few questions as well.

But don’t get caught up pondering what it all means; instead, you should head to Poor Boys on Thursday, March 12 (that’s tonight!) to enjoy one last Majjin Boo set before they shove off on their now-unfortunately-abbreviated tour. They’ll be sharing the bill with Egghunt labelmates Clever Girls, who hail from Vermont, as well as Richmond locals Strawberry Moon and Benet. On the whole, it should be delightful. Learn more here, and make sure you’re in the house tonight at Poor Boys, located at 203 N. Lombardy St. At only $5, it’s well worth the price you pay to get in (one we promise doesn’t involve anyone wearing a bunny mask).

Top Photo by Andre Magalhaes

VA Shows You Must See This Week: March 11 – March 17

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FEATURED SHOW
Friday, March 13, 8 PM
Caverns Of Pine, Unmaker, Big No, VV @ Gallery 5 – $10 (order tickets HERE)
We’re heading into St. Patrick’s Day weekend and meanwhile coronavirus has got me out here writing new lyrics for “Paranoid Chant” by the Minutemen. So what do you say we all make the choice to forgo events drawing a large crowd in favor of some more intimate gatherings? Sounds good to me, personally. That’s not the only reason to head for Gallery 5 this Friday night, but it is certainly one of them.

However, what’s really great about this show is that it represents the first time that Caverns Of Pine, a studio project led by Brad Perry (Worn In Red, Forensics, Operation Icy), will perform live. In 2018, the project released a great post-hardcore album called Disassociate, which focused on themes relating to surviving sexual violence and overcoming the associated trauma. As Brad and the other members all had their own projects to focus on, they never played any shows, but now, with the opening of All Instinct, a group art show inspired by Caverns Of Pine’s lyrics and curated by Bizhan Khodabandeh, they’re breaking the silence and finally gracing us all with a live performance.

Considering how excellently intense these songs actually are, this is sure to be one hell of a show. The fact that Caverns Of Pine will be paired with Unmaker for it is also eminently appropriate, as Unmaker have a similarly heavy and somewhat foreboding post-hardcore sound, only with a stronger postpunk influence that gives them a decidedly gothic edge. It’s a perfect double bill, one that is only made even awesomer by the inclusion of Big No and VV, two rad bands in their own right. To top it all off, all profits from this event benefit Force, an anti-rape culture, pro-consent activist group based in Baltimore, so you can know that your admission funds are going toward something positive in the world.

Wednesday, March 11, 8 PM
Lux, Vittna, Gumming, Dummies @ Mojo’s – $8
Here’s a really fun way to spend your Wednesday evening — going to Mojo’s. And not just because it’s a rad place with delicious food, either, though those are good reasons to spend ANY evening there. No, we’re sending you tonight specifically because Barcelona punks Lux are coming to town, and they’re gonna rock the hell out of Mojo’s tonight. One of the many bands to come out of excellent UK punk group Good Throb, Lux have less of that band’s caustic approach and a more rockin’, fun sound that keeps things at a swinging rock tempo and integrates a good deal of vocal melody even as their aggressive riffing makes it impossible to mistake them for just another power-pop group.

Lux released their latest EP, New Day, back in November, and it’s full of catchy tunes that will get you dancing. Meanwhile, Raleigh’s Vittna bring the speed and vitriol that you true punk freaks might miss in Lux’s set, and give you a chance to get the circle pit swirling right there inside Mojo’s. Just don’t spill anyone’s drinks, that ain’t cool. Local noise punk heroes Gumming will open this one up, along with a brand new band featuring members of Haircut and Sweeties called Dummies. How dumb will their take on punk be? The name certainly offers some clues, but we won’t really know until tonight — so be there, and end the mystery.

Thursday, March 12, 6 PM
Brower, Josephine, The Ar-Kaics, Piranha Rama @ Hardywood – Free!
If the Lux show at Mojo’s is an example of old-school hardcore punk, then this free DIG Records-sponsored Thursday night showcase at Hardywood is even older-school than that, taking things back to the powerful melodic energy that defined punk in its earliest days. Brower, who top this bill, are a project headed by Queens resident Nat Brower and featuring a similar rudimentary pop energy combined with scrappy punk stylings as that of some long-ago Queens residents, the Ramones — though there’s some definite Matador Singles-era Jay Reatard to be found in the mix here as well. Their catchy tuneage is bound to put a smile on your face — and in light of how things are going these days, we all need it.

They’ll be visiting Richmond in the company of fellow DIG Records artist Josephine, a singer, songwriter, and drag performer from New York who, along with her band, creates power-pop gold on her brand new debut LP, Music Is Easy. Fans of classic 70s Bowie and Odessey and Oracle-era Zombies are sure to thrill to this one. The always-enjoyable Ar-Kaics, Virginia’s best pure garage-rock revivalists, will be on hand to bring a heaping helping of their own rock n’ roll vitality, and the whole thing will kick off with the maximalist genre-hopping power-pop of Richmond’s own Piranha Rama. It’s the sort of evening that would be a thrill at any price — but since you can save your cash for the tasty craft brews, it’s even more so!

Friday, March 13, 8 PM
Peaer, Strange Ranger, Gnawing, SHE @ Poor Boys – $8 in advance/$10 at the door (order tickets HERE)
I have no idea if Peaer are actually named after a misspelling of a fruit or if it’s all just a happy coincidence, but I am certain that this New York band make music every bit as sweet as their possible misspelled namesake. Their 2019 LP, A Healthy Earth, is math-rock at its most melodic and delicate, the sort of complex guitar figures that are the hallmark of the genre fading into the background in favor of charming vocal harmonies and intriguing lyrics often detailing the sort of modern, everyday anxieties that make up the background noise of all our day-to-day lives.

Thankfully, even as they express these neuroses, their music acts as a soothing balm, one that will feel even more like a relief in the context of Poor Boys’ Voodoo Room this Friday night. Better yet, they’ll come to us in the company of Strange Ranger, a group that has an approach both less mathy and less quiet than that of Peaer, but just as sweetly melodic and full of catchy vocal harmonies to make you swoon. This is a killer double bill, and with local stalwarts Gnawing and SHE rounding things out, it’ll be even more delightful. Let yourself sink into this one — it’s sure to be a delight.

Saturday, March 14, 9 PM
Sexbruise?, The Last Real Circus Show, Sid Kingsley @ The Dark Room – $5
Ever had a random night with not much going on where you found yourself sitting around with some friends making up ideas for ridiculous bands you’re gonna start and laughing hysterically? I have too, but like most of you, I’ve never actually followed through on those kinds of goofy ideas. That’s the difference between us and the members of South Carolina band Sexbruise? though — they actually went through with it, creating a pop group they straight-up admit is “fake” and satirical in intent, but nonetheless cranks out some pretty outstanding danceable throwback jams.

What’s more, they turn every live show into a party the whole crowd is invited to, using improvisation and audience participation to spice up their performances of their catchy, silly tunes. On an evening when the total hedonistic mess that is Shamrock The Block will be taking place in close proximity to The Hof, Sexbruise? will offer a much needed pick-me-up. Better yet, they’ll be accompanied on this mission by DC/VA folk-rockers The Last Real Circus Show and Richmond’s own Sid Kingsley, making this a true night to remember. You’ll be chuckling fondly over this one on Monday morning at work — assuming you don’t take Sexbruise’s advice to “quit your job” (RVA Magazine has no official position on the matter).

Sunday, March 15, 2 PM
To Pimp A Butterfly 5th Anniversary party, feat. Kaelan Brown, Alec Sullivan, Michael Bradley, Alex Kehayas, and many more @ The Dark Room – $5
Kendrick Lamar might just be the best hip hop artist of the last decade, and the argument in favor of that idea begins right here, with his second album, To Pimp A Butterfly. Where his full-length debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was an outstanding contribution to the tradition of hip hop, To Pimp A Butterfly took things to the next level, moving beyond the basics of beats and rhymes to tackle epic themes and integrate the full spectrum of black music, from jazz and gospel to funk and soul. Working with talented musicians from legendary bassist/producer Thundercat to former Butcher Brown guitarist Keith Askey, Kendrick made a widescreen album full of true musicality, and brought a pile of classic tracks into the world in the process — everything from “How Much A Dollar Cost” to “King Kunta” to the massively enjoyable “I.”

Now, in an effort to commemorate the fifth anniversary of this epochal musical achievement, a bunch of the most talented musicians in Richmond are coming together on the Dark Room stage to perform the album live, with new expanded arrangements brought into the world by nearly 20 different musicians, all fronted by talented young Richmond MC Kaelan Brown. Jazz/classical composer Alec Sullivan will conduct the massive horn section, local bass talent Alex Kehayas will play the Thundercat role on the low end, and an assortment of gifted young players will all work together to bring To Pimp A Butterfly to life onstage before your very eyes. If that’s not a great way to cap off your weekend, I seriously don’t know what is.

Monday, March 16, 9 PM
Horse Lords, Halfcast, Hellawes @ Cary Street Cafe – $10
Monday night is a great night to get weird, and with Baltimore’s Horse Lords in town, we have the perfect opportunity. Earlier in the column, I talked about Peaer’s sweetly enjoyable form of math-rock, and now it’s time to talk about the opposite. On their brand new album, The Common Task, Horse Lords use dissonant guitar figures and constantly shifting polyrhythms to keep listeners constantly unsteady on their feet, as if they’re standing on the deck of a pitching, yawing pirate ship.

If you find musical thrills in everything from New York-style No Wave to the styles of the nomadic Saharan guitar slingers who’ve come to so much prominence over the past several years, and further appreciate Baltimore’s legacy of total weirdness, from Oxes to Dan Deacon, you’re sure to flip for Horse Lords. Local psychedelic rangers Hellawes will prove their own ability to destabilize the room with their sound a quite formidable one in its own right, while Halfcast will create a relative oasis of discernability with their catchy indie-rock tunes at the center of the bill. You might walk home sideways from this one, but you’ll have a great time getting there.

Tuesday, March 17, 8 PM
Diana Rein @ The Tin Pan – $18 (order tickets HERE)
Our culture is full of tales about former child actors who came to bad ends, from Corey Haim to Jonathan Brandis. But it’s certainly possible for people who acted as children to grow into completely functional creative adults, and blues guitarist Diana Rein is a great example. You might not remember her name, but you probably remember her from her role as Sondra McCallister, one of Macaulay Culkin’s many cousins in the Home Alone film series. Today she’s all grown up, and while she no longer acts, her musical endeavors prove that she has plenty of creative energy still to get out.

For those who enjoy classic electric blues in the vein of BB King and Buddy Guy, Rein’s got a throwback sound you’re sure to love. On her latest LP, Queen Of My Castle, she mixes original tunes that follow in the footsteps of classic Chicago blues jams with some more wide-ranging efforts that show she’s got range, reaching into the realms of Bonnie Raitt-style blues-informed rock without ever losing track of the powerful chops that act as her calling card. The fact that Rein was once in a movie you watched a hundred times on VHS when you were little might be what initially catches your interest, but it’s the talent she’s showing off today that makes this show 100 percent worth your time.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Friday, March 13, 7:30 PM
Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers @ Hampton Coliseum (Hampton) – $26-$86 (order tickets HERE)
Sturgill Simpson is an artist who has remained consistently interesting to me ever since I first became aware of his music over half a decade ago. He grabbed me with his second album, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, on which he attempted to get outside the moribund Nashville mainstream that has made country music into a cookie-cutter genre, and he’s just kept upping the ante ever since. After his third album, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, he engaged in a busking-style public protest against the Country Music Awards’ refusal to speak about the more uncomfortable political issues that had come up in the wake of the mass shooting at a Jason Aldean show in Las Vegas. His approach to both his music and his role as an artist was incredibly refreshing to see.

Now, with last year’s Sound And Fury, Simpson’s taken things even farther once again, creating a suite of songs that are strongly informed by the current political climate and stand musically at so far a remove from the world of country music that some would say there’s no country left in what he’s doing, that he’s become a rock n’ roller using synths and crunching guitars to make a full-on alternative-rock album. But why get hung up on genre? Like the Drive-By Truckers before him, Simpson has a unique approach to a set of influences that is both wide-ranging and inextricably American, and hearing him bring them to bear on a strong creative effort is worth all our time, regardless of what genre it ends up sounding like. Don’t worry about country music, worry about good music. This show is going to bring plenty of it to you — I recommend that you be there.

Saturday, March 14, 3 PM
St. Patrick’s Day Punkarade, feat. 430 Steps, Brandy And The Butcher, ChargedCam36, Drunk Buseys, Lettermans, Like No Tomorrow, Locomotive Gun, Nervous System, Rad Taco, Rotten Stitches, The Jasons, The Moneys, Whiskey Warfare, Worser @ Pourhouse of Norfolk (Norfolk) – $5
It seems that Saturday, three days before the actual holiday, is the accepted date for celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in 2020. And I guess it makes sense; it’s the most “blah blah blah, drink” holiday of every year, and we may as well hold it on the weekend, so that everyone has a day to be hung over and feeling horrible before they have to go back to work. But let me say, if you really are insisting on tying one on this weekend, you’ll be better off doing so in Norfolk. There, instead of Shamrock The Block, the advertisements for which tell you they have “live music” on offer, but not who’s playing — always an ominous sign (I googled, it’s a couple of tribute acts and some cover bands) — you get the St. Patrick’s Day Punkarade at Norfolk’s Pourhouse.

Kicking off early in the afternoon and lasting far into the night, the Punkarade will bring together bands from all over the east coast, all of whom have a strong punk rock sensibility and all of whom will make you want to raise a fist in the air and sing along. Highlights of this bill include South Carolina punk hellraisers Brandy And The Butcher, Pennsylvania grindcore maniacs Worser, Norfolk punk goofballs Rad Taco, NoVA old-school punkers Like No Tomorrow, and topping off the whole thing, Ramones/Misfits-loving horror punks The Jasons. There’s way more happening on this bill as well, more than I could possibly find the space to tell you, but suffice it to say that if you like punk rock, it’ll be the best St. Patrick’s Day throwdown you could ever ask for. One word of advice, though — if you’re heading down from Richmond, you might want to book a motel room in advance. It’s better than sleeping it off in the backseat of your car, right?

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected]

Top Photo by Zach Wish with Stefanie Lutz, via Caverns of Pine/Facebook

VA Shows You Must See This Week: February 12 – February 18

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FEATURED SHOW
Sunday, February 16, 7 PM
Talk Me Off, Doll Baby, Pedals, Xed Out @ Gallery 5 – $8 (order tickets HERE)
Where music is concerned, Richmond always has a lot going on, and in recent years, that activity has spread across a more widespread spectrum of genres than ever. That’s to be applauded. At the same time, this city would lose something if our longtime status as a hotbed of punk rock ever were to dry up. Therefore the fact that there’s no sign of that happening anytime soon is certainly a great sign for Richmond’s musical health as we head into the roaring(-with-frustration) 20s.

The latest standard bearer for Richmond punk rock is Talk Me Off, a local trio with a knack for expressing the archetypal punk emotions of alienation and frustration through quick, peppy songs with driving beats and scraping guitars paired with an always-strong sense of melody that keeps the whole thing from being just another atonal blurt. Talk Me Off are on the cusp of releasing their debut LP, Cursed, on longtime Richmond punk label Say-10, and whether you love that classic punk sound to the very core of your being or are just looking for a good musical outlet for your frustrations at being alive in Trump’s America in 2020, Talk Me Off are in great position to provide you with your fix.

They’ll be releasing Cursed into the world at Gallery 5 this Sunday night, and you can expect its release to be accompanied by a fiery set of catchy uptempo tunes to get you bouncing. And in addition to Talk Me Off’s celebratory headlining set, you’ll also get some great sounds from an additional trio of Richmond punk bands. These include the twangy, emotional sounds of Doll Baby, the long-running folk-punk talents of Pedals (On Our Pirate Ships… I’m still not sure if the name has officially been shortened or not), and newcomers Xed Out, who feature former members of Smoke Or Fire and The Bled, so you know they’ve got a lot to offer. Be there for this one and appreciate the latest evolution of a storied Richmond tradition.

Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 PM
The Wood Brothers, Kat Wright @ The National – $23 in advance/$26 at door (order tickets HERE)
Where folk music is concerned, things can sometimes get a little predictable. However, the Wood Brothers manage to avoid this issue by bringing quirky influences and a wide-ranging background to bear on the songs they create. Singer-guitarist Oliver Wood consistently comes up with interesting lyrics that avoid cliche, while bassist Chris Wood brings a funky jazz approach into the group, derived from his longtime membership of legendary trio Medeski, Martin & Wood.

The Wood Brothers just released their eighth album, Kingdom In My Mind, a few weeks ago, and as fans have come to expect, it moves across a variety of different genres to dip into everything from folk and jazz to blues and soul. That broad musical sensibility is sure to result in a live performance that takes listeners to a variety of musical places, all of which the Wood Brothers will inhabit with sure-footed talent, and all of which are guaranteed to please you and make your Wednesday night a brighter, happier affair than it otherwise might be. And here in the midst of a listless Virginia winter, who doesn’t need that?

Thursday, February 13, 7 PM
Plastic Nancy, Deli Kings, Toward Space, Majjin Boo @ Poor Boys – $5
It feels like we just got into 2020, so it’s heartening to see what an active year the Richmond music scene is already having. Plastic Nancy and Prsmcat Presents are both good examples; the Majjin Boo/Spooky Cool-affiliated booking company has really ramped up the amount of good music coming out of Poor Boys and given that venue a shot in the arm that will help ensure that it’s a worthy successor to Flora and Balliceaux before it.

And at this Thursday’s latest locally-focused Prsmcat show, Richmond psych ensemble Plastic Nancy are celebrating the release of their latest album, which should certainly lend a candy-colored dayglo atmosphere to the early months of 2020 here in the river city. On Last Of The Electric Flowers, the boys of Plastic Nancy embrace an acid-drenched atmosphere that manages to avoid outright retro nods in favor of a 21st century sensibility that nonetheless captures the greatness of all those spaced-out bands of the late 60s that we know and love. Revel in the all-encompassing mood they create, and enjoy three other immensely talented RVA bands while you’re at it, at Poor Boys this Thursday night. You won’t be sorry.

Friday, February 14, 8 PM
Lightmare, ZunZun, Prabir Trio, Past Palms @ Gallery 5 – $5-7 (order tickets HERE)
I may be married now, but for a long time, Valentine’s Day was a big bummer of a holiday for me, so I know there are probably a lot of people out there just hoping Friday comes and goes as quickly and painlessly as possible. And Gallery 5/Raw Mom Presents’ Rivanna Youngpool knows this too, which is why she’s reviving her tradition of throwing big fun shows on Valentine’s Day for this Friday night shindig. If you were at either of the ridiculous Valentine’s Day shows that took place at Sour Haus back in the day, you know how amazing this evening has the potential to be — especially at Gallery 5, a place that’s much more able to handle the crowd this is likely to draw than the kitchen of our old place in Church Hill ever was.

It’s not just eating candy hearts and spending the evening with friends that’ll get us through this one emotionally unscathed, though — it’s really great music. And Raw Mom Presents has a killer lineup awaiting us this Friday night, topped by DC’s uncategorizable DIY powerhouse, Lightmare. Expect something somewhere between soul, punk, synth-pop, disco, and garage rock from this six-piece combo with creative energy to spare. I have no idea who ZunZun are (googling only turned up a husband-and-wife flute duo from California who I can’t imagine are on this bill), but it’ll certainly be interesting to find out, and we’ll get a set from the Prabir Trio, the latest vehicle to bring us the ever-reliable pop songcraft of Mr. Prabir Mehta. All that plus newcomer Past Palms — plus, I’d be willing to bet there will be sour hearts. I’m calling it now: Gallery 5 is where you need to be for V-Day this year.

Saturday, February 15, 8 PM
Nosebleed, Ugly Muscle, Sweeties, Phantómódel @ Boogaloo’s – Donations requested
Here’s a show that’s an awesome confluence of three things that are already awesome on their own: political action, tattoos, and hardcore punk. This punk-as-fuck gig at Brookland Park’s Boogaloo’s is coordinated with International Tattoo Flash Day, an initiative created by tattoo artists in Santiago, Chile and Atlanta, GA to get as many people as possible tattooed in support of Chilean political prisoners in the wake of a massive government crackdown against citizen protests that began last October. All money raised at the door of this gig will go toward the families of Chilean prisoners, so whether or not you’re into getting a tattoo yourself, you’ll be able to support the cause.

You’ll also be able to hear some excellent sounds from several local hardcore/punk groups, starting with Nosebleed, who’ve recently released a fierce, incendiary EP called Outside Looking In on hardcore powerhouse Triple B Records. Expect this set to be galvanizing in the extreme, and you can expect similar from Ugly Muscle, a slightly more ramshackle and chaotic combo that will nonetheless bring all the furious energy that Nosebleed contains to bear on its own set. Sweeties are much noisier and less melodic than their name would suggest, while Phantómódel, a new incarnation of Thin Pigeon, offer a postpunk sound full of moody energy. This will be a great night for a great cause — you should really be part of it.

Sunday, February 16, 6 PM
Mean Jeans, Brower, The Ar-Kaics, Sports Bar @ Hardywood – Free!
A lot of people credit the Ramones for having invented punk rock, and many of them feel that the music made by those four New York weirdos in leather jackets has never been improved on. Therefore, it can’t be too much of a surprise that, even after the Ramones spent over 20 years cranking out album after album of their stripped-down, razor-sharp, but always incredibly catchy tunes, there are still bands out here trying to find new ways to wring glory out of that classic Ramones sound.

That’s where Mean Jeans comes in. Having existed for over a decade now, this toe-tapping trio released their fifth album of Ramones-worshipping punk ditties, Gigantic Sike, last year on Fat Wreck Chords. And even if you’ve heard every Ramones song a thousand times, that album and this performance by Mean Jeans at Hardywood on Sunday are guaranteed to prove that there’s still magic left in that classic (one-two-three-)formula. The evening will also feature a performance from New York’s Brower, a glam-punk/power-pop solo project sure to keep you smiling. And of course, consistently talented Virginia punk rockers The Ar-Kaics and Sports Bar open this one up with the retro-garage rock and punky power-pop that you’ve respectively come to expect from them. Get stoked for this one.

Monday, February 17, 7 PM
Ceremony, Loud Night, Ghouli @ Gallery 5 – $13 in advance/$15 day of show (order tickets HERE)
A warning only necessary in Virginia: This show does not feature the group called Ceremony from central Virginia. However, a warning for hardcore kids who haven’t checked back with the Cali Ceremony in a while — this show doesn’t exactly feature the band that made Violence Violence in 2006, either. Oh sure, it’s still the same people, but for the past decade or so, they’ve been moving further and further afield from the fast, angry hardcore that made their name.

That’s really obvious on last year’s In The Spirit World Now, Ceremony’s sixth album and first in four years. Singer Ross Farrar long since traded his harsh bark for a Gang Of Four-ish yelp with occasional dips into outright melody, while the guitars and increasingly present synths have moved away from the distorted and atonal in favor of a UK postpunk sound that might remind you of Joy Division or Echo and the Bunnymen, but certainly not the harsh fastcore of Ceremony’s early albums. Nonetheless, there’s still a lot to love here, including a propulsive energy that takes a vastly different form but remains intact from the band’s earliest works, one that makes singles like “Turn Away The Bad Thing” every bit as essential as Rohnert Park once was. If you’re bummed Ceremony shows don’t feature massive pits anymore, you might be tempted to skip this one, but I encourage you to open your mind and give it a shot. This is sure to be a thrilling evening of musical bliss, even if it’s not quite what you once expected from this talented band.

Tuesday, February 18, 7 PM
Flor, Winnetka Bowling League, Castle OG @ The Broadberry – $15-18 (order tickets HERE)
There are some intriguing things happening in the world of guitar-based pop over the past couple of years, and the success of bands like the 1975 is heartening for anyone who was afraid this stuff was going to fall permanently out of the mainstream musical discourse a few years ago. LA’s Flor are in a prime position to benefit from this resurgence, as on their 2019 album Ley Lines, they dabble in a similar sort of delicate, bouncy pop as that of the 1975 — one that always focuses on the sounds created by the band’s guitars and voices, even though it’s never particularly harsh or loud.

Perhaps we’ve finally gotten far enough past Nirvana for the distorted paradigm they created to lose its lengthy period of ubiquity, and I know there’ll be some out there who are bummed out to think of that, but when bands like Flor are out here on tracks like “Slow Motion” showing how much can still be done with an approach that focuses on playful melodies and delicacy rather than noise, it’s hard to see it as all that tragic. See what sort of magic Flor is able to weave in the live environment at The Broadberry this Tuesday night, and learn to embrace the non-crunchy guitar wave.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Friday, February 14, 8 PM
Witchbaby @ Blue Moon Diner (Charlottesville) – Free!
An alternate approach to Valentine’s Day is available this Friday night in Charlottesville, and it’s being brought to you by Witchbaby, the mother-daughter combo of Catherine Monnes and Sally Rose. You may know Rose for her role at the heart of C-ville’s own Shagwuf, and both are members of the Sally Rose Band, which features a song in its repertoire entitled “Witchbaby” — so it all comes full circle. This stripped-down duo finds Monnes’ cello and electric violin joining with Rose’s guitar and both members’ voices to create a more intimate version of the psychedelic folk-rock the full-scale Sally Rose Band brings to you so consistently.

This Valentine’s Day appearance by Witchbaby at Charlottesville’s Blue Moon Diner is a free gathering offering a welcome space for all — whether lovers or lonely hearts — to spend a holiday that is often fraught and difficult on an emotional level. If you’re looking for your V-Day to be a quiet, pressure-free evening, Witchbaby’s soothing musical presence is sure to help you attain what you seek. And who knows, you might make a friend, or at least find a new musical love.

Saturday, February 15, 7:30 PM
Amanda Shires, LA Edwards @ The Jefferson Theater (Charlottesville) – $25 (order tickets HERE)
There are a few different reasons you might be aware of singer/fiddler Amanda Shires; her frequent collaborations with her husband Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit is one of them. Another is her role in The Highwomen, an all-female take on the classic outlaw-country supergroup The Highwaymen featuring Shires, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby.

However, it would be a bad idea to let her collaborations with other talented songwriters steal the spotlight from Shires’ own work as a bandleader, most recently showed off on 2018’s To The Sunset. On that album, her songwriting skills shine through in her evocative lyrics, even as the fuller sound her band on the album (which features Jason Isbell himself, returning the favor) takes her folk-country sound to a new level that, yes it’s true, outright rocks. You’ll be able to see her rock these tunes out for yourself at The Jefferson this Saturday night, but only because they moved this show up from The Southern after it sold out in a heartbeat. So yeah, get with the program if you haven’t already. Go see Amanda Shires.

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected]

The Clout Cloud Takes Poor Boys

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With their recent event at Poor Boys, RVA hip hop collective The Clout Cloud graduated from house parties to club gigs in high-energy style.

Richmond’s very own music and culture news collective, The Clout Cloud, hosted its first ever sold-out show at a local restaurant and bar, Poor Boys, on Tuesday, February 4. As this was their first time transitioning to working within a venue as opposed to holding events at houses, they didn’t have a hard time packing out the space. Focusing on RVA hip-hop artists in particular, the line-up featured performances by 1kZay (@official1kzay), Pedro (@_paiddro_), Alix Phoenix (@alixphoenix), Milesisbae (@milesisbae), James Moss Jr. (@james_mossjr), and Okay Cozy (@okay.cozy), with DJ sets from Logan Egdvet (@logan_nonofficial). The evening was hosted by Almira Zaky and Nicole Bloomgarden.

Photo by Aviance Hawkes

The energy from both supporters and performers was high throughout the evening. Performances ranged from live-instrument sets to up-tempo beats and rhymes; everyone had their own unique style, all while being perfectly intertwined with the assorted music from the DJ in between. The crowd stayed consistently engaged and involved with each other and for those who they came to see.

Originally founded two years ago by Ilias Anwar, The Clout Cloud started off as a hip-hop outlet, soon gaining a following. “We started reaching out to big artists — like Future, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Rick Ross, Moneybagg Yo — to do concert coverage by creating one minute highlights of their concerts,” said Anwar. “Three months ago, DaBaby and Lil Baby cancelled a concert on us, so I took into my own hands to throw our own show.” This became the start of something significant for the team.

The Clout Cloud’s current team consists of at least 30 people, including DJs, videographers, photographers, and hosts. They seem to have a lot of buzz around the city, with a following of 37K on Instagram. While operating a Hip-Hop news outlet and culture blog, they stay consistent with local projects as well.

Photo by Rashid Mahdi

To stay up to date and get more information about The Clout Cloud follow their YouTube channel and Instagram at @thecloutcloud. You can also check out their podcast, “Cloud Talk” @thecloudtalkpodcast, to hear about exclusive and specific topics.

Top Photo by Rashid Mahdi (@sheedodaplug)

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

VA Shows You Must See This Week: February 5 – February 11

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FEATURED SHOW
Thursday, February 6, 8 PM
Cary Street Cafe’s 25th Anniversary & Big Ol’ Whoopty Doo feat. Whistler’s Mother, Craigslist Jerry @ Cary Street Cafe – Free!
This column is ostensibly about music, but if you want to get technical about it, it’s really about shows. And sometimes the best, most important show of the week is about way more than just the music. Such is the case with the 25th anniversary “Big Ol’ Whoopty Doo” being thrown by Cary Street Cafe this Friday. Oh, there’ll be music — more on that in a minute — but the most important aspect of this event is just the occasion of celebrating a constant source for live music in Richmond over the past quarter century, and the work of founder Robyn McManis to bring it to us, especially in light of the fact that McManis is in the process of selling the place.

If you’ve been a longtime Cary Street Cafe regular, the music on offer this Thursday night should please you; the two groups that will be performing two sets each represent both the early and recent eras of this venue’s standard fare. Whistler’s Mother were one of the first bands to play the place, and had a Friday night residency in the cafe’s early days that lasted years. Having since evolved into projects like the Harrison Deane Band and the Tin Can Fish Band, they’ll be coming back together to rock Cary Street Cafe once again. Craigslist Jerry, who currently perform during happy hour every Friday at Cary Street Cafe, will offer two sets focusing on the Grateful Dead and Dead-inspired material that has been the place’s stock in trade since day one.

Make no mistake, the music on offer on this night should be a real treat, especially if you’re tastes are inclined to bring you to Cary Street Cafe on a regular basis anyway. But what this evening is really about is giving thanks for a venue that, in a constantly-changing landscape of short-lived venues for live music, has remained a consistent source of live performances since the early 90s — a time before a good many of our readers were even alive! Spend your Thursday night showing your appreciation with a night of celebratory jams.

Wednesday, February 5, 7 PM
Emily Wolfe, Tom West, Righter @ The Camel – $10 in advance/$12 at the door (order tickets HERE)
Let’s rock! Austin-based singer-songwriter Emily Wolfe is coming to town, and while you may be used to hearing that term as a coded signifier for “dignified Americana-folk sounds played on acoustic instruments,” Wolfe is quite a different prospect, using her loud n’ proud electric guitar and her wailing voice to create quite the storm of distorted blues-rock riffology. Her self-titled debut LP, released about a year ago, finds her at the head of a storming power trio that has much more in common with Jack White’s solo work than that of Carole King. Follow-up single “Ghost Limb Gambler,” released last week, has much the same fighting spirit, and thank god for that.

But Wolfe sometimes performs solo as well, letting her guitar, some effects, and her magnificent voice dominate the stage. Which version of her live performances we’ll get when she hits the Camel tonight isn’t something I can predict, but the fact that it’ll be great fun to watch is a sure thing. Wolfe will be joined on this gig by Australian singer-songwriter Tom West, who does hew a bit more closely to that whole folk thing, though “Americana” would surely be a misnomer for a troubadour from the land down under. Local indie-folk project Righter will get this whole evening kicked off, and it certainly should be a blast.

Thursday, February 6, 8 PM
Humungus, Mega Colossus, Children Of The Reptile, Mortal Man @ Wonderland – $10
While they’ve been around for pretty much a decade now, Richmond thrash-metal throwbacks Humungus have never been all that prolific a band — which just makes it that much more exciting when they do release new material. They did so back around Christmastime, bringing their second full-length, Balls, into the world via Killer Metal Records. The fact that most people have already picked their faves of the year by the time December rolls around might have led to this album flying under some people’s radar, but as always with Humungus, missing out on it would be a very big mistake.

This quintet does thrash in a manner not often heard in the modern era, keeping alive not only the incredible leads and galloping riffs of the genre’s prime 80s era, but also the high-pitched vocals and occasional goofy subject matter in a manner that shows how good these metalheads are at deadpan humor. No matter how tongue-in-cheek Humungus are being at any moment, though, their thrashing ability is always serious as a heart attack, and their live performance at Wonderland this Thursday night is sure to get you headbanging with abandon — even if the fans they’re known to bring with them onstage (to get the hair blowing around just so) are still pretty silly. A trio of Raleigh shredders — Mega Colossus, Children Of the Reptile, and Mortal Man — will pack this bill with a ton more metal mastery, but any true Richmond metalhead knows that Humungus is what it’s all about.

Friday, February 7, 8 PM
Leach, Black Dirty, Night Idea @ Poor Boys – $5
It’s always fun to head over to Poor Boys and spend an evening in the Voodoo Room, rocking out in a site that established a noble tradition of great music during previous days under the auspices of Bogart’s, Balliceaux, and Flora. Prsmcat Presents has been bringing some great locally-focused sounds into the place since Poor Boys took it over, and this Friday night is no exception. This evening will be headlined by Leach, who are celebrating the release of their latest EP, A Machine, It Seems, at this event.

If you haven’t checked out what this band, featuring former members of Imaginary Sons, are bringing to the table, the fact that their bandcamp URL labels them “Leach rock band” should be some guide. These guys have a decidedly 90s-style take on rocking, one that reminds me of driving around in my Chevette during my college days blasting Urge Overkill and Dig tapes. They’ll be joined on this bill by Philadelphia’s Black Dirty, who despite the name actually have a pretty clean and delightful math-damaged alt-pop sound. They’re certainly musically simpatico with Night Idea, the Richmond mainstay who rounds out this bill. With the aid of these three excellent bands, you’re sure to have a delightful Friday night.

Saturday, February 8, 7 PM
The Reign Of Kindo, Manatree, Colpa Mia @ Capital Ale House Music Hall – $15 (order tickets HERE)
This one kinda came out of nowhere for me, y’all. A band of at least half a dozen musicians who are big enough to tour on the performance of an early release in its entirety, whom I have also somehow never heard of? Well, in truth, that seems to be The Reign Of Kindo’s whole thing. While they’ve been around for nearly 15 years, this New York band has never had a high profile in the mainstream, instead releasing all of their albums independently and focusing on the internet and social media as their path to success. What’s really wild is that it has worked out so well — for the past few years, they’ve been releasing new songs monthly on Patreon, and have racked up nearly 1000 supporters who contribute over $3000 to them each time they release a new song. Not bad, right?

And so, therefore, The Reign Of Kindo (or just Kindo, depending on where you see their name) are definitely worth looking into if, like me, you’ve never encountered them before. Their music could certainly be described as alternative rock, but between the incredible talent of their entire ensemble and the fact that they bring such a wide variety of influences to bear on their creative process, it seems a woefully inadequate description. Genres like jazz, soul, and prog also have to be part of the conversation, and of course you can’t ignore the way frontman Joseph Secchiaroli’s voice takes the whole thing to another level entirely. Even if you’ve never heard of them — heck, especially if you’ve never heard of them — The Reign Of Kindo is a group you should really dig into. You can start this Saturday night at Capital Ale House.

Saturday, February 8, 8 PM
Daughter Of Swords, The Dead Tongues, Andy Jenkins @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Where live music in Virginia is concerned, y’all, it’s all about Richmond. That fact is driven home to me at times like this week, when I hunt high and low for non-Richmond VA shows to tell you about and can’t even come up with two — and meanwhile, I’m having a hell of a time narrowing the Richmond picks down to eight. This week I threw up my hands and decided to work with what I’ve got, which is why you’re getting this ninth Richmond show instead of a second elsewhere-VA show. I work with what I’ve got, folks, and in the end, you the live music fan are the one who benefits.

For example, there is this Saturday night show at the Camel featuring Daughter of Swords. I almost didn’t manage to get this one in here, which is remarkable in light of how good the latest project from North Carolina folk singer Alexandra Sauser-Moning really is. Last year’s Dawnbreaker demonstrated Sauser-Moning’s flawless ability to come up with a series of heartfelt, memorable tunes and deliver them in the most minimal of settings. But this tour, on which she’s backed by members of Megafaun, Dirty Projectors, and Hiss Golden Messenger, will present her with a more fleshed-out but just as brilliant musical canvas. They’ll come to town in the company of the Dead Tongues, a folk project from the mind of sometime Hiss Golden Messenger sideman Ryan Gustafson. The fact that the two picked Richmond as the place to start their current American tour just proves the point I was making a paragraph ago — where live music in VA is concerned, Richmond is what it’s all about.

Sunday, February 9, 9 PM
Faucet, Zima, Zara @ Bandito’s – Free!
Round out your weekend with this triple bill of noise-punk awesomeness at Bandito’s, featuring a couple of new groups consisting of members whose talents have already been well established. To begin with, there’s Faucet, who land firmly on the noise end of the spectrum, with an out-of-control raging approach that evokes classic 80s reprobates like Flipper and No Trend. Featuring members of Ceremonial Scissors, Gumming, Fat Spirit, and Among The Rocks And Roots, this band’s pedigree alone makes them worth looking into — but rest assured, their sounds are intense enough in their own right to warrant your continued attention.

Then there’s Zima, a band whom I’m guessing are named after a clear malt beverage that was quite the trend when I was coming of age in the 90s and is probably totally forgotten by the younger readers among you. What actually inspired their name isn’t something I can tell you, but I can tell you that this project, which features 4/5 of Richmond punk ragers Haircut on different instruments but going off just as hard, is absolutely worth your time. If you enjoy being devastated by raw, aggressive punk fucking rock, that is — and who doesn’t? The bill is rounded out by Zara, an ambient electronic project with the most history of any of these three — certainly a great way to start a musically delicious evening.

Monday, February 10, 7 PM
Horse Jumper Of Love, Keep, Lobby Boy, HotSpit @ The Camel – $8 in advance/$10 Day of show (order tickets HERE)
Is it me, or are there a lot of horse-themed bands running around these days? Just last week I wrote about Brooklyn’s A Deer A Horse and locals Horse Culture. And now, this week, I find myself discussing Bostonians Horse Jumper Of Love. As any journalist will tell you, three of anything is a trend. But it’s not a strictly musical one, by any means — all three of the mentioned bands have very different sounds.

The one we’re discussing at the moment, Horse Jumper Of Love, have revived the slowcore genre that was all the rage in the 90s, when bands like Red House Painters, Low, and Duster were big on the scene. On Horse Jumper Of Love’s 2019 sophomore album, So Divine, they show themselves as capable inheritors of the tradition, knowing when to keep it quiet and when to flip the dynamic switch to loud and crushing… but throughout, always keeping things slow and moody in a manner making their music a perfect soundtrack for listening late at night with the lights off. You can do exactly that at The Camel this Monday night, and we humbly suggest you do so… no matter how you feel about horses.

Tuesday, February 11, 6:30 PM
Have Mercy, Fredo Disco, Selfish Things, Young Culture @ The Canal Club – $17 (Order tickets HERE)
I must say, I really dug the third Have Mercy album, Make The Best Of It, back when it was released in 2017. That album came just after singer-guitarist Brian Swindle had replaced his entire backing band with a new lineup, and I remember thinking at the time “I wonder if that guy’s hard to work with.” Now, after one more equally excellent album, 2019’s The Love Life, Swindle and co. are calling it quits entirely, which only reinforces my previous wonderings. The music was totally great, though, so regardless of what sort of lingering tension may be present onstage for this Have Mercy farewell tour, it’s still well worth showing up at The Canal Club and seeing them one last time.

Baltimore-based Have Mercy existed in an adjacent space to the emo revival, but their sound was always entirely their own, drawing equally from 90s alt-rock and pastoral indie sounds and creating wonderful, enduring tunes with strong, heartfelt lyrics about real, important aspects of interpersonal relationships. They’re the kind of band that it’s easy to let into your heart, and therefore, it’ll be tough to let them go. Hopefully Brian Swindle keeps making music in some capacity after this, but even if he does, this will be our last opportunity to see Have Mercy play their many classic tunes. I suggest you make the best of it.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Friday, February 7, 9 PM
Pain In The Yeahs, Community Witch, Billy Varela, Black Mass Gathering @ Taphouse Grill (Norfolk) – $?
The Tidewater area of Virginia has always been a good source for dark gothic industrial dance sounds, and with Pain In The Yeahs operating in that area, this will certainly remain true for the foreseeable future. Brand new single “Animal Within An Animal” shows that bandleader James K. Ultra still has a deft touch with the postpunk spookiness he’s established through his and the group’s last several years’ worth of work.

There is a strong undercurrent of the goth sound of the mid-80s UK, with Cure and Sisters Of Mercy vibes undeniable in their music, but the new single shows that Ultra and co. bring a pop sensibility to what they’re doing as well; surprisingly catchy choruses and occasional synth-pop hooks add a darkly gleaming shine to the mood Pain In The Yeahs creates. Fear not, it’ll still lend itself perfectly to storming the dance floor in a velvet cape, black lipstick, and shiny polished Doc Martens, in classic Norfolk tradition. Get gloomy, y’all.

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected]

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