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Long Live #KingButch

Mitchel Bamberger | September 14, 2020

Topics: Butcher Brown, concord jazz, funk, hip hop, jellowstone studios, king butch, kingbutch, music, R&B

Butcher Brown’s new album, #KingButch, is almost here. Recorded inside their home studio, Jellowstone, the record marks a milestone for Black musicians in funk, hip-hop, and R&B genres from the River City. 

#KingButch is on the horizon. The latest record from Butcher Brown, which releases virtually on September 18th, is everything the band’s fans have come to know and love about them; yet it’s distilled, extrapolated, and refined. 

The new album, their first for the Concord Jazz record label, is an eclectic and electric compilation, with songs as diverse as the five members of the band. The musicians’ versatility melds into something entirely original. Its tracks are an amazing feat for any band — with any amount of resources, or access to the world’s best studios. It could be assumed upon listening that this is the case for #KingButch, but the uninformed listener may be surprised to learn that it was recorded at the band’s home studio, Jellowstone. 

Jellowstone is the home studio of Butcher Brown’s DJ Harrison, and it’s served as an integral part of the band since its conception. Along with the members of Butcher Brown, Jellowstone is that “other entity” that has consistently brought a distinct, sonic uniqueness to their studio albums. The confluence of band and studio makes every Butcher Brown record sound unlike anything else. 

“There’s always been a natural vibe there,” DJ Harrison said. “We’ve all lived here at different points in time. It’s like a home base for us, a central meeting place.” 

A workplace is essential to any band. It allows the artists a creative space, free from judgment or distractions. Jellowstone gives Butcher Brown a place to shut off the outside world, ignite their inspiration, and exercise their talents together as a uniform outfit. 

While this era brings the same lineup of players into the same studio, what makes #KingButch different from its predecessors? The progressive sound on this record had something new thrown into its creative process. That influence was the introduction of Chris Dunn: co-producer for #KingButch and head of A&R for Concord Jazz. Corey Fonville, the band’s drummer, had a lot to say about their newly-budding relationship with the record label. 

“In the conversations I was having with Chris Dunn, everything I showed him from our previous work was done at Jellowstone,” Fonville said. “He loved the vibe of all those records — even the things that never came out — and he said, ‘I want the sound of whatever I’ve been hearing all these years.’” 

Dunn didn’t just suggest, but outright insisted, that the band maintain the sonic integrity of their discography to date. That meant recording at their home studio. 

“Obviously, that meant a lot to me,” Fonville said. “And I’m sure it meant a lot to Devonne — DJ Harrison — and everyone else, too. We’ve spent so much time [at Jellowstone], and a lot of history was created in that environment.” 

DJ Harrison offered a verbal window into day-to-day life in the studio. Pulling back the curtain on the magic of Jellowstone, he discussed the creation of #KingButch. “It’s a constant energy from the time we get there to the time everyone leaves,” he said. “We all come here with a central purpose, trying to get to the finish line with the same end goal. We’re all hyped up to see the possibilities we haven’t pursued. We’re trying to create something new; something fresh that we all like.” 

Behind the scenes, the band is creating concepts, writing lyrics, and coming up with new melodies and musical phrases. Fonville helped explain where some of these ideas originate, and how they move from the bandmates’ minds (or voice memos on their phones) to what we hear on the record. 

“Our sessions are always organic with songwriting ideas,” Fonville said. “We might bring something in, or we might just create on the spot. Marcus might say, ‘Yo, I might rap this,’ or ‘I might add some vocals on it.’ We don’t overthink compositions. We come in there with fresh minds, and then whatever makes sense, we try to execute.” 

An interesting note about #KingButch is that it doesn’t give us one similar tune after another. Instead, it’s a healthy mix of psychedelic/groovy instrumental jams, straightforward R&B, funk, and even hip-hop bangers. Many of the lyrics and vocals on the rap and hip-hop tracks are provided by the one and only Marcus Tenney, aka Tennishu (pronounced “tennis shoe”). Tenney, who also contributes trumpet and saxophone to the group, put in his two cents about his lyrical process, and how his writing fits into the greater sonic tapestry of the band. 

PHOTO: Butcher Brown by Jacob Blickenstaff

“On the rap songs, I wrote a lot of the lyrics,” Tenney said. “The inspiration for ‘Gum In My Mouth’ came from the audio clip that’s on the actual track. It ranges anywhere from how I’m feeling that day to the vibes the music gives me. It changes from day to day.” Tenney was clear and concise as he spoke, not dissimilar to his vocal tracks on the record. “When I write lyrics, I have to hear the music first to make sure it’s all pinned together.” 

Bassist Andrew Randazzo provided some background on the last few years of Butcher Brown’s career, during which in new members to form the group we know today. After guitarist Morgan Burrs joined the band and Tenney became a full-time member in 2016, the lineup changes brought new inspiration.

“2016 is around when we started writing and recording some of the songs [on #KingButch],” he said. “There were probably 30-40 tunes recorded over the past few years, which then culminated into what made it on the album.” 

Speaking with the band as a whole, it becomes clear that this group truly does it for the love of making music. They have a compulsion to keep moving toward something new. The consistency of their recording process may differ from other groups; many artists write a new album on their own, and only use the studio once a year when they’re ready to record. But the advantage Butcher Brown has with Jellowstone allows their studio to be an ongoing workshop for songs on a regular basis.

Over the course of months and years, those dozens of sessions become something that resembles a record. The band then assembles that compilation of songs, zeroing in on favorites, and puts the rest on the shelf for later use. Jellowstone is Butcher Brown’s creative secret weapon — a laboratory of sounds and endless ideas. This is glaringly apparent in the diversity of songs on #KingButch. 

Burrs helped provide a timeline of the album’s creation. “We recorded in October of last year,” he said. “We finished [around] the day before Halloween, and that was the bulk of the record.” The songs were put to the test on stage long before their studio recordings. 

“We played so many shows between 2017 and 2019,” Fonville added. “We were on tour all the time, opening up for different acts. That was our opportunity to workshop this music. I always say that it was like an open rehearsal for people to hear these songs over and over again… by the time we got into the studio, we were ready. Everything was all lined up. It was just about editing, and figuring out how to make a more precise version of these songs.” 

Even as they release their latest work, Butcher Brown has not been spared the effects of COVID-19. Compounded by the sociopolitical climate and recent civil unrest, the band spoke on how the times have informed their process, and how #KingButch fits into it all. 

“My view on the political climate is that people are standing up for what they want to change,” Tenney said. “People are looking at the current situation and thinking, ‘This could be different, so let’s change it.’ I feel like that’s what we did with a lot of the music on this record — so this record, even though it was made before recent events happened, still speaks to that similar language. You have more options available than you may realize sometimes. You can change it if you really want to.” 

Butcher Brown’s process in the studio was uninhibited and fearless. The artists were unafraid to try new things, constructing and deconstructing new sonic structures. Fonville added his own perspective on how the album is relevant to today’s world. 

“We did it for the culture,” Fonville said. “This music is Black music. You hear the blues, gospel, the struggle — things we’ve been fighting for all these years. We recorded this material long before the pandemic, but I think if we had recorded it now, it would still be reflective of the times, regardless of circumstances.” 

Elaborating on their new partnership with Concord Jazz, Randazzo discussed their experience and what they anticipate this major label debut will be for #KingButch. 

“Being on a big label like Concord affords us some visibility that an independent release would not, so I think we’ll see a lot of benefits of the label relationship post-release,” Randazzo said. “So far, the biggest thing was having Chris Dunn in the studio. He came to Richmond to hang with us while we recorded, and he’s a co-producer on the record. Chris is not a musician, per se, but he knows music. He’s coming from a radio DJ perspective, and he’s worked with this label for a long time.” 

PHOTO: Jacob Blickenstaff

Randazzo pointed out that Dunn brought a perspective different from the band’s own, one that became essential to the process. “He knows records so well, but not from a music theory standpoint like we have all thought about for the longest time. He’s coming at it from the other side,” said Randazzo. “That was huge for us, to have him in the room. Moving forward, I think [Concord will help create] visibility and distribution. It will get to more ears, and because of the records they have, more eyes will be on us.” 

The stunning cover art on #KingButch was provided by abstract collage artist Lou Beach, who did artwork for pioneering jazz-fusion band Weather Report in the late 70s and early 80s. Concord was able to pull their resources together for Butcher Brown’s latest cover art. 

“We were at a meeting in January in L.A. and met with the team. That was the initial interface between Butcher Brown and Concord Jazz,” Tenney said. “We needed artwork, and one of the references we sent for artists we liked was Lou Beach. They said they’d see if we could get Lou Beach for #KingButch… In my mind, I was thinking, ‘This is some official label process you’ve got to do to get someone like Lou Beach. That’s not just picking up the phone.’ But as it turns out, it was. He lived right around the corner in Beverly Hills. We were in the middle of a meeting with someone else when we heard people talking out front, and it was Lou Beach. He just walked right in the room.” 

#KingButch marks the beginning of what the band hopes will be a long and fruitful partnership between Butcher Brown and Concord Jazz. It begins on an auspicious note, one unlike anything in recent memory to come out of Richmond. The tremendous feat that is #KingButch is something to be celebrated by the local music community, and fans of the band both old and new. 

Norfolk’s Night Treez Drops New Track, “Daily Bread”

RVA Staff | July 26, 2018

Topics: HipHop, Night Treez, Norfolk, R&B, rap

Norfolk artist NightTreez made his debut on the music scene in 2016 with his track, “Drug$.” Since then, the musician has released a number of killer tracks that speak to a newer generation of hip-hop and R&B fans. His latest track, “Daily Bread,” brings a fresh sound based on how he connects to the world around him.

“His latest release, “Daily Bread,” is a testament to the growth he’s now experiencing, both in and out of the booth, and a fresh beginning to the new heights he is looking to portray with his upcoming music. “Daily Bread” is somewhat of a Thanksgiving to the place NightTreez began, and the optimism that lives in his future,” said NightTreez’ publicist in a statement to RVA Mag.

Check out the stream below:

 

Cardi B, Migos, Miguel & More to Headline DC’s Broccoli City Fest This Weekend

Daniel Brickhouse | April 26, 2018

Topics: Broccoli City Fest, DC, hip hop, music, R&B

Back for their sixth year, Washington D.C.’s  Broccoli City Festival this weekend, brings a stacked musical lineup, a two-conference, and a slew of programs that highlight its original purpose of building thriving urban communities and engaging millennials to get involved in their communities through social impact campaigns and events. 

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, child, outdoor and nature

Started out in 2013 to draw attention to Earth Day, it has blossomed into a three-day festival of a variety of events from city runs, to community action events, to an all-night art escape, culminating with the all-day music fest to highlight environmental justice, economic sustainability, and education in underserved communities.

“You know, it’s crazy thinking about how our first show was in 2010 in LA and then seeing where we’ve gotten to now, it’s great,” said co-founder Brandon McEachern.

The lineup for this year’s Broccoli City Festival is spectacular, with headlining rap sensation Cardi B, along with Georgia rap group Migos, R&B crooner Miguel, along with Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Nipsey Hussle, and Rich The Kid rounding out the bill.

“Even in the past we were smacking people in the face with the lineups, we’ve always been having artists before they blew up,” he said. Like in 2010, we had Kendrick Lamar and SZA before they even blew up. That’s where we came from, having the huge artists before they blow up, yet now, we have the hottest names out right now.”

Hip hop trio Migos has been dropping tracks all year, gaining traction from their most recent album, Culture II. The group’s two biggest hits “Bad and Boujee” and their other track, “Stir Fry” have been soaring up the charts since coming out. Collaborating with big names like Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, and Nicki Manaj, Migos is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in hip hop right now. 

Fellow headliner Cardi B, a former reality television star turned rapper, burst onto the scene last year making a huge impact with her hit “Bodak Yellow”, making her the second female rapper to get a top spot on the Billboard Top 100 with a solo album. With her stage presence and antics, she will surely put on one hell of a show.

Canadian, Grammy-nominated soul singer/songwriter Daniel Caesar launched his musical career in 2015 with Pilgrim’s Paradise and captivated fans with his hugely successful single “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis. Since then, he’s dropped Freudian that earned him nominations for Best R&B album and Best R&B Performance. His melodic vocals and smooth voice will be sure to win over the Broccoli Festival crowd.

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, night

H.E.R, a mysterious R&B singer that first came onto the scene in 2016 with her debut album, H.E.R Vol 1, saw swift success, thus launching her into the mainstream market. This album landed at #28 on the Billboard top 100 R&B album chart. After her second album, H.E.R Vol 2, which dropped in June 2017, the RCA Records signee finally revealed herself to be singer/songwriter, Gabi Wilson. 

Besides the great lineup, the Broccoli City Festival will host a two-day interactive conference, Broccoli Con, co-hosted by GOOGLE DC, which leads up to the festival on Saturday. 

“There will be many organizations there to answer questions and network and build connections,” said McEachern.Featuring professionals Jasmine Crowe, the founder of Goodr, Jerri Evans, the CEO of Turning National, Gilbert Campbell, the founder of Volt-Energy, the conference will include over 20 speakers holding sessions on topics ranging from environmental gentrification to startup funding along with hands-on workshops and more. See the entire programming schedule here. Tickets for this conference are being sold online for $35, and the conference takes place April 26th-27th from 12 pm to 7 pm.

In addition to music and the conference, the festival will also have a 5k run.

“This year, we’ve also partnered with Nike to do a 5k Run, where you can either walk or run. We took over Anacostia Park where there will be music and games to participate in as well,” added McEachern. “Really, it’s all about the city and giving back. That’s why the show is where it’s at in D.C. We were looking to really get involved with the community this year. The show is really going up, it’s going to be great.”

This year’s Broccoli City Festival is definitely a show you will not want to miss. The conference is underway, and the official festival kicks off thsi Sat., April 28 It’s Saturday, April 28 at the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds Lot 8 located at 2400 E. Capitol St.  Tickets start at $198 and can be purchased here. 

Photos By: Broccoli City

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

VSU Collective Troubled Empire Drop New Video, ‘Notice’

Daniel Brickhouse | February 5, 2018

Topics: hip hop, Petersburg, R&B, rap, Troubled Empire, VSU

An up and coming hip hop/ R&B collective at Virginia State University has recently come across our radar, but the group of singers, rappers, and other creatives have been making waves in Petersburg, and in the area for quite a while.

Troubled Empire, was founded by Troubled Mal, and features fellow VSU students and artists Blue Bynum, Don Juan, DJ Wake, Lorenzo Cheatham, Brenten Layne, and Derrick Wilson. The collective has been getting their name out with performances at VSU’s homecoming alongside Playboi Carter and 21 Savage, along with the Square Festival in New York and the Manchester Gallery, and most recently, the group dropped a video for their song called, “Notice”. And from the lyrics, to the beat, to the message,  its one that grabs your attention for sure.

“Basically we’re trying to wake people up, take off their blindfolds per say. We’re trying to wake them up to all the propaganda they’re fed daily,” said fellow member Blue Bynum, whose real name is Devin Bynum. “Not just focus on politics, this is based on music that people hear, from television to the radio. All that stuff, all the propaganda that people are fed, we’re here to help them ‘notice,’ pun intended, that they need to wake up and we’re going to be the ones to do that.”  

Mal, whose real name is Malcolm Pinckney, added they also want to use the song as a way to introduce new audiences to their group.

“We also want people to wake up to Troubled Empire as well, it’s our time now. I’m saying it’s our time, not only from the perspective of Troubled Empire but as people as well,” he said.

“Notice,” hooks you in from the beginning with four young people with red blindfolds on nodding their heads while they watch the news, to a lecture hall where a professor is talking with a slide that reads “Trump is the Next Martin Luther King” behind him. The beat and Bynum’s swift rhymes pull you in from there with him trying to wake his fellow classmates up to what’s going on around them.

The video was directed by Ryan Dickerson and produced and edited by Shamir Tyner. Be on the lookout for more from this group as we can continue to follow them. 

 

Erin & The Wildfire on new sound, new album, & unrequited love before show at The Camel tonight

Amy David | September 21, 2017

Topics: blues, Charlottesville, Erin & The Wildfire, funk, McKinley Dixon, R&B, Sid Kinglsey, soul, The Camel

It’s been two years since RVA Mag caught up with Erin & The Wildfire, the Charlottesville folky/funk group led by sultry powerhouse vocalist Erin Lunsford. The group has been busy touring, performing at festivals, and in the studio recording their first full-length album, Thirst, set to drop tonight at The Camel.

In 2015, the then four-piece had just a self-titled EP under their belts, but the group is back with two new members and has switched up their sound to a funkier, soulful, R&B vibe for their latest 12-track album.

Covers like “Stayin Alive” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, paired with Lunsford’s vocals, and the band’s backing funky grooves helped them carve out their place in the Richmond music scene, but the vocalist said for this record they wanted to go with a different vibe.

“The first EP was more Americana and folk blues, and even then, we were talking about wanting a more R&B and funk feel, that’s the kind of stuff we were covering,” Lunsford said.

More recently, the band put out songs like “Here I Go” “Got Dem” and “Blame the Rain” that were a little closer to the sound the group wanted, but didn’t quite have enough soul for them just yet.

“It was still a little too folk, too Americana for what we wanted,” she said. “And they were still just singles, not complete pictures.”

After that point, Lunsford said the songs the band started writing, and the feeling they were going for just came together in an organic way and they were able to pinpoint that sound that they desired and what they thought represented them as a band.

A busy summer schedule playing at festivals like Rooster Walk, Red Wing Roots, Front Porch Fest and Steppin’ Out kept the band preoccupied up until early 2017 when they decided to take a couple months off to get into the studio to record the new material they had been hard at work on.

“It was an incredible experience and we’re super proud of this full product,” she said. “Everything we’ve done in the past has been bits and pieces nothing has felt really wholesome and like it represented our sound.”

Looking to stay local this time around, the band sought out the talents of Adrian Olsen over at Montrose Recording in February to lay down the tracks for their new full-length album and wrapped it up in May.

Erin & The Wildfire dropped two singles ahead of Thirst’s release, “One Woman Show” in July, an upbeat anthem to empower all us women, and “Great Love”,  a bluesy, heartfelt ballad that really shines light on how the band has evolved.

“To me, it is the ultimate tune from this album,” she said referring to the second single.

Much of the album is very personal, specifically about unrequited love according to Lunsford.

“There’s one person in particular that several of the songs are about,” she said. “And a couple other random dudes that I dated sprinkled in. “’Great Love’ was the amalgamation of all of those experiences, it’s not actually a surrender, but its kind of close. Understanding what the realization of what I’m looking for and what I’m willing to give up and what I’m not willing to give up.”


As far as the name of the album, there’s a little story behind that as well. There’s a track on the album called “Thirsty For Your Love” and the group wanted a title that would sum up the theme.

“We wanted to go with ‘Thirsty’, but that’s kind of a double entendre these days,” she laughed. “We thought Thirst represents the songs, wanting for love, wanting for something more.”

Part of the reason for those soul and R&B influences on the tracks could be attributed to the two members recently added to the group. The band brought on Garen Dorsey to play horns and Austin Patterson on the trumpet rounding them out as a six-piece with Nick Quillen on the drums, Ryan Lipps on the guitar, and Matt Wood on bass.

“I think that it really enhances our sound, its make our music much more interesting and much more vast,” she said. “Funk and soul is not funk and soul without horns. They are just awesome musicians in their own right so they just are raising our music to the next level.”

If one element stood out for me on the old EP, it was the amount of soul and passion that came through when Lunsford opened her mouth to belt out a tune. And if these tracks are any indication to the rest of the album, I’m really going to dig the new vibe!

You can catch Erin & The Wildfire perform Thirst at their album release party tonight at The Camel along with Mckinley Dixon and Sid Kinglsey. Show starts at 9 pm. Tickets are $7 and you can get yours here. Thirst drops online on Fri., Sept. 29.

And if you’re lame and miss tonight’s show in Richmond, the crew is also doing cd releases in Blacksburg on Oct. 12, Charlottesville at The Southern on Oct. 13, and in DC Oct. 20. Check out the rest of their tour schedule here.

*Photo Credit: Tristan Williams Photography

Trey Songz hosts concert afterparty at Kabana Rooftop this Saturday

Amy David | May 19, 2017

Topics: Dominion Arts Center, Kabana Rooftop, music, R&B, trey songz

Back in April RVA Mag gave you the lowdown on R&B heartthrob Trey Songz making a stop in Richmond this Saturday as part of his national tour (swoon).

Well, not only will the singer perform tomorrow night at the Dominion Arts Center, but he’s hosting an afterparty at Kabana Rooftop to celebrate. Doors Open at 9pm and Trey Songz will be in attendance after the concert is over.

Tickets for the afterparty are $40.82 each and look to be going fast so jump on it if you haven’t already!

Trey Songz takes the stage at Dominion Arts Center Saturday, May 20 at 8 pm. Tickets are $49.50-59.50 and can be found here.

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