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Richmond, VA Culture & Politics Since 2005

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Fat City Strut: Weekend Playlist by Gabe Santamaria

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Every Friday night, it begins again: RVA Mag brings you yet another excellent playlist curated by influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week, we’ve got a hot one, coming straight to you from bass whiz, leader of The Flavor Project, raconteur extraordiaire, and man-about-town Gabe Santamaria. If you know his work — with La Cocina Studios, The Hustle Season podcast, and a variety of other musical outfits around town that have benefitted from his skill with a bass — you’re sure to expect the powerful funk, soul, and Latin flavor that comes through on his playlist, along with a generous portion of hip hop to keep your head nodding. Your feet will move, your energy levels will go up, and you’ll roar like a lion as you start your March off right.

Shake your moneymaker, Virginia.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Holy Roller Rocks and Rolls Richmond With New Album

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A new name to us, a new band to them. Holy Roller’s combination of soul, rock, country, and Americana sounds will leave you feeling a mix of emotions as you tune into their new self-titled album — a debut, of sorts.

“This group is fundamentally different than what Big Mama Shakes was,” said Ole Greasy (aka Brass Mack, aka Bryce Doyle), the band’s keyboardist. Although three of the five members date back to the group’s previous name, Holy Roller is, dynamically and musically, a totally different band in the eyes of the members — hence the name change.

On Saturday, February 16th, Holy Roller hit the scene at The Camel, accompanied by guests Super Doppler and Woody Woodworth & The Piners. The show was to celebrate the release of the brand new self-titled Holy Roller album, and the vibe was definitely celebratory. The venue was packed out with both old and new fans, who sang along and cheered the members on through every song, whether it dealt with heartache, loss, love, or home.

Holy Roller originally planned their debut under the current name as a conceptual piece, but during the creation process, it morphed into a storytelling folk/R&B album. The band’s vocalist and guitarist, Brady Heck, described the theme as coming of age, comparing the album to films like The Goonies and Stand by Me. “It has repeating themes, like growing up and homesickness,” said Heck. Sure enough, listening to Holy Roller’s music almost feels like you’re hearing a soundtrack to your favorite childhood movies, with a little more of a modern twist.

One month after the date of the release show finds the band performing locally once again, opening up for YARN at The Broadberry on March 16th. Then in June, they’ll be traveling to West Virginia for the Mountain Music Fest that occurs at the ACE Adventure Resort every summer.

One thing you can be sure of: this quintet’s going to keep on rolling. Catch them if you can.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Common Knowledge: Weekend Playlist By Todd Herrington

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag drops a hell of a playlist curated by influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week’s installment is brought to us by Todd Herrington, bassist extraordinaire and man-about-town. You might recognize him from his work in a variety of local groups, including Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns, The Big Payback, and the Cris Jacobs Band (to name a few), as well as his excellent solo work. Herrington wields his bass to create a variety of different sounds and genres of music, and his playlist reflects his eclectic palette, showcasing everything from soul jazz and postpunk to old time folk and classic 70s rock. All of it is sure to get you through a cold, rainy weekend with a sunny smile on your face.

Tune in, Virginia.

Photo by Chris Gamber

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Stool Pigeon: Weekend Playlist by Sheer Terror

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag drops one scorcher of a playlist curated by influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

As you slide through your weekend maneuver, let the playlist of NYHC legends Sheer Terror take you on an unexpected musical voyage which is sure to give you enough soul to battle any of those lingering night-time doubts.

Get amongst it, world.

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

There was Thunder, There was Lightning, There was Cole Hicks

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Last night there was rain, thunder, lightning, and then there was Cole Hicks. Sometimes a great night will have a sense of destiny, some purpose that shakes us from the mediocrity of our everyday lives – last night’s musical showcase at The Camel felt like that. With Richmond squads like the Association of Great Minds ripping up the East Coast, Hicks, who headlined the show to premiere her debut album, “May Day,” has landed at just the right time as Richmond’s rap and hip-hop scene continues along a path of national prestige.

But that’s not where the night started.

The night opened with local jazz and soul singer Kenneka Cook who’s ingenuity on stage is as compelling as it is dreamlike, creating musical atmospheres that become a livable presence for everyone in the room. While a force in her own right, Cook brought the crowd together; her beats and lyrics taking us on a perceptive journey into a soundscape that envelops the watcher.

Kenneka Cook

In between sets, Richmond great Illa Styles took the stage with singer Franciose Hamilton. Shrouded in a purple haze, they brought an energy to the building and primed the crowd for Cole Hicks.

Illa Styles and Franciose Hamilton

Hicks’ lyrics hit the heart and formed a groove right into the soul. At one point, Hicks told the audience “be true to yourselves.” While an old maxim, nothing can be more apparent in 2018 and hearing it from the stage sounded like poetry. Hicks brought a feeling of genuine authenticity from the crowd, putting her entire self into the work. Her music creating a vibe that is inclusionary, prescient, her beats dropping like the thunder outside. There was an energy from the stage, it was electric. When she was joined by Joey Gallo that same energy only increased, becoming a kinetic force of rhyme and reason. Towards the end of the set, Kai’la, joined Hicks on stage to close out the night by claiming verses that were raw and relevant, a testament to where this movement is going. 

Afterward, RVA Mag spoke with Illa Styles who said, “The Richmond rap and hip-hop scene has spent years and years maturing, coming into its own. It offers an experience real, genuine, and true. That is what makes this present time, here in Richmond, special.”

 He is not wrong. Richmond is what’s happening. 

Some of the best photos of the night can be found below:

Etherial Kenneka Cook

The Mighty Cole Hicks

Joey Gallo

Cole Hicks and Kai’la

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Kai’la, Closing out the Night with Cole Hicks

Bringing the Fire to Richmond. Levels.

*Jack Clark and Landon Shroder contributed to this report. All photos by Landon Shroder

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

DRAM Drops Surprise EP, “That’s a Girls Name”

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DRAM or Big Baby Dram, from Hampton, Virginia, has just released a surprise three song EP called “That’s a Girls Name.” The new release comes on the heels of “#1HolidayEP,” which dropped last November.

The new EP features three tracks: “Best Hugs,” “WWYD,” and “Sundress,” and was announced via Twitter and Instagram yesterday. According to Hip Hop Wired, the EP was produced with Josh Abraham and Oligee.

DRAM, who came to national prominence with his song “Cha-Cha” and the hit “Broccoli,” a collaboration with Lil’ Yachty, has grown in popularity since his 2016 debut. Check out the stream of “That’s a Girls Name” below.

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond