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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

VA’s Can’t-See Shows This Week: March 18 – March 24

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Hey there, folks, it’s that time of the week when we normally let you know all the best goings-on in the live music scene here in Richmond and around the state for the next week! As you may have realized, though, the current COVID-19 outbreak and the many social and legal restrictions placed on large gatherings have almost entirely shut down the live music scene here in Virginia. There may be a few things still going on, but we wouldn’t feel very responsible advocating for you to go see them. What’s a show-loving girl to do?

Well, for this week’s column, I decided to have compassion for those of you who have either joined me in the wonderful world of working at home (welcome to the club — isn’t it fun doing your job in your pajamas?) or, more unfortunately, found yourselves without any work while your place of business is temporarily shut down. I may not be able to send you to any clubs to see awesome bands light up your evening with their killer sounds… but I can offer you ten great performances by Richmond bands, all available for your viewing pleasure right here on the internet. You can space them out one (or two) per day as with the usual column, or binge them all tonight — the choice is yours! Crank the volume on your headphones for this one.

Lamb Of God at Hellfest Open Air, Clisson, France, June 23, 2019

We’ll start with what we all certainly hope is a preview of coming attractions — a full set by Lamb Of God, complete with multiple cameras and top-quality audio. Richmond’s veteran metal faves are planning as of now to release their latest LP, Lamb Of God, on May 8, and follow it up with a full US tour, featuring June dates at Jiffy Lube Live in NoVA and Veterans United Amphitheater in Virginia Beach. Will all that still happen in light of COVID-19? We can hope… and in the meantime, we can take comfort in this one-hour preview of what Lamb Of God’s latest lineup, now featuring former Prong drummer Art Cruz in place of retiring OG Chris Adler, has in store for us.

Division Of Mind at FYA Fest, Tampa, Florida, Jan 5, 2020

Taking things to a bit more of an underground level, here we have a room-destroying performance by Richmond hardcore ragers Division Of Mind, at Florida’s FYA Fest back at the beginning of this year. Guttural vocals, chugging guitars, brutal breakdowns, and an equally brutal mosh pit are what this video is all about. Better yet, despite the circumstances, it still features multiple camera angles and a great sound mix. Division Of Mind don’t have a social media presence (right on, I wish I didn’t), so I don’t know what’s up with them at this moment, but I’m sure they’d appreciate you grabbing a copy of their recent self-titled LP on Triple B Records if you haven’t already.

No BS! Brass Band at The Broadberry, April 17, 2014

Let’s take things in a more upbeat direction, shall we? This six-year-old live performance by No BS! Brass Band isn’t the most recent live footage online by this group, but there’s no substitute for seeing this Richmond favorite right here at home. And since at this moment, we have no way of knowing whether their gig planned for April 3 at The Broadberry is still going to happen or not, we may as well enjoy their music from home right now. Push the coffee table back and dance, y’all. And consider buying some merch from them, if you have the scratch — they will really appreciate the support. (Needless to say, that goes for all the bands on this list.)

Avail at House Of Independents, Asbury Park, New Jersey, September 5, 2019

Did you miss all the Avail reunion sets last year? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. And if you’re not planning to head to Punk Rock Bowling or Furnace Fest later this year, you might especially appreciate this audience recording of their set in Asbury Park last summer. This is one of the few videos I’ve picked that doesn’t have pro audio, so the sound isn’t perfect, but what is perfect is that evocation of what it felt like to be crammed up against the stage (always my favorite spot), singing along and avoiding the moshers… and the sweat flying off Beau Beau’s head. We can’t be there now, but it’s a lovely reminder.

Nickelus F and Ohbliv at Brewer’s Cafe, November 27, 2019

Want to chill with some fine hip hop? Check this Brewer’s Cafe session from last fall, featuring two of Richmond hip hop’s leading lights of the 21st century. Nickelus F is on the mic, spitting some of the best rhymes you’ll find anywhere in the world, while Ohbliv keeps the beats flowing on the decks. They’re behind the Brewer’s counter, and they aren’t serving up any hot drinks, but Brewer’s Cafe is still open for carryout and delivery today, and both Sweet Petey and Ohbliv have plenty of great tunes available over on Bandcamp for your listening pleasure (links above). They’d all appreciate your business during this trying time, I can assure you.

Palm Palm at River City Roll, September 1, 2019

If you know how awesome J. Roddy Walston & The Business were as a live act, you really need to catch Palm Palm, Walston’s new band with members of The Trillions, The Southern Belles, and the Milkstains. These folks had the misfortune of having their spring tour fall apart while they were on it earlier this month; they had to skip the last half of their dates and head home because all the other shows were cancelled. Fortunately for us, their set from last summer at River City Roll is online in its entirety, featuring high-quality audio and a very active single camera capturing the event from all kinds of angles. If you dig this, hit up Palm Palm online to support them by buying a t-shirt. After losing quite a few tour dates, they sure could use the help.

Windhand at Elsewhere, Brooklyn, NY, November 2, 2018

Windhand is another Richmond band who had a tour fall apart on them this month; indeed, this very night, they were supposed to be in Harrisonburg playing The Golden Pony. Now that show, and the rest of their March tour dates, are cancelled, and the only place we can see them is on YouTube. Luckily for us, this incredible live performance was captured by Revolver Magazine in high-quality audio by multiple cameras back in 2018, and we can enjoy it to our heart’s content now. With their tour having been cancelled, Windhand have been selling leftover tour merch on their BigCartel page — go grab some records and t-shirts if you’ve got the scratch.

.gif From God at Wonderland, July 5, 2019

Here’s what will doubtless be the messiest live video you’ll see this week — .gif From God laying waste to Wonderland last summer, in their inimitable fashion. This video is washed out and chaotic, full of flying hair and overdriven guitar chugs, and if you don’t know these songs going in, you might at times struggle to make out what’s going on. But that’s what .gif From God are all about, and if you ask me, it’s part of their charm — a delightful wall of chaos. No word as yet on the status of .gif From God’s April tour, but if you don’t have a copy of their latest LP, approximation_of_a_human, now is absolutely the time to get one. And if you do, you should donate to their Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project fundraising team — a good cause is still a good cause, even during a quarantine.

Bio Ritmo at Rio Loco Festival, Toulouse, France, June 19, 2015

And now for something completely different — a high-energy salsa infusion from long-running local band/party machine Bio Ritmo. This was filmed several years ago and far from home, but don’t get it twisted — this impeccably-documented performance is still muy caliente and well worth your time. Bio Ritmo haven’t performed locally since back around Christmas and don’t have anything in particular coming up, so why not stock up on their impressive back catalog over at their Bandcamp? Guaranteed to heat up your living room even if your space heater’s broken.

Good Day RVA Live Sessions Playlist, feat. Benjamin Shepherd, McKinley Dixon and Friends, Sports Bar, Doll Baby, The Wimps, Spooky Cool, Antiphons, Dumb Waiter, Clair Morgan aka New Lions, Dave Watkins, Lobo Marino, Navi, The Trillions, Andrew Alli & Josh Small, White Laces, Nelly Kate, Houdan The Mystic, Black Girls aka Rikki Shay

Who’s up for a lightning round? Good Day RVA have got the mother of all live sessions for you here with a mega-playlist featuring all of the sessions they’ve filmed over their entire career, which has been going on for… damn near 10 years now. Wow, time flies, huh? These videos feature a who’s who of Richmond’s best musicians, captured at various evocative sites around Richmond and ensuring that the city itself is just as much of their videos as the excellent bands involved. Maybe you’ve missed some of these over the years and need a reminder, or maybe you saw them all when they came out and would just enjoy a playlist full of great Richmond sights and sounds with which to warm your heart while you’re stuck in the house. Either way, this will go down smooth and warm your heart and soul. Guaranteed.

Must-See Shows will be back next week. Whether we return with actual live shows around town, or more video picks to get us through another week of quarantine, only time will tell… but I’m not getting my hopes up. See you then!

Dusty Broken Bones: An Interview with Aaron Maine of Porches

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New York synth-pop act Porches just released their new album, Ricky Music. We spoke to them about the ever-changing nature of songwriting ahead of Porches’ scheduled performance at The Broadberry later this month.

“For some reason, I’m more thrilled to tour in my life than I’ve ever been.”

Aaron Maine, also known under the alias Porches, his New-York based synth-pop project, is releasing his long-anticipated album Ricky Music March 13. Two years after his last album, The House, was released in 2018, Maine could not be more eager to share his latest creation with the world.

Over the phone, he delved deeper into how his personal experiences, relationships and surroundings inspired his fourth studio album as Porches.

From his origins in Pleasantville, New York, and traveling a frequent amount throughout his career, Maine says his surroundings always influence his headspace while creating his music.

“I’m in Chinatown now, I moved to this spot after living in Greenwich Village for five years,” he says, his deep voice resonating from the other end of the line. “It was the first place I ever lived alone, so that was a big change of scenery. It might not seem like much moving less than two miles from where I was before, but it feels like a whole other city almost.”

Maine’s relocation had a profound impact on the themes and influences in Ricky Music, but he also explains that even the slightest change of his routine transcends through his songwriting.

“Even just making music in a different room is different,” he says. “My music is so close to my personal life that the smallest adjustment can make all the difference.”

Photo via Porches/Facebook

Although he admits that some of the songs are purely “fantasy,” what can mostly be anticipated from the new project is the essence of his daily life when the album was written. 

“It’s essentially a snapshot of the time period that I wrote these songs in, and it’s pretty autobiographical,” he says.

He even explains that the album’s name is also an ode to how closely Maine associates his music with himself.

“Most people call me Ricky,” he says. “It’s music that I make, and I think, for whatever reason, I was like, this is it. It’s Ricky’s music.”

In terms of his creative process, Maine says he writes often to be able to pick and choose what content best reflects his life at the time.

“Some artists will sit down and write and record an album in a month, but I write pretty much every day,” he says. “And by the end of it, I have this body of work to choose from and piece together the most compelling, as well as honest, collection of songs that kind of sums up what I was doing during the time.”

Even though the subject of mundane, every-day life is explored through this album, Maine suggests that even routine monotony can exemplify more underlying, complex emotions. 

“You know, there’s some of the typical things music is about, like romance,” he says. “But it can be as mundane as going to the mall and buying lipstick for someone you’re in love with, or being totally heartbroken finding that person’s hair on your brush.”

Photo via Porches/Facebook

Just as Ricky Music has acted as somewhat of a time capsule to capture this period of Maine’s life, he says he appreciates being able to look back on Porches’ 10-year discography to pinpoint the different phases of his life and growth. 

“I think it’s really special to have that all in one place, and to be able to look back and see the growth and tangency that went on,” he says about his past music. “You can remember where you were when you made a certain song or a certain album.”

When asked to describe the album in a few concise words, Maine knew exactly what to say.

“Dusty, broken bones; idiotically beautiful sunsets; grass stains on your jeans, blowing a big fat kiss,” he says with a laugh.

Porches’ new album, Ricky Music, is out March 13. They will be kicking off their tour in Richmond on Monday, March 23, at The Broadberry. Tickets are $15 in advance, and can be purchased here. [Editor’s note: in this time of coronavirus, all public events are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation. It’s a good idea to check for updates.]

Top Photo via Porches/Facebook

Of Montreal at The Broadberry

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Of Montreal w/ Lily’s Band and Plastic Nancy
at The Broadberry
Sunday, March 1st
Doors at 7pm, Music at 8pm
$18 ADV, $22 DOS

Two important events occurred during the making of White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood. I became “Simulated Reality” paranoid and I fell in LOVE.

Well a lot more happened during the process of writing and recording, but those are the two big ones. I also reached a healthy point of self-forgiveness for my failed marriage and became deeply educated in the lies of America the Great.

I feel like a switch was recently turned on in my brain and now I’m beginning to see through the lies that have been fed to me my whole life by the masters of media and by those who control and manipulate the narrative of our cultural identity and social order.

My paranoia began during the presidential election cycle and reached a dangerous peak shortly after the inauguration. In the meantime I watched and read countless works of art in a mad effort to be reminded of how many truly brilliant people there are living/struggling among us and to try to maintain a positive outlook. The works of Angela Davis, Noam Chomsky, Chris Kraus, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the Autobiographies of Malcolm X and Mark E Smith were all great inspirations, to name a few.

Musically, I was very inspired by the extended dance mixes that people used to make for pop singles back in the ‘80s. It’s so cool how a lot of the 80’s hits had these really intricate and interesting longer versions that wouldn’t get played on the radio and could only be heard in the clubs. I used that template with these tracks, I wanted them all to feel like the extended “club edit” of album tracks.

I also decided to abandon the “live band in a room” approach that I had been using on the recent albums and work more on my own or remotely with collaborators. I used the same drum sample packs throughout because I wanted the album to have a rhythmic continuity to it. I wanted the drums to have a strong and consistent identity, similar to how Prince’s Linn Electronics LM-1 drum machine played such an important role on his classic albums. Zac Colwell also played a huge role on this album, adding saxophones and synths to most of the songs. I also got a lot of help from long time collaborators, and “of Montreal” touring members, Clayton Rychlik and JoJo Glidewell.

The two title concept came to me when I was thinking about how difficult it is to frame the message of a song with just one title, because so often the songs are about so many different subjects. ‘White Is Relic’ was inspired by James Baldwin’s writings regarding the creation and propagation of a toxic American White identity. I’ve come to learn how it’s just a tool wielded by the 1% to give poor white people a false sense of superiority in an effort to keep the masses placated and numb to how deeply we’re all getting fucked by our capitalist rulers. An ‘Irrealis Mood’ is a linguistic indicator that something isn’t yet reality but does have the potential to become so.

I’m always searching for new identities so this concept of the death of “Whiteness” appeals to me greatly. Might be the only way to save the world.

-Kevin Barnes, January 2018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Montreal

TICKETS

VA Shows You Must See This Week: February 19 – February 25

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FEATURED SHOW
Thursday, February 20, 7 PM
Bracewar, Division Of Mind, Combust, Mutually Assured Destruction, Guardrails @ The Camel – $15
There’s a lot going on in the Richmond music scene these days, within all sorts of different genres. And that’s wonderful! But if you want to talk about the styles of music that have a fertile, longstanding tradition in this town, you probably can’t do better than bringing up the Richmond hardcore scene. Going back to the dawn of the 80s and extending all the way to today, Richmond has been a town in which hardcore thrives, and this show at The Camel on Thursday night is the proof that this continues to be true in 2020.

At the top of the bill is Bracewar, one of those Richmond hardcore elder-statesman bands who moved into “plays a few shows a year but is otherwise inactive” mode at least seven years ago, but did thrill us all by releasing their first new material in almost a decade in the form of 2018 EP Colossal. They’ve maintained a slightly higher profile since then, but a Richmond Bracewar show is still a relative rarity, and if you delight in their signature brand of powerful breakdowns peppered with moments of high-speed thrashing, you’ll certainly want to catch this one.

Beyond Bracewar, this bill mostly focuses on current all-stars of Richmond’s straightforward hardcore scene, most predominantly Division Of Mind. This group’s recent self-titled LP on Triple B Records demonstrates that, while they are very skilled at the mosh, they have quite a bit more going on, and are worth your time and attention even if you don’t still find diving into an energetic pit to be the best way to spend a band’s set. Combust are actually from New York, but released a 12-inch EP on RVA’s own Edgewood Records last year, and will bring an energetic and welcome NYHC attack to the Camel’s stage. Plus, there’s Mutually Assured Destruction, who are taking heavy hardcore in an adventurous direction that doubtless owes a bit to Life Of Agony and Twitching Tongues, and the first show ever from Guardrails, who will kick this one off with a ton of pissed-off energy. Carry on the tradition, Richmond — be at this show.

Wednesday, February 19, 9 PM
Lifters, Weird Tears, Neat Sweep @ Fuzzy Cactus – $6
Punk rock has been enshrined in pop culture as music with something important to say, and I think that’s great, but one thing punk rock has always had room for, one that gets de-emphasized when we focus on The Clash and forget about the Ramones, is pure no-frills rock n’ roll melody. Durham’s Lifters might not qualify for punk rock if you’re expecting some sort of sophisticated political critique to emerge from their catchy tunes, but if you’re conversant with the genre’s history, the connection is undeniable. And that’s as it should be.

Tonight, if you’re looking for some catchy, fun tunes, played with plenty of energy but not that much polish, and reminding you of great groups like Radioactivity, Teengenerate, or the aforementioned Ramones, you’re going to want to point your feet toward Brookland Park’s own Fuzzy Cactus. There, Lifters and local melodic punk stalwarts Weird Tears and Neat Sweep are going to sweep you off your feet and get you caught up in the toe-tapping joys of punk rock. It all happens tonight; plan your evening accordingly.

Thursday, February 20, 9 PM
Excitable Boys, Daniel Case, The Dolphins @ Fuzzy Cactus – $7
It’s always interesting when you know enough about a band to care what they have to offer, but have no idea what they actually sound like. Such is the case with Excitable Boys, a band seemingly named for Warren Zevon’s most famous album, and made up of three different musicians one usually wouldn’t expect to see grouped together. In this case, those musicians include country-folk singer-songwriter Benjamin Shepherd, former Southside Stranglers guitarist Kevin Guild, and Irish-by-way-of-New-York indie-folk artist Cal Folger Day — who isn’t even a boy, putting a lie to the bandname in a far more entertaining fashion than the millions of all-male “girls” bands.

Anyway, that’s certainly an intriguing trio to bring together in one musical combo… but what exactly do you get when you mix an Irish indie-folk troubadour, a punk rock guitarist, and an Americana singer-songwriter? There’s only one way I know of to find out, and that’s to show up at Fuzzy Cactus this Thursday night and see what happens when the three of them take the stage together. It’s sure to be interesting; perhaps even, dare I say… exciting! (Sorry, y’all, but I couldn’t resist.)

Friday, February 21, 7:30 PM
Yamato Drummers present: Jhonetsu — Passion @ Altria Theater – $35 – $43 (order tickets HERE)
It’s not often that an opportunity for something truly unusual comes across our desk here at RVA Must-See Shows headquarters, so when something like this shows up in the local live music environment, we’ve got to make the most of it. Therefore, I encourage you to suck it up, deal with the higher-than-average ticket prices that accompany any night spent at the Altria, and go see Wadaiko Yamato, aka Yamato Drummers, this Friday night.

This group hails from Nara, Japan, a city once known as Yamato, and plays the sort of ensemble drumming native to Japan that’s known in the West as taiko. Wadaiko Yamato are a group made up of around a dozen different drummers, who explore the possibilities of percussion through polyrhythmic dynamics and highly choreographed theatrical dance performances. If you recognize the deep, transformative power of the beat that lies at the heart of music, you’re sure to be captivated and energized by what Wadaiko Yamato bring to the stage. It’s not the kind of thing you’ll see every weekend, either — that’s for sure. Make seeing this one a priority.

Saturday, February 22, 7 PM
Enforced, Alfred, Louderhead, Brain Tourniquet, Serqet @ Gallery 5 – $10
The war on drugs has been a highly damaging initiative of the US government over the past half-century or so. While it has failed to make a significant dent in the use and trafficking of mind-altering substances, it has allowed for a massive increase in the percentage of the US population that is incarcerated, a phenomenon that’s had a disproportionate effect on African Americans and low-income, marginalized folks across the country. This is why it’s heartening to see the first tentative steps being made here in Virginia to move beyond carceral methods of dealing with drug use and trafficking and toward decriminalization and harm reduction initiatives that grass-roots activist groups have been pushing for years.

This Saturday’s event at Gallery 5 will offer you the opportunity to both support these efforts and become part of them yourself… as well as hearing some great music, of course. The evening will begin with a free naloxone training session, then move on to music from Richmond leading lights like dark metallic hardcore ragers Enforced and psychedelic hip hop lyricist Alfred. There’ll also be a performance from Louderhead, who I am guessing is a Motorhead tribute band (always fun). And of course, DC power-violence freaks Brain Tourniquet and local goth-punk heroes Serqet will be in the house as well. The music will be great, the cause is just as great… get involved in this one.

Sunday, February 23, 9 PM
Catfest 4, feat. Cadillac Cat, Young Apollo, Gemi Jhay, Ley Cash, Pyrex Pedro, Civonnee, Balu, Delow, Cassius Kay, Qash, Skyy With 2 Y’s, Lowlifeball, Rasul, Don Chase, Ceo, Dee16Hunna, Mia Money, Lxrd Sleeza, Kaywan, Rascal Grimez, Tyrone Leake Jr., Moochiee @ The Camel – $10 (order tickets HERE)
It’s hard to keep up with the Richmond hip hop scene, and that’s not just because there’s a ton going on in this city. It’s also because hip hop is one music scene that doesn’t seem to have much use for the non-social-media internet, so information is at a premium, and google searches can only do so much. That said, I have been hearing the name Cadillac Cat for a while, so the fact that this jam-packed Sunday evening at The Camel is his fourth annual Catfest isn’t that much of a surprise.

If you also know the name Cadillac Cat, it’s probably because he’s produced a variety of material for Noah-O, including their 2017 full-length collab, Face/Off. These days, he’s working on a project called God Status, and if the video for first track “Free Shine” is any indication, this is going to be a hard-as-fuck street-level attack full of pounding beats and braggadocious flows. Expect something similar from his headlining set at this event. As for the 20-plus other artists performing, expect a crash course in an entire segment of the mid-Atlantic hip hop scene, one that’s sure to teach you a whole lot of shit you can’t learn from the internet.

Monday, February 24, 8 PM
Halfcast, Linden Row, Afib, Madison Turner @ The Camel – Free!
These free “Industry Night” shows the Camel has been throwing lately are intended to give all the people who work difficult shifts in the world of food service every weekend an opportunity to celebrate the end of their week’s busiest time. However, they also help out the Richmond live music preview industrial complex, an industry that I’m pretty sure consists entirely of me. So I’m really glad these exist, as they are sometimes the only thing remotely worth paying attention to on a Monday night — and that’s definitely true this week.

This week’s event offers a pretty strong local lineup, especially for a show that will cost you zero dollars to attend. That lineup is topped by Halfcast, a local trio who mix a chops-conscious metallic approach with alt-rock sensibilities to create crunchy melodic gold. Then there’s Linden Row, an alt-rock combo with plenty of energy and the same sort of mischievous surf-punk feel that shines through prime Pixies material; their set is sure to be a blast. I haven’t heard Afib, but they feature Truman drummer Dylan Anderson stepping out from behind the kit to pick up a guitar and play some indie/emo tunes, and that’s certainly an intriguing concept to me. And of course, Madison Turner, who’ll be playing her alt-punk-indie-folk tunes accompanied by a full band at this gig, is always worth seeing. So show up on time and catch it all. The price is more than fair.

Tuesday, February 25, 7 PM
GARZA, Jouwala Collective @ The Broadberry – $20 in advance/$25 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Do you like to dance? If you do and you’ve spent any time at all in the state of Virginia, you’re sure to be familiar with the work of Rob Garza, better known as one half of the legendary DC duo Thievery Corporation. Thievery Corporation has been active for over two decades and show no signs of slowing down; indeed, they recently announced a new LP coming in the spring. However, Garza’s creative mind is always restless, and so he has brought us GARZA, a project initially born from his desire to write music for other people.

In the end, he couldn’t bear to give the music he’d come up with away, and it was released late last year on an EP entitled Where The Moon Hides, which finds Garza collaborating with vocalists Seann Bowe and EMELINE to create some lovely, immersive electronic melodies that increase the pop quotient of Garza’s Thievery Corporation work without losing that pulse that always keeps your feet moving. GARZA will utilize a whole ensemble of singers and live instruments to wonderfully recreate these tunes in a live setting at the Broadberry this Tuesday night. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes for this one.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Thursday, February 20, 7 PM
Summer Salt, Okey Dokey, Breakup Shoes, Berries @ Elevation27 (Virginia Beach) – $17 in advance/$20 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Groundhog or no groundhog, the fact remains that summer is far away at the moment. Therefore, it’s an especially welcome breath of fresh air that brings Summer Salt to Virginia Beach’s Elevation27 this Thursday night. This Austin Texas group mixes the sweet beach pop of Brian Wilson and the Brazilian bossa nova of artists like Gilberto Gil and Joao Gilberto into a base that is fundamentally indie-pop in nature. The result is the sort of lovely sound that’s sure to please fans of both Paul Simon’s Graceland and Animal Collective’s Feels.

In other words, it’s the perfect late-week listen for a Virginia locked in the late-winter doldrums. And it’s sure to bring a smile to your face even if you do have to don your heavy coat to walk from the club back to the car at the end of the night. The evening will also feature performances from catchy psychedelic indie group Okey Dokey, who hail from Nashville, and some electro-pop sounds from Arizona’s Breakup Shoes. Plus, VA Beach’s own Berries will kick off the evening with some charming indie-pop of their own. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Sunday, February 23, 7 PM
Tommy Stinson, Dashdown @ Hive Collective (Norfolk) – $25 – $100 (order tickets HERE)
Wrap up your weekend by spending an intimate evening in the company of Tommy Stinson and his acoustic guitar at Norfolk art gallery the Hive Collective. If you’re not familiar with Tommy Stinson by name, his time as bass player in The Replacements, Guns N’ Roses, and Soul Asylum should certainly let you know why he matters. But what really makes it a good idea for you to go see the man perform solo is the strength of his material as singer and songwriter, both under his own name and as the frontman for Bash And Pop.

That quartet, which released one excellent LP called Friday Night Is Killing Me in the wake of The Replacements’ early-90s breakup, then went their separate ways, got back together a few years ago for a long-awaited, much-belated follow-up called Anything Could Happen, which proved that they still had the spark that made their earlier work so wonderful. Stinson’s relatively recent solo LP, 2011’s One Man Mutiny, was just as great and heartfelt, and you can expect to see the sort of sloppy, sincere talent that’s always been the hallmark of his work on display at this intimate performance, so I highly recommend you get there.

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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 Gabe Becerra/Twitter

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]