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Amanda Shires with L.A. Edwards Atmosphereless Tour

McKenzie Grimes | February 12, 2020

Topics: Amanda Shires, Concert, The Jefferson Theater, things to do in Charlottesville va, Things to do in Richmond

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.

BUY TICKETS!

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

Marilyn Drew Necci | February 12, 2020

Topics: Amanda Shires, Blue Moon Diner, Boogaloo's, Brower, Castle OG, Ceremony, Deli Kings, Doll Baby, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, Flor, gallery 5, Ghouli, Hardywood, Kat Wright, LA Edwards, Lightmare, Loud Night, Majjin Boo, Mean Jeans, music, must see shows, Nosebleed, Past Palms, Pedals, Phantómódel, Plastic Nancy, Poor Boys, Prabir Trio, richmond events, richmond va, richmond va bands, RVA, shows this week richmond, shows you must see, Sports Bar, Sweeties, Talk Me Off, The Ar-Kaics, The Broadberry, The Jefferson Theater, The National, The Wood Brothers, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, Toward Space, Ugly Muscle, Winnetka Bowling League, Witchbaby, Xed Out, Zun Zun

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.

—-

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]

RVA NYE 2020: A Big List For A Big Night

RVA Staff | December 26, 2019

Topics: Adrian Ciucci, Bingo Beer Co, Cary Street Cafe, Cris Jacobs, Diversity Richmond, DJ Manifesto, Doubletree by Hilton, Fallout, gallery 5, Hardywood, Jackass Flats, Kabana Rooftop, Love Canon, Mass FX, Moonlight Masquerade, NYE 2020, Party Liberation Front, PLF, River City Roll, RVA, RVAHeals, Shagwüf, Switch RVA, The Broadberry, The Camel, The Circuit, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Jefferson Theater, The Mighty Good Time, The National, Three Sheets To The Wind, Vagabond, what to do for NYE in Richmond, World Pediatric Project

Here’s our comprehensive A-to-Z list of everything great that’s happening around town on New Year’s Eve, to help you say goodbye to the 2010’s in proper fashion!

2020 is fast approaching, and as usual Richmond has a number of great events that can guarantee anyone a great New Year’s Eve. Below are our picks for some of the top events in Richmond this NYE. Get your tickets and plans together soon, as many will sell out. Please remember to be safe and secure a ride for this busy night.  

Happy 2020, RVA! 

The Infamous Stringdusters At the National 

WNRN + RVA Magazine Present: THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS, With special guest Cris Jacobs.

This year we are happy to join with WNRN in presenting The Infamous Stringdusters at The National for NYE. This unique bluegrass band has been pushing the future of folk and bluegrass for years. The Dusters are known for throwing a party with their fun genre-bending sounds. New Years 2020 in RVA gives us the perfect setting for a special night with these talented musicians. Not to be missed, Cris Jacobs is opening this New Years event. This mid-Atlantic musician has been steadily growing a fan base, and working with some of our very own top musical talents here in Richmond. 

PLF Presents Decemberween 2020: A New Years Eve Celebration

PLF NYE once again transforms Diversity Richmond into one of the biggest NYE events in Richmond. The 15,000 square foot event space and outdoor area are turned into multiple immersive environments featuring over 20 DJs from up and down the east coast*. With live music, fire performances, interactive art installations, circus arts, stage performances, outdoor pyro-sculptures, mutant vehicle showcases, three libation stations, and food trucks, this event has something for everyone. Get your tickets now before it sells out — as it has done each and every year.  

*See event page for full lineup of entertainment

Tickets: www.bitly.com/PLFNYE2020

Moonlight Masquerade at Hilton 

For another one of the biggest parties in Richmond, LX Group once again brings us the popular Moonlight Masquerade, the New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Doubletree by Hilton, Richmond. LX Group is bringing in multiple performers and an incredible line up of DJs for a non-stop party with Carter Baldwin and MISTRO. Tickets include a number of complimentary favors, toast, and snacks. Get your tickets now for this event, as it has sold out the past three years.  

New Years Eve at Switch

Party like a Targaryen, drink like a Lannister, and ring in a new decade at Switch RVA! Enjoy two unique pop-up experiences in one space. Drink to the North with the Game of Thrones inspired theme: Winter is Coming upstairs. Then eat, drink, and be merry downstairs with the Naughty or Nice theme. Features DJ Ruth, signature cocktails, free buffet, and live feed of Times Square at one the the hottest bars In RVA. 

NYE Bye at Gallery 5

Ring in the new year at Gallery5 with live music from Majjin Boo, Ladygod, Fat Spirit, and FM Skyline. Hosted and DJed by Georgie Isaacs, with a midnight toast included in every ticket!

NYE Blast with Love Canon 

Hardywood is a good place to find yourself any night, and especially for this NYE. This year, they’re sending off 2019 with a blast with music from Love Canon! Hardywood will be presenting this exclusive concert in their newly refurbished barrel room. Tickets come with two drinks, photo booth, party favors, and the ball drop!

RVAheals Bash at River City Roll

Ring in 2020 with World Pediatric Project’s first ever ‘NYE RVAHeals Bash!’  

WPP’s Emerging Leaders Board is excited to host one of Richmond’s ONLY charitable New Year’s Eve parties, where 100% of your ticket goes straight to helping children and families who would otherwise lack access to critical care.

Hosted by RVA’s favorite, River City Roll, the party starts at 8pm and goes until the wee hours of the new year. With your ticket, you get live music from Vinyl Headlights, bowling, delicious bites, two drink tickets, and champagne toast. Close out 2019 and start 2020 right by providing hope and healing to children! 

I Love The 80s New Years Prom at Broadberry 

Kick off 2020 by taking it back to the 80s with Three Sheets To The Wind at the Broadberry for a very special show this NYE, with guests Eagles of Freedom and DJ Spinnaker. 

Three Sheets to the Wind is Richmond’s best yacht-rock tribute act, paying authentic tribute to soft rock classics from the late ’70s and ’80s — undoubtedly the smoothest music ever created by mankind. It was an era of high gas prices and oil embargos that led America back to the simple joys of sailing, pina coladas, moustaches, and makin’ love… sweet love.

The heartbeat of this sexy-tet belongs to short-shorted drummer Danny Marnier. Bass duties fall to steady shipmate Sonny Pockett. The saccharine saxophone sweetness is supplied by Goldman Sax, while manly keyboardist Walter Ego, guitarist Captain Max Power, and multi-instrumentalist Topper Dandy rock you softly with their sincere vocal delivery and sweeter-than-TaB™ harmonies.

When your soft rock needs a little extra kick, Three Sheets to the Wind will appear with world renowned three-piece brass section The Rounding Cape Horns. Book at your own risk and hide your daughters, though, because the combined talents of this noble nonet are smoother than Billy Dee Williams — and rest assured that it works… every time.

Roaring 20s at Kabana Rooftop

Kabana Rooftop for NYE is quite the spectacle on its own, with its expansive views of Richmond. This year they are bringing out the flapper dresses and dapper dans to roll into 2020 in style. Including a special performance by world renowned violinist virtuoso DJ Manifesto, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a live feed of the ball drop, this is the party where you can ring in the roaring 20s like Gatsby — on the Rooftop! 

New Years with Jackass Flats at The Camel 

Kick off the New Year with the Jackass Flats boys, flanked by Adrian Ciucci of the Southern Belles with a solo turn, as well as Tim Beavers II of PBR’s new project, The Mighty Good Time. Music all night and a champagne toast at midnight! End 2019 and start 2020 at The Camel! Drop into The Camel in person ahead of time and get your advance tickets without fees.  

Confetti Reign III: NYE 2020 At Vagabond with DJ King Cise & Lowe Maceo

This New Year’s Eve, Vagabond’s got multiple floors and bars with DJs for your fancy 2020 NYE needs. Comes with party favors, complimentary midnight toast, roaming photographers, and live feed of ball drop. Make sure and dress up for this one, as it’s fancy all the way! It’s also located right by our show at The National with The Infamous Stringdusters, so it’s an easy after-party if you plan it out. Get tickets — this one will sell out! 

New Years Eve at Cary Street Cafe with Grapefruit Fred!

Crazy as it is, this could possibly be the Last New Years Eve at the historic Cary St Cafe. So they are making it special with Grapefruit Fred! Cary St Cafe will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to rock in 2020. Tickets come with free champagne toast at midnight. See y’all there and as always, SPREAD THE FRED!!!

Bingo Beer Co.’s Roaring 20s NYE 

Bingo throws a good party, with fantastic beers to boot. Get your game on and dress up fancy for this one, as Mass FX plays music from 8:30 till close. This is open to the public, but also has a special VIP ticket available for a limited time. Get on it, as it’s sure to go quickly.   

The Circuit Presents NYE 2020

For those looking for extra games and fun this NYE, Circuit has you covered. Their New Years Eve Party offers a lot, including 20 tokens on the house, a live DJ to get your groove on, raffles full of fun prizes, and a glass of champagne to toast at midnight! They also offer an early buffet, with select appetizers like veggie platters, wings, and tacos!  

New Years Masque at Fallout 

Break out your masks for Fallouts Annual New Years Eve Masquerade Ball! They’ve got you covered for your fetish NYE! As always, there is toast at midnight. DJ Unicron will start the night out with the annual Blues Cocktail Hour, followed by the crew of DJ Jackie, DJ Scarey Pete, DJ Rivetta, and more. New for 2020, there will be a cash-only satellite bar with champagne, a small selection of beers, and more — so bring cash and get your drinks quick! Formal or Fetish Dress AND Mask Required!

What does Formal or Fetish Wear Mean? Put on some slacks or Really Nice Jeans. Put on a nice dress. No, you don’t need to be in black tie, but make an effort. Button downs, Sequins, Tulle, Ties. ETC. OR. High Fetish Wear. 

Do I have to Wear a Mask? Mask Required Upon Entry (The cheap plastic ones are fine, also Make-Up/Paint or Stone/Jewel Appliques are fine, and there is a limited amount of FREE Masks at the front door.

Non-Members: Find a member to guest you in OR message the Fallout RVA facebook page for a one night pass!

Finally, if you want to take a little trip outside Richmond without plunging into the big-city traffic jam, here’s an out-of-town pick that can’t be beat:

The Jefferson Theatre NYE Extravaganza with No BS! Brass Band and Shagwuf

Don’t miss New Year’s Eve at the Jefferson with three amazing bands! There’ll be a VIP-exclusive pre-show party with all three bands, so stare at the face of 2020 & let’s get funky! Revelry, performances, solid hang, Mox Box picture posing, drink specials, party favors & a poster signed by everyone! Each band will play special mini sets with surprises while VIPs hang out, mingle with other VIPs and band members, and enjoy the holiday drink specials & fare. Quantity is limited so come get it!

Or you could just show up for the main event and catch both C-Ville and RVA have to offer with sets by Shagwuf and the almighty No BS! Brass Band, plus a performance by “Rocksylvania'”s own The Falsies! Tickets are moving quickly, so jump on it.

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

Marilyn Drew Necci | June 19, 2019

Topics: 3:33, Altria Theater, Among The Rocks And Roots, Briana Marela, Brunswick, Capital Ale House Music Hall, Corrina Repp, Daddy Long Legs, Damien Jurado, Father John Misty, Fred Abong, gallery 5, Greenbeard, Hotspit, Jade Bird, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Kristin Hersh, Lady Killer, M4DF4C3, Magnus Lush, Minor Poet, Moon Hooch, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, Plastic Pyramid, Sediment Arts, The Broadberry, The Bush League, The Camel, The Connells, The Golden Pony, The HellHounds, The Jefferson Theater, The Wimps, Toxic Moxie, Wonderland

FEATURED SHOW
Sunday, June 23, 7 PM
Toxic Moxie (Photo by David Morton), Magnus Lush, Among The Rocks And Roots @ Gallery 5 – $6 in advance/$8 day of show (order tickets HERE)

One of the core principles of this-here column is as follows: local music, specifically music from Richmond, is awesome. But that’s not just because our city had the fortune of attracting (or incubating) a lot of really talented people. A big part of what makes this relatively small US city so great at producing a ton of wonderful sounds from talented musicians is the community that exists within the scene here. Pretty much everyone involved in the local scene works to help support each other in our mutual creative endeavors. That’s not only true across styles and genres, it’s also true for people who don’t necessarily play music themselves — the promoters, the photographers, the zine-makers, even the kids who just go to a lot of shows and help make sure that bands get paid.

In that spirit, it’s great to see three local bands with significantly different sounds all coming together at Gallery 5 this Sunday to help a friend. I’ve never known Celeste Canady to play in a band, but her photography and overall scene support has made her an essential member of Richmond’s music community for years. Now she’s headed off to start the next chapter in her life by moving to Chicago — and three great Richmond bands are playing this fundraiser to help Celeste on her way.

Whether you personally know Celeste and also want to contribute, or are just looking for a great night of local music to cap off your weekend, Gallery 5 is the place to be this Sunday night. Toxic Moxie are our headliners, and they’ve been teasing a new LP for a damn minute now, so chances that this show will bring you a live preview of their killer new material are pretty high, I’d say. Magnus Lush’s excellent post-hardcore sound is always captivating and worth your time. And Among The Rocks And Roots are still building yet further from their 2018 LP, Raga, a creative peak in their epic multi-movement song construction and noisy, raging, yet hypnotic and enticing bass-drum duo sound. These groups are very different, but they are all excellent, they’re all coming out of Richmond, and best of all, they’re all coming together to support members of their community. Gotta love it.

Wednesday, June 19, 7 PM
Daddy Long Legs (Photo by Colby Sadeghi), The Bush League, The HellHounds @ Capital Ale House Music Hall – $10 (order tickets HERE)

It’s not exactly in the mainstream eye right now, but if you know where to look, you’re sure to notice that there’s quite the revival in rootsy, bluesy rock n’ roll happening these days. Daddy Long Legs are part of that whole thing — the NYC three-piece play music landing somewhere between the amplified Chicago blues of Howlin’ Wolf and Little Walter, and the noisy gutbucket howls of The Cramps and Jon Spencer. Hard not to love that!

On their new LP, Lowdown Ways, dish out some rollicking noise, making the most of their unusual lineup configuration — a slide guitarist, a singer who plays blues harp at times and guitar at others, and a drummer with a tiny kit and an ever-present maraca in one hand — and crank out some sounds that will appeal both to fans of early Fat Possum Records superstars like RL Burnside and T-Model Ford, and to Richmond punks who miss the heyday of local roots-punk rippers The Nervous Ticks. All of this adds up to a ton of fun; you’ll certainly be moving your feet if you make it out to this one.

Thursday, June 20, 8 PM
Moon Hooch (Photo by Jeffery Allen), Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, Brunswick @ The Camel – $15 in advance/$18 day of show (order tickets HERE)

I love it when something totally unexpected rolls through town, and that’s why I’m super-stoked to see Moon Hooch coming through. This trio is the kind of thing you’ve almost never seen before — two saxophones and a drummer, plus some occasional electronic augmentation and a completely unpredictable approach to songwriting that creates some of the freshest sounds I’ve encountered in a while. Moon Hooch are definitely not jazz. Nor are they a sax-driven rock n’ roll band. They aren’t an avant-garde experimental noise ensemble, either. And while their latest release, a collaboration with rapper/producer Tonio Sagan, has a decided boom-bap feel, they aren’t hip hop either.

So if Moon Hooch aren’t any of those things, then what are they? Answer: they’re a whole lot of fun. Any group who got their start as subway buskers are sure to know how to entertain a crowd, and Moon Hooch are no exception. They make danceable tunes full of groove and forward motion that are sure to get your booty shaking. Sometimes the result is reminiscent of John Zorn’s more accessible work, while at other times you just may find yourself thinking of Richmonders Dumb Waiter; those of you with longer memories may also end up thinking at times of Morphine. But mostly what you’re going to be thinking about when Moon Hooch are onstage at the Camel is what a great time you’re having. And that’s ultimately the best result possible.

Friday, June 21, 8 PM
Briana Marela, Plastic Pyramid, M4DF4C3 @ Sediment Arts – $9

This Friday night, it’s time to step into a slightly different headspace over at Sediment Arts. Many of us associate shows at art galleries with avant-garde sounds and performances, and while that isn’t universally true, such an instinct is not going to steer you wrong this Friday night. Briana Marela is an electronic musician from the West Coast, who uses her voice to create ambient layers of ethereal melody, then augments these floaty textures of sound with subtle programmed beats, synths, and gorgeous vocal melodies with their own flawless sense of melodic pop excellence.

The result might make you think of more recent work by Bjork, or even Grimes in her pre-Elon Musk days. But Briana Marela very much has her own thing going on, which she shows both on her most recent LP, 2017’s Call It Love, and a song she created last year in collaboration with Radiolab. “4th Amendment” is a song that uses the Bill Of Rights’ prohibition against unwarranted search and seizure to explore important issues relating to consent. Clearly she’s coming from an intelligent mindset — she’s currently pursuing an MFA in Electronic Music at Mills College — and her complex music demonstrates that, giving the listener a lot of sonic rabbit holes to fall down. In the best way, of course.

Saturday, June 22, 7 PM
Minor Poet (Photo by Joey Wharton), The Wimps, HotSpit @ The Broadberry – $10 in advance/$15 day of show (order tickets HERE)

A whole bunch of Richmond indie musicians — Matthew E. White, Natalie Prass, Lucy Dacus — have made it big in that world over the past several years, and now it appears that Minor Poet’s Andrew Carter is set to follow in their footsteps. Following up on And How!, his 2017 debut LP under the Minor Poet name, Carter has just released his follow-up EP, The Good News, with none other than Sub Pop Records. Which technically makes Minor Poet labelmates with Nirvana, and if that isn’t impressive, I don’t know what is.

OK, actually, I do know what is — the brand new six-song offering from Minor Poet. The Good News is a triumph of pop songcraft, full of lush instrumental augmentation around a really solid core of pop-rock melody that nods toward both the Beatles and the Shins on the way to an excellent, original place of its own. At The Broadberry this Saturday night, Carter and his allies in Minor Poet will bring the whole thing to vibrant Technicolor life before your very eyes. And then you’ll have a chance to grab a copy of The Good News on vinyl for your very own. Trust me, you’re going to want to.

Sunday, June 23, 9 PM
Greenbeard, Lady Killer, 3:33 @ Wonderland – $10

We’ve explored all sorts of multi-faceted sounds and styles this week, but we all know what the music scene in Richmond was built on, so this Sunday night, let’s all head down to Wonderland and get back to our roots in the rich earth of Southern metal. Two Texas bands are headed to Shockoe Bottom to help us out with that, and with a name like Greenbeard, you know the first of these two has to be good. You might wonder whether that name is intended to be a weed reference, but the fact that the first song on their latest EP is called “Contact High II” should remove any doubt.

And of course, these guys churn out exactly the sort of rumbling sun-baked grooves that you’d hope for from any metal band who like to make marijuana references. Greenbeard’s music occupies a territory bordered on one side by the hazy psychedelia of Hawkwind or Monster Magnet, and on the other by the straight-up Camaro grooves of Fu Manchu. If you like spending time in that territory — and let’s be real, who doesn’t? — this show is for you. Fellow Texans Ladykiller push that vibe in a bit more of an 80s cock-rock direction, complete with some of that slightly-awkward “pretty women as scenery” vibe straight out of mid-80s Motley Crue videos. But once they start to play, all doubts go by the wayside — these guys are riff masters, and there’s no denying it. Local metal-punk madmen 3:33 will kick off their next tour with an opening slot on this one, so expect things to be hard n’ heavy from the word go. Which is exactly what you want.

Monday, June 24, 6:30 PM
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Father John Misty, Jade Bird @ Altria Theater – $59.75 – $79.75 (order tickets
HERE)
I’ve been a fan of Jason Isbell since back when he was still in the Drive-By Truckers. He wrote some of the best songs on their albums that he played on, and when he left the group a dozen years ago to kick off a solo career, I certainly wasn’t complaining. Isbell’s been repaying my faith in him ever since, creating half a dozen excellent solo albums thus far. The most recent of these, 2017’s The Nashville Sound, was the first to give his band, the 400 Unit, equal billing, and it makes sense — it’s very much a band record, with a sound that is guaranteed to please everyone who loves heartland rock, alt-country, and any sort of heartfelt anthem delivered with grace and sincerity.

Since that album was released, Isbell has contributed a song to the Star Is Born soundtrack. Meanwhile, his current tourmate, Father John Misty, recently started playing a song that he swears was rejected from that same high-profile film. Of course, as with anything Father John Misty is up to, you’ve got to take it with a grain of salt — the guy’s been one of the music world’s most notorious tricksters since he quit Fleet Foxes and changed his name from plain old Josh Tillman back in 2012. But for someone who’s public persona is sometimes quite difficult to figure out, Father John Misty’s music is always excellent, something he proved yet again on last year’s God’s Favorite Customer. You might hear all sorts of weird between-song pronouncements during his set at the Altria this Monday night — but you’ll definitely hear some powerful music. And that’s really what it’s all about.

Tuesday, June 25, 7 PM
Damien Jurado, Corrina Repp @ Capital Ale House Music Hall – $18 in advance/$20 day of show (order tickets HERE)

Here’s another pretty impressive labelmate Minor Poet can now claim as a result of his Sub Pop signing. Damien Jurado’s been making his spare, affecting music for around 25 years now, and in the late 90s and early 00s, he was recording for Sub Pop, releasing moody acoustic singer-songwriter masterpieces like Ghost Of David back before Iron And Wine was a name anyone knew.

In the years since, Jurado’s released over a dozen albums, at times dabbling in full bands and more electrified sounds. But on his latest, the just-released In The Shape Of A Storm, Damien Jurado has once again returned to his roots, producing an album of haunting ballads that aren’t quite folk, country, indie, or emo, but will likely appeal to people who enjoy any of those genres. Jurado’s music is always an intense, haunted listening experience, even on record. When he takes the stage at Capital Ale House this Tuesday night, you should be prepared for an emotional journey — one that may take you to some pretty dark places. But even so, you’ll be tremendously glad you took the ride.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Saturday, June 22, 7 PM
The Connells @ The Jefferson Theater – $20 (order tickets HERE)

It may very well be that you have to be “of a certain age” to remember the Connells in 2019. And if so, that’s a shame, because while this band’s most successful periods were the college radio era of the late 80s and the post-Nirvana alt-rock boom of the early 90s, their songwriting talent was more than sufficient to make them the authors of some truly classic alt-pop tunes. Granted, they weren’t as heavy as the grunge bands of the day. What’s more, their roots in North Carolina linked them much more closely to fellow Southern indie groups like REM and Dillon Fence than to the quirkier collegiate alt-rock of the Massachusetts area (like the Pixies or Dinosaur Jr).

All the same, songs like “Stone Cold Yesterday,” “Slackjawed,” and “Fun And Games” showed that namesake brothers Mike and David Connell, along with perennial lead vocalist Doug MacMillan, knew exactly how to put together a perfect pop tune. The results on album after album harked back to 60s classics by the Beatles and the Byrds while also indicating a clear kinship with UK groups like The Smiths and The House Of Love. All that sounds pretty great, right? And see, that’s why you should definitely make it out to the Jefferson Theater Saturday night when The Connells come through — regardless of whether or not you saw them on the lawn at your college in 1994. Their heyday may be a bit far back in the rearview, but these songs are timeless.

Tuesday, June 25, 7 PM
Kristin Hersh Electric Trio, Fred Abong @ The Golden Pony – $12 in advance/$14 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Kristin Hersh has been making music for nearly 40 years, and she’s been a unique and fascinating artist that entire time. Beginning in the early 80s with her band Throwing Muses, Hersh used a spiky iconoclasm learned from punk to twist her noisy pop tunes into strange, off-kilter shapes that made the results fascinating. Beginning in the early 90s, Hersh began alternating full-band Throwing Muses albums with more minimal but no less fascinating solo albums, which veered from raw emotional declarations to covers of old Appalachian folk ballads.

These days, Hersh has managed to distill all her disparate musical threads into a single unified sound. 2018’s Possible Dust Clouds integrates the noisy, tangled postpunk sound of Throwing Muses and Hersh’s post-Throwing Muses project, 50 Foot Wave, with the arresting minimalist songcraft of her previous solo material. Now she’s out on tour performing not as a solo artist or a bandleader but something in-between — fronting an Electric Trio featuring former Throwing Muses bassist Fred Abong and former 50 Foot Wave drummer Rob Ahlers. Will the result be an overview of her 35-year recording career, or will Hersh plunge fearlessly into the future on the trail of her unique muse? Regardless of which way things go, the result is sure to be a captivating performance. Head up to Harrisonburg and see it for yourself — it’ll be worth the trip.

—-

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]

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Celebrated songwriter Josh Ritter examines the art before his show tonight in Charlottesville

Amy David | May 27, 2016

Topics: Charlottesville, folk-rock, indie rock, Josh Ritter, The Jefferson Theater

As impressive as music recordings can be today, it’s imperative fans and critics remember just what matters at the end of the day: the song. Clever production techniques should definitely be celebrated and few things are more exciting than hearing a remix turn concepts inside out, but songwriting itself — that’s what draws us in as fans. Melodies and lyrics intertwining to produce an enthralling sonic message that can transport you to any place. It all starts with a devoted craftsman putting pen to paper and hand to instrument.
[Read more…] about Celebrated songwriter Josh Ritter examines the art before his show tonight in Charlottesville

Folk rockers Dawes discuss line-up changes & obstacles before Tuesday’s show In CVille

Amy David | December 7, 2015

Topics: Charlottesville, Dawes, folk rolk, The Jefferson Theater

On the title track to their fourth record, All Your Favorite Bands, premier folk rockers Dawes have continued the
[Read more…] about Folk rockers Dawes discuss line-up changes & obstacles before Tuesday’s show In CVille

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