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Richmond, VA Culture & Politics Since 2005

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Dreaming Is Free: Weekend Playlist by Washers

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It doesn’t happen every Friday night any more, but occasionally RVA Mag still brings you a super-fun playlist from Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

Our first playlist of the Biden administration era comes to us from Washers, a Richmond melodic indie-punk trio featuring members of quite a few bands you’ve probably heard and enjoyed (Sports Bar, The Measure [SA], Worn In Red, etc). They’ve been around for a few years, but the ass end of the COVID quarantine era has spurred a period of productivity in them, and they’ve recently made their 2017 LP, The Things We Do, available on streaming sites. (It’s also available on Bandcamp if you want to pick up a permanent copy — after all, it is Bandcamp Friday…)

Of course, as drummer Brad Perry admits, “That’s not a newsworthy accomplishment in and of itself.” However, what is noteworthy is the fact that this rerelease of sorts is accompanied by an as-yet-unreleased bonus track, “Nowhere,” which actually premieres as the opening track on Washers’ RVA Mag Weekend Playlist. Which we’ll get to momentarily, but first, I need to let you know that there’s still more to come: Washers finished an album just before the pandemic descended upon us all, and they’ve spent the past year mixing and mastering on a remote basis to get it ready for release. No release date yet, but it’s coming soon, so keep an eye out for that one.

In the meantime, enjoy this massive playlist from Washers, which is set to soundtrack your entire weekend with plenty of catchy tunes, from the punk and indie hits you’d expect these guys to love to some freakier moments and even a few surprising left turns into country and hip hop. I forgot to give them my usual “25 songs, give or take a few” guidance on making this playlist, so they’ve given us an unbelievable 87 songs, for the longest RVA Mag playlist yet! You certainly won’t lack for tuneage this weekend.

Turn it up, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Your Year In Spacebomb: Weekend Playlist By Spacebomb Records

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It’s been a while since RVA Mag brought you a week-ending playlist from Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions, but just this once, we’ve got a new one for ya — so get stoked.

This week, we bring you a playlist that, we must confess, was created not for us specifically but for fans of music as a whole, from Richmond and beyond, by our friends at Spacebomb Records. “2020 has been a very different & difficult year for almost everybody,” the label said in a statement. “At times, we wanted to hide away from it all, and sometimes that was all anyone could do. But in the end, we focused on what we do best and tried to share great art with the world. We couldn’t be prouder of these musicians and releases and are humbled we are partners in sound with so many talented people.”

Over the course of 2020, Spacebomb has brought the world an even dozen new albums, including highly praised new releases from local fave Angelica Garcia and folk supergroup Bonny Light Horseman. There were also releases from popular artists like Fruit Bats and Laura Veirs, musically inclined comedian Tim Heidecker, and several releases from studio mainstays the Spacebomb House Band.

This playlist will give you a tour through all the highlights of Spacebomb’s 2020 — and considering how tough the year has been for everyone, knowing this much great music came out of it right here in Richmond is a pleasant silver lining.

Enjoy, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Perfect Posture: Weekend Playlist By PJ Sykes

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you a truly fantabulous playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week, we’ve got a set of tunes from PJ Sykes, a veteran musician and photographer who’s been making noise around Richmond for years in bands like Hoax Hunters, Angels vs. Aliens, and a ton of others, as well as running longtime Richmond indie label Cherub Records. His latest single, released under his own name, premieres all over the internet today, and is a prelude to forthcoming solo LP FUZZ.

The single, which leads off a playlist full of hot tracks originating in Virginia, is a cover of “Rain In To The Sea,” by Richmond Americana group David Shultz & the Skyline. As with all of the songs on the playlist, the original version of this tune has strong resonances for Sykes.

“As I stumbled into writing FUZZ, my first solo album in [age redacted] years, I decided early on it would be a good idea to record a cover song. Something to help me figure out sounds and get back into recording,” he said. “I’ve been obsessed with ‘Rain In To The Sea’ by David Shultz & The Skyline for a decade now. It’s like a classic Tom Petty song, brilliantly simple sounding, yet tricky to play. I think it pairs well with the new songs I’ve been writing.”

Get the single, along with a B-side featuring an outtake from the last Hoax Hunters EP, over at Sykes’ Bandcamp. Then spend your weekend jamming this playlist full of Virginia-based musical excellence — it’s sure to brighten up your otherwise-spooky Halloween weekend.

Go vote, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Things I Should Have Said: Weekend Playlist by Lefthnd

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you a truly fantabulous playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week, we come to you with a playlist from Lefthnd, the new solo project from Richmond songwriter and producer Scott Lane. You might know Scott from his years as guitarist for The Congress, his production work with local faves Angelica Garcia, Sammi Lanzetta, and Kenneka Cook, or the label he founded, American Paradox, which has released all kinds of great music from Richmond and beyond over the past few years.

It’s American Paradox that brings us Lefthnd’s debut album, Ad Mausoleum, which was released just last week. It features contributions from Richmond leading lights DJ Harrison, Todd Herrington, and Andrew Carper, as well as the whole American Paradox family adding vocals. The result mixes heartland rock vibes with a smooth retro-soul sound and the warm sounds of 70s AM gold. It’s sure to bring positive vibes to your weekend, as will the playlist Lefthnd has created especially for you, the readers of RVA Magazine. Featuring local faves, talented superstars, and a nice taste of what Lefthnd’s new record has to offer, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Feel the vibe, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Blade Runner Blues: Weekend Playlist by She

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you a truly fantabulous playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week, we’re hearing from She, a local indie group who’ve just released their debut EP, TRL 2004, on Bandcamp as of a couple weeks ago. Originally the vehicle for singer/songwriter Liza Grishaeva, the new EP documents the band’s growth into a powerful indie-pop quartet with tunes that are sure to worm their way into your brain and set up camp permanently.

In addition to a one-song preview of their new EP, She bring us a couple dozen incredible jams from all over the stylistic map on their excellent playlist. From hip hop and shoegaze to quiet folk and dark ambient soundscapes, this is a highly varied set of tunes that’s sure to keep your weekend popping until Monday morning.

Enjoy, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

School Lunch: Weekend Playlist by Smyth Knight

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you a truly fantabulous playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This week brings us a jam-packed list of bangers from Smyth Knight, an up-and-coming local rapper who’s developed a buzz among quite a few veteran local heads. Knight released his latest mixtape, North Chesterfield, at the end of July. On that release, he tackles the experience of graduating high school and going from youth to young adulthood in the year 2020. This project, which comes to us from local label Kidz At Play, is an essential listen for this crazy year.

Much the same could be said for this playlist, a heaping helping of hip hop, soul, R&B, and funk flavors brought together into a delicious gumbo of sounds by Smyth Knight. You’ll get a preview of what his North Chesterfield mixtape has to offer, along with some great tracks from other RVA locals, some classic old-school jams, and a whole lot of killer head-nodding beats.

Get down with it, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.