Presented by Church Hill Records, five-piece alt-country band Trouvère features Luke Saunders and Chris Payne and blends a nice mix of folk and country flavors.
The group has been busy lately and is finally releasing its self-titled debut EP on Saturday, March 16. The release show takes place at Gallery 5 with Mount Lion and Dave Watkins.
Celebrate the third anniversary of the popular Listening Room series on Tuesday with performances by Daniel Levi Goans, Dave Watkins and the Low Branches.
Daniel Levi Goans plays North Carolina folk music with his wife Lauren. Beautiful folk music in a silent environment. Make sure to head to this amazing concert series.
If you didn’t get a chance to see the InLight project that Dave Watkins and Nelly Kate did last Friday, check this out:
Listen to Dave Watkins playing Mogwai’s “New Paths to Helicon (Pt.1)” on his homemade electric dulcitar from his performance at Gallery 5 on July 19. He’s accompanied by Joon Kim on violin.
Dave Watkins will be performing at Strange Matter on Wednesday, Aug. 8 with Nah, Joint Chiefs of Math, Luff and Promethean.
Lobo Marino‘s newest album “Kite Festival,” which was recorded in front of a live studio audience in Richmond last month, will be packaged and ready to go with a free CD release show at Gallery 5 on Thursday, July 19, which will be their last Richmond show until December. Antlers and Dave Watkins will also be joining them. The next day will begin Lobo Marino’s long tour back to the West Coast.
I saw first saw Nelly Kate perfrom at the Listening Room last year and was blown away by her music. Her layered sounds and voice grabbed your attention like no other and I’ve been looking forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve.
Her album “ISH ISH,” primarily an analog record release, is set to be released this week, and from what I’ve heard already, it’s going to be one the best albums in Richmond this year. The first 300 copies of the album will be pressed on 180-gram virgin vinyl and come with a CD, plus a limited edition run of 100 copies will come with a 75-page book.
Nelly will release “ISH ISH” with a show at Strange Matter on Thursday, March 1. Also playing are The Pharmacy, Softspot and the Diamond Center.
And on Friday, March 2, Nelly will release a book of illustrations with a show Gallery 5 feat. Boas and Caged Animals. All of Nelly’s illustraions will be exhibited and Dave Watkins will be doing film projections as well.
And to finish up the weekend, there will be a Listening Party for “ISH ISH” at Steady Sounds on Sunday, March 4 with Nelly and White Laces.
Nelly Kate – Blue Badges
Excited now for Nelly Kate’s music? Well, keep reading because it’s…
I have two tickets for Nelly Kate’s Release Show at Strange Matter on March 1 to one lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me why you want them or something nice about me or how incredible Nelly’s music is. Deadline is Thursday, March 1 at noon.
The Richmond music scene had so many incredible albums come out this year, there was no way I could lump them in with national releases and then have to narrow them down to 10 (there are actually 11 on this list). And since my blog is primarily local, I made a completely separate list – and even that was still hard to do. Here are the best albums Richmond musicians had to offer for 2011.
COREY MCLEMORE – THE DEFINITION
There’s nothing really more I can say about the Richmond-turned-Brooklyn rapper and his amazing debut album since I’ve been talking it up all year, but it’s seriously that good. There’s an immense amount of talent in this young man and even though he’s left RVA, He still has plenty on hometown love in his heart for the River City and this album clearly reflects that.
TYLER CROWLEY – DAYS AND DREAMS
The guitarist from Louisiana Territory struck out on his own and created a simplistic yet very catchy solo album, which shows the rocker’s somber side and greater depth as a songwriter.
VAMPIRE OCTOPUS
I knew this was getting on the list the moment I heard it. Vampire Octopus features songbird Lydia Ooghe and master musician Trey Pollard and the collection of songs is very happy feel good music that reminds you of summer.
DAVE WATKINS – WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS HERE AND EVERYONE IS ASLEEP
Simple yet incredibly complex at the same time, the music of Dave Watkins is something to be experienced. Mastering the art of the loop pedal, Watkins’ live shows are a welcomed sensory overload and his release is able to capture all the magic of his live shows just as well.
ROSS WRIGHT – HALLELUJAH, THERE’S A PLACE FOR ME
This one threw me for a curve. Upon first listen, you think you’re going to hear a singer-songwriter on the piano. Then Track 2 starts and synth and drums kick in and you’re left doing a double take. Mechanicsville’s Ross Wright and his debut album “Hallelujah…” left nothing less than a stellar impression on me.
WHITE LACES
There was no escaping White Laces this year. The group’s refined brand of psych noise rock was something that was turning heads everywhere and it was captured perfectly in their self-titled release.
THE LOW BRANCHES – SINKING, RISING
The hushed and haunting sounds of folk band the Low Branches are something to be admired. And this album is full of them. This is the kind of album who have to closely listen to or else you miss out of its true potential.
DEAN FIELDS – UNDER A SEARCHLIGHT MOON
Dean Fields has an incredible voice backed up with some fine guitar playing. His latest release offers a more polished feel and a more mature sound than he’s done before.
BLACK GIRLS
This band was EVERYWHERE this year. I will admit to not paying attention to them until mid-year. Their riotous rock sounds were just the thing to get you in the mood for the day. And they’ve got a new album just around the corner.
THE GREATER THE RISK – SAY WHAT YOU NEVER SAID
Pop-punk outfit The Greater the Risk got a new lead singer this year and released a collection of some of the most well-put together punk songs I’ve heard in a while. They took what they started on their previous EP and expanded everything – something every artist should do.
The Greater The Risk – Pick Your Poison
MERMAID SKELETONS – THE HANDSOME CORNUCOPIA
This collection of unreleased songs, written and recorded back when the group was just Josh Hryciak and Michael Satterfield, saw the light of day. Eager fans like myself who had been missing Mermaid Skeletons got a treat with an incredible set of their standard folk-pop tunes. This brought me back to the year 2008, complete with memories of the group’s performance at the Poe Museum’s garden – one of the best shows in Richmond, ever.
Mermaid Skeletons – Ants
Richmond shook like crazy yesterday during the 5.9 magnitude earthquake and what’s the first thing I did after it was all over? Make an earthquake themed mixtape, naturally.
The mixtape features tracks from local bands Marionette, Against Grace, Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird, Dave Watkins, Louisiana Territory, Gills & Wings, Ferdinand Thomas, Prabir and the Substitutes, The Animal Beat and Nick Coward and the Last Battle.
It’s my post over at River City Rapids for this week. Go here to read and listen: http://www.rivercityrapids.com/?p=2098.
If you’ve ever had the chance to see Dave Watkins perform, then you know that it’s an experience that’s unlike anything else you’ve experienced. His music is a collection of psychedelic imagery mixed with a sensory overload of instrumental music. Words can’t do it justice. It’s something that needs to be experienced. Trust me on this one.
Dave Watkins celebrates his new CD “When No One Else is Here and Everyone is Asleep” with a release party at the Camel on Thursday, Aug. 4 with Lobo Marino, Nelly Kate and To All My Dear Friends.
Dave Watkins – Whiskey Butter Sauce
RVA music networking site The Richmond Scene is turning two years old and what better way to celebrate than throwing a huge party?
On Sunday, July 24 at the Camel, there will be music from some of Richmond’s favorite bands including No BS! Brass Band, Snowy Owls, Dave Watkins and Dogs on Main Street. I’m sure a number of other music friends will make an appearance as well. And the night will also mark the release of The Richmond Scene’s Mixtape 11 release.
Oh, and the party is free. Can’t beat that.
Happy Birthday, The Richmond Scene. Here’s to many more.
RVA Playlist showcases different local and national bands playing in town, CD and show reviews in Richmond, Va.
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