The pollen is still kicking our asses, but allergies can't repress the artistic expression of Richmonders. Regardless of whether you are caught up in one side or the other of the Art 180 controversy or the Presidential election, we have to take time to maintain our creative needs. Thank goodness there is so much material being produced out of RVA every day, every hour. From shows to 7"s, Richmond's got a lot going on this week.
(photo by Shaun Aigner-Lee)
First we have the new album from Anduin, aka Jonathan Lee. This album of moods and soundscapes plays like the soundtrack to some of my more f*&*ed up dreams. "Dyadic 27" is a saxophone in synergy with a man doing some sort of work or art in the background. You can never really tell what it is, and that's what particularly eerie about this album. RIYL: Animal Collective
Dank D put out a video about a week ago that features some abandoned areas in Richmond. This shit is dope! I'm not kidding. One of the last shots has Dank D next to a souped up Pontiac (don't hold me to that, IDK cars) with his name written in the dust. You can catch Dank D on April 20 (4/20) @ Bonvenu.
Galaxy Girl on WRIR just finished Janetpalooza - a venture in which she went to 31 shows in 31 days. She got some great footage from the extensive jaunt, and we get to reap the benefits. Check out Galaxy Girl's radio show on WRIR, Galaxy Girl's Breakfast Blend, on Thursday mornings 6-8 am.
Here we have some footage of Dead Fame playing The Camel on March 22nd. I've been slow to warm up to these guys, but we all have our own tastes. However, this new wave is catchy and moving, as this video shows. Thanks, Galaxy Girl!
photo by Kris Scofield
And, yes, the following is another segment from SXSW (they're still trickling in): a fine full set from Nervous Ticks, playing in Charlotte, NC on March 16th. The Nervous Ticks play @ Strange Matter 4/18 with Los Vigilantes, Blue Rajas, Paint Fumes, and Feral Babies. Also @ Strange Matter 4/28 with Roman Gabriel Todd's Beast Rising Up Out of the Sea, Mutant Genes, Mutwawa, and Fire Bison.
(photo by Fire at Will Photography)
From Fragile Seeds recently played @ Current (March 24) and Steven Inge of stevenandlilyphotography.com was there to take video. From Fragile Seeds plays another FREE show @ Current this Saturday (4/7) with Starfish Prime and We Killed Vegas, 9pm. There are a bunch of other upcoming FREE shows at Current as well. This place is blowing up.
Next, we've "804 Lock & Load" by Baby Rollack Strollack aka Tre' Jones, which has a pretty hardcore message, but the beat is just plain badass. Plus, I'm a sucker for any song that represents RVA!
Finally, if you were cool enough to hear about Sortarama (i.e., sort-of Slaughterama without getting blowed up), then you saw some cool stuff. If not, here is a video with a little taste of The Eurotics' performance this past weekend.
(video by Wes McWillen)
By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.tumblr.com)