One thing about hurricanes--there is a peculiar tempestuous calm in the air as we wait for them to pass. Not just any music will suffice for this mood. On twitter, we asked what everyone's favorite hurricane music is, and got a variety of responses. Patricia Ann suggested 30 Seconds to Mars' "Hurricane" while Matt Klimas (of The Snowy Owls, Low Branches, etc.) said "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by Scorpions was a no-brainer. Former Richmonder/current New Yorker Jim Ivins put together a whole playlist on Spotify, including songs like Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" and Muse's "Butterfies & Hurricanes." Check it out here. Let's see what Richmond has going on this week:
First up this week, we have The Horn RVA Presents Volume 2. The Horn RVA is a collective of student journalists from VCU who cover local music. This is their second compilation of Richmond bands, and it's a pretty good mix. Featuring bands like Sundials, Humungus, Herro Sugar, Damaged Andy, and Navi, the mixtape shreds, blazes, and rocks its way through the tracks.
photo by Marc Cheatham
Just Plain Sounds has just released a new video by James Dangle. "Problems" begins with Dangle pushing a baby carriage around what looks like Scott's Addition and later the 14th Street (Mayo) Bridge. The video follows Dangle around while he encounters all his "problems," like what looks like a pissed-off baby mama, people walking out of his show, and finally not being able to light a smoke. The last little snippet is just Dangle in the studio messing around.
photo by Katie Veronica Dunn Photography
The Killing Daylights are making waves in RVA, first by winning a battle of the bands at The Republic (where they will have a month-long residency) and then by releasing a brand new track, "Good Side." This song combines enchanting lead singer Megan Lynn Browning's vocal talents with guitarist Beau Powell's voice, and it also shows off the rock prowess of the band as a whole. Add to all that a dynamic chick who plays bass and sings (Chelsea Kerwath, also Powell's wife), and you've got a powerhouse of a show.
Catch The Killing Daylights this Friday (11/2) @ Babes Of Carytown, 8 pm. OR Saturday 11/3 @ The Republic, 10 pm.
Cardinal Compass released an LP, Born Homesick, back in August, but we somehow missed it. The female-led Americana band puts a different spin on murder ballads and dark bluegrass. Cardinal Compass features Matt Wild from Promethean and although vocalist Hannah Marie Standiford has a noticeable shift between her registers, each is strong and unwavering. Listen to "Abandoned Books" for an instrumental track with banjo by Jake Ziemba (author of The Yukon Glory). Check out "When the Good Wind Blows" for a really catchy melody, and Standiford in the zone on vocals. She really uses her natural break to create a badass swagger. Watch out for this wild cat!
Catch Cardinal Compass @ The Camel 12/4 with Electrician (Oakland electro-folk) and Dave Watkins (RVA Renaissance man). 8 pm, FREE!
The Banduras are getting ready to release a new album called River City. Willie Nelson plays bass on the record, but it's not that Willie Nelson. The band is in its fourth year playing music around singer/songwriter Clifton Gibbons' compositions. "Don't Race the Setting Sun" is a standout track as it's the longest, most complicated, and most mature sound on the record. It is epically beautiful.
The Banduras will play their album release show on 11/10 @ a house show. Get in touch with a band member for more info!
By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.org)