The Horn RVA Presents Vol. 2 highlights seventeen Richmond groups from a diverse sampling of local releases, b-sides, and exclusive recordings. Our second volume features artwork by VCU graduate Tim Robinson: a stunning two-pane, tall-bike jousting scene, laden with PBR and local allusions. The sampler also features photography by Charles Couch: a beautiful HDR scene of Belle Isle from Hollywood Cemetery.
We hope that everyone enjoys the mix, continues to listen locally, and stay tuned to TheHornRVA.com for information about Vol. 2 bands, local shows and more!
1. Sundials– "Completely Broken" (from their 2012 album When I Couldn’t Breathe)
Savagely laying to rest the sophomore slump, Sundials return on When I Couldn't Breathe sounding better than ever. While they are already established as a mainstay in the local house show scene, Sundials have recently also proven their place even more solidly in the local music scene, honing their performance and songwriting, as heard on songs like "Completely Broken." For their first release on Asian Man Records, Sundials really raised the bar for themselves and others in the local punk scene, a bar met only by new releases from bands like Hold Tight! and Family Cat.
2. Navi– "Cool" (exclusive b-side from their recording session for 2012′s EP)
I'm not sure who gave Navi the nickname "Richmond's thunder," but it is quintessentially true; they have all of the sound (in terms of fuzz, fuzz and more fuzz) and none of the flashy nonsense that weighs down a lot of heavy and mathy music. Jon Hawkins is somewhat of a legend in Richmond math rock at this point, and Kyle Flanagan is one of the best younger drummers (and plays with a bunch of different, sweet groups), so the duo pretty much slay every live performance they touch. And luckily for us, they perform all over Richmond, from venues to living rooms.
3. Captain, Captain– "New Song" (demo, to be featured on forthcoming recording)
First and foremost, Tim Robinson from Captain, Captain drew the cover artwork for the sampler, and we couldn't be happier with how it came out. As for their song, it is one of the most endearing and catchy tracks on Vol. 2, and I really think these guys will gain some serious traction in Richmond over the next year. Their live performances are nothing short of fantastic, and it has been a real pleasure hearing the progression in their sound over time. They are currently working to add more members into the mix on drums, backing vocals, and more.
4. Damaged Andy– "ZZZZZz" (from his upcoming EP…Must Be Destroyed)
Damaged Andy commanded our attention with his first EP release, Psychosis. We loved it as a whole, and were incredibly excited to get new material from him to feature on Vol. 2. His track, as with his other releases, is an introspective, lyrically-driven journey featuring tasteful sampling and driving beats that grab and entrance listeners. He just has a voice made for rhymes and with a great timbre, whatever that is worth these days. We're eagerly awaiting his upcoming EP, and we've also enjoyed two recent releases available on his Bandcamp.
5. Mind’s I– "Correlations Pt. 2" (from their 2012 demo EP)
When we learned that a local group recorded demos with metal giants Born of Osiris, I was stoked and honored to offer them a spot on Vol. 2. Mind's I boasts some of the most creative and talented songwriting in local metal, with chord voicing and tone that melts face in just the right way. Their technicality is absolutely nuts, but they use it so tastefully that it shifts to the back of the listeners mind instead of overwhelming. I heard their guitarist, Joe Vanderhoff, just got a new Steinberger, so there's that, too. Prog-nerds and djent-heads rejoice!
6. Folk the System– "I’d Be Happy" (featured on upcoming Worthless Junk< LP)
This particular recording of "I'd Be Happy" has existed long enough for listeners across Richmond and Norfolk (and many other places) to recall every nuance of the performance. I've had it since high school, and I was one of many insanely stoked by the prospect of Bucky from Worthless Junk releasing a vinyl anthology of sorts featuring re-recorded classics from Folk's DIY releases. When Folk belted out their set over the commotion at a local bar, huddled between booths in McCormick's for River City Shreds, it was like being warped back to Relative Theory or Campus Chaos.
7. Way, Shape or Form– "A Subtle Misspelling" (from his 2012 LP Person, Place or Thing)
While The Suberranea Collective has gained almost cult appreciation among the student community, Troy Gatrell finally steps into the spotlight with his solo project, Way, Shape or Form. Working in rhythm with Cheyenne and Midair, Gatrell shows off his lead melodies in vocals, guitar and keys over top subtle electronic and live drums, seamlessly weaving between analog and digital sounds. For his live comeback, Gatrell recruited a super-group of Midair and Night Idea, delivering two fantastic performances (including his CD release show) at Gallery 5 earlier this fall.
8. Humungus– "Steel Thunder" (exclusive recording)
Humungus may not just be the best thrash band in Richmond, but very legitimately one of the best "heavy" bands the city has to offer. "Steel Thunder" is an interesting song because it is fun, intense, groovy and technical all at once - I guess that's really the appeal of thrash at its most basic. While the riffage and vocals are huge and well-executed, the bass lines really steal the show for me. In any case, Humungus has lit up Strange Matter a few times recently, and promises to bring the same intensity to upcoming shows in North Carolina and Georgia.
9. Tigerlamp– "Nobody Is Anymore" (exclusive recording)
The Subterranea Collective is home to some of the most creative and dedicated young musicians on the scene right now. Reid LaPierre stands at the helm of that group, on guitar duty with Night Idea and Houdan the Mystic, bass in Way, Shape or Form's live band, and his solo side-project, Tigerlamp, featuring Ethan Johnstone from Night Idea on drums. His mathy, effect-driven guitar work coupled with intricate patterns from Johnstone make for an amazing live performance, while his ear for great grooves grounds his solo work in an equal balance of danceable and unpredictable lines. His recent addition of synth to the mix doubles his duties, and along with vocals and tap-dancing pedals he's quite a busy guy onstage, but it shows in the elegant soundscapes and live sampling filling the gaps.
10. Captives– "Repeater" (from their 2012 LP The Drop)
We got in touch with Captives through my boss (her little brother, Sean Geerdes, fronts the group on guitar/vocals), and we really enjoyed their new LP. The album channels Every Time I Die through a sludgy, groovy lens that highlights the southern metal and desert rock influences perfectly. These guys have some serious potential, and with some shows under their belt, I'd see them garnering some looks from old and young members of the metal community in Richmond.
11. Family Cat– "Loosey Goosey" (from their 2012 LP Dealing with Depression)
It's really a shame Family Cat can't perform more (their singer moved to Texas this summer), because their new album is absolutely fantastic. The recording itself is great, and the vocals especially really shine while punchy guitar riffs and catchy songwriting set the album apart from cookie-cutter imitations. The group reunited for the Sundials LP release show at Strange Matter, and are working on follow-up material, but live performances are rare for now. If a flyer or event page does pop up, don't miss out!
12. Messier.– "Endgame (Dub Mix)" (exclusive recording)
When I met Chris Messier, he was playing guitar in a local supergroup of sorts, Player Pianos, featuring singer/songwriter Dane Ferguson, guitarist/drummer Tommy Crisafulli (Hot Black Desiato) and bassist Alex Robbins (longtime companion of Ferguson's onstage and in the studio). Since then he has turned to the dark side, so to speak, and become a DJ, spinning gigs at Europa and house shows in Richmond and Charlottesville. His incredible ear for guitar translated into a precise, keen dedication to tone and rhythm, crafting evolving, progressive house tracks that really drive a crowd. While I'll always dream of seeing him on guitar again, he's really honed his writing while mixing and won me over track by track.
13. Black Brothers– "Warsaw" (from their 2012 EP Disconnect)
Although the widespread obsession in the 2000s with garage-rock seemed to give way to a newfound indulgence in blues, Black Brothers offer homespun anthems without the Danger Mouse seasoning. All Dan Auerbach references aside, their endearing performance of "Warsaw" features a killer horn solo a la Cake, except laid back, filling the air with layered, living melodies overtop tastefully minimal roots. Their track also acts as a change of pace from the more involved tracks on Vol. 2, showcasing the more mellow, melodic side of the house show scene outside of the traditional punk and metal connotations.
Photo by Samuel Roots
14. Herro Sugar– "Fat Jackson" (from their 2012 EP Smoking General Kills Sturgeon)
Herro Sugar has received a lot of press lately, and they deserve every bit of it. Their new EP is a great listen and their live performances at River City Shreds and various house shows have really established them in the local scene. Despite their age (or maybe because of it), their energetic and charismatic tracks draw from a tasteful pool of indie/garage rock and 90s sounds that coalesce into bright, hook-laden jams about happiness, pure and simple.
15. Comrades– "Giants" (exclusive recording)
For a three-piece, Comrades make beautiful, layered complexity sound easy with their ebbing and flowing instrumental epics. While their lack of vocals lumps them alongside Explosions in the Sky and, more aptly, Russian Circles, the guitarwork lies somewhere between Thomas Erak and Teppei Teranishi, without sounding anything like recycled screamo outtakes. The bass tone fantastically fills the low end, while the creative lines balance the elevated guitarwork. Oh, the drums are fantastic, too. Their extensive touring has taken them across the nation, and their live performances really speak for themselves.
Photo by Ben Foster
16. Furious George– "The Man the Martyr and the Guardian Angel" (from his 2012 LP You’re Adopted)
At first glance, many singer/songwriters get tossed into the masses of dudes with guitars, but Furious George caught our eye with his infinitely endearing live performances at house shows. His album, Adopted, is sad as hell, but his upbeat and catchy guitar work softens the blow. Against others who play into romantic or material content, Furious George acts as a Bob Dylan of bad decisions, spinning histories, misadventures and memories in basements, bars and living rooms across Richmond.
17. Brother Wolf– "Soft Limbs Pt. 2" (from their 2011 live session with Aux Send)
Brother Wolf, members of The Subterranea Collective, offer a unique take on the fusion of traditional band elements and strings during their evolving, instrument-heavy movements, which range from brooding, polyphonic chaos to crafted melodic depth. These guys are a part of a rising acoustic and unplugged part of the younger scene in Richmond, working with other like-minded performers to organize shows geared towards the quieter but still fantastic acts in the area (who are often slapped on opening slots for shows simply for being acoustic or drowned out by ambient whooping). Once these guys hit the studio for the first formal recording they'll definitely make some big waves with local listeners.
Download The Horn RVA Vol. 2 free from Bandcamp now!