Ladies and gentlemen, we present Sounds Of RVA's Party Hard mixtape, the latest installment of RVA Magazine's compilation series featuring Richmond music curated by Richmond bloggers. Richmond is no stranger to partying, and so we thought we would do it up right with a mix to serve as soundtrack for your next holiday party. From hip hop to indie rock, RVA Mag has you covered. This is a little NSFW, so keep that in mind. You shouldn't be partying at work anyway, amiright? These tracks are all from 2012 and give a pretty good impression of some of the get-down-and-dirty mentality in RVA. Imbibe wisely.
Jo Casino gets things started with "Weed & Andre" from his 2012 SpaceBound album. This dude knows how to sell himself, and we are loving how bad ass we feel when listening. We don't even have to be blazing up. Check out lyrics like "Weed smellin' like a cat potty good lordy!" and "Where the weed at... and where that Andre?"
photo by Amanda Louise Preputnik
Lobo Marino's "Celebrate" is next, and it comes from this year's album, Kite Festival. The wild female vocals careen while polyrhythmic punctuated percussion adds even more to the untamed fury. The duo of Lobo Marino, Laney Sullivan and Jameson Price, has been traveling around the country for the past several months, and they will "celebrate" their homecoming with a show at Natural Bridge/Foamhenge on 12/21.
The Southern Belles'"All Night" is the third track, and it's definitely one of the highlights. I swear if you close your eyes, it's like Steely Dan is playing. The rhythm. the smoothness, the backing female vocals, and the unison horns punctuating many verses really recall the Dan. "All Night" is from 2012's Sharp as a Knife. Look for it to be a contender among 2012's Best of Albums at Sounds of RVA. Check out The Southern Belles @ Cary Street Cafe 12/12 and The Camel on 1/4 and 2/1 of the '13.
photo by Patrick Moran
"Heavy Nights" from White Laces comes next, and it takes you on a progressively heavier night out. The song builds in intensity and grows more complicated as it progresses. The track comes from 2012's Moves, and the band just released a video for the track via Stereogum, directed by Lurid Pictures. Look for the band on the road in Philly or NYC mid-month.
Gritty City Records'Johnny Ciggs is the man behind the next track, "Gettin' Bent on Broad Street" and it takes no prisoners. The track comes from the album 21 Tracks About Malt Liquor, Fat Asses, and Other Ill Shit. "I'm tryin' to cope, I'm flyin' high, survivin'/Pussy's in my face and I'm constantly muff divin" is but one of the choice quotes from the hometown-lovin' song. This is not for the easily-offended.
photo by Silver Persinger
"Baby Boogie" by Warren Hixson begins with a Tool-friendly intro and then morphs into dark surf rock. It's but one of the infectious grooves on 2012's Cruel Whims. Read more about the band here.
RPG's "Care to Party" is the seventh song, and it's a little explicit. It's short, simple, and sweet. The track comes from 2012's High Loathsome, which is another stellar 2012 effort. The album is less stoner rock than Americana gone awry. Give it a listen.
Time Machines may be one of the more obscure bands on this comp, but their "Pine Street House" really knows how to rock Richmond style. It comes from 2012's Carpe TM. The vocals sound like music through clogged, allergic ears - the note plus something slightly off. The resulting dichotomy kicks ass, and the song will add some serious shoegaze to your party.
Strumpet's "Lights are Off, Pants are Down" is the next-to-last track, and it gets a little dirty, middle school style. The Muse-industrial low end synth kills it while prepubescent vocals make women melt. There is a keyboard-guitar interlude that feels a little Disco Biscuits-y, but don't worry, it gets back to the hook.
Finishing things off is Six Track Amateur's "Get Wasted," a tongue-in-cheek look at the ridiculousness of partying. Myles Shifflett is the one-man-band, and his 2012 Funcore rocks in a Weird Al kind of way.
Sounds Of RVA's Party Hard Mixtape can be streamed below, or downloaded from the RVA Magazine Bandcamp page. Enjoy!
By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.org)