FEATURE SHOW
Sunday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Chris Corsano, Jason Lescalleet, Corsano-Lescalleet Duo @ Forinstance Gallery (107 E. Cary St.) - $7/All Ages
Although this isn’t officially part of the RVA Noise Fest, having Chris Corsano and Jason Lescalleet in Monroe Ward at Forinstance Gallery on day three of the RVA Noise Fest is a perfect combination. Many folks in town for the noise fest will be in attendance. Live-Improv drummer and superstar talent Chris Corsano keeps great company. You may not have heard, but this guy performs with everybody in the music business. He has the highest regard amongst his peers. If you are really into percussion and the absolute technical side to it, you cannot, no matter what, miss Chris Corsano.
Jason Lescalleet is on the forefront in regards to the depths of low fidelity analog sounds. He achieves this measure through reel-to-reel tape loops that captivate the science of listening. This man is a veteran and always prepared sound technician that, like Corsano, demands and deserves your respect, which you should show by witnessing their performances at Forinstance on Sunday evening. After Corsano and Lescalleet perform solo sets, they’ll perform as a duo. Noise aficionados rejoice! This event will be over in time for the third installment of the RVA Noise Fest over at the Nile later on in the evening.
Wednesday, April 24 7 p.m.
Timeflies, The Jane Doze @ The National - $23/All Ages
Timeflies is a hip hop duo that incorporates dubstep and electro-pop into their act. Born out of Tufts University, Timeflies is Rob Resnick and Cal Shapiro. These two Caucasian wordsmiths are turning a lot of heads in the mainstream top 40 community for their ability to get young suburban sub-literates out on the dance floor, unless they’re too busy playing video games. Now under the Island Def Jam Music Group umbrella, it is a certainty that you will be hearing from these lads, currently based in Brooklyn, a lot more.
The Jane Doze is a duo of young lady DJs who just might steal the show. This DJ/production duo from New York is gaining much notoriety for their EDM/mash-ups fusing the likes of Katy Perry and Marvin Gaye. The Jane Doze have arrived via the newest way of doing so--garnering over a million views on their Soundcloud and Youtube pages.
This could be one of those shows mainstream music fans will talk about later, like "Wow, remember when Timeflies was at the National before they were bigger than big in a mainstream world?" This should be a wonderful night of dancing for the kids, so don’t be late.
Thursday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
Barry Manilow @ Richmond Coliseum - $9-129/All Ages
Sure, laugh all you want at this pick for musical bliss on this fine Thursday evening. Hipster, scenester, metal-head, housewife, retiree, truck driver, or whatever--I don’t care, Barry Manilow is a legend. You might think he’s only for Henricofielders who love figure skating – don’t ask – but he’s for everybody. Manilow writes the songs that make the whole world sing. I’m singing the American Bandstand theme right now just writing about this man. Did I mention that this cat could write a hit song in his sleep? His show will be a bridge between his newer music and his old standards, which will have females in frenzy. Seriously, if this star, and I do mean star if there ever was one, performs "Copacabana,” “Mandy,” or “Looks Like We Made It," expect that ugly brown spaceship we call the coliseum to take off into the heavens.
Manilow is magic, his presence and stamina around the microphone will no doubt electrify onlookers. Whether they are new or older fans, this consummate showman is all in. I’m telling you, Manilow is now cool with the kids, so really, get crazy and do something you never thought you would do--go to an event at the Richmond Coliseum. I kid--go to a Barry Manilow show. This crooner is number one. Once you and your significant other arrive at the show, you can turn to them and say, “It looks like we made it.” Manilow, motherfucker! Indulge.
Friday, April 26, 10 p.m.
Palindrone, GULL, Snack Truck @ The Nile– price at door/21+
For a show full of pure psychedelic ransacking along with brain crushing percussion, look no further than what is going on at the Nile tonight. This show could be one for the books. First off is a revamped Snack Truck (new band name coming soon). Remember those guys? Oh my, this band is back to take us on an instrumental swim through the murky waters of oblivion. Then you've got Palindrone. Palindrone is psychedelia on steroids. Their music will float you above the floor with no bottom. Their beautiful music, full of consciousness, is an environmental spirit that wills your ears over your head. These supernatural wonders, led by singer/guitarist Christian Brady, get high praise from a lot of local musicians. Now, that’s the best compliment there is. Go see Palindrone if you haven’t yet, Richmond. They are strawberry pancakes good.
And, finally, oh my eighth wonder of the world, GULL is back. This half man - half creature is making a return of sorts. It’s either here or Philadelphia, but I tell you this. Wars have started over who gets to claim this one man percussion master and guitarist. GULL is a teacher; one minute of watching this awe-inspiring musician and you have just learned what it takes to be a rock and roll paladin. Who needs a fierce end of the week pick me up? Well, climb aboard a psychedelic journey that may have no end. See you at the Nile tonight!
Friday, April 26 – Sunday, April 28
RVA Noise Fest II, featuring numerous noise bands and noise artist from across the region and America.
Friday, April 26 Day One featuring Mutwawa, Anduin, Diamond Black Hearted Boy, Negative Gemini, Close Your Eyes I'm Changing, Slow News Day In The Vampire World, Thieves of Shiloh, Elian, Focus On Shapes @ Sound of Music Studios 7 p.m. $5
Saturday, April 27 Day Two featuring Contortionist Jazz Exotica, Drums Like Machine Guns, A Snake In The Garden, Skin Graft, Dog Lady Island, Heavy Breathing, Scant, A9Concuss, Ritual Stance, Radiator Greys, JM//Wave, Justin Marc Lloyd, Shattered Hymen, Head Molt, Floodbeast, Lightless, Winter Ritual & Pleasure Island, Stress Orphan, Lugweight, Cash Slave Clique, Xambuca, Christopher S. Feltner, Broadcastatic, Monolith Zero, Cloud Destroyer, Pataphonic, Geordi La Korg, Pemdasi, Nic DeSantis, M.S.C. @ Strange Matter - $4-$10/All Ages
Sunday, April 28 Day Three featuring Kimberly, Stone Garden Jam Temple, Medicinal, Pilottone, Miranda, Genders, Nu Depth, New Loft, The Guild, Short Skirts @ The Nile – Donations please/21+
Curated by the noise lords, as I call them, Gary Stevens, Matt Boettke, and Jonathan Lee, the RVA Noise Fest is back and better than ever. Consisting of over 50 noise and experimental sound artists from as far as Chicago and as near as Church Hill, this three day fest is one of the better ones Richmond has to offer. It’s completely independent, it spotlights what is truly going on in the underground, and puts artists that normally wouldn’t get their craft noticed into the spotlight. If you’re into true form sonic experimentation and just how far you can take sound, I strongly recommend you attend at least one of the events making up this three-day festival. Esoteric would be an understatement when describing yet another highly talented independent genre of music, sound and performance sound art here in Richmond.
Day one of the RVA Noise Fest kicks off at Sound of Music studios downtown. This personally is my favorite lineup because it consists of Richmond’s top performers in the noise and experimentation genre. Mutwawa and Anduin will be the headliners, but watch out for Dylan Languell’s Close Your Eyes I’m Changing. This is some of the most creative sound making I’ve ever seen and heard. All the artists are very unique and fulfilling on this lineup, and to hear it at the acoustically perfect Sound of Music studios is a plus bonus plus.
Day two at Strange Matter is the meat of the fest. Many acts are from out of town and stalwarts in the ever expanding noise scene in America. The highlighted performers from this night, which kicks off in the late afternoon, will be Contortionist Jazz Exotica, Drums Like Machine Guns, A Snake In The Garden, Skin Graft, Dog Lady Island, Heavy Breathing, Radiator Greys, and JM//Wave. These noise acts will range from harsh, ear-splitting noise to deep ambient noise that is more soundscape than deafening mind scramble. Each act on this evening will play no longer than 15 to 20 minutes, so your curiousity will run deep all night with each performer. Since these acts use very limited equipment, they’ll be set up all around Strange Matter. There will be no gaps, just straight performances--as one act ends, another one starts right up. Wow, this is an event not to be missed. Sick and tired as hell of "folk rock"? Well, get rid of that constant sound which everyone in Richmond is doing these days and embody what is going on tonight at Strange Matter.
Day three is at the Nile, and is also RVA Noise Night #10. This night is heavy on local Richmond noise artists. There are lot of solo acts on this one, and the bill is anchored by the harsh noise of Kimberly, Stone Garden Jam Temple, Medicinal, Pilottone, and Miranda. Watch out, there could be some wicked beats delved into tonight. Also, check out New Loft; this is a free-jazz extravaganza lead by members of the famous local outfit Hotel X. What a grand way to close out the best in truly independent culture here in Richmond. What? I can’t hear you! It’s noisy up in here! Yes, that’s the point.
Saturday, April 27, 9 p.m.
Photosynthesizers present LISTEN Vol.1 The Light in Sound featuring Lela Bizz, Anhayla, Photosynthesizers @ The Camel - $5/18+
We want soul and we want it now. This soul-tronic night of funk, hip hop, and true r&b will definitely be a night of miracles. What will really shine tonight will be the mesmerizing vocals from four of the best out there. Lela Bizz is a high rising r&b singer storming the court with her smooth and sultry songs. Already featured on local commercial radio, here comes Lela Bizz. Anhayla, another Richmond vocalist, is a feel good rhythm and blues singer if there ever was one. She’ll move the room, and give an updated performance in the spirit of Billie Holiday. Anhayla is a songstress that will give you a unique perspective on what a masterful voice full of beauty can do for you. Rounding out the four vocalists of the future are the Photosynthesizers. Samsun is the r&b and Barcodez is the rapper extraordinaire, who brings the real hip hop backed by a dazzling band. This night is going to be perfect. Do not miss this show. True soul music exists in Richmond, Virginia and it's all here.
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Sunday, April 28, 10 p.m.
Wax Idols (photo by Ben Lindbloom), TV Ghost, Big No, Gunboat @ Strange Matter $7
I can’t stop listening to Wax Idols. Touring in support of their second LP, Discipline And Desire, Wax Idols take an old 80s sound and turn it into a current light at the end of the tunnel. Starting out as a musical solo project by the great Hether Fortune, Wax Idols have evolved into the current best thing in post-post punk. Wax Idols songs take you places you never thought you would go, and let me tell you something, these ladies can flat out make their instruments soar like a butterfly on a spring day. Fortune’s vocals are synonymous with rising to the peak of ecstasy as her story is told. Yes, Wax Idols can get dark, and darkness can be good, but out of the darkness, Wax Idols deliver a light; as I said before, a light at the end of the tunnel.
Indiana’s TV Ghost is supporting Wax Idols on this tour, and if you thought only John Cougar Mellencamp ruled Indiana, you’d be wrong. The dreamy pop noise of TV Ghost has me at the opposite of spooked. These Hoosiers will transfix your ears into an esoteric siege of sound marvels.
Richmond’s Big No and Gunboat open this four leaf clover of an evening. Yet, again, another big get for Strange Matter. Those kids be killing it, yo!
Sunday, April 28, 9 p.m.
Charged Up Ent&Hip Hop VA presents the Rebirth, featuring music by DJ Swerve 36 and a special performance by Radio B @ The Camel - $5/18+
Noah O is at it again. If anyone can put a spotlight on the fine-tuned burgeoning underground hip hop of Richmond, well, it is this man. He’s a hip hop hero living amongst us. Tonight’s Rebirth at the Camel will of course feature some outstanding wordsmiths battling it out--along with the deejay of deejays, Richmond’s answer to DJ Premier, DJ Swerve 36. If he’s on the ones and twos, then it’s certainly a hip hop event. Never to be outdone in providing a ravishingly upbeat evening, Noah O is bringing us a very special guest; the local rap superstar Radio-B. Radio-B delivers South Richmond right to your eardrum, so devour it like you would devour food from your favorite restaurant. Y’all know restaurants right? It’s the only thing local Richmond media covers anymore. Anyway, back on track, and back on one of Radio-B’s new track. Time to get reborn!
Monday, April 29, 10 p.m.
Hellgoat, Dominium, Hunter's Ground, Cremains @ Strange Matter - $7/18+
Oh thank goodness--some black metal. I haven’t discussed black metal in awhile and it makes me unhappy. Unlike some other shows going on this same week, there will be no drama; this will just be pure unadulterated metal music to the core. Carrying the torch this evening is none other than North Carolina’s Hellgoat. These veteran rockers get to the bottom of the barrel, or even the bottle for that matter, to pull out the darkest metal music available for one’s psyche. Also performing will be brand new Richmond crew Cremains. This black metal outfit, which features former members of Gnawed, Necrobeast, and Wartorn, is a perfect experience for that black sanctuary inside all of us. They too could steal the show. Richmond’s black metal freaks Dominium provide perfect support to our friends from out of town, while Lynchburg’s Hunter’s Ground open this head banging red letter day. Or, should I say black letter day.
Tuesday, April 30, 8 p.m.
Canary Oh Canary, Mutwawa, The Gilmore Guys (pictured above), DJ Scarey Pete @ Fallout– price at door/18+
As you can tell if you are either of the two people that read these preview capsules, I love shows that are a mixed bag, a potpourri of sorts, or just a little bit of everything when it comes to the type of music you’ll be getting. Tonight is a perfect example, and it’s at a venue that normally doesn’t have shows like this. Don’t get me wrong, Fallout is amazing, and I would only hope they do more shows that showcase the best in Richmond music in the future. Tonight brings out just that--Canary oh Canary; the wild shaman of the Zulu nation, Mutwawa; and Gilmore Guys. The Gilmore Guys are an abstract trio comprised of guitar virtuoso Mat Bell, bassist John Swart, and vocalist David Marie Garland. Garland, who just happens to be the best comedian in Richmond, is not only a frontman and singer, but will bring the audience to him, literally. Whether they like it or not, no singer incorporates audience participation like Garland does. You never know what will happen. These crazy Gilmore Guys put the spontaneity in spontaneous. After this banner show, hang out and hear the stylish DJing of DJ Scarey Pete, rotating the very best in Goth industrial.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)