Every month for nearly two years now, we've been joining with Radio Rubber Room to bring you the best in rockin' local sounds at the Tobacco Company! We call these monthly showcases the Richmond Music Review, and this Sunday marks the 19th installment of this always entertaining extravaganza. Between the great food and drink specials provided by our gracious hosts at the Tobacco Company, and the great sounds emanating from the stage all night, these shows are always a great time, and this one promises to be no exception.
Music will be provided by four great local acts, all of which have their own signature sound. Funk Butter, a shifting collective of local musicians who have featured members of The Good Birds, The Trongone Band, Caught In the Rift, and more, will be fielding a team of improvisational funkateers who are guaranteed to get the dance floor moving. We're not quite sure who you'll see onstage on this particular evening, but we can assure you that their dedication to the groove will be second to none.
The Julia Nyunt Small Big Band is a many-instrumented crew led by local singer/songwriter Julia Nyunt (obviously), who accompanies her own vocals with violin rather than the acoustic guitar you might have predicted. Not to worry--she's ably assisted by members of the Roger Pouncey Quintet, including Pouncey himself on guitar, as well as a bonafide horn section, which should bring the total number of members who hit the stage to eight, if our information is accurate. So is that a small band or a big one? Well, again, as you can see by the group's name, it is a Small Big Band. The fact that they claim equal influence from expanded ensembles like Steely Dan and solo performers like Joni Mitchell fits right in with their balancing act between two different extremes. But regardless of what adjective you use to describe the size of their group, the quality of their music is not something you can argue with.
The Iron Sights will also be in the house. This folk-rock quintet, which brings together the songwriting talents of guitarist Isaac Friend and pianist Blair Simpson, has a lot of talent to offer, and the interplay between the distinctive but complimentary styles offered by the band's two vocalists only enriches their sound. Cellist Sean Harrington brings additional textures to the group's sound with his contributions, and the whole thing is nailed down by a tight rhythm section.
Finally, Parentheses rounds out the bill with a pleasant but complex melodic rock sound in which dual guitar interplay backs up melodic vocals that betray an influence from the more cerebral end of the late 90s/early 2000s emo scene. Sure enough, I would expect to find a few records by the likes of Braid and Cap'n Jazz in these guys' record collections, but they honor their influences by displaying a solid grasp of the fundamental elements of the style--not to mention some clearly talented instrumental technique. Their drummer in particular has a deft touch, though that's not to count out the rest of the band, either. This group is still young, but they're showing a lot of potential. Come see for yourself!
In fact, you've really got to come check out this entire evening. The music is just the beginning--the Tobacco Company have some great food on their menu that you've really got to try, and of course Sunday night is always a good time to have a fun evening with your friends before you have to drag yourself back into work on Monday morning. Specials on offer will make it easy on your wallet after your no-doubt action-packed weekend, too. So come out, catch up with some friends, have a tasty burger, some good drinks, and check out some great music! You won't regret it.
WHAT:Richmond Music Review #19 At The Tobacco Company!
WHO:Funk Butter, The Julia Nyunt Small Big Band, The Iron Sights, Parentheses
WHERE:The Tobacco Company, 1201 E. Cary St.
WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 9 PM
ADMISSION: FREE!!!