UVA’s Old Cabell Hall brings to mind piano recitals, string quartet performances, and the occasional comedian or lecturer, but the historic building also houses one of the University’s newest and most eccentric programs. Tucked away in the room B012 on the basement level is the Virginia Center for Computer Music. Strange but inviting noises often […]

cd Only a year old and Kate Starr’s three-piece band has already reached the finals of Lollapalooza’s Last Band Standing contest, opened for acclaimed shoegazers Asobi Seksu and played New York City nearly as many times as they’ve played Charlottesville.  Starr has an impressive array of artsy publicity photos, and she’s built a distinct image […]

music In high school, I played the Tokyo Rose basement for my one and only time as the bassist for Moments Without. That band now goes by the name Worn in Red, and  on Friday night I saw their show at the renovated Tokyo Rose. The Rose basement is a much different place than when […]

cd A friend recently mentioned how he couldn’t help but listen to depressing music. “I try to find upbeat stuff, but I always end up going back to really sad music,” he said. “It’s just better.” He has a point. Unless you’re out for a rousing night on the town, pensive and existential music is […]

music The Hackensaw Boys have played with Modest Mouse and The Flaming Lips, and have traveled to far off places like the Netherlands and France, but nothing beats a hometown show.  Just as most of the Boys hail from nearby burgs like Crozet and Waynesboro, a good portion of Saturday night’s crowd came from the […]

music September 11th could have sidelined Explosions in the Sky.  Their breakthrough album, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, was released less than a month before the attacks and featured a picture of a plane with the caption “This plane will crash tomorrow.” This unfortunate coincidence, […]

music The press release for the show at Outback Lodge declared that “this will be the closest thing to hanging out in the old Tokyo Rose basement you’ve felt in a while.”  Since the Rose stopped hosting shows a few years ago, several venues have offered great alternatives, but none have provided a comparable atmosphere.  […]

cd Patty Griffin’s versatility and ambition are obvious from the start of Children Running Through, her latest release on Dave Matthews’ brainchild, ATO Records. The minimal upright bass and drums of “You’ll Remember” give way to the horn-inflected, bluesy “Stay on the Ride,” which tells the tale of an old man’s determined bus trip to […]